Concert Thu Sep 02 2010

LCD Soundsystem to Play Aragon

LCD Soundsystem will be returning to Chicago Oct. 25 for a show at the Aragon, with Hot Chip opening. Tickets will be $42.93 through TicketMaster once you add up all their fees, and go on sale Saturday, Sept. 11, at 10am.

— Andrew Huff / Comments (0)

Contest Thu Sep 02 2010

Contest: Crowded House @ House of Blues!

New Zealand's Crowded House was born from the ashes of Split Enz, the Kiwi new wave giants. With personnel crossover, including Neil Finn who's always pounding out earworming melodies, it's easy to hear similarities between the two. But where Split Enz were frenetic, Crowded House is just a pop band. They're not terribly raw, though they can be rambunctious. The melodies are nearly perfect and the lyrics are often painfully personal. Across six albums (two since reuniting in 2007, including the new Intriguer), Finn and his bandmates have consistently delivered sugary pop with some darkness and humor as balance. As a live band, they've been reunited long enough that they're far from rusty. Even though they do have a new album out, it's expected that they'll be bringing the hits to House of Blues on Sunday.

James Milne, who's worked with the Reduction Agents, Brunettes, Okkervil River and now the New Zealand supergroup BARB, records under the name Lawrence Arabia. His latest Chant Darling showcases strong influences ranging from T. Rex to Booker T.

Lawrence Arabia opens for Crowded House on Sunday at House of Blues, 329 N Dearborn. The show's 17+, starts at 9PM and tickets for $48. But Transmission's giving away a pair of tickets to this show. So email contests@gapersblock.com with "Don't Dream" in the subject line for a chance to win. [Update: A winner's been picked for the tickets. Congrats, Christine!] [Update: The goods keep rolling in. We also have 2 signed CDs of Lawrence Arabia's Chant Darling to give away. So let's go with a simple subject line like "Chant Darling" for those. Note: The ticket winner can't also win a CD.]

— James Ziegenfus / Comments (0)

Feature Thu Sep 02 2010

Michael Zerang: Harvesting Energies

Michael Zerang (photo by Gareth Mooney)

The first thing Michael Zerang wants to talk about, following our initial chit-chat and coffee orders, is his new xylophone. "It's the thing that's most obsessing me right now," he says. Zerang rattles off numerous details about the instrument: made in the '30s, blonde with rosewood bars, four octaves — few xylophones made these days are that large. "It's an unforgiving instrument. It doesn't have a 'give' the way a vibraphone or a marimba does. It's like a bagpipe — it's either on or it's off," he laughs. He's practicing it for a performance he'll give today (September 2) at noon, as part of the Michael Zerang Organic Unit, a sextet accompanying a Butoh dance troupe at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion as part of the Chicago Jazz Festival.

Of course, xylophone is not the only tool in Zerang's arsenal. Neither, for that matter, is music his only outlet for his love of rhythm.

Casual followers of Zerang's music know him as a master jazz/free improvisational percussionist, a rock-solid base from which all manner of musical forms can spring. Whether thundering behind the well-oiled jazz compactor that is the Peter Brotzmann Tentet or grounding the transmissions of gentler musical aliens like his trio with Mats Gustafsson and Jaap Blonk, Zerang is an ensemble's lightning rod. Unlike many free improvisers, Zerang possesses a rare gift — fearlessness in the face of silence. He's just as comfortable with negative space as with filling the frame.

Continue reading this entry »

— Chris Sienko / Comments (0)

Concert Thu Sep 02 2010

North Coast Festival Box Office Info and Saturday Picks

Before we dive in for a closer look at the schedule for North Coast Festival on Saturday, we've got some important information about will call if you're heading out to the festival this weekend.

Will call will be located at Bottom Lounge at 1375 W. Lake St. You'll need to go to will call if you are one of the following:

• All 3-day ticket holders


• Single-day ticket buyers NOT received in the mail


• Groupon ticket buyers


• Contest winners and complimentary ticket holders


• Purchasing a ticket day of the festival

Will call opened Wednesday, and will be open the rest of the weekend at the times below:

• Thursday, from 5pm-10pm
• Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11am-9pm

Go early, maybe stop by and grab a beer and some dinner Thursday, to beat the rush. And if you pick up your ticket before heading into the festival, no need to walk over to the Ashland entrance, because North Coast has opened a second entrance to the festival grounds on Ogden just south of Lake St and closer to the will call.

Now on with our breakdown of the acts to check out Saturday at North Coast!

Continue reading this entry »

— Lisa White / Comments (0)

Concert Wed Sep 01 2010

Rita J. @ Schubas

In a city that is home to Kid Sister, Psalm One, and Nikki Lynette , I can see why someone like Rita J. may be overlooked. Rita dropped her debut album, Artist Workshop, last fall after spending close to two years completing it. It was well worth the wait, and of the female emcees in the city, it was also the closest to true hip hop. Rita enlisted some of the cities finest producers on the album, include K Kruz on the track below, and in many ways made a tribute album to Chicago hip hop.

Rita J. performs at Schubas with Bumpus and DJRC on September 4th.

— Jason Behrends / Comments (0)

Concert Tue Aug 31 2010

North Coast Festival is Here! (and a contest)

The summer festival season is drawing to an end here in Chicago. We sweated it out through Pitchfork and Lolla, spending a lot of our weekend hours in a field with a few thousand of our closest friends. Have forked over our $5 suggested donation to the plethora of neighborhood festivals, got a few nasty tan lines, and drank a lot of mediocre beer. But this year we'll get a few more weekends to laze in the sun and soak up great music, with the addition of two new festivals in September, Sonar and North Coast Festival.

North Coast Festival is the brainchild of a group of independent promoters in Chicago, who decided to collaborate and produce a festival "to celebrate the merging of all music and walks of life that enjoy it as much as we do." Those walks of life mainly being the jam band and electronic scene, with a good dose of hip-hop and local exposure thrown in. Over the news few days I'll be breaking down the festival by each day, so you're ready for the weekend. Haven't grabbed a ticket yet and now wishing you could spend one more festival weekend in the sun? You're in luck! The lovely folks at North Coast have given Gapers Blocks five pairs of weekend passes to the festival, which means 5 lucky readers will win a weekend pass for them and a guest! Just email us at contests@gapersblock.com with the subject "North Coast" and you might be spending your weekend in Union Park, enjoying good music as summer starts to come to a close. [Update: We've selected our winners and they have all been notified. Thanks to everyone who entered!] Now, on to the meat and potatoes of the festival.

Continue reading this entry »

— Lisa White / Comments (1)

News Fri Aug 27 2010

Friday Quick Links

Summer colds won't keep us down! (Though they do make us spend more time online.)

• Come party with us! Gapers Block and CHIRP are hosting a night of awesome Chicago bands at the Metro on Friday, 9/3! FREE if you print out this flyer and come before 9pm! Details.

• Ticketmaster/Live Nation launch a new blog called Ticketology, along with some changes in how they communicate pricing and fees. But has anything really changed?

• DePaul students looking to save a few dollars can save 15% off food at Lincoln Hall with their ID.

• Chicagoist goes in search of the elusive Summer Jam of 2010.

• Do you listen to CHIRP on your iPad?

• Want to see Jim DeRogatis rock? Head to Madison for his punk band Vortis' next gig tonight (8/27).

• Dude, you're not a Fall fan if you don't have a tattoo of Mark E. Smith on your shoulder. Sure beats some nonsense kanji!

• Another one for the Reader: Where in the World is Sam Prekop?

• The Friday Office Mixtape from Schubas is online! It's the choices of Promotions Director, Rob Jensen.

• Support female drummers! (Via Miss Alex White)

— Anne Holub / Comments (0)

Video Fri Aug 27 2010

Endless Spring

My favorite discovery of the summer has been the local duo Houses. They have been lighting fires around the internet all summer with their single "Endless Spring" and a couple of collaborations with Teen Daze. Now the duo has signed with Lefse Records, home to Neon Indian, Dominant Legs, How To Dress Well, and others, and plan to release their debut album, All Night, on October 19th.

The story of Houses is a story of a lay-off, a two-weeks notice, and an adventure that landed two Chicagoans in a little cabin in Papaikou, Hawaii. The sounds and lyrics on their debut album reflect this journey. The duo just released a video for the song "Endless Spring", and I am sure they have big plans for the fall.

— Jason Behrends / Comments (1)

Concert Thu Aug 26 2010

Party with Gapers Block and CHIRP @ the Metro, 9/3 (FREE!)

The days are getting cooler, the cicadas are dying off, and it's totally time to party! Start off your Labor Day weekend right with your friends at Gapers Block and CHIRP radio at the Metro as we celebrate the end of summer with some of our favorite Chicago bands! And best of all, it's FREE with a flyer in your hand.

Headlining is The Hudson Branch, bringing their rich tones and soothing heartache to the stage, and the evening will include the deliciously dark rock of Camera, the up-and-coming talent and blissful harmonies of psych-poppers Reds and Blue, and the rollicking dance pop of My My My.

Tickets are $6 adv/ $9 day of show (or FREE with this special flyer [designed by GB staffer Antonio Garcia] before 9pm, $6 if you bring the flyer after 9pm) 18 +. Doors open at 8pm with My My My starting the night off at 9pm. The Metro is located at 3730 N. Clark St. 773-549-4140. RSVP on Facebook if you like!

— Anne Holub / Comments (0)

Concert Thu Aug 26 2010

Review: Stone Temple Pilots, Charter One Pavillion 8/20

[Review submitted by reader Brennan Stacker, photos by Andy Keil]

After releasing their self-titled album in May, Stone Temple Pilots performed at Chicago's Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island, on August 20th, and they proved that, after 20+ years, their music intoxicates more than a single generation of fans. The album debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200, giving the band a renewed presence on the stage and validating their position in modern rock.

Scott Weiland of STP (photos by Andy Keil)

Continue reading this entry »

— Transmission / Comments (1)

Preview Thu Aug 26 2010

Coliseum @ Reggie's Tomorrow 8/27

Metal was once a very isolating category musically. The brand, filled with a gorgeous weighty sound is not everyone's cup of tea and metal was given a bad rap as well as stood alone for a long time unable to make friends with the mainstream. Coliseum is a band that was able to look outside of the genre, but still holds on to the integrity and pride of the metal identity.

Their newest release House With A Curse incorporates classic face melting sound with edgy harmony. It is vastly different than past Coliseum efforts, the change being more than just sound. The band has changed labels, producers and has collaborated with musicians far outside the metal scope. Will Oldham and J. Robbins from Jawbox are two of the many friends the band worked with on this album.

While the this new one is a must listen, not much can beat seeing them play some of this new sound live. Coliseum plays at Reggie's tomorrow. Sweet Cobra, Burning Love and Fight Amp open for a night of music that fills up every free spot in your brain. The show is $10. The Music starts at 7. All ages. Reggie's is located at 2109 S. State St. (312) 949-0121

— Aharona Ament / Comments (0)

Concert Tue Aug 24 2010

Look, Up in the ... Subterranean! It's Skybox!

Skybox: Come for the "Various Kitchen Utensils," stay for the Morning After Cuts. "Utensils," the aforementioned single from their first album, Arco Iris, is an adorably goofy track that won the hearts of many listeners. Now the local heroes are taking the show on the road in support of their latest album, Morning After Cuts, which proves to be just as catchy. Don't believe me? Catch them at the Subterranean (2011 North Ave.) on Friday, Sept. 10 at 9:30 p.m. Opening the show is What Laura Says, a equally lush (-sounding, not drinking... though what do I know?) indie-pop group hailing from Arizona. Tickets are a measly $10; you can get yours online or at the show.

— Kara Luger / Comments (0)

Benefit Tue Aug 24 2010

Tutor/Mentor Jam @ Darkroom This Sunday, 8/29

Remember that special person in your life who helped guide and shape the person you are today? We all think about the people who took time out of their lives to mentor and teach us during challenging times in our youth. When we look back, our lives are richer because of them and our place in the world, a bit more clear.

The Tutor/Mentor Connection knows how important this relationship is and is throwing The Tutor/Mentor Jam happening this Sunday, August 29th at Darkroom. It is a back to school benefit for the non-profit that helps provides an organized framework to empower and encourages adult volunteers to contribute their time, effort, ideas and advocacy toward creating life-changing solutions for children in educationally and economically disadvantaged areas.

The event includes bands, entertainers, and local businesses as a communal music filled experience to draw public attention and foster support toward volunteer-based, non-school tutor/mentor programs in high-poverty/high-crime neighborhoods throughout the Chicago region. The line up includes a variety of local sounds featuring The Usual Suspects,The Black Temple 21, Alexander Webb and Trakan. Carnivore collective Man B Que will be providing complimentary food to those hungry to participate.

This unique and worthy cause is worth checking out, hearing some awesome music and finding out your role in helping change an at risk child's future.

Darkroom is located at 2210 W. Chicago Ave. The benefit is $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Doors and food at 5. Music starts at 6. For more information call (312)492-9614.

— Aharona Ament / Comments (0)

Concert Tue Aug 24 2010

Clare and the Reasons @ Pritzker Pavilion, 8/23

With a voice that is filled with longing but not without comfort, Clare Manchon took the stage with her husband Olivier Manchon and others to play a fruitful 75 minutes of music. The songs have elements of great delicacy as well as humor. Between just the two of them there were ample instruments, Clare switching off between guitar and washboard and Olivier playing violin, guitar, mini xylophone, and a small drum at times. Yet, they made the most out of the beautiful space by bringing in brass musicians from Chicago to play trombone and french horn. In addition, another musician accompanied the small brass section to treat the audience to keyboard, bass, and clarinet playing.

Continue reading this entry »

— Kirstie Shanley / Comments (0)

Concert Mon Aug 23 2010

Neon Marshmallow Festival - Day Four wrapup

It's all over, folks. After four days, 90-some-odd acts, and persistent exposure to just about every frequency on the sound spectrum audible to human ears, the Neon Marshmallow Festival departs the Viaduct Theatre, leavings the concertgoers fatigued, overstimulated, and slightly depressed about the prospect of returning to the real world, where things seldom get louder than a tepid hum.

This is the day of the fest where you get to razz me for being an old man — I arrived late, left early, and missed (by all accounts) some crucial sets. However, I didn't miss it all. Here's my last report before I return to my anechoic chamber:

Continue reading this entry »

— Chris Sienko / Comments (0)