Chicago-based The Tom Fuller Band comes across as a hardworking rock outfit not afraid to bend the rules of what typeof guys should be playing what type of music. Their mostly classic style explodes with plenty of sound and takes a trail through blues, roots, heartland and even hints at brit-pop. Diverse and catchy and at times challenging, this CD is sure not to bore the listener any time soon.
You either hit Halsted Market Days or the Pride Parade this year, didn't you? Now here's lowdown on what music those around you wish they had been hearing. What makes a gayest greatest album? We'll just ask Out.com.
Not to be outdone, the Tribune lists 10 Must See Fall Shows. After seeing a little King Khan at Pitchfork, this might be the best out of the bunch based on the cover charge.
I no longer go to school (but pretty much learn something new everyday), if I was I'd be figuring out just how to get one more day of summer vacay. Following in the footsteps of Ferris Bueller would be a blast, but can it be done? And is Sloane still available to hang out for the day?
If you are looking to fill up some space in your fall calendar the Sun-Times picks upcoming shows and releases. Regardless of your tastes it looks like there will be plenty to do over the next couple of months.
Really, who doesn't need a day off to recover from the long weekend? So my news to you for now is only about the Banana Splits. I remember them being on in the 70's and just like with everything else where there might be money to be made it looks like they are coming back. I may have missed it already, but could Gigglesnort Hotel be far behind?
From our very own Metromix Chicago it's the 23 Most Annoying Frontmen In Rock. Seems like they are pretty much saying that if you are a frontman, you are annoying. Personally I don't think many on their list are annoying. There are a few. Of course, you are annoying me if you are listening to Maroon 5 anyway.
It's been a while since I've posted something that's totally silly (well aren't they all?). Here's one view on the 10 Best Hair Metal Guitar Gods. Told ya it was silly. And I like this quote from one of the comments "Hair metal is to metal history as the southern plantation system is to American history".
My main issue with the city's two main newspapers has been their ultra-coverage that has included rock, roll, jazz, symphony, blues, country, well you get the picture. How can a writer cover so much and still be hip to whatever type of music they've just witnessed? Gets me to thinking that Jim Derogatis has been thinking way too much lately about the Jonas Brothers.
When we start throwing in kid's music to cover it might be best to have some sort of an associate writer handle the task. For sure someone in their 40's or 50's is going to have plenty of negative things to say about JB and maybe one Mylie Cyrus (there are plenty of others too). So what's the point when the main writer spends so much time covering a kid's band?
So really what are you looking for in a U.S. President? Maybe things like being in touch with the people, fairly hip, does own grocery shopping, has better music taste than Michael Phelps, hardly no criminal record, recycles, can stay up late and still get up on time the following morning, in favor of the act to repeal the No Happy Hour Law In Illinois? That about covers it for me. Just let me know if I might have your vote. Can't make many promises now, but it sure is a good time to get on the list. (Between you and me I can't believe Diana got on board, I never really thought we got along that well).
Just click here to see what it's all about.
September is a pretty cool month. Those hot days come to an end, the kiddies make it back to school and The Hideout holds it's annual Block Party which pretty much signals the true end of summer in Chicago. They've added some acts (Giant Sand!) and confirmed the schedule, so if you don't have tickets, GET OFF YOU ASS AND GET YOURS NOW! Neko Case headlines Saturday and on Sunday it's New Pornographers/Ratatat.
I want to love the new Walkmen CD, You & Me, really I do. It's nice, it's pleasant, I still yearn for a few more tracks like The Rat.
If you are not all festival-ed out you might want to make your way out to Seattle for Bumbershoot. The festival takes place August 30- September 1st and features Beck, Neko Case, Band of Horses, Death Cab For Cutie and more. Check out these songs from participating artists.
Man do I have some friends that love The Verve. It's been some time but the band is back with a new CD and the whole thing is streaming at their MySpace page. They're up to 2,509,369 profile views which is almost as many as my site has. Good luck catching up boys!
New Pornographer A.C. Newman joins Will Sheff on Okkervil River's You Tube page. Together they cover Lost Coastlines due out on the new CD which releases on September 9th. You might remember the two bands toured together earlier this year and made a stop at the Riviera.
Many Chicago folks have had a chance to see Bloc Party over the last couple of years as they have played Pitchfork Festival, Hideout Block Party and most recently Lollapalooza. While the band lost me a bit on their sophomore release A Weekend In The City, there were plenty of great memories from Silent Alarm to give them another shot. Intimacy releases digitally on August 21st via their website.
Go ahead and break up your Monday with some Cut Copy over at Pitchfork TV. Hell, the site has tons of stuff to make your Monday just a bit more enjoyable. Just don't let the boss catch ya wasting too much of that company time.
There is a pretty sweet lineup over at the The Raven Festival. Acts include Tapes n' Tapes, Chin Up Chin Up, White Rabbits, The M's, Dirty On Purpose and others! Was this festival advertised at all???
Hey y'all. Have a great weekend. I just realized that I'm out of town the next three weekends!, so that'll put a little damper on seeing live music etc. That's fine since I've got a couple of shows in September lined up plus will be adding a couple of weekday shows this month too. Peace!
