Monday, December 19, 2011

Watch : Dirtbombs + White Mystery at Subterranean...



Dirtbombs! White Mystery! Along the line somewhere, Sailor Jerry decided they were going embed themselves in the rock n' roll scene. They threw a free party at the Subterranean December 16th, 2011. The Dirtbombs returned to Chicago after what seemed like a decade. White Mystery opened. Serious drum freak-outs ensued, and all was well with the world.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Watch : Toupée - "Slowski"

'

2011 isn't done with giving us great shows. Here's another band you should know. Toupée. They don't have a website, but they do have a tape coming out on Teen River around February. They took a break from prowling around screeching guttural vocals over some heavy, driving songs to play one "for the lovers" entitled "Slowski". This was at "Dustbowl" in Chicago on 12/17 with Bomb Banks, Names Divine, and others. Keep an eye out. Enjoy.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Chicago in 2011, or, "Why We Love Our Live Music Scene". A Gonzo Chicago recap.

Chicago Skyline

"Cast" in order of appearance :

Bad Drugs
John Bellows
Ed Schrader's Music Beat
Titus Andronicus
Warhammer 48K
Wume
Tyler Jon Tyler
White Mystery
Work/Death
Running
Close Hits
Black Lips (w/ Bobby Conn, Ty Segall intercut)
Archers of Loaf
Cacaw
Obits
Magic Ian
Fat Worm of Error
Pile
Radar Eyes
Piss Piss Piss Moan Moan Moan
Times New Viking (w/ Strychnine)
Cartright
Cave
Lechuguillas
Dana Falconberry
Andy Cigarettes
Absolutely Not
Double Dagger
Heavy Times
Handsome Furs
Mannequin Men
Mayor Daley
T'bone
ONO
Paper Mice
Snacks
Names Divine
R. Stevie Moore
Bomb Banks
Rabble Rabble
Thee Oh Sees
Magic Milk
Unmanned Ship
Wild Flag
Music Tapes
Outer Minds
...with an intro by Max Morris.




Instead of giving you some best-of list nobody agrees with, we thought you'd enjoy this more. 2011 was a hell of a year for Chicago music lovers. The current status of the Chicago music scene, as you can see, is very healthy. Some might say it is the best it's ever been. From our past experience, summer has been the most hectic, but it seemed like this year the noise didn't stop. January had the stellar "Tommorow Never Knows" festival, ran by the Schubas family, and this blur of a year went full speed ahead from there. April had Lightning Bolt destroying the Logan Square monument thanks to the Empty Bottle. Summer was, well, summer in Chicago. Bitchpork III. Double Dagger's final Chicago show. The Hideout Block Party. Festivals. A non stop stream of spectacular local, touring bands, underground shows. It was unrelenting. Luckily we had our cameras in tow, and an insatiable urge for live music.

As you may know, we ran a successful Indiegogo fundraiser in May, and things got a lot prettier from there on out. It was a one-of-a-kind experience that we will never forget. So many of you came out of the woodwork and told us you liked what we were doing. This video is for you. In the last 8 months we have attended over 150 shows, filming and shooting a good lot of them. Your interest and love for what has been created here only furthers our desire to give you what we think is interesting. Things you might not have heard of, seen, or would ever be on your radar. This isn't to shine a light on a dark corner, but to simply put good music, and good work, out to people that really care about it. It's that simple. That's what we've always strived to do here. This year, the gods aligned us with Nathan Christ and his Echotone Film crew. We held a Mortville show with Mannequin Men, Outer Minds, Close Hits, PPPMMM. We shot the skyline from 25 miles out. They have inspired us greatly, and for that we think the meeting was meant to be. We're also impressed at the quality of output by labels like HoZac, but also the insurgence of small-run tape labels like Lillerne Tapes, Plus Tapes, Priority Male, Catholic Tapes, Maximum Pelt, Nihilist Records, and many more.

This year had a few sour notes. Some of the boys in the spectacular Lechuguillas have moved to Texas, leaving a void in a sea of Chicago projects. They are sorely missed. Another one of the best bands Chicago had to offer, Cacaw, are now defunct. Sadly, it was right after a self-proclaimed "worst Chicago show we have ever played." which makes it even more hard to swallow. There was no grand 12-band farewell like the Lechuguillas threw. Just a quiet nod, and a goodbye. These things happen, but it still hurts when they come to pass.

That said, this video is just the beginning. As we grow in our partnerships, knowledge, and ability to create, you can surely expect even better content in 2012.

I would like to extend a sincere thank you to the people, bands, and spaces who have gone out of their way to help this project become what it is today. To those who supported the fundraiser that makes everything we do look so much better. :

The Schubas family,Chicago Reader, Drag City, Tyler Jon Tyler, Lechuguillas, Mannequin Men, Absolutely Not, Running, ONO, White Mystery, The Hideout, Micha Ward, Brian Jarreau, Threadless, A.V. Club Chicago, Nathan Christ and the Echotone Film crew, Kenny Alden, Loud Loop Press, Thomas V. Ryan, Chicagoist, the crew at Ball Hall, Mortville, Situations, Treasure Town, and countless others who have inspired us, selflessly displayed their love for what has been done here. We hope you enjoy this video. It was meant purely for the enjoyment of people who like energy in their music, and for those who love what's going on in Chicago right now. We think what's happening here is pretty special, and unlike anything else in the country. There are some glaring omissions, but we'll rectify that soon enough. Thanks for taking the time to have a look. Here's to an even more eye popping 2012.

-JY

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Photos : Heavy Times at Schubas Tavern. New LP "Jacker" out now on HoZac Records!

HoZac Records has been on a roll lately...or maybe they just haven't stopped rolling since their inception. Either way, Heavy Times' long-player "Jacker" is finally out, and to nobodies surprise, it rules. Rock n' Roll from your favorite jerks in Running, Loose Dudes and other notably scuzzy endeavors. Heavy Times are advocates of the DIY scene, but it was nice to see them at Schubas, a spot where you could, you know, actually hear what was going on. There are some seriously solid tracks on this record. A conversation in the green room before the show with Milwaukee's Jaill and Broncho had them jokingly proclaiming themselves as "Convict Punk", which we actually think is a pretty killer title. Buy the record and catch 'em live as soon as possible. You know, better yet, we'd suggest you pick up that fall three-pack with Wax Idols and the Radar Eyes 7". DO IT.

Heavy Times at Schubas Tavern, Chicago
Heavy Times at Schubas Tavern, Chicago
Heavy Times at Schubas Tavern, Chicago
Heavy Times at Schubas Tavern, Chicago
Heavy Times at Schubas Tavern, Chicago
Heavy Times at Schubas Tavern, Chicago
Heavy Times at Schubas Tavern, Chicago
Heavy Times at Schubas Tavern, Chicago
Heavy Times at Schubas Tavern, Chicago
Heavy Times at Schubas Tavern, Chicago
Heavy Times at Schubas Tavern, Chicago
Heavy Times at Schubas Tavern, Chicago
Heavy Times at Schubas Tavern, Chicago
Heavy Times at Schubas Tavern, Chicago

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

2011 : A Year In (Video) Review - TRAILER



Oh, 2011. Instead of making some shitty list nobody agrees with, we're going to give you this instead. In classic "Best Of" fashion, you'll have it before 2012. The main track of this trailer is live, by the wonderful Chicago band OUTER MINDS. Bands to be included in this will be ONO, Cacaw, Mayor Daley, Running, Lechuguillas, Titus Andronicus, Ted Leo, Bad Drugs, Black Lips, Ty Segall, Cave, Rabble Rabble, Wume and more. It won't quite be a documentary. It won't quite be a footage dump. Just something fun and different for you all, which is always what we're after. It'll be in front of your eyes before 2012. Wait for it...

Watch : MYSTREATER at Nitetrotter Fest 2011



You may know Andy Slater from Velcro Lewis Group, or if you've been around for a while, "Behold the Living Corpse" or Tijuana Hercules. Well, Velcro's got a new jam, and it's called MYSTREATER. This was Nitetrotter Fest 2011 at the Dustbowl, which ended up getting slammed down by the 5-0 something fierce. I think a car got set on fire in the end.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Watch : Mutts at Beat Kitchen - "Pray For Rain" Record Release show at Subterranean 12/1/11.



Mutts are a band conceived in Florida and currently residing in Chicago. They're steeped in dirty blues and rock n' roll, growling vocals and some heavy, hectic keyboard. Here's a video of them at Beat Kitchen covering Fugazi and melting into a song of their own. They have a record release show for their LP "Pray For Rain" at the Subterranean on the first of December, 2011 at 8PM. You should highly consider going. Huge thanks to Mike Maimone and crew for all the support over the last year.

Pre-order the record and listen.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Watch : Bitchpork III #2 - Work/Death + Bad Drugs



Welcome to the second installment of our Bitchpork III video series.

Early in day one of the festival, a found-sound gospel sermon oozed out into Mortville. A grungy kid some of you probably know sat knees down, face into the floor, slamming his fists into the ground as the words entered his head....as if to let go of something troublesome to him. Not pictured, only background sound adding to the intensity. Work/Death is a solo noise project based out of Providence, Rhode Island. Bad Drugs are from Chicago, and you should go see them.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Watch : John Bellows - "Imaginary Friend" @ SAKI

Weekend! As previously stated, John Bellows is a goddamn treasure of Chicago. As a solo artist, he has recently again stopped jumping all over you for a little while to stop you cold in your tracks. Go see him live soon, as this incarnation may only last a few moments.

"Imaginary Friend" from his LP Clean Your Clock. It was part of an in-store with Advance Base at the wonderful store SAKI in Chicago....

points of interest tonight :
Nicole Miller / LKOP / Tyler Jon Tyler @ Enemy
Skoal Kodiak, Brent Koontz, Bad Drugs @ Mortville

points of interest tomorrow :
white mystery / magic milk / magic ian @ treasure town
ONO / mayor daley / wume / bomb banks @ happy dog


"I never play this one" :

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Watch : Honus Honus sing "Heavy Tumbling" to intro the Mister Heavenly encore...


Mister Heavenly came back to Chicago for the first time since Januarys "Tomorrow Never Knows" appearance. This time, a smaller Subterranean show, with Camera and Mr. Dream. I'd say the crowd should shut up, but everyone was so happy to be there, you couldn't help but smile. Talking to folks who were equally excited to watch each individual member of this band play, you couldn't stop the yelling if you wanted to anyway.

A three piece without Cera, Honus, Diamond$ and Plummer reinforced our love for the songs we heard live in January. They were tighter, while having a hell of a lot of fun. They're nerdy enough without him, anyway. May this band put out twenty LP's and continue on to do a warped Carnival senior-tour in 2050.

This is called "Heavy Tumbling". Enjoy.



mister heavenly

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Watch : Double Dagger's final Chicago show...


What else can be said? Goodbye, Double Dagger. You were always there to jump all over us and manhandle everyone when we got docile. Treasure Town had a Hexagon themed art show on the same night, Black Ladies reunited. Hume played. It was held in the "meat locker" garage area where Eugenics Council played. Concerning this show, which was not only one of the wildest we've seen in that building, Double Dagger said : "The best words to describe tonight's show came from Bruce: "Chicago, you're like Baltimore, but bigger" That was one of thee wildest shows we've ever played. My head is covered in lumps and bruises and I couldn't be happier."

Gabe Deloach filmed the whole final tour. Expect a film soon.

Enjoy.



posttypography

Monday, November 7, 2011

Jeff Mangum to play 2 Chicago shows in February!


We're not one for re-hashed news posts, but it's safe to say this is news you've been waiting for with baited breath for a long, long time. Jeff Mangum will be doing a short tour, and is playing Chicago's "Anthenaeum Theater" in early February. Tickets go on sale November 11th at noon.

dates :

Dates : Jeff Mangum 2012 Tour :
01/18 – New Haven, CT @ Shubert Theater
01/20 – Brooklyn, NY @ Gilman Opera House
01/25 – Philadelphia, PA @ Irvine Auditorium
01/27 – Washington, DC @ Lincoln Theatre
01/30 – Chapel Hill, NC @ Memorial Hall
02/01 – Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
02/04 – Minneapolis, MN @ Pantages Theatre
02/06 – Chicago, IL @ Anthenaeum Theater
02/07 – Chicago, IL @ Anthenaeum Theater
02/08 – Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theater
02/10 – Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club
02/11 – Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club
03/07 – Dublin, IE @ Vicar Street
03/09-11 – Minehead, UK @ All Tomorrow’s Parties
03/13 – London, UK @ Union Chapel
03/14 – London, UK @ Union Chapel

Thursday, October 20, 2011

PHOTOS : Dave Foley surprises Mayne Stage, joins Thompson and Mcdonald in "Two Kids One Hall"...

Three Kids One Hall

The announcer says "Please welcome Kevin Mcdonald and Scott Thompson", and out comes Dave Foley...

Just as the Sun-Times hinted at, Dave Foley surprised Chicago tonight by joining the cast of "Two Kids One Hall" alongside Scott Thompson and Kevin Mcdonald.

The set was delightfully dirtier than we thought it was going to be. Dave started the night and stayed out a good 40 minutes, frequently asking if that was enough, only to hear Thompson yelling at him to keep going. Foley stated that if he "seemed rusty", that he hadn't done stand-up in a while, but nobody seemed to mind him shaking off a few cobwebs. His set was probably the dirtiest, talked blowjobs and pubic hair, ball shaving, and made fun of the audience member up front dressed in a "flying pig" costume. They all did.

They riffed on each other from on and off the stage. Foley told Thompson to "get out of the wing" as he paced back and forth on the side of the stage. Kevin Mcdonald sang two songs in the comedic fashion. They were convincingly hilarious. He made faces and delivered solid sets in between Scott Thompson's talk of how great foreskins are, interrupting Kevin from the audience, giving babies blowjobs instead of circumcisions. Vicious. Falling, lying, and "homer circling" on the floor, picking each other up, hugging between changeovers, it was clear they just wanted to have fun.

Stanhope would have laughed his ass off.

Foley plays the Improv this weekend, while Thompson and Mcdonald continue their five show run at the beautiful Mayne Stage.

Dave Foley surprises Chicago, joining "Two Kids One Hall"


Dave Foley in "Two Kids One Hall"

Kevin Mcdonald in "Two Kids One Hall"

"Two Kids One Hall"

Dave Foley in "Two Kids One Hall"

Kevin Mcdonald in "Two Kids One Hall"

"Two Kids One Hall"

Dave Foley in "Two Kids One Hall"

"Two Kids One Hall"

Scott Thompson in "Two Kids One Hall"

Kevin Mcdonald in "Two Kids One Hall"

Scott Thompson in "Two Kids One Hall"



"Two Kids One Hall"

"Two Kids One Hall"

Scott Thompson in "Two Kids One Hall"

Scott Thompson and Dave Foley in "Two Kids One Hall"

Dave Foley in "Two Kids One Hall"

"Two Kids One Hall"

"Two Kids One Hall"

"Two Kids One Hall"

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Watch : Ty Segall live at Treasure Town in Chicago...



After a sweaty show at the Empty Bottle, Ty Segall opted to play in the sprawling art wonderland that is Treasure Town. Here we have him slinking into the crowd, playing some Sabbath with Timmy Vulgar, and generally making everyone lose their shit. Do we see White Francis crowd surfing for a moment there? Human Eye, Mikal Cronin, and Heavy Times opened. Sadly, the memory card in our sound recorder got corrupted, or the vocals on this would be a lot stronger. Still sounds and looks pretty slick, considering it's just onboard sound. "Goodbye Bread" out now on Drag City. Enjoy!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Watch : Cartright live at Mortville...

A few years back, we were taking shots of whiskey at the Mopery, vibing to some dirty noise-rock, when a guy with an ultra-sweet beard came up and handed us a very home-made CD-R wrapped in yellow construction paper. "Take this, we're called Cartright...we're playing soon", he said. So we shoved it in our back pocket, gobbled down the rest of that whiskey, and as these fellows started to play, our eyes went wide and our faces went blank. It was phenomenal. It was unlike anything we had ever heard in that dark, dirty warehouse. Like a bucket of water to the face...more proof that our DIY scene wasn't just a bunch of doped up kids banging on sheets of metal. The thing is, their songs often involve driving, razor-sharp breakdowns with them all whooping and yelling their hearts out in unison, only to switch to a song like this that makes you want to hug your grandmother. It stuck with us ever since. We still jam that album often.

Texas natives Cartright came back, this time to Mortville, with eleven other acts to send off our boys in Lechuguillas. This one puts a lump in our throats. Enjoy :

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Tonight : Echotone Screening + Paper Mice set / Treasure Town art show + Double Dagger's final Chicago show...



Tonight, Consequence of Sound welcomes Nathan Christ's Echotone to Empty Bottle , with a special performance by the amazing Paper Mice! The event starts at 6:30, with Paper Mice playing shortly after. There will also be a premiere of the new White Mystery video! Admission is $5.

Also, the amazing Double Dagger are breaking up! Sad news, but they're playing a second show, more their style. Your favorite DIY warehouse! The second night in Chicago, with a reunited Black Ladies, Hume, and more. It's in the basement of the Mortville building, and there's also a hexagon themed art show in the middle level, Treasure Town. The art show starts a bit earlier, and the show begins at 11PM.

It's a great day to be in Chicago. Come on out!

Here's a recent video we took of Paper Mice playing some killer new songs :

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Occupy Chicago : National Day of Action SATURDAY, October 15th. Metropolis Coffee company to donate to-go boxes!


We love Chicago's local businesses. With Occupy Chicago, and the Occupy movement in general picking up steam via rabid twitter accounts, and a National Day of Action coming up this Saturday, we thought we'd reach out to some great local companies. See if they'd like to donate some needed items to the cause. We contacted Metropolis Coffee, and our e-mail was briskly passed on to David Retzer, who responded almost immediately, saying the company would like to donate some to-go boxes of coffee, even though their monthly donation quota was full.

It's this kind of selfless mentality that will lead real change.

Join us, in a National Day of Action :

On October 15th people from all over the world will take to the streets and squares.

From America to Asia, from Africa to Europe, people are rising up to claim their rights and demand a true democracy. Now it is time for all of us to join in a global non violent protest.

The ruling powers work for the benefit of just a few, ignoring the will of the vast majority and the human and environmental price we all have to pay. This intolerable situation must end.

United in one voice, we will let politicians, and the financial elites they serve, know it is up to us, the people, to decide our future. We are not goods in the hands of politicians and bankers who do not represent us.

On October 15th, we will meet on the streets to initiate the global change we want. We will peacefully demonstrate, talk and organize until we make it happen.

It’s time for us to unite. It’s time for them to listen.


There is a main march at 7PM on Saturday, saying they will leave from Jackson & Lasalle at 7pm to Michigan and Congress.

Occupy for change. Join us.

United for Global Change - October 15th, 2011
Occupy Chicago
Occupy Wall Street

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Listen : Kurt Vile - Live at Reckless Records / Life's a Beach...



Kurt Vile has a new track called 'Life's a Beach"! The "So Outta Reach" 6-song EP will be available on 12″ and digital formats on November 8.




On top of that, this little gem has been hanging under the covers for a while.

Back on April 1st, Kurt Vile played an in-store at good ol' Reckless Records. It was a precursor to a show at the Subterranean. Like a gentle fall breeze, he waded through new and old with ease. Yes! We love being corny! Enjoy!

Buy his stuff from Matador! :

Friday, October 7, 2011

R.I.P - Lechuguillas : 13 band send-off tonight at 8PM.



Tonight, at 8pm, we release 2/3 of Lechuguillas into the Texas wild. Without them, the Mopery would not have existed, nor would a huge chunk of what has happened in the last few years. A staple of the Chicago underground scene for years, they were at the height of their power, with a new record to be released...tonight. They probably would have gotten boring or went all fucking prog-rock on us anyway. Chicago has a history of saying goodbye in style, as you may know. If you want a current status of the DIY scene here, well...the line-up is :

Lechuguillas release party for the new record Insurrection of an Erection


Lechuguillas : http://lechuguillas.com/

Velvet Underground : http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-velvet-underground-p5753

ONO: http://ono1980.com/

Health&Beauty : http://healthbeautyband.com/plexi.html

Gun's N' Roses : http://www.myspace.com/gunsnroses

Naked Island

Plastic Boner Band
/Instinct Control : http://www.myspace.com/plasticbonerband / http://liscentric.com/

Battleship : http://battleship.bandcamp.com/

Unmanned Ship : http://www.myspace.com/unmannedship

Judas Priest feat. Thin Lizzy feat. Black Label Society
:http://www.myspace.com/thinlizzynow/music
http://www.myspace.com/210419730
http://www.myspace.com/34131410

Green Pasture Happiness : http://brianlabycz.com/thegreenpasturehappiness

AIDS Goat: http ://www.myspace.com/aidsgoat

Running
http://vimeo.com/25751512

Handsome Tyrants : http://www.facebook.com/handsometyrants

Cartright : http://cartrightmusic.com/

Sunsplitter: http://sunsplitter.blogspot.com/

SPECIAL GUEST/M.C. -- Dennis Rodman of your World Champion Chicago Bulls (96-98)

8:30 - FOREVER. Saturday, October 8th. MORTVILLE.

A night for the ages. Bring a cooler.

Cartwright are playing, too! Solid. Don't miss it :


P.S. they're touring on their way, and will be running a record label in Texas. EAT MEAT RECORDS

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Watch : WILD FLAG - Live at Subterranean : Part 2!



This weekend, WILD FLAG return to Chicago for a sold-out two night stint at The Empty Bottle, here's a PART 2 of sorts of that crazy Subterranean show in July. Channeling Patti Smith, Brownstein and her spectacular lady cohorts left everyone freaking out. Go see this band! Click this to watch Part 1.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Watch : Broken Social Scene....live...on a Heineken billboard.

Things just keeps getting stranger and stranger for us lately.

In a weird, last-minute, WTF moment, Broken Social Scene played on a 600 foot stage with a Heineken billboard towering over them. Oh, and the billboard was...across from Wrigley Field. Unbeknownst to us, they only have an October 1st gig in the states before they play some South American shows and go on the ever dreaded "hiatus". In hindsight, that made comments by Kevin Drew, like "We're Broken Social Scene, don't forget us", and "Chicago, we love you, you know we love you" all the more potent. "Don't forget to look somebody in the eye." Despite the high stage, the show was fun. They played seven songs. Even a few off "You Forgot It In People". Thanks, Heineken! Please write us so we can give you the check address.

Enjoy :

Bitchpork 2011 #1 : FAT WORM OF ERROR.

"We'd like to thank the CHICAGO POLICE for letting us have this party..."

The first video in our 'Biiitchpork' series. Fat Worm of Error are a band from Northampton, Massachusetts. They formed in 2002. Bitchpork was a music festival held on Chicago's south side. It included over 40 touring and local bands like Warhammer 48K, Work/Death, Running, Andy Cigarettes, Lechuguillas, Radar Eyes, and ONO.

Fat Worm of Error

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Watch : WHITE MYSTERY at the 2011 Hideout Block Party!



White Mystery played the 15th annual Hideout Block Party! Shilling out loud-ass tunes from their new record, and a few old ones peppered in for good measure. The band hasn't slowed down a bit since the last time you saw them, only upping the volume on the knob, screaming and bashing away, and touring like tomorrow might not come.

White Mystery are consistently good live, and have been long-time fans of the DIY scene in Chicago. You could often catch White Francis chugging down 40's in the Mopery. In fact, that's where we met them. They have a slick new VIDEO out for the Blood and Venom track "Birthday" that just so happens to be directed by Echotone's Nathan Christ. SMASHY! Enjoy :

Monday, September 26, 2011

Watch : Paper Mice play new songs at Ball Hall...



If for some reason you live in Chicago and don't know Paper Mice, now is a good time to get acquainted. They've been tearing apart DIY spots and stages around Chicago for years. New songs like "Cannon Fodder" and the busted-out-for-the-first-time "Banking Up the Wrong Tree" made the smiles on the crowd a bit bigger than normal this night. Absolutely stellar. Enjoy.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Review / Photos : 2011 Hideout Block Party : 15 years of being awesome!

The Hideout is a tiny little gem of Chicago, as you all know. I liken it to a small bar in upper Wisconsin. It's tucked away behind, and surrounded by, sprawling industrial buildings, and a giant parking lot. If you've never been to the Hideout or their block parties, they use that giant parking lot to throw a bash.

A few years back, it was a celebration of Touch and Go records in which Big Black, Girls Against Boys, and Scratch Acid played. After that, Bloodshot. It's always a really well planned, easy-going festival that a lot of other fests should go and take notes on. Very well-ran.

Either way, the Hideout has been at it for so long, and it shows in their musical partnerships. This year, Andrew Bird, White Mystery, Booker T. Jones, Mavis Staples, The Eternals, and more all chipped in to throw a good party.

Yes, I know, we missed a few acts. One cannot stand in one spot for 12 hours straight. Apologies if you don't find what you're looking for in this review!

Tim Tutten wasn't short on funny and inspiring words.

It started with Steve Krakow (from Plastic Crimewave, Solar Fox) holding a celestial "guitar orchestra" where anyone and everyone could get in for free if you brought a musical instrument. That's right...show up early, get in free. It was pouring rain up until, well, the moment it was supposed to start. The clouds parted, as if a gift to the festival itself, and the sun came out.

Travis from ONO had a megaphone and barreled in a reading from a book he had, which cut in and out of the skreech-drone-blam of the some 20-30 instruments on hand. You had Muya from Humminbird, P. Michael of ONO, children and their families, and many others I didn't recognize.

White Mystery played immediately after, shilling out loud-ass tunes from their new record, and a few old ones peppered in for good measure. The band hasn't slowed down a bit since the last time you saw them, only upping the volume on the knob, screaming and bashing away with reckless abandon.

I do not know the catalog's of Mavis Staples, Booker T. Jones, Andrew Bird, or the Eternals well enough to pick apart their sets and offer you a long, drawn out opinion.

All I can say is this : It's well known that the Hideout is one of the best venues on the planet. Mavis Staples recorded a live record there. Jeff Tweedy just sang fucking Black Eyed Peas songs after Mayor Emanuel hung out. It's a Chicago staple, really. We could go on all night about the who's who that love the little shack on Wabansia, but we won't.

The Eternals played a stellar set, spitting out a few newer tracks that skittered along and got the day well on it's way.

We watched wide-eyed as Booker T. Jones played songs from his back-catalog that spanned decades, so much so that they've been covered and twisted and warped so many times over the years, we were often left laughing at the fact that he actually conceived these songs.

Mavis brought the proverbial house down. A true performer. She brought Andrew Bird on stage for a song. Inspiring. Similar to Booker T where you just hear these songs being played, but they're seasoned with the grit of, well, being sung and played by the actual person that wrote the song in the first place. An amazing set that moved me and shook me to to the core. Maybe because I was so close. Would have loved to see her at that Hideout show. She sure can pose for photos, too.

Andrew, playing a few new ones of his own, seemed to leave everyone really happy. We looked to the side of the stage, as people seemed to clamor for one last hit song after a chunk of new material. We saw the sound guy make the call to stop. People seemed a little bummed, but it certainly didn't put a damper on a rainless day that ended up being a highlight of the last few months.

Few can throw a festival and party like the Hideout. May they have continued success (and continued block parties) for years to come.


Photos :





















View the whole set...
WATCH : White Mystery