Documenting weirder and louder since 2007. Chicago is home base. Currently in Missoula, Montana.
A new film on China's underground : http://theworldunderground.com
WHAT IS THIS SONG?!?!?! I don't think it's a cover.
Reigning Sound played the Subterranean in 2009.
I really thought a few people there were either going to throw their voice of from screaming like madmen, or just hyperventilate and pass out.
People were WILD happy to be there, and so were they.
My friend Andy Junk dragged me out to this, and for that, I am grateful. I was not well versed in the catalogue of Cartwright, and am not easily impressed.
Being originally from Wisconsin, I could normally tend to care less.
Last year's lineups of tiny street festivals was stupid good. Menomena, White Rabbits, Handsome Furs, Flossatradamus, Harlem Shakes, Thao, Night Marchers etc. at Ribfest and Do Division
Tapes n Tapes and Art Brut played the first ever "green fest".
Haymarket Riot and Turbo Fruits played to NOBODY at the first ever...what...Metronome fest???? NOBODY!!!! Turbofruits were happy to drive to drive that long just to get $600. Me and two dudes rocked out.
These Arms Are Snakes broke up in January. I think my head still hurts from the last show. I'm saddened to see them go, but if it had to be done it had to be done.
Some argued the greatness of their most recent album, but I felt it to be really solid.
If they think it was time, who am I to argue.
This, my friends, is a song called Idaho, from the Subterranean show in 2009. Personally, this was my favorite time I ever saw them. Partly because they opened with this fucking song. They sure did love that place. Such a fitting venue for this band to tear to pieces.
Islands came to the Subterranean in 2009, without a string section, and killed it. a rapless Whalebone was played. I think I popped a few blood vessels. In support of Vapours, which I think is some of the catchiest stuff they've ever done.
A story was told about going into a town that they truly believe was the REAL Sleepy Hollow.
Chinese Stars have become one of my favorite live bands. They remind me of Brainiac. They always come and play the Empty Bottle, one of the best venues in Chicago. It's always wild, boozey, and a treat for everyone who gets to witness it.
Not only did they play the Empty Bottle twice in the last year, they also came and did a one-off when one of their shows got cancelled. It was in an art gallery. The cops showed up right before they went on, but they played anyway, instructing all to just use the back door if you want to go out.
This particular night I could barely hold my camera up due to multiple reasons. Eric told me a story involving an overweight girl who gave him some sort of disease. He told me they'd be back with Six Finger Satellite. I didn't really believe him because it just sounded too good to be true. But it ended up happening.
GO AND SEE THIS BAND. Their new record is on Anchor Brain. It rules. Buy it.
The only decent photo I got from Jay Reatard's last show.
Today we all found out Jay Reatard had passed away on January 13 due to "cocaine toxicity, and that alcohol was a contributing factor in his death."
We will all miss you so much. I'm grateful to have seen him so many times, and to have spoken with him. He participated in something i'm putting together.
The first time I saw him was in Green Bay, WI with Lost Sounds. I remember him playing a few songs just him on the drums playing a guitar and singing too. "Who was this man?" I wondered...
Thank you Jay for what you brought while you were here. It's stupid you're not around to keep going. If anyone deserved to, it was you.
Guerilla video get! You can't film at the Vic, but obviously if you know me, you know it won't stop me. Thanks to the girl who had no idea who I was, letting me put my hand on her shoulder so the security guards line of sight only saw her head, and nothing more.
It's not just me. The last time the Cold War Kids were at the Vic, I looked up the reviews to see how it was. I couldn't go. I saw luke-warm reviews. It made me sad! "Maybe they were having an off night?" I thought...
Well, they came again, and I agree with a lot of the reviews out there. They played 5 shows in the U.S. for "Behave Yourself", and sadly, in hindsight, it was pretty underwhelming.
I never got to see them for Loyalty, so I was excited to see these songs. To me, most of them fell flat. When "Relief" started, I couldn't help but be so excited I nearly swallowed my tongue. I love that song. I think the energy it exudes is just so oddly amazing, but again, just....nothing came from it.
Props to them for offering the show for free download. Maybe I should have grabbed it to see if this "review" is warranted, but you leave a show with a certain feeling, and the Cold War Kids ALWAYS left me floored. I saw them open for Tapes n Tapes years ago in Madison at the Barrymore, had no idea who they were, and got my ass kicked all over the place.
What happened?
Where was the opening band for "St. John"? Where was the junk yard drum kits, the smiles, and well...the energy?
The connection was decent, but they just seemed a bit bored during a lot of it, despite saying that Chicago is very special to them. Maybe new material will help, but it's not like Loyalty is ten years old.
People seemed to love it, but I just didn't take a whole lot away from it.
Wamp!
One song that did grab me off their new EP, is Sermons Vs. the Gospel, which is below.
