Watch : Paper Mice - "Cannon Fodder"

Paper Mice have long been a staple of the Chicago DIY scene. I'll never forget the first time I saw them in the Mopery, a now defunct warehouse spot in Logan Square. The precision of these songs rests in the players, two of them being music teachers. It's a level of skill brought into what are basically sharp punk rock songs that has won over countless crowds over the years. This is a new song off "The Funny Papers", due in the spring of 2012. Enjoy!

Paper Mice announce new album : "The Funny Papers" (tracklist + studio photos)

It's been three years since Paper Mice debuted their first full length "Paint It Pink". They've been a staple of our DIY scene for even longer, tearing up scuzzy basement and loft spaces, leaving the crowd a sweaty, grinning mess. We saw them make everybody go absolutely apeshit at the Mopery and have been in love ever since. Their songs are mostly minute-long bursts channeling The Minutemen that are over before you realize you were just crowd-surfing. Consistently spectacular live, we've been awaiting some new songs for a while, and they don't disappoint.

"The Funny Papers", due out in March, was recorded by Grayson Elliot Taylor, who has recorded Twista amongst others. It shares stories of madness in the world. "Banking Up The Wrong Tree" tells of Bank of America trying to foreclose a home of a couple...who didn't even have a mortgage with Bank of America. "Angry Meal", a tale of that woman who assaulted a Mcdonalds drive-thru employee. "Cannon Fodder" brings the story of rapper Rico Todriquez Wright, who shot a man and then wrapped about it in a song entitled "Hitting Licks for a Living". He's now in jail for the next 20 years.

Classically trained singer and guitarist Dave Reminick teaches music theory at Columbia. Drummer John Carroll teaches music to elementary school children where this very record was being recorded. There's no shortage of technical prowess in these tracks. The best part of seeing Paper Mice live is grinning at how the hell they stay so tight and energetic while banging out such insane songs.

We've seen some these new ones live, even filmed some of them, and hearing them come to life in the studio, we can safely say this is one high on our list of anticipated records of 2012. When I asked the band what the title meant, John Carrol told us it was "A play on words on the comical nature of the stories we tell in the lyrics. Another pun attempt. We almost called it "Pun's Not Dead!"

You won't have to wait too long to hear a sampling of this new record. We'll have an album preview video up in the next month or so.

Tracklist (final order pending) :

Hot Air
Swine Flue Suits
Cannon Fodder
Dog Only Knows
Simulacra
Don't Worry About The Governor
Banking Up The Wrong Tree
When Bugs Cry
Angry Meal
Big Blank
Research And Destroy

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

"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

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 :

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.

AIDS Walk + Run Benefit this SATURDAY w/ Paper Mice, Call Me Lightning, Lechuguillas, and more!!!

Alright folks, bringing it hard for this one.

***D. REM is holding an AIDS Walk & Run fundraiser!!!!!***

RAFFLE PRIZES... (raffle: $2/ticket or 20 for $20)

#1 of 65 "The Last Mopery Show" Poster

+ SKATEBOARD DECK by Ryan Duggan (Hated Skateboards)

prints and art from Ryan Duggan, Grimes, and more!

Handlebar + Lula Cafe gift certificates!

Tattoo / piercing gift certificates

Fine quality liquor

+ MORE!


Some will be silent auctioned, some will be raffled off.

THIS WILL BE EVAN'S LAST SHOW WITH SNACKS. SEND HIM OFF RIGHT.

Just don't ask me where those blood stains came from :

PAPER MICE
http://www.myspace.com/papermice

CALL ME LIGHTNING
http://www.myspace.com/callmelightning

LECHUGUILLAS
http://www.lechuguillas.com/music.html

MAGIC MILK
http://www.myspace.com/magicmilk

SNACKS
http://www.dothesnacks.tumblr.com/

UNMANNED SHIP
http://www.myspace.com/unmannedship


9PM. (REALLY. 9PM. SERIOUSLY.) SATURDAY AUGUST 20TH.

TREASURE TOWN.

E-mail us for the address.

$5. Help the AIDS jam and throw more if you want! No jerks. Come and ruin your hearing to all killer, no filler.

Best drummer on the planet award will go to who gets the most sheer screams of joy.

See you Saturday.

Kurt Vile in-store tonight, Les Savy Fav + Yo La Tengo Headline "Green Fest", BLACKOUT IS BACK!

No April fools jokes in here! All of this great news is true!

Normally i'm not one to regurgitate news that you could read 100 others places, but this is serious business, and proves Chicago is not fucking around.

First off, Kurt Vile will be playing the Wicker Park Reckless Records tonight at 7:30! Right down the street from Double Door on Milwaukee Avenue.

Listen to "Ghost Town" off his new LP "Smoke Ring For My Halo"

Vile's Subterranean show with J. Mascis is SOLD OUT, so don't miss this great intimate opportunity!





LES SAVY FAV, YO LA TENGO, and THE THERMALS headline newcomer's Green Music Fest third go-round June 25+26, 2011!!! Les Savy Fav are also playing the Subterranean. Tickets go on sale TOMMOROW!!! Don't blow it.

More info HERE.

Last but certainly not least, the BLACKOUT IS BACK!!!!

Via Gossip Wolf : "It's been five years since Horizontal Action magazine threw the last BLACKOUT, a festival that over its six-year run became one of America's most spectacular showcases of garage rock and binge drinking. But on May 27 and 28, HOZAC RECORDS is bringing the party back, and Gossip Wolf has the scoop on the lineup! A source in HoZac's upper-level management confirms that out-of-towners NOBUNNY, the SPITS, IDLE TIMES, K-HOLES, and READING RAINBOW will play, as will locals the BRIDES, MICKEY, HEAVY TIMES, OUTER MINDS, and RADAR EYES. The source also hinted that one of the headliners will be a beloved Australian band. That could mean HoZac recording artists and cool girls SUPER WILD HORSES, but it could also mean . . . AC/DC! For those about to rock, we salute you!"

Tyler Jon Tyler are going on tour, and I might be going along for the ride!

Towns thus far : 4/27 - 5/2: Columbus, Philly, Washington DC, Brooklyn, New Haven, Cleveland

Watch a video of Paper Mice at the infamous last Mopery show, and head to the Hideout to see them tonight...or hit up the 12 DIY shows happening this weekend so diligently listed at ACID MARSHMALLOW.



Empty Bottle's free "Music. Friendly. Dancing." headliner gets announced on monday. If I were you, I would set our RSVP in stone, right now. It's going to be a doozy.

I will have updates, including some Destroyer video, Lightning Bolt, etc throughout the weekend, so be sure to come back and enjoy.

"THE LAST MOPERY SHOW" live documentary gets DVD treatment...OUT NOW!!!

*UPDATE : TRAILER BELOW* 3/21



TRAILER :




The Mopery.

Reading that name, thinking about it...did anyone else get 30 degrees warmer?

The Mopery was a DIY warehouse space that ran for years, not months. It hosted the likes of every band in that poster, and hundreds more.

Ironically, when I had first moved here with my now ex-girlfriend, I stood outside of Pearle Vision while she bought glasses. Vans were outside. Someone came to the grey metal door I hadn't even noticed, with beer. "Ah, you bought me beer!" I said with a smirk. He replied...."No, but what are you doing tonight? I have some bands playing upstairs. We live in tents in a warehouse." I had planned to go to the Empty Bottle for something...don't remember what...but my ex-girlfriend bailed on going out...so I decided to change my plans as well.

I went to the Mopery....alone....

I vividly remember the first time. You entered through a seemingly invisible grey door, on the side of a grocery store! Went up the stairs, through a small hallway, into another heavy metal door with ragged metal for a handle. In the summer, the heat hit you first. I walked in to smiles. Nods. Someone told me to put my beer in the fridge...yeah...that big one over there with the sliding doors. Nobody took it. While this may not be all of your experiences, I'm almost positive a single beer of mine was never taken at the Mopery.

Five bands played in three different spots that night. One by some couches, then in the back corner...in the kitchen...near the industrial sized slop sink...and out in the open. Where the masses shoved and swelled.

I went back over 50 times, half of them alone. It didn't matter. Everyone was nice. Shit got crazy! People gave you booze, threw water on an exhausted crowd, and stories about what was happening. They were respectful. It felt like my own personal Ninja Turtles or Hackers hideout. We all smoked cigarettes and got our eardrums blown out by crazy shit. I met Alex White. Travis and Michael P. So many wonderful folks that to this day have shown nothing but appreciation, dedication, and love for creating a collective music scene.

It was the Mopery's gloriously disgusting charm that made me fall in love with this city's underground scene.

This last show...this was a madman marathon that when explained, would make people laugh.

Lechuguillas
Running
Loose Dudes
Paper Mice
Bad Drugs
Unmanned Ship
Sunsplitter
Ono
Mark Solotroff
Jason Soliday
Battleship
Sunglasses
and Tiger Hatchery

8:30 - Forever

Having a cooler, and being there since 9 p.m....I remember getting a little hazy around 1 a.m., after Paper Mice played. It was basically the half-way point. The air started to get hot. You could see waves. I don't think we were even breathing anything except hot, gaseous fumes at the end of the night. We all drank the kool-aid, and stumbled out from 4-6 a.m., wondering if this really was the end...

Really though, it was the music that won. If you don't care, that's fine, but you can't say it wasn't important. My friend Brian brings up the times we went there on a monthly basis. It left a deep impression. It was a dirty, hot, disgusting mess...but it was ours. Never have I felt so comfortable walking into a dark warehouse with not a single person I knew surrounding me. It sparked something.

Naturally, there were many, many cameras.

I know a lot of you have footage. You should hit me up and we should collect it all.

Victor Spatafora took it upon himself to bring a completely ridiculous 1080p camera into that last show...and the end result is amazing. Footage by 90% of the bands. I think EVERYONE missed filming ONO for some reason.

I gave him a few videos I had, and the end result is 38 minutes of stories from all of you...mayhem...blood...endless amounts of every type of liquid, scream, and noise you can imagine.

so HOW DO I GET THIS, you ask?!?!

If you would like one, e-mail me @ hotmetaldobermans@gmail.com. If you'd like to donate a buck or two for materials, feel free.

There are a few copies of this at Reckless Records, right now, for $6. Permanent on Chicago Ave...call them before you go, they're going in and out.

Victor is asking $5 suggested donation, whatever's in your pockets, hugs, whiskey, whatever. the materials are well-done and rad. Good artwork! I actually bought mine at Reckless just so I could come home and make this post. Best $6 i've ever spent.

We should compile footage. Maybe one day a full 9 hour version can be released. Just kidding. Pretty safe to say I don't think anyone needs to see the intricate details of how this played out.

I can honestly say, I was blown away by how great it ended up. Instant classic!

DVD :





These are some I took of the last night :