THEFT LIABLE TO PROSECUTION

Neko

All you wanted to know about all that is Neko Case.  Part country, New Pornographer, solo artist, songwriter, musician and philosopher.  You gotta dig all that in one person!

Map Of Music

Like a band and want to check out similar artists?  Type in their name at Music Map and take a virtual tour to compare relationships.

Cut Black Copy Kids

The Cut Copy / Black Kids show was all the hype that I was told and looking at the list of May shows just might have been the number one "must-see" for the month according to at least one publication out there.  Black Kids were young and energetic.  Cut Copy kept the dance going, even though it was still light outside for the early show, with a constant beat plenty full of synth pop.  Both bands were able to stand on their own quite well and you might want to add them to your list if you like Bloc Party, the Rapture, Vampire Weekend or The Go! Team.

Long Live The Jukebox

Who knew, but someone over at the Sun-Times likes dives and lists their favorite jukebox bars.  My fave right now is definitely Simon's in Andersonville.  It's a great mix of new and old that keeps surprising me with the new.  Delilahs has always been great too with their mix of punk and punk and more punk.  Happy Village is a trip, don't know if I'd call it a great music collection.  And does their jukebox ever work for more than a half-hour without goofing up? 

Chicago 45

New City gives their take of 45 artists that Rock Chicago.  The list doesn't excite me much, how 'bout you?

Innerview

It's a pretty exciting month over at Chicago Innerview as they "innerview" Clinic, Black Kids, Islands, The Kills, Tokyo Police Club and more.  Their features are cool too as Kate Nash, Cut Copy, Film School, Joe Pug, DeVotchka, Helio Sequence, Snowden etc.

Free Listens

Largehearted Boy is back with some more "Try It Before You Buy It" listens.  This time around includes Matmos, Russian Circles, Neil Diamond and more.

Unfortunate

Unfortunately the Belmont / Sheffield Street Festival still sucks.  They've loaded up the talent for May 31 - June 1 with Why Store and Nine Days.  WTF???

Maida Vale

Let me tell you that Tallahassee Florida is a long way from Chicago Illinois.  Maida Vale is making the trek to play Martyrs this Saturday night.  Follow the link for a song and check out their sound that's a blend of American rock with a touch of soul.

Do Division

You'll want to join me at Do Division Street Fest as Lucero headlines on May 31st and Ted Leo and the Pharmacists on June 1st.  Yes that Ted Leo!!!  Others include the 1900s, Mucca Pazza, Gil Mantera's Party Dream and more!

Thanks to Alejhernandez for the use of the photo!

Bottom Lounge Update

I have typed the words "Bottom Lounge" more in the last week than ever before and you might even think I work there (but I don't!).  News is the opening will not be this weekend after all, reasons unknown but it probably has something to do with can you say the words "proper licenses"?

You can catch the Haywood Yards show with The Thin Man over at the Note on Milwaukee Avenue.  Not sure what they might be doing about the Urge Overkill (originally scheduled for Friday) and other shows for now.

Algernon

My bad for taking so long to write something about Algernon and their "neopsychedelicopostrockjazz".  It's been playing on my stereo for a few months and is a nice change of pace when I'm looking for something that's a little dare I say "jazzy".  Where the band might lead you to believe you might be listening to jazz because the music is instrumental, it's really anything but as it delves into everything from indie to hard rock.  Whether this type of music is a  favorite of yours or not you'll sure to finds parts of it interesting and maybe other parts even disturbing, but it's all good in the end.

Nothing Zero About These Stars

Chicago's very own Zerostars are fresh off a couple of local shows playing tracks off their first full-length Basement Stories.  Their fresh  sound blends hooks, chords and smart lyrics.  Think Moist meets Housemartins meets the Smiths meets Pulp.  Let's just hope they are not meeting in a dark alley.  But seriously, you'll love their sharp power-pop style with a little drama thrown in.  Good luck with the new CD!

I Haven't

I haven't been keeping in touch with my Detroit friend Web Vomit much lately.  I still check out the site quite often but get real lazy and don't leave as many comments as I used to.  You should stop by and say "hi", I'm sure there is something about the Detroit music scene that you've been dieing to know!  You can even make it your home page but be sure to keep your children away!

Hey-wood

I mentioned the new Bottom Lounge will be opening this Friday May 2nd. The second night sounds more exciting than the first with the indie folk rock of Haywood Yards.  Did someone say PBR Tallboys 3 bucks everyday?

Pitchfork Complete

The lineup for Pitchfork Festival 2008 is complete with the additions of Hold Steady, Sebadoh, Bon Iver, Caribou and others.  I like the lineup but I'm a bit disappointed that is such a short festival history they're already bringing back artists that have played here before.  I won't complain about seeing Spoon and Hold Steady again.  Wasn't Mission Of Burma on the list a couple of years ago?

The Silly Festival We Call "The Taste"

Make your plans to eat and eat some more.  Here's the music lineup for this year's Taste Of Chicago.  Get crazy with Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Plain White T's and Bonnie Raitt.  July 4th looks pretty good with Alejandro Escovedo, Gomez and a guest to be announced.

Bottom

Do you remember the old Bottom Lounge?  Ya know, the place just off of Belmont and Sheffield that pretended to be a rock club, sometimes.  Although they did book some pretty decent acts from time to time it was for sure one of the worst sounding venues in the history of music.

The new Bottom Lounge will finally be opening with a show from Urge Overkill on May 2nd.  The new address is 1375 W Lake Street and is sure to be a "nicer" venue all around.  Check out the website for a description of the new 18,500 square foot facility.  Did someone say "Tiki-Bar"?  I'm there!

Whole Bunch Of Stuff

April 27th at Victory Gardens Biograph Theatre it's All The Fame of Lofty Deeds, a new music/theater/art project based on John Langford¹s art and music.  Tickets are only $15 and are available at here.

Oh no!  It's the final show for the Dundrearies as the guys go their separate ways.  Catch it at Darkroom Thursday May 1st!

Termed as psychedelic rock and Chinese pop Apteka plays Subterranean on May 9th.

The Ivorys with a new spin on classic rock play Reggie's on May 23rd.

Check out the alternative rock of local band Infrared at Double Door on June 10th and grab their new CD.

The Locals are a guitar-heavy, alt-pop indie band from Chicago.  Catch them June 14th at the Elbo Room.

Tall Dark Stranger is deep and real American indie folk rock music.

Cheers!

Pfork Update

Pitchfork strengthened its already interesting lineup by adding Spoon, Les Savy Fav and Dodos to their July festival.  I can personally attest to the fact that Spoon and LSF graced 2007 with two great albums. Looks like Spoon will now close out the festival on Sunday night.