THEFT LIABLE TO PROSECUTION

London Calling Cover Art

My band of bands is the Clash and I don't see that changing any time soon.  While I love London Calling I don't see myself bidding on the cover art and preliminary sketches.  But if you get it I'd love to see it in person, and I'll even bring over the beer! 

Scotland Yard Benefit Show

Tickets are available on the Double Door website for the December 19th Bloodshot Record's show that will benefit Scotland Yard Gospel Choir and Lawrence Peters.  It's only 10 bucks and for that you get Detroit Cobras, Dexter Romweber Duo and The Blacks.  See ya there!

The Streets On Fire

 "Hot Weekend", the latest from Chicago rockers The Streets On Fire layers disco beats somewhat neatly with the band's punk roots making the record a hard one not to just keep on repeat.  The focus is gritty electric, with vocals that sound personal and music that brims with Chicago's past and future rock sounds.  Is it possible to be low-fi, aggressive and danceable at the same time?  These guys pull it off with the assurance that their sound is anything but predictable, more of a rock-stew of underground that cooks to unbalanced rightness.

The Streets On Fire play the Bottom Lounge on December 12th and their music is available on iTunes and many other places. 

Baroness

There's been lots of talk about live music around the weekend of Thanksgiving but I've heard little or nothing about tonite's Baroness show at Reggie's.  Not that I listen to much metal all, I have enjoyed the latest Baroness "Blue Record".  It's also been showing up at the top of many metal end of year lists as well. So catch them if you can as it looks like tickets still remain.

More SXSW Bands

I'm still on the fence for SXSW 2010.  The latest additions from the SXSW website include  Frightened Rabbit, Japandroids, Robyn Hitchcock,  Deer Tick, and Warpaint.

Be Thankful For Bloodshot

Bloodshot Records is having a huge blowout sale with over 60 releases on sale for 10 bucks or less, and many as low as 5.  It's also a chance to pick up recordings from Split Lip Rayfield.  It sounds like the band will be selling their music themselves moving forward so all of the in-stock SLR products are only 5 bucks. 

Kid Sister Version 4.4

You may or may not know that Melissa Young used to watch my kids (otherwise known as babysitting) going back a couple of years or so.  While I'm not a fan of much Hip-Hop I did see her perform at Lollapalooza as well as a couple of other venues.  Always cool, always fun, hopefully she'll make the most of her chance at stardom despite Pitchfork's 4.4 review .  If you have not seen her live you can spend Black Wednesday with her at House of Blues Chicago. 

NME Top Albums in Spreadsheet Form

Here's a cool look at NME's Top Albums of the Decade.  The Guardian takes the Top 50 and puts them on a spreadsheet that also shows their top chart position.  So there have been complaints that the list lacks many Hip-Hop acts, deal with it.  

SXSW Already?

Straight from the site, SXSW has announced the first artists for the 2010 festival.  I wonder how many shows the Japandroids will play?  That must mean it's time to look into flights, wristbands and lodging.  Not sure I'm ready to do that yet.   

Crooked Jim

Here's a link to the Sun-Times review of Them Crooked Vultures.  I have not heard the album in full as of yet but be sure to check out some of the comment to Jim  DeRogatis' review, pretty funny.

The Fever

We all caught the fever last night, Dengue Fever that is.   They're a Los Angeles band with a Cambodian singer which might sound odd at first.  But with a sound that ranges from Os Mutantes to Blondie to the Ventures it seems the band is into a little of just about everything. Outside of their music the band spent some time in Cambodia and tells that story in their Sleepwalking Through The Mekong documentary.

Crooked

The album officially comes out on November 17th but because of some leaks Them Crooked Vultures have streamed the entire album on their website.  That's Dave Grohl, John Paul Jones and Josh Homme in case you have not been keeping score at home. 

Naked Lips

I'm taking a pass on next month's suburban blow-out with Flaming Lips and Phoenix.  I doubt there will any nudity, but there's enough of that here in the new video.  Not that mind some nakedness here and again, but would rather have something on when riding my bike. 

Bad

Bad Lieutenant comes to Park West on November 18.  It's going to sound a little like New Order since Bernard Sumner is the main player, and that can't be a bad thing.  Listen to the full release here.  Oh you've got green eyes, oh you've got blue eyes, oh you've got gray eyes....  

Yelling "Free Bird"

Here's a well put together list of the top music cliches from Spinner.  And you know you are in trouble when the top choice does not come from an artist or a record label.   Seems to me the one that tires me the most is the posthumous album.  Can't remember ever buying anything from a dead person.

Best Of The Decade

I'll be checking out the links over at Large Hearted Boy for the hundreds of internet sites that list their faves of the year.  This year as an added bonus they'll also be compiling the Best Music Of The Decade.  Check back often as they are pretty good at adding updates just about every day.

Here's a pretty good list of 50 from Music For Kids Who Can't Read Good.  I have quite a few of these. 

Weezer Snuggie

I don't have the full details yet, but Weezer will be selling their very own Snuggies (ok folks, that's a blanket with sleeves).  It coincides with the release of their new CD "Raditude" and costs $29.99.  Buy the Snuggie, get the CD for free.  Keep your eyes and ears open if interested.

***Oh, just found this link to the Snuggie Commercial***

Best of 2009?

Well it's about that time to start thinking of your list and to start making those year-end CD's.  There were some pretty solid albums out in 2009 and also a lot of interesting stuff that I'm not sure was worth buying as a whole.  I'll be putting my stuff together so right around the first of December I'm ready to argue it out with you.  But if there's anything that's really stuck in your head, shoot me a note about it.  Cheers!

White Rabbits

The White Rabbits have been working hard.  Maybe you caught them at Lollapalooza, an outdoor festival or somewhere else in these parts.  Well they're back and you probably already know that since you've been listening to their fine latest release "It's Frightening".  Catch them at Schubas on November 12th or on November 13th at Lincoln Hall.  The Walkmen share the bill for both shows.  Either way we all win! 

Halloween: Chicago Rock Style

So true indeed.  Nobody Does Halloween Like The Chicago Rock Scene tells it like it is as we lead up to Halloween weekend.  Now it's just up to you to check it out!