Stage Buzz
El Perro Del Mar preview
Lincoln Hall, Chicago Monday, February 22, 2010 No one cares about it, but my love/hate affair with El Perro Del Mar’s music has been documented on this site. Icy, repellant, a feast for Kate Bush fans — she’s upsetting but compellingly sure of her direction.
Vitalic preview
Empty Bottle, Chicago Tuesday, February 23, 2010 It’s hard to imagine Blade Runner zealots — what with the bleak fate of the world and all — being big dance-music fans, but if they were, Vitalic would rate pretty highly.
Pictures Of Then reviewed
The Wicked Sea (self-released) Minneapolis-based Pictures Of Then have gambled by making their name a reference to the past, though it doesn’t turn out to be so much of a risk. Appearing: Tuesday, February 23rd at Elbo Room in Chicago.
Robert Earl Keen Jr. preview
Joe’s, Chicago Friday, February 12, 2010 Years ago, all the CMA hubbub about Taylor Swift probably wouldn’t cost Texan Robert Earl Keen much sleep. The country singer/songwriter didn’t get angry — he just killed.
The Devil Wears Prada preview
House Of Blues, Chicago Monday, February 15th, 2010 Though they have a reputation, perhaps well deserved, as dim-witted, vulgar miscreants, few fans get as passionate about their favorite bands as the metal crowd. Vocal style, drop tunings, beat count, and breakdown depth are all considered to determine if a band merits worth. Indie kids […]
Phantogram preview
Schubas, Chicago Wednesday, February 17, 2010 We repeatedly come across — whether coincidental or planned — revived musical styles. It’s not quite at the point of (the erroneously reported) “nothing more can be invented” quote from a 19th century patent-office employee, but bands find remarkable ways to invoke the past.
Concerts For Haiti
Viaduct, Chicago/ Durty Nellie’s, Palatine January 30-31, 2010 Catastrophes are like elections in that most people participate once, if minimally, then begin creating distance. Some local musicians are here to call those folks out.
I Love Cover Bands
Uncle Fatty’s/The Coach House, Chicago January 25 – 31, 2010 We’re a little late getting into it, but here’s how the weekend shapes up for the end of this year’s cover-centric Winter Music Festival.
Pravda Records 25th Anniversary
The Service, The Slugs, Boom Hank Abbey Pub, Chicago Friday, January 22, 2010 Though he’s never flaunted his wares like Touch And Go, Thrill Jockey, Drag City, or Bloodshot, Kenn Goodman’s Pravda Records confidently collected a reputable catalog over the past quarter-century and rightfully celebrates this Friday at the Abbey.
Joan Of Arc’s Don’t Mind Control
Empty Bottle, Chicago Friday, January 22, 2010 Even Tim Kinsella’s many detractors must admit his Joan Of Arc has been progressive. Over the years, he has been the stem of a rapidly regenerating art-rock hydra, shuttling collaborators in and out to suit his unpredictable musical ambitions. And Friday night, they all come home to roost.
Daphne Willis preview
Lincoln Hall, Chicago Wednesday, January 27, 2010 One more youngster with a voice that “belies their years” and we’ll start raiding their lockers for HGH like BALCO and Barry Bonds. Chicagoan Daphne Willis is 22, sounds 22, and writes about 22-centric things.
Tomorrow Never Knows festival preview
Schubas/Lincoln Hall, Chicago January 13 – 17, 2010 Schubas’ annual January to-do in Lakeview has expanded to 40 bands with the inclusion of Lincoln Hall. Strangely, the two rooms aren’t much further apart than the two most distant stages at Lollapalooza.
Jookabox preview
Empty Bottle, Chicago Sunday, January 17, 2010 Nearly everything written about Jookabox (formerly Grampall Jookabox) more than touches on Indianapolis. It’s customary to acknowledge a band or artist’s origins, but in this context it illuminates the music.
Treaty Of Paris preview
Metro, Chicago Saturday, January 9, 2010 Well it’s good to have Treaty Of Paris back home and safe. Last we knew, the Chicago band had been abducted by a pack of fuzzy Flaming Lips companions and forced to play in forests.
Anvil preview
House Of Blues, Chicago Sunday, January 10, 2010 Anvil are fit for the age of Facebook — an old classmate appears before your eyes just the same as they were before (if swelled), giving you a chance to rehash the good times. But the existential crisis is this: Once someone rotates out of your life, […]
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