Stage Buzz
Apocalyptic Crust Fest II preview
Apocalyptic Crust Fest II The Black Hole, Chicago October 2-4, 2008 If we’re being honest, we know nothing about Shaman Records, didn’t realize the venue The Black Hole (3057 W. 26th) existed, and have heard of only a few of the nearly 30 bands playing there this weekend. But how can you go wrong with […]
Robert Pollard preview
Robert Pollard Double Door, Chicago Monday, October 6, 2008 Oh, Bob. When people realized Guided By Voices actually was going to break up in 2004, an onrush of goodwill spilled forth that seemed to forgive the Fading Captain sloppiness and TVT years at once. After that last tour, all went back to normal and Robert […]
Frontier Brothers preview
Frontier Brothers Ronny’s, Chicago Wednesday, October 8, 2008 If Jim Henson’s Muppets needed a house band, Austin’s The Frontier Brothers could fill in for Dr. Teeth And The Electric Mayhem Band any day. Of course, the trio might want to keep the references to drugs and women at a minimum. God forbid the kids get […]
Damien Jurado preview
Damien Jurado Schubas, Chicago Thursday, September 25, 2008 Through nine albums in 11 years, Damien Jurado has tinkered with his musical aesthetics (morose folk, jangle pop, jagged rock) while habitually creating character sketches for potential Coen Brothers films. This year’s Caught In The Trees, however, traps the screenwriter into his own plot.
Amy Macdonald preview
Amy Macdonald Subterranean, Chicago Thursday, September 25, 2008 Everything about Amy Macdonald’s This Is The Life cover art says mopey, heart-on-her-sleeve, “see me next week at Lava Joe’s Coffeehouse,” from her casual downward glance away from the camera to the acoustic guitar she leans on to the the digitally frayed picture borders. Don’t judge an […]
Helloween, Gamma Ray preview
Helloween, Gamma Ray Pearl Room, Mokena Saturday, September 27, 2008 The Helloween/Gamma Ray “Hellish Rock 2007/2008” tour won’t go down in heavy metal history with the infamous Metallica and Guns N’ Roses matchup or the American, Slayer/Megadeth/Anthrax Clash Of The Titans trek, but it’s pretty close for power metal geeks.
Mates Of State, Low Vs Diamond preview
Mates Of State, Low Vs Diamond House Of Blues, Chicago Sunday, September 28, 2008 It’s difficult to decide which is cuter: Mates Of State’s latest release, Re-arrange Us (Barsuk), or the husband-and-wife duo’s blog, “Band On The Diaper Run.”
Hideout Block Party preview
Hideout Block Party Hideout, Chicago September 20-21, 2008 People take Pitchfork Media album reviews very seriously. Very seriously. If today’s indie rockers are modern-day gladiators battling for fame and acclaim in the arena, that Web site wields the power with its 1-through-10 scale to make them heroes or remove their heads. Careers are made out […]
Sian Alice Group preview
Sian Alice Group Empty Bottle, Chicago Sunday, September 21, 2008 American alt-rocker Ryan Adams refuses (or is merely just unable) to self-edit. Just because you wrote 15 songs for a particular album, doesn’t mean the general public needs to hear the lot of them. Save the filler for the box set, please.
Dressy Bessy preview
Dressy Bessy Bottom Lounge, Chicago Monday, September 22, 2008 Being “associated” with the Elephant 6 collective doesn’t carry the same weight it used to. Shit, IE were at a coffee shop in Denver waiting in line for a scone when who turns away from the cash register with a caramel, cream-blended frappuccino? Elephant 6 cofounder […]
Ra Ra Riot, Walter Meego preview
Ra Ra Riot, Walter Meego Subterranean, Chicago Thursday, September 11, 2008 For up-and-comers, releasing a kudos-laden EP prior to the debut of a full-length effort amasses a staggering amount of expectation on behalf of the critics who created the hype and the fans that got caught up in it. Sometimes the end result is deemed […]
The Dandy Warhols preview
The Dandy Warhols Vic Theatre, Chicago Friday, September 12, 2008 It’s a truism that when a band think it perfectly normal to lyrically celebrate their drug of choice, self-indulgence is right around the corner.
The Poison Arrows preview
The Poison Arrows Subterranean, Chicago Friday, September 12, 2008 The Poison Arrows include former members of both Don Caballero and Atombombpocketknife among its ranks. So does it sound like either? The easiest answer is . . . sorta.
The Broken West preview
The Broken West Schubas, Chicago Monday, September 15, 2008 For their second Merge Records release, Los Angeles’ The Broken West retain their label’s distinctly indistinct crown.
Paul Weller preview
Paul Weller House Of Blues, Chicago Tuesday, September 16, 2008 God knows if Paul Weller understood his Britishness would inhibit his career so. With his ninth solo album, 22 Dreams (Yep Roc), he rubs it in like he doesn’t give a damn.
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