Chi-town nights with Tj Superfan

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2016-06-21T13:08:00.000-07:00

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Do not _be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life. Aim a_bove morality. _be not simply good; _be good for something.

Valencia Maloney

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2016-05-23T22:54:00.000-07:00

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Too much liberty corrupts us all.

Ammie Kryzak

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2016-04-19T03:33:00.000-07:00

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Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.

Tiger Zwicker

Rabid Rabbit sound the alarm at Beauty Bar!

2011-09-01T10:04:00.000-07:00

Dan and Andrea

I believe it was around 2004, that I first encountered Andrea Jablonski fronting the trio Camaro Rouge. It was in-your-face and over-the-top punk rock. The drummer was Arman Mabry; his beat made you drop everything and pogo dance. I always kept coming back to see Camaro Rouge play the Empty Bottle, and other places around Chicagoland. Often, they would be the opening band and steal the thunder of the headliner.

Andrea and Arman

Andrea and Arman have since joined together as a double-bass assault team for Rabid Rabbit. Joined by Mike Tsoulos on drums and Dan Sullivan on guitar, Rabid Rabbit has become one of Chicago's most interesting of quartets. Bass drones that entice ones desire to head bang. In a slightly psychedelic and atmospheric mode, they take you to the zone of avant-garde sludge-core.

Mike

That monster called rock 'n' roll had many different faces; one of them was heavy metal. This abnormal animal had its earliest rumblings traced back to the Sonics, Kinks, MC5, Beatles (Helter Skelter), Jimi Hendrix Experience, and Blue Cheer. In 1970, the grim reality of the world was documented by Black Sabbath. Heavy they were, to the point of metal mayhem. In 2011, metal has somewhat run itself into a wall with repetitive growling. It's so refreshing to see a current band like Rabid Rabbit go back to old-school vibes, and complete the full circle by making them new again. The twelve minute "Gloomy Sunday" is my favorite and totally relevant in the present tense.

Dan

Tonight's cutting-edge offering brings me to Chicago's near west side. Beauty Bar hosted the doom-metal vibes of Rabid Rabbit. Andrea's vocals were mesmerizing. Her bass was in unison with Arman and together they created a heavy ambiance that reverberated out onto Chicago avenue. This was the place to be on a Wednesday night with Zach (singer-guitarist for The Outer Minds) bar tending. Gina (singer for The Outer Minds) was seated at the entrance doing nail polish for the guest. Rabid Rabbit commanded the complete attention of Beauty Bar once they started their set. Impromptu-doom or experi-metal would be a considerable way to describe their music. However, those descriptions alone would not do this band justice.

Arman and Andrea

Rabid Rabbit is unique! From the opening notes, there was a haunting chemistry brewing. Heavy and dramatic, they marched to the land of dark ecstasy. The guitar drifts off into a moody and colorful dynamic structure; followed by a climatic explosion of sound. The dual bass arsenal builds a wall of a metallic orchestral alarm sounding off. Dark, but intelligent for the sake of the moment. Mike did an improvisational technique with his sticks and cymbals that created an almost space rock type of sound. Then he leads the charge to storm the (current day) Bastille!

Yes, there is an intellectual and somewhat political message to these compositions. The drums force you to bang your head! In Chi-town, there is room for everything that is related to that monster called rock 'n' roll. The metallic face of that monster has resurfaced in the form of Rabid Rabbit!

Arman

The Great Society Mind Destroyers takes Crown Tap to the cosmos.

2011-08-28T06:15:00.000-07:00

In 1966, Roky Erickson single-handedly invented psychedelia. The 13th Floor Elevators introduce the world to a new adventurous and innovative sound. Rocky was held by the United States government for experimental evaluation. After being nailed for possession of a marijuana cigarette, authorities believed he was a threat to decency! The turbulent '60s brought social tension to a new threshold of insanity. The CIA was doing experiments with LSD on soldiers and ordinary citizens. So was it the government that gave us the drug culture? Or was it Timothy Leary telling us to "drop out?" Regardless, the use of drugs definitely made an impact on the political climate of the 1960s.

Anjru

Today, one would question who was more psychotic: musicians or the government? Law enforcement attacked long-haired crowds at the Chicago 1968 Democratic convention, for merely sharing the solidarity of love and music. It's amusing to imagine what law enforcement might have thought 10 years later, with the arrival of angry moshing punk rockers.

Will

Like all styles of music, nothing really ever goes away. Psychedelia, often called acid rock or stoner rock, emulated the affect of mind-altering drugs in the beginning of its reign. Middle Eastern music and improvisational jazz played a role in the development of this adventurous and colorful sound. Friday, I went down to Crown Tap on Chicago's north side, to catch some neo-psychedelia with The Great Society Mind Destroyers.

Brett

It was truly psych-rock with a relentless rumbling thunder, that makes you envision yourself entering the mythological baffling matter of an ancient temple. At one point, the journey through the temple leads you to the cosmos. Space rock latches on to rhythmic, but not overindulgent elements of their bizarre and mind-twisting introduction, that drifted off into exhilarating hyperactive instrumental "rave-ups."

Jim

Featuring Andrew Kettering (Anjru Kieterang) from the retro '60s garage-jam group Strychnine on vocals and guitar, Jim Lechocki on drums, Will Sauceda on bass, and Brett Borden on second guitar, the chemistry of The Great Society Mind Destroyers resonates anachronistic echoes of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Blue Cheer, Sun Ra, Acid Mothers Temple, Sonic Youth, early Pink Floyd, and Hawkwind. Yes, I was reminded of the fact that Hawkwind featured Lemmy Kilmister, who was a roadie for Hendrix, and later started Motorhead, which had elements of both punk and metal. So it's all good in the scope of the wide musical spectrum.

May the soul of psychedelia lead me to grander pastures! Nowadays, you can get off on great psychedelic music without drugs. Today is GSMD day...with black coffee. The Great Society Mind Destroyers pretty much register these timeless vibes from the past, and add their current twist, thus making them new again. Roky Erickson and Syd Barrett would have been proud of the roots they planted. In the mist of an insane world, it is always great to escape to the cosmos.

Anjru

You can find their music on Commune Records, Galactic Zoo, and Slow Tapes.

Brett

Summer Girlfriends rock to that endless summer of fun!

2011-08-23T03:00:00.000-07:00

"Summer of Fun" is a song I remember from one great Chicago band called Johnny and the Limelights. They were a totally fun group, featuring Brian Costello of the current Outer Minds and Sara Bassick, formerly the bassist for The Pumps. Sara is now a member of Summer Girlfriends with four other ladies. It's Monday night and I seize the opportunity to catch this group at the Empty Bottle, in Chicago's Ukrainian Village neighborhood. What a delight they were, continuing that ageless punk mindset that rock 'n' roll must be done for the fun of it. To borrow from a Beach Boys song, that summer of fun is endless. Yes, it is an "Endless Summer."

Nikita and Sara

Elisse

Sara and Caitlin

Summer Girlfriends joins Sara with guitarist Nikita, guitarist Elise, drummer Nicole, and singer Caitlin. The spirit of the Runaways is ever present in their sound. The Shangri-Las, The Luv'd Ones, Goldie and the Gingerbreads, and L7 come to mind, upon hearing this band. '60s garage-pop, '70s post-punk, '80s power-pop, and girl-group mania all come together for some fine tuning that gives new life to these vibes. Yes, that monster called rock 'n' roll had a feminine side, which was longing to make it clear...girls rock!

Nikita

Nicole

Caitlin

In 1920, Mamie Smith recorded "Crazy Blues" and passed the mysterious female language to Big Mama Thornton and Big Maybelle. They were two of the first women to rock in the late '40s and early '50s. Maybelle and Sarah Carter were an influence on Rose Maddox, who performed early proto-rockabilly in 1952 with the song "Hangover Blues." Influenced by all five, it was Wanda Jackson who opened the door for women in rock 'n' roll. Women were determined to speak their mind in a louder and angrier style. Patti Smith and Courtney Love continued the chain of chick-rock, which lives on in 2011, in the form of new bands like Summer Girlfriends. Rock 'n' roll is an endless summer of fun!

Elisse

Nicole

Call Me Lightning and Magic Milk at Treasure Town

2011-08-21T19:26:00.000-07:00

Chi-town nights brings me to Treasure Town on the near south side. Wall to wall artwork everywhere, many cutting-edge bands, and great folks promoting activism. I arrived just in time for Call Me Lightning, who are an indie group from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Definitely influenced by the Minutemen, and named after the 1968 song "Call Me Lightning" by The Who. Led by Nathan Lilley on guitar and vocals, they were just what the doctor ordered. The rhythm section was pulverizing, featuring Tyler Chicorel on bass, and Shane Hochstetler on drums. At one point, I could not focus away from Shane's drumming.

The first record, "The Trouble Were In" was released in 2004 on Revelation Records. The follow-up release "Soft Skeletons" was pressed by French Kiss Records in 2007. The album was recorded at Steve Albini's Chicago studio. Their 2010 release "When I Am Gone My Blood Will Be Free" is available through Dusty Medical Records.

There were echos of The Who's "Live at Leeds" resurrecting at this artsy loft space. The ghost of Keith Moon seems to follow me around, as I encounter newer bands. Shane's drumming had an evil gravity that almost pulls the rest of the band to the point of a pertinent zenith! It felt like Shane was racing with Nathan and Tyler. They were on a mission to rock the f--k out of you! Stealing thunder and marching to the land of the rocked!

Kenny Alden of Magic Milk

Next up, I witness the wild Kenny Alden fronting Magic Milk. What a spectacle it was to see Kenny doing this interesting type of dance with several members of the audience. It somewhat looked like ska dancing. From the opening song, there was a retro 1960s garage rock vibe that sounded like the ghost of the Sonics paid a visit to Treasure Town. '60s rhythm & blues was also present, with grooves and hooks that complemented their minimalist punk-pop. Vibes from the past get some fine tuning, and out of the garage comes that monster called rock 'n' roll, in the form of Magic Milk, launching confetti, and in your face once again!

Guitarist Nico was performing a unique style that had me looking for a keyboard. I remember thinking "where is that organ sound coming from?" Yeah, his guitar sounded like a farfisa organ. There was that ambient echo sound in the vocals, which were accompanied by harmonica. Distortion-heavy, and slightly psychedelic-bubble gum in the opening notes of the songs "So Cool" and "Lights Out Party" will make you wanna get up and dance. They are featured on "Luke Tokyo Drifter," their first release. It is so in enlightening to see a new band like Magic Milk with this type of energy.

$1,100 was raised last night for housing, employment, and prevention services for 1,000 Chicagoans living with HIV/AIDS.

Irish Eyes Are Smiling for Stiff Little Fingers!

2011-08-18T03:45:00.000-07:00

It was July 4, 1976 and the Ramones invade Great Britain! Shortly after, the Sex Pistols vomit for the queen, during the summer of 1977. August 16, 1977 was the day Elvis left us. He was a southern country boy that brought black music to a white audience. Rock 'n' roll was an uncontrollable monster that could never be tamed. With rock 'n' roll's evolution into punk, it got louder and angrier, and was determined to shock the world into examining its inhumanity.

1977 was about the time that punk rock started flaring up in Ireland. An explosive Belfast-based punk band Stiff Little Fingers (named after a Vibrators song) had the questionable distinction of being referred to as "the Irish Clash." At the time, it might have seemed like a complement, but it did little to help their career, because of the constant comparisons between the two bands.

August 16, 2011 marked the thirty-fourth anniversary of Elvis Presley's passing. Driving home from work that day, I heard Elvis singing "Danny Boy," and it made me reflect on 1977. As one of the architects of rock 'n' roll ascends to the universe, another is passed the torch. It was the year 1977, that Stiff Little Fingers began its rumblings in Belfast. Thirty-four years later, I witnessed the return of Jake Burns and Stiff Little Fingers to Chicago's Double Door.

The show began with an awesome band from Chicago's south side called Flatfoot 56. Oh yeah, South side Irish punk rock with a bagpipe and a mandolin. They were a fun bunch of guys that I will definitely make an effort to go see again. Stiff Little Fingers assaulted the stage at 10:00 PM, and to my surprise, it's Mark DeRosa on bass. Mark is a current regular at Double Door, and the bassist-singer for the great Chicago band Dummy. Stiff Little Fingers stirred up the crowd into some civilized moshing. Typical of a punk rock crowd, but tonight was uniquely Irish.

Jake Burns of Stiff Little Fingers

Stiff Little Fingers debut record "Inflammable materials" hit the streets in 1979. After two years of absorbing the new wave of punk that was smothering America and England, a sandpaper voiced frontman named Jake Burns launched a ferocious collection of songs that reflected the anger and despair of growing up in violence-torn Belfast, Northern Ireland. Jake Burns was a political voice, and had an interest in reggae, like Joe Strummer of the Clash. Stiff Little Fingers did turntables justice, at a time when corporate culture had a stranglehold on the music business.

Mark DeRosa of Dummy joins Stiff Little Fingers

Punk was a restless child of that monster called Rock 'n' roll. The monster's language was universal and timeless. Old jams like "Alternative Ulster" and "Suspect Device" were in full form. It was a mesmerizing performance that landed two encores. Last night's show was a testament for aging rockers. It was such a delight to see youngsters dancing with old-school punk rockers. Irish eyes were smiling in Chi-town.

Vee Dee rocks and Chicago Independent Radio Project rolls!

2011-08-16T11:37:00.000-07:00

Last night, on Chicago's north side, Whistler club hosted the amazing Vee Dee. It was a benefit to support the Chicago Independent Radio Project, which is a progressive movement to bring a low power FM community radio station to the city. We need to encourage Congress and the FCC to allow more citizens access to the airwaves.

The year was 2004, that I stumbled upon Vee Dee. At first glance, this trio looked like a psychedelic throwback to the late 1960s San Francisco scene. Within a few songs, the garage-punk vibes had folks pogo dancing. On closer examination, they were mixing punk and psychedelia... acid punk!

Vee Dee is led by chief songwriter Nick D'Vyne on guitar and lead vocals. I have never seen Nick play any other guitar than his 1966 non reverse firebird. On bass and vocals is Dan Lang. His bass is loud, heavy, and intensifying. Nick and Dan do choruses together that have a hypnotic enthusiasm. Ryan Murphy completes the trio on drums. He pounds away like it's his last show.

Vee Dee has evolved on their three albums. They were all over the music map last night. Some bands like AC/DC, Ramones, and Motorhead did one thing. They did that one thing so good that they just kept on doing that one thing. We have learned to love them for that one thing. However, I believe there is plenty of room for bands to experiment with different sounds that bounce all over the music spectrum. I remember seeing Vee Dee when they released their second record, and there was one song that sounded like "Are You Experienced" by Jimi Hendrix. Another song reminded me of Blue cheer, and then another reminded me of the MC5. The new record has overtones of Black Sabbath. It's all good!

I was always annoyed by that stupid notion that pre-punk and post-punk were worlds apart. "Out with the old and in with the new" made no sense to me. Rock 'n' roll's family tree is a long chain of genres that each added a new coat of paint to the art form. In 1977, the punk revolution said "to hell with corporate control of music!" But that did not mean that the roots no longer mattered. In 2011, I am glad to see that there is a new breed of music fan that can dig it all.

Everything comes full circle eventually. Vee Dee borrows from the past to complete the full circle, and with some twisting of notes, these vibes become new again. In the mist of Vee Dee's garage-punk attack, they took a turn back to the blues, drifted off into dimensions of psychedelia, did some head banging, and then finished with some vibes that could only be classified as rock 'n' roll.

Call your member of Congress and ask them to cosponsor the Local Community Radio Act.    congress.org

Write to the FCC and asks them to prioritize low power radio stations programmed and managed locally over "translator" signals that only carry distant network programming.    fcc.gov/contacts.html

Visit    chicagoindieradio.org

Listen to CHIRP Radio now!    http://www.chirpradio.org/

Chi-town nights with TJ Superfan: The Sleepers put the roll back in rock!

2011-08-14T23:05:00.000-07:00

Chi-town nights with TJ Superfan: The Sleepers put the roll back in rock!: "

David Johansen and Sylvian Sylvian New York Dolls July 27, 2011
In these days of 'corporate controlled radio' and lame bands dr..."

Rockit Girl and Ladies & Gentlemen at Double Door

2011-08-13T12:01:00.001-07:00

Rockit Girl is back!

Mike

Skid Marks

Ladies & Gentleman

Rockit Girl really rocks it!

Kathryn & Gina

John

Gina & Kathyrn

The ghost of Keith Moon paid a visit to Double Door last night!

Chad Romanski orders you to rock!

Rockit Girl return to Double Door Friday and what a rock 'n' roll rendezvous it was. Opening the show was one of my longtime favorites. Skid Marks and the Ladies & Gentlemen delivered a great danceable set of retro new wave, glam, and power-pop. They borrow from early '80s Brit-pop and add a fresh new twist that makes one get down on the dance floor.

Rockit Girl was formed in the summer of 1999 by Gina Crosley (former Emil Muzz front-woman). Power-pop, punk, and a slightly riot-girl attitude was the chemistry of this great two girl-two guy Chicago band that reminded me of that endless "summer of fun." That never ending drive to get out there and play for the fun of it, has always been a part of Chicago's music scene.

Rockit Girl are one of many bands that never really seem to go away. They disbanded in 2006, but no one really thought that was the last show. These bands just go into a moratorium for awhile and when the time is right, that monster called rock 'n roll comes knocking at your door again. Gina, Kathryn, John, and Chad liberated the "land of lameness" from any attempts to keep us from rocking and dancing to that endless summer of fun.

Echos of the Breeders, Sleater-Kinney, Throwing Muses, Hole, Elastica, and the Luv'd Ones reverberated through both doors of the Double Door, and out on to North, Damen, and Milwaukee Avenue of Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. The special thing about last night, was seeing Chad Romanski on drums again. It's been a couple years since he played drums at the last show for the Dials. It was also great to see Dials keyboard player Emily hanging out. The Dials were one of my favorite bands during the 2000's decade. Chad was asked to join the Dials in 2005, after the passing of original drummer Doug Meis. The late-great Doug Meis, John Glick, and Mike Dahlquist will always be in our memory.

Lawrence Peters Outfit at Burlington on Fullerton

2011-08-09T02:56:00.001-07:00

Tonight I went back to one of the roots of the monster. This monster called Rock 'n' roll was born when white country music stumbled upon the black man's blues. African-Americans absorbed European folk music in the 1800's, while chanting gospel hymns on the plantations of Mississippi. The black folks eventually created a distinct American art form called the blues. Jazz, rhythm & blues, and soul would soon follow. This new art form caught the attention of poor white folks, who understood that the blues was not just a style of music, but a state of mind. Rooted in despair and suffering, the blues is an outlet to express the desire to survive.

In 1927, Jimmie Rodgers performed "T for Texas" which was basically his interpretation of the blues. Way up in the mountains of Virginia, the Carter Family was doing their version of the blues. These early recordings became the birth of country music. It was passed down to Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee. At Sun Studios in 1955, these country dudes showed their desire to mix their country roots with the various black styles they absorbed: gospel, swing jazz, rhythm & blues, jump blues, and Mississippi blues. After mixing these vibes, the monster was born! The monster's original name was Rockabilly.

Country roots reverberated the Burlington Club in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood Monday night. The Lawrence Peters Outfit was refreshing to remind me of how much I love old-school traditional country. They did songs that were reminiscent of Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, the Louvin Brothers, George Jones, Hank Williams, and Lefty Frizzell.

Lawrence Peters is currently the drummer for Plastic Crimewave Sound with Chicago music historian Steve Krakow. Plastic Crimewave Sound do some venomous psychedelic acid punk. I remember seeing Lawrence perform with Kelly Kessler and the Wichita Shut Ins. It was during the '90s Americana insurgent country scene. Kelly Kessler was totally doing a retro homage to Maybelle Carter of the Carter Family. Lawrence later performed with Western Standard Time.

The Lawrence Peters Outfit features guitarist Pennsylvania Dave of the Blue Tear Drops and Gin Palace Jesters. Matt Gandurski handles the other guitar in a way that makes it sound like a steel pedal guitar. There was that traditional dual harmonizing that is often called the "high lonesome sound." Unfortunately, current country radio does not play real country music. The Nashville corporate controlled machine has produced some really bad pop music. Much of it is an embarrassment to the early outlaws and fathers of the high lonesome sound.

Our great American art form has a rich heritage that will make the curious music lover journey back to rock 'n' roll's family tree. There is a special place on that tree for country roots. The best country songs were a reaction to the Great Depression. As our economy falters on the brink of collapse, we need the black blues folks and real country folks to sing the blues again. The Lawrence Peters Outfit will be at the Empty Bottle this coming Friday. Come on out if you want an outlet from your lover's cheating heart.

Black Actress is here again!

2011-08-07T16:11:00.001-07:00

Have you heard the news? There's good rockin' tonight! That was a declaration for the birth of a monster. The monster's name was Rock 'n roll. Roy Brown, followed by Wynonie Harris, and then followed by Elvis, the monster set out to infiltrate the lame minds and souls of an uptight world starving for the next great art form. Chuck Berry sounded like a white country boy? Elvis sounded black? Link Wray's "Rumble" was banned from the airwaves and jukeboxes for fear that kids would rumble? White kids screaming for some black dude? Black kids dancing to some white dude? The F.B.I. was put on alert!

Those were the opening salvos of rock 'n' roll way back in the '40s and '50s. The monster is never going away! Those who say that "rock is a thing of the past" should visit the town of Chicago. On any given night, there is some great band completing the full circle of rock. From Blind Willie Johnson, the torch was passed to Roy Brown, who passed the torch to Link Wray, who passed the torch to the MC5. The monster got louder and angrier with the '70s punk revolution. The Dead Boys then pass the torch to Chicago's Black Actress, who tore it up at Chicago's Cobra Lounge Friday. It was the mutilation of wimpdom on the near west side!

Last night they launched another assault on the untrained ears of Chicago's Quenchers Club, tucked away in the north side neighborhood of Bucktown. In the proud tradition of Motorhead, the mutilation of wimpdom continued. They were back with a vengeance! It was a smaller stage, but the mind blowing vibes resonated through the walls and left a stamp of suspicion that the monster is on the loose again in Chi-town!

Bobby, Bryan, Casey, Chris, and Greg were totally in the "kick your ass" zone! With all the bad news about the economy, disturbing tensions, and the overall stress of this insane world, it's such a relief to escape and chill out at a cool place like Cobra or Quenchers, where one can get their rock fix with a band like Black Actress. It's great to live in Chicago with its vibrant music scene. In Chi-town, the monster will never leave you alone!

Black Actress is here!

2011-08-06T11:11:00.001-07:00

In 2007, I was turned away on the second day of Lollapalooza because their stupid bracelet fell off my wrist. I went through hell to get back in. I will never go to that "capitalist joke" of a music fest again! Instead, last night I witnessed one of the most kick-ass of rock 'n' roll bands. Black Actress are five guys that will force you to rock! Motorhead meets the ghost of the Dead Boys, with a sonic discharge that is in your face!

Black Actress features the wild front-man Bobby Miller. Bobby (Ex-Chopper Chicks) is a modern day combination of Iggy Pop, Stiv Bators, David Johansen, and Steven Tyler. He was all over the room at Chicago's Cobra lounge. Climbing up onto the bar, he made folks get out of his way. Some civilized moshing erupted and he was in the middle of it. It was mayhem on Ashland Avenue in Chi-town. Screw corporate Lollapalooza...this was the place to be!

In one guitar corner, it's Casey Sass (Ex-Thunderwing and the Two+Two) who evokes the timeless attitude and spirit of Fred Sonic Smith. The MC5 comes to life again with their two guitar attack. In the other guitar corner is Bryan Wilkinson (Lust Killers) thrusting out evil riffs that would envision Wayne Kramer's angry revolutionary days which have come full circle in 2011.

Chris (Ex-Thunderwing and the Two+Two) provides a mind-blowing bass rhythm that can only compliment Greg (Ex- Hellelujah) on drums. Together, they were ear-piercing much in the way Lemmy would give it to you. Rock or die! No wimps aloud!

Black Actress are working on a debut release, which will join all the other current bands that have embraced the return of vinyl. They are one of many great Chicago bands that keep that "endless tide of explosive rock" detonating. In a time when there are so many lame bands posing with pretentious ambitions, Black Actress are here to resurrect that monster called Rock 'n' roll. The monster will crush any attempts to bury these vibes. For these vibes will haunt and torment you until you get it!

In 1955, Elvis, Johnny, Carl, and Jerry Lee borrowed from Little Richard, Ike Turner, Louis Jordon, Charlie Patton, and Hank Williams to create this new monster, which busted down the doors of authority. It sent shock waves that were heard around the world. Years later, when corporate forces thought they had this monster locked up in a cage, it exploded in their face! Out of the garage, came punk rock and other menacing animals like psychedelia, metal, and grunge. So it's 2011, and there will be no sleep until the monster unleashes the total destruction of wimpdom! Black Actress rock again tonight at Chicago's Quenchers.

Tyler Jon Tyler

2011-07-31T23:28:00.001-07:00

As a fan of both the Ponys and Daily Void from Chicago, I had to add Tyler Jon Tyler to my list. Tyler Jon Tyler is a band featuring Tom Cassling (ex-Daily Void) on drums, Ponys drummer Nathan Jerde on bass, and Rebecca Valeriano-Flores on guitar and vocals. They played outside at the Milwaukee Avenue Arts Fest today. Walking down the avenue, I stumbled upon some really awesome art. Couldn't get a ticket for tonight's Paul McCartney gig at Wrigley Field. So this was the place to be.

The garage-punk-pop trio delivered some catchy and somewhat aggressive songs. Rebecca's jangly guitar stirs up an emotion that nicely accompanies her slightly hypnotic voice. Nathan's bass almost carries the songs as he throws out the rhythm to Tom, with Rebecca's guitar and vocals in the middle. It reminded me of the Luv'd Ones, the Cure, Bjork, and Joy Division.

Much of Chicago's current music scene has gone retro '60s, '70s, and early '80s. However, only the good ones succeed at making it new again. Tyler Jon Tyler are one of those bands. Minimalist echos of '60s garage and post punk filter their sound, but in a new fresh package. Power pop and Brit pop type songs about anxiety and desire, resonated the artsy atmosphere on the avenue today. Amazing how just a few old amps and three instruments could create such a vibrant satisfying sound. It made me forget about Paul at Wrigley.

We Repel Each Other at the Mutiny

2011-07-30T09:41:00.001-07:00

The Mutiny is an interesting little club on Chicago's north side. It has artwork on the ceiling and perhaps the town's largest urinal. On any given night, there will be an original band playing. The owner is a legend to many...well maybe. Half of folks that hang out at the Mutiny are in bands. Yes, it is definitely a "cutting edge" type of place.

Last night I witnessed one of the wildest bands I have ever seen. We Repel Each Other were pushing the threshold of spontaneous energy and innovation. Their sound reminded me of Steve Albini's Shellac. The singer-guitarist looked like a young Iggy Pop. They were maniacs!

I chatted with Izzy the drummer and he told me that he was sitting around one evening with a desire to play drums for the first time in two years. He got a call from an old friend Rob and within a few hours they were writing songs. "It all came out spontaneously and nobody told me what to play" said Izzy Price. The songs were created in the first take...spontaneous like '60s garage nuggets. "My Generation" by the Who was not overdubbed and done in a live type session and stands as a primitive example of rock's early energy. The best songs are ones that just happened quickly from a gut feeling.

Back in the day, Jimi Hendrix shocked people when he introduced the world to a new style of guitar distortion as art. The Velvet Underground was also venturing into this territory. Big Black and Yo La Tengo continued to do this type of music art. We Repel Each Other were all over the music map and all over the Mutiny. I thought I was in 1969 and Iggy Pop just surfed into the crowd. However, it is 2011 and this stubborn monster called rock 'n' roll will not lie down! Just come out to We Repel Each Other's next show, but be careful not to get too close to Rob, Eric, and Izzy!

New York Dolls shake, rattle, & roll!

2011-07-29T10:28:00.001-07:00

Borrowing from the blues and the radical attitude of the MC5 and the Stooges, the New York Dolls created punk rock before there was a term for it. They created a new form of "angry and snotty white kid rock 'n' roll" that presaged both heavy metal and punk.

Sylvain Sylvain and David Johansen assaulted the stage at Double Door in Chicago. Accompanied by a former Blondie member, these icons of rock 'n' roll delivered the goods! Opening with "Looking for a Kiss" and "Stranded in the Jungle." In the middle of the set, they went into a medley of '60s garage, Chicago blues, and bits of the Animals gem "I'm Crying." Then made their way back to "Personality Crisis" and some new songs, which are pretty damn good, considering they were recorded almost fourty years later. Rock 'n' roll never forgets its roots. This monster is indestructible and just needs to get in your face again!

The Sleepers put the roll back in rock!

2011-07-27T11:34:00.001-07:00

David Johansen and Sylvian Sylvian
New York Dolls
July 27, 2011

In these days of "corporate controlled radio" and lame bands draining the moron music market, it is refreshing to see a vibrant and exciting band like the Sleepers. Hailing from Chicago, these ambassadors of "roadhouse rock" are an original example of a band that was meant to happen. Kevin, Tony, Chris, Tommy, and Johnny are lifetime friends that grew up together. They shared an interest in all that is great about rock 'n' roll. They had the awesome privilage of opening for the legendary New York Dolls at Chicago's Double Door. Lead guitarist Tony Manno later quoted that he really got a kick out of telling folks "we played with the New York Dolls!"

Tommy Richied

Tony Manno

Borrowing from AC/DC, Ramones, MC5, Small Faces, Chuck Berry, Rolling Stones, Thin Lizzy, and the Dead Boys, to create a new twist to a timeless sound. Tommy Richied's bluesy and grungy voice, Tony Manno's blazing guitar solos, Johnny Action's "machine gun style" drumming, Chris Cormier's "pistol pulse" bass vibe, and Kevin Bannon's clever songwriting all collide into a sonic blast of "in your face" rock 'n' roll! In 2004, I caught these guys at Double Door and was really moved by what I witnessed. They all were stomping their feet and determined to rock the crowd. They ended up blowing away all three bands that followed.

Chris Cormier and Kevin Bannon

These guys joined me and Barb Wire at WLUW FM one night, and shared a great story about life on the road. It was an inspirational story about some good guy out in the country, who let them borrow his truck, while fixing their van. He was a complete stranger, who allowed the Sleepers to get to their next gig, make some money, and then return to the stranger with their van fixed. They broke down in the middle of nowhere, only to have a good samaritan come to their rescue. Kevin Bannon wrote the song "E.R.H.," which was the samaritan's initials, and is featured on their debut album "Push It Nationwide."

Johnny "Action" Fields

"Detroit is gonna save my soul" is a phrase from one their songs that really got me. It made me think about how much I wanted to drive to Detroit to see the Stooges in 2003. DKT/MC5 had just started their reunion tour. That "Detroit ride" vibe was in the air, connecting the universe to rock 'n' roll's eternal flame! Too many bands try too hard to be modern, but what is modern anymore? The Sleepers just get up there and within a few notes, that monster called Rock 'n' roll is resurrected!