Stage Buzz
Elephant 6 Surprise
Elephant 6 Holiday Surprise Show Bottom Lounge, Chicago Tuesday, October 21, 2008 The frequency with which Elephant 6 finds mention in music discussion suggests that everyone knows what it is, when, judging by album sales, such clearly isn’t the case.
Bayside preview
Bayside Metro, Chicago Thursday, October 9, 2008 Having weathered the death of drummer John Holohan on last year’s The Walking Wounded, Queens-based Bayside made a conscious decision to start over with drummer Chris Guglielmo for the new Shudder.
Two Cow Garage preview
Two Cow Garage Bottom Lounge, Chicago Saturday, October 11, 2008 Speaking In Cursive (Suburban Home), Two Cow Garage’s fourth album, is a surprise. It isn’t a change in direction, a leap forward in melody and ferocity, or a candidate for the Nobel in literature. No, it just seemed a smart bet the band would have […]
Sleeping In The Aviary preview
Sleeping In The Aviary Ronny’s, Chicago Saturday, October 11, 2008 Sleeping In The Aviary wears its heart on its sleeve, combining wry, yet heartfelt lyrics with an acoustic punk aesthetic. The Madison quartet has much to lament on its sophomore effort, Expensive Vomit In A Cheap Hotel (Science Of Sound). Recording on the heels of […]
Amon Amarth preview
Amon Amarth House Of Blues, Chicago Monday, October 13, 2008 Sweden’s Amon Amarth picked the perfect time to release Twilight Of The Thunder God (Metal Blade) because somehow, someway, “viking metal” has become hot shit.
Killing Joke preview
Killing Joke House Of Blues, Chicago Tuesday, October 14, 2008 Consider yourselves lucky, Chicagoans. Not only is Killing Joke coming to town for one of only four United States dates, it’s bringing the original lineup.
Hannibal Buress preview
Hannibal Buress Morseland, Chicago Thursday, October 2, 2008 The connection between comedy and hip-hop has grown beyond Def Comedy Jam in recent years. Like the best observational MCs, Comedy Central’s own Hannibal Buress can create thought-provoking conversations out of everyday occurrences. The difference with the Chicagoan is he can consistently make you laugh.
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 […]
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