Monday, November 29, 2010

Thee Oh Sees : Lincoln Hall / Chicago / Meat Step Lively

Lincoln Hall shows it's depth and greatness in a snug ass-kicker by Thee Oh Sees. 9/15/2010.

Enjoy!

Wolf Parade.......STOP PLAYING!

...you heard it here last. After a couple shows next year, they will be on an indefinite hiatus.

See previous post for how awesome Wolf Parade were live.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

WOLF PARADE Live Review : Adventures in the House of Blues November 23rd , 2010

I have lived in Chicago over 3 years and have never been to the House of Blues.

I have never seen Wolf Parade live.

This was a deadly mixture. I knew Wolf Parade were really, really good live. I wasn't worried on that front, but the odd-ball venue I wasn't accustomed too I feared would be a wrench in the system.

I kept an open mind, and drove downtown with a friend to find a pay-to-park spot a block away at 8:50 pm, just in time to leave it there.

I didn't have a ticket, so I posted an ad on Craigslist seeing if anyone had a cheap ticket.

A dude called me and ended up giving it to me for $10.

Things were looking up!

I stepped through a few hurdles to get into the wacky monstrosity that was the House of Blues, and once inside, swiftly glided through the ID check / pat down, smooth and easy. I marveled at how well the night had gone so far while walking around the venue, listening to the second band of the three, Wintersleep. I finally settled in for about four songs up front. I was in a specific kind of "please fuck me up with your awesomeness" and it just didn't really deliver. Great energy, but I really just had no interest in anything else. I head bobbed politely and listened to the weird crowd behind me. I was bummed I missed Ogre, You Asshole!, but the amount of shows I have been going to see lately beckoned me to take my time getting there.

The House of Blues has no barrier! Beers are cheaper than Metro! The sound is....not terrible! Oh, how it's come together!

When they were done, someone turned and said, "hey, you were at no age"....that being the Lincoln Hall show two days before.

AT SAID WOLF PARADE SHOW, I also met the girl who wrote a review of said show in gapers block yesterday, that had this picture of me in it, mouth agape :

http://gapersblock.com/transmission/2010/11/23/review_no_age_lincoln_hall_1121/
Gaper's Block review by Bonnie Page.

While, I don't really agree with that review and thought the show was bliss even though I could barely hear the vocals, we're getting a little off track here.

You see...that above picture...if you can picture my mouth, a little wider, and in more of a joker-esque maniacal grin....then you have....a live review of Wolf Parade at the House of Blues.

They seemed comfortable. Chatty. Boeckner said someone told him he should say "hey Sexy Chicago"

The songs swayed from old to new exactly how I thought they would, with seamless effort and some "thank you's" and healthy chit-chatter.

If you're seeking out this review, you know what they play nowadays. For months I read about these set lists, geeking out that I'd even get to HEAR a song like "I'll Believe in Anything" in it's proper melting glory. I was originally only a little bit bummed of the omission of "California Dreamer" , then they ended the night with a one-two punch of "Runner" that led into an insanely energetic "Fancy Claps"...

I think I blacked out from how fucking rad hearing those two songs together was. Maybe it was that roofie popcorn.

I woke up sleeping in a nest of baby kittens with cheesecake in one hand, and a gumballhead in the other.

...and all was well with the world.





Thursday, November 18, 2010

Tyler Jon Tyler, Turbo Fruits, Tinsel Teeth, OH MY!!!

Tyler Jon Tyler celebrate Crystal Rock Haus's second year / play Seperate Issue at the Empty Bottle :




Speaking of the Empty Bottle, remember when Tinsel Teeth DESTROYED it?




Turbo Fruits played bloodline. With Pujo. and Magic Milk! More in front of you soon from this show :

Friday, November 12, 2010

TURBO FRUITS play BLOODLINE tommorow (SATURDAY!)

Hey boys and girls,

Big stuff coming.

BLOODLINE SPEAKEASY is back open and hosting TURBO FRUITS and PUJOL tommorow!!!!!!!!!

Also, I just filmed a super sexy batch of Clinic songs at that super great Lincoln Hall show that will be up soon.

See you at Bloodline!

- HMD

Friday, November 5, 2010

It's getting colder, Chicago...

Luckily there's a lot to do.

Tonight's shows :

BOTTOM LOUNGE: The Ponys, Hollows, Lover!
EMPTY BOTTLE: Rabble Rabble, White/Light, Black Math, Verma
HIDEOUT: Bottomless Pit, Black Helicopter, Wereworm
LINCOLN HALL: Smith Westerns, Mickey, Dead Luke
PANCHO'S BAR: Ratattack, The Ovens, Squish, The Pleats
REGGIES ROCK CLUB: Bobby Conn and Monica Bou Bou, Stephen Paul Smoker, Mucca Pazza
SCHUBAS: Violens
TRANSISTOR: Women of Noise II: Electric Boogaloo! w/Right-Eye Rita, All Extinct Animals, Nicole Miller (Piss Piss Piss Moan Moan Moan), Call Me on the Allophone, Liz Bjorklund (Silver Abuse), Nancy Economou
WILD HARE: Anthony B, Gullibanque

you know...just in case one of you lurkers hasn't decided on one of the 10 shows going on...

bundle up, and TURN YOUR CLOCKS BACK!

snuggles,

-hmd