Stage Buzz
Gavin Rossdale preview
Gavin Rossdale House of Blues, Chicago Sunday, July 13, 2008 Bush never pretended to be everyone’s cup of tea, but the Gavin Rossdale-led foursome enjoyed more than a modicum of success during grunge and alternative rock’s heyday. While often considered a second- or third-tier act on a scale defined by Nirvana, the band made the […]
Son Ambulance preview
Son Ambulance Schubas, Chicago Tuesday, July 15, 2008 For their latest album, Saddle Creek’s radar jammers waft through a tour of American songwriting techniques, lingering mostly on the West Coast.
Cancer Bats preview
Cancer Bats House Of Blues, Chicago Tuesday, July 15, 2008 On their new album, Hail Destroyer, Cancer Bats prove mixing hardcore and metal doesn’t have to equate to lame-ass metalcore. Maybe tourmates Bleeding Through will take note.
Kansas preview
Kansas Eyes To The Skies Festival, Lisle Friday, July 4, 2008 “Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky,” go the lyrics to Kansas’ career-defining hit, “Dust In The Wind.” Well, there’s one other thing in addition to the earth and sky . . . a Kansas concert.
Hacienda Brothers preview
Hacienda Brothers FitzGerald’s, Berwyn Saturday, July 5, 2008 Despite the recent passing of founding-member Chris Gaffney, Dave Gonzalez will carry the band’s flag for this year’s American Music Festival.
Green Jelly preview
Green Jelly Double Door, Chicago Friday, June 27, 2008 In nearly three decades as a band (“3 Little Pigs” in 1992 might have been the first time you heard ’em, but they have actually been around since the early ’80s), Green Jelly have released two full-length, studio albums. Two. In 27 years. That’s 226 fewer […]
God-Des & She preview
God-Des & She Circuit Nightclub, Chicago Friday, June 27, 2008 Though we’ll never say never, there are a lot of factors working against God-Des becoming a household hip-hop name or Source-approved MC. One, she is obviously a woman, and though there’re certainly exceptions to the rule, sadly, female rhymers only seem to get attention when […]
Hayden preview
Hayden Schubas, Chicago Saturday, June 28, 2008 The standout track on Hayden’s fifth full-length, In Field & Town (Fat Possum), is also the album’s shortest number. “Weight Of The World” wisps by in less than two minutes, leaving a vapor trail of loveliness that just begs for another verse. Rolling acoustic guitar, a sweet harmonica […]
Seun Kuti preview
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 House Of Blues, Chicago Monday, June 30, 2008 Afrobeat is best experienced live. The oft-charismatic frontman surrounded by an assortment of guitarists, percussionists, horn players, and back-up vocalists included in this Nigerian-born music equals a spectacle that must be experienced in person.
Less Than Jake preview
Less Than Jake House Of Blues, Chicago Wednesday, July 2, 2008 On the heels of re-releasing three albums of early material (Pezcore, Goodbye Blue & White, and Losers, Kings And Things We Don’t Understand), Less Than Jake hope to pop some integrity back into the term “ska punk.”
MOBfest preview
MOBfest Various Clubs, Chicago June 19 through 21, 2008 Long before Lollapalooza demanded the Chicago music scene’s complete and undivided attention, another form of festival had already left its mark on our summers. Despite also being a three-day affair, MOBfest might not dominate as absolutely as Lollapalooza inevitably will. Nevertheless, the music conference and showcase […]
Sanawon record release
Sanawon Beat Kitchen, Chicago Thursday, June 19, 2008 Nothing rallies people around a cause quite like music. Of course, you have to sometimes wonder if folks truly cared about famine relief in Africa, or if they just really wanted to see Freddie Mercury prance around on stage at the original Live Aid. Surely, Boomtown Rats […]
Mavis Staples recording live!
Mavis Staples Hideout, Chicago Monday, June 23, 2008 A night before Liz Phair arrives home at the Vic to recreate Exile In Guyville, Mavis Staples will rock the Hideout and record the sucker for a forthcoming live album.
Sloan preview
Sloan, The Golden Dogs Double Door, Chicago Monday, June 23, 2008 Normally, 13 songs on a CD would be considered pretty good bang for the consumer’s buck. When it comes to Sloan (who released Parallel Play on Yep Roc earlier this month), however, a baker’s dozen almost feels like a rip-off.
The Explorers Club preview
The Explorers Club Empty Bottle, Chicago Friday, June 13, 2008 We compare new bands to their forebearers because it helps get everyone on one page; sometimes there’s no other way to describe them. Interpol sound like Joy Division, Godsmack like Alice In Chains. John Mellencamp was “Baby Boss.” But The Explorers Club really sound like […]
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