THEFT LIABLE TO PROSECUTION

Pick One

As you are well aware I'm sure, the Pitchfork Music Festival is just one week away and in Chicago is the most anticipated music weekend for many.  Question is, if you could only choose one act per day, who would you pick?  My Friday pick is The Jesus Lizard purely based on raw energy.  Built To Spill was a huge letdown at Lollapalooza a couple years back and Yo La Tengo as good as they are can be are just plain sleepy at times.   

On Saturday it's The National where you won't find a tighter and more professional set of rockers.  Each time I see them they are better than the last.  On Sunday (I'm going to cheat a little here) I normally would pick The Flaming Lips as a no-brainer.  But since I've missed the Walkmen the last couple of times through I'm actually dieing to see them after their last very strong album.

I'm sure we'll see some more previews coming from various sites in the next few days.  Cheers!

Deastro

I've been listening to this CD a lot.  Deastro driving, shopping and playing. 

Folk & Rootz

Lincoln Square is the place for one of the best weekend festivals of the summer.  You won't find too many recognizable names at the Chicago Folk & Roots Festival.  You are guaranteed the most diverse sounds from folk, roots and world beats all in one place this summer.  Unlike some of the other fests where dudes hold onto all of their empty beer cups, this one is a little bit more centered on the music.

Pitchfork Coverage

I am sure to check out Chicago Innerview Magazine each month for info on the bands that will be coming to Chicago and their super-list of basically every music show.  But if you have not yet checked out their coverage of Pitchfork Music Festival or Lollapalooza, you're probably missing out on some great bands (but instead you are stuck in a food line).  This month it's all about Pitchfork.

Wilco The Takeover

Paste Magazine really digs Wilco.  Check out the Wilco Takover Day as their latest CD is now out!  They ask which release is their best, for me it's Summerteeth.   

Just Watch Out For The Ceiling Fan

Chicagoan Dag Juhlin demonstrates how to properly windmill over at The Who's website.  Now I know what I've been doing wrong all these years! 

Jeff Tweedy

I've always enjoyed checking out my favorite musicians in venues you'd not usually see them play.  Here's a fundraiser featuring Jeff Tweedy for Emanuel Congregation.  Takes place on Saturday August 8th. 

After Lolla

So ten hours in the sun is not enough for you?  Check out the "official" Lollapalooza Aftershows.  I'll most likely take a pass since three days in a row of day / evening music is usually enough, but that Peter Bjorn and John / MGMT show sure was fun last year. 

Grand Daddy

I was fortunate to catch ex-Grandaddy Jason Lytle down at SXSW this year.  He even played in a church.  Cool.  Now his new album is out and you can check out a video here.

Trip

I was out in Los Angeles for a few days, so no new posts.  Wish I could report on the nightlife but visiting family really left no time for that and the extra sleep really came in handy.  Will have a couple of posts up later today.  Cheers!

Lollapalloza Schedule

You won't find me in any of the VIP areas, but will be seeing me once again in Grant Park for Lollapalooza.  Now that the official schedule is here it's time to fill in your slots, debate which acts are moreimportant than others, and to complain about not being able to see all your favorites. 

As far as headliners go, I'll take Depeche Mode over Kings of Leon, Tool over Beastie Boys, and Jane's Addiction over Killers. 

Margot and the Nuclear So & So's

My favorite band of the weekend was Margot and the Nuclear So & So's (too bad they were introduced as the So So's).  Great show in a weekend that included Walter Meego, Thao wtih the Get Down Stay Down, The Blakes, Office, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin and Hoots and Hellmouth.

Faves of 2009 (so far)

Since we are basically at the half-way point of the year for music, here are some of my favorites so far listed in alphabetical order.  Any others that I should be checking out?

Bat For Lashes, BellX1, Doves, Hotels, Maximo Park, The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, Phoenix, Silversun Pickups, The Thermals and Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Happy listening!

Ha Ha Tonka Free Tix!

Check out the entire new Ha Ha Tonka CD "Novel Sounds of the Noveau South" streaming here.  Better than listening to the CD, why not make a comment below for a chance at two free tickets to Monday's show at Schubas?  I'll email you back if you are a winner.

Cold War Kids Cool Video

Once there was a day when music videos were cool.  They all seemed to be quite different, always pushing the next one to be a little better.  Or maybe it was just that is was a new medium and we just liked wasting countless hours in front of the tube.  Well here's one from Cold War Kids.  Check it out. 

The Blakes at Ribfest

My highlight of the weekend will probably be catching the rockin' sound of The Blakes.  They play Friday night at 7 p.m.  And here's a cool video.

Los Angeles

I'll be visiting the Los Angeles area next weekend (my brother lives in Huntington Beach) and thought it would be nice to get out for a night of music while I'm there.  But where should I look?  It just so happens that one of my favorite music sites has a page for the Los Angeles indie rock scene.  Oh My Rockness tells me that Art Brut, White Rabbits, Jay Reatard, Ben Kweller, The Queers, Grizzley Bear, Wilco, Nouvelle Vague, Circle Jerks, Shellac, PJ Harvey & John Parish, and Femi Kuti with  Santogold are my choices.  Rock on!

Weekend Festival Outlook

I'm well aware that all summer festivals are not all about the bands.  But c'mon.  This lineup for Andersonville's Midomerfest just plain sucks.  Just a couple of miles away it does get better with Ribfest and that's not a surprise.  Ribfest artists will include the Blakes, Office, Thao, Walter Meego, Annuals, Margot and the Nuclear So So's and more.  Just guess which festival you'll be seeing me at? 

Beer Garden

There's nothing like a nice bike ride over to Navy Pier just about any time.  But it's even better when I can ride to the east end, sit down and grab myself a cold one.  Fridays through Sundays there's even live music, mostly local stuff and cover bands, but music none the less.  Here is the music schedule.   

This Is The Week

The five-night Art Brut event kicks off tonight at Schubas.  Per the website it looks like tickets are sold out for the Thursday and Friday shows.  On Thursday night Eddie will be assisting with the spinning upstairs after the show, and that's free.