May 2014

It's time to head outdoors and enjoy a show!

Spring is totally in full swing, blogspot readers! And now that the weather is a little nicer, bands (from near and far) are scheduling shows, events and more for you to attend ...especially here locally. SouthSide highly recommends checking a show or two or more during the month.

Please be aware that all shows listed on this calendar are 21+ unless noted otherwise.

Ongoing until May 11:

Aguijon Theater – see Las Penas Saben Nadar (Sorrows Know How To Swim)
For more information, visit http://www.aguijontheater.org

May 1 – 4:

Various locations – attend the 6 th annual CIMM (Chicago International Movies and Music) Festival featuring over 70 films, 50+ live music performances and 99+ ever over a course of 4days.
For more information and tickets, visit http://www.cimmfest.org

May 1:

Union Park – wear your red and black clothes to the Red and Black Brigade ...be prepared to march to Daley Plaza.
11:30a

Chicago Haymarket Memorial – It’s the MayDay March To Stop Deportation

UE Hall (37 S. Ashland) – attend the IWW Concert Fundraiser and rock out with 6 radical bands spanning from rock and punk to ska and hip-hop.
AA / 21+ drink / $7 / 10p

Concord Music Hall – Silver Wrapper and CIMMfest presents Yo La Tengo with Phil Cohran.

18+ / http://www.clubtix.com for tickets

Double Door – CIMMfest presents Wreckmeister Harmonies performing a live score to Hsxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages) along with Verma and Dark Fog

$10 adv / $12 dos

Cubby Bear – spend your Thursday night at Summer Camp Pre-party featuring a live performance by Old Shoe with special guest Miles Over Mountains.

$8 adv / $10 dos

Rosy’s Roadhouse (DeKalb, IL) – celebrate Rosy’s 1 year anniversary at this bash featuring Dance Floor Junkies.

Q4 (1000 N. Milwaukee) – attend the Mayday Freedom Fest featuring Rebel Diaz with a poetry set by Reyes and DJs O-Zone, Ricky Dubs and Slot A.

$7 / 10p

One Eyed Jack’s (Fairborn, OH) – Digeometric along with Funky Junk will be performing as part of May Daze Festival

$50 adv / $65 dos

Smartbar (Metro location) – [Synthetic] happens with Boy Alberto, EEks Laroo, B-Side, Circuitry, lollly gagger and Jennatellya

NO COVER / 10p til late

Subterranean – CIMMfest presents Tall Walker, Mighty Fox and North By North live on stage

$12 / FREE (with CIMMfest pass)

May 2:

Alhambra Palace – RE:VISION featuring Alex Grey, Michal Menert, Eskimo, Paul Basic, Late Night Radio and more
18+ / $30 / $100 VIP dinner package available

Cobra Lounge – rock with Encrust, Jungle Riot, Armored Assualt and Vukari during Finnegan’s Bday Bash

$10

Double Door – Closed Sessions Live at CIMMfest will feature documentary screenings and performances by BIU & Exile, Show You Suck, Alex Wiley, DJ RTC, DJ Rude One, DJ Manny Muscles and special guests

$15 adv / $18 dos / 9p

Northeastern Illinois University (3901 W. BryMawr) – attend Nest Fest, an art, music and social justice festival featuring over 30 artists and social activities as well as live music performances by DJ Dishwasha, Basel & the Supernaturals, Brother Ali and Rebel Diaz and 6 of Chicago’s tastiest food trucks.

$25 (for NEIU students)
This event happens rain or shine / NO bags allowed / blankets permitted
4p

The Burlington Bar – Chicago Singles Club presents Panda Riot, Sexy Fights and Maritat rockin’ the stage as part of CSC showcase and CIMMfest.

Subterranean – party with Archie Powell & The Exports at their “Back In Black” release show along with Soft Speaker, Pet Lions and Hot Broadcast.

17+ / $10 adv / $12 dos

Fizz Bar and Grill – Machinegun Mojo returns to the stage after a 2 year absence featuring Dennis Caragello, Earth Program and One of the Girls

$8 / 9p

Livewire – rock with The Demertis, Lisa Lightnin Band, Drunk Daddy and Hong Kong Danger Duo.

Lizard’s Liquid Lounge – attend this venue’s First Friday Acoustic Jam

9p

Debonair Social Club – check out Pearls & Bones with Hot Dang! and Feed Me To Monsters

AA / $8 adv / $10 dos / 8p

Underground Lounge – rock with Losing September, Ockams Razor, False Hope Fades and Goalie

$7 / 8p doors

Mercury Lounge (NYC, NY) – check out Sky White Tiger opening for Elizabeth Rose (Sydney, Australia).

$10 / 8p

Cubby Bear – get totally sauced with The Hot Sauce Committee during their Dos De Mayo 90’s Dance Party featuring Gooroos

$5 adv / $8 dos / 10p

Phyllis’ Musical Inn – JD3 will be performing live here

FREE / cash bar only

Metro – check out The Future Laureates, The Vintage Blue, The Ivorys and Mike Golden & Friends rockin’ the stage here.

18+ / $15 dos / $44 VIP (includes 2 nd floor seating and 2 drinks)

NiteCap – rock to your favorite Pink Floyd tunes with In The Flesh (Chicago’s ultimate Pink Floyd experience)

9p

May 3:

Elbo Room – rock with Board of Governors, Jolly Korea, Hitsleep and White Shadow.
$10 / 8:30p

Metro – Claudio Simonetti’s Goblin will be performing a live score of Dario Argento’s Suspiria

18+

Ravenswood United Church of Christ – it’s the 25 th Annual Chicago’s Biggest Liar Contest! It will be a sin missing this opportunity to witness 10 of the city’s most skilled storytellers unleashing their tallest of tales, biggest of fibs and outrageous of all lies in a battle royale of BS for the legendary Hogwash Cup.

For more tickets and information, visit http://www.chicagoliars.com

Door No. 3 (Double Door) – Akasha presents Simmer Down Sound

11p / FREE

Montrose Harbor – go fly a kite at the Kid’s and Kites Festival

FREE / 10a
Free paper kites (while supplies last)

Abbey Pub – Red Rebel County will be rockin’ your favorite Dropkick Murphy’s and Flagging Molly drinking tunes here.

10p

Sammy’s Pizza (Kankakee, IL) – rock with Digeometric and Todd Hazelrigg here.

FREE show

Gasthaus (Elgin, IL) – it will be Shiftwreck, Metamorphis and 4 Without featuring Sinister Fate rockin’ this stage.

$5

Bada Brew – Eek, it’s Horror Brew 2014 with First Jason featuring THE original Jason Vorhees (from Friday the 13 th) Ari Lehman who will meet and greet fans as well as have a tasting of his hot sauce. Also featured in the lineup – Spirit of Revolt, Deadman’s Hand, Central Disorder, Threatening The Ordeal, Through Ashes and Leucistic

18+ to enter / 21+ to drink (with ID) / $10 adv / $12 dos

May 4:

Elbo Room – check out French band Garciaphone sharing the stage with Lalo Cura, Mic Control and Sadie & The Stark
$8

Mayne Stage – Equality Illinois is having their Spring Transgender Community Social here.

$10 (suggested donation) / 3p

May 5:

Dolphin – celebrate Cinco de Mayo when Digital presents Angel Alanis direct from Tressor Club (Berlin, Germany) along with Mitty Evans, Don Mega and more.
10p

Cobra Lounge – Cinco De Mayo rocks with Gigan, Pale Horseman, Air Raid and Purge

May 6:

Act One Pub – it’s another edition of the “Singing For Your Supper” Showcase: songwriters and more with Hannah Frank, Christopher Bock, Monica Grace and a few special guests.
No Cover / AA

Prodigal Gastropub (Milwaukee, WI) – check out Prodigal’s Tuesday Night Live Music Series featuring original music every week this summer from 8 – 10p.

Junior’s – check out The Motor League sharing the stage with Speedfreak and Shift.

$5 / 8p doors

Cobra Lounge - NSP presents John Moreland, Brandon Bocian and The Native Sons, Jason Douglass Swearingen and The Westward Spirit rockin the stage.
8p / $5

May 7:

Door No. 3 (Double Door) – glow and shine at Shimmer with DJs Scary Lady Sarah and Philly Peroxide.
FREE / 10p

Underground Lounge – The Motor League will be rockin this venue too along with Stepfather Gets Mohawk and The Dirty Creeps

$7 / 8p doors

May 8:

Elbo Room – it’s two parties in one featuring A Birdsong Valentine reunion show and Brian’s Bachelor Party! ABV is re-uniting for one special before Brian “Bender” Vecchione’s enters life as a married man.

City Winery Chicago – check out the fiery rock vocalist Danielia Cotton along with The Lauren Wolf Band and Simpleton & The City Folk. SouthSide recommends listening to the song “Save Me” from Danielia’s recent WXPN World Café live performance.
http://www.citywinery.com/chicago/tickets/danielia-cotton-and-the-lauren-wolf-band-5-8.html

$15 - $22

Reggie’s – check out Umbra & The Vulcan Siege along with The Luck of Eden Hall, Curio and King Cloud.

17+ / $10 adv / $12 dos

Reggie's Music Joint - YEEHAW, Colonel Gunn's Wild West Music Show take over this saloon featuring The Dirty Bourbon Show
7:30p / $8

May 9:

Concord Music Hall – Baths will bring their North American Spring Tour 2014 with special guests Young Fathers and P. Morris here
17+

Motor Alley (Kenosha, WI) – welcome Thunder Driver rockin the stage with The Krank Daddies and Tombstone Ugly.

Firestone Live (Orlando, FL) – rock with Traverser, Born from Ashes, (N)ception, Murderfly, Everyday I and Mekanism.

Joe’s Bar – The Swon Brothers will be performing here, Chicago!

$10

May 10:

Metro – The Foreign Exchange will be bringing their “Love In Flying Colors” tour to Chicago.
10p

Cairo Bar (West Chicago, IL) – check out Seven Soul sharing the stage with Mr. Blotto and TBA

$10

Mojoe’s (Joliet, IL) – rock out with Programmable Animal when they open for Powerman 5000 also featuring Red Novella, 9 Electric and Deadnation.

$15 / 7p showtime

Brauerhouse (Lombard, IL) - check out Hemi rockin' the stage along with Downfall of Society, Driven Under and Voodoo Head Music Project
18+ / 8p / $5

May 11:

Happy Mother’s Day!

May 12:

Reggie’s Rock Club – Truck Fighters will be bringing “Tour of the Universe” show to Chicago along with Marmora and Taken By The Sun
17+ / $12 adv / $15 dos

Double Door – rock with Against The Grain, Black Actress and El Segundo.

$8 / 8p

Empty Bottle – it’s Split 7” Release Show with When Clouds Attack and Magicks.

FREE / 9p

Burlington Bar - it's Aurelio Voltaire, Ego Likeness, Rachel's Surrender with DJ Scary Lady Sarah performing here.
$15

May 13:
Ricobene's (252 W 26th ST) - attend this fundraiser for Cousin Vinnie Hickey. It's a night of comedy and laughter in support for Bridgeport's very own Cousin Vinnie who's battling Leukemia. Join comics like Derek Bennett, Thomas Bottoms, Laura Hugg and more at this event.
$10 suggested donation

May 14:

Mayne Stage & Act One Pub – CAU takes over both venues to feature top notch original music by Sister Speak (San Diego, CA), Barrett’s Hidden Agenda and The Aldermanics (at Mayne Stage) and Brooke Barlett and James Weigel (at Act One Pub).
$5 with an email to caupress@gmail.com

Door No. 3 (Double Door) – attend FABITAT featuring DJ Adam El (of 16 Candles/Berlin) and DJ Loly Prblms

FREE

Cobra Lounge – Leather Strip returns to Chicago with local Cyanotic and Sean Payne doing a live set of your favorite Cyanotic songs as well as debuting new stuff.

FREE / 9p

May 15 – 17:

Empty Bottle – it’s Hozac BlackOut Fest featuring The Boys (UK), The Dictators (NYC), Counter Intuits, Shocked Minds, Nones, The Man and many many more.
3-Day passes are sold out / limited individual tickets left

May 15:

Double Door – it’s an early show featuring Comasoft celebrating the release of “Ropes On Fire” along with Parallels, Deanna Devore, Kinky Love (with Xoe Wise) and DJ sets by Ghosthouse.
$10 / 7:30p

Liar’s Club – Voice Of Addiction returns home from tour performing with Bass Line Drums (Austin, TX), NiteCap and Living Struggle.

The Frequency (Madison, WI) – local band Jack Rabbit will be rockin’ the stage here

The Burlington Bar – check out Potty Mouth, Fleabite, Forgotten Species and Blizzard Babies rockin’ the stage here.

9p

May 16 – 18:

Riverfront Mayfest featuring sixteencandles band, The Hot Sauce Committee, My Name Is Jonas, Casey Donahew Band and many more. After parties will be at Joe’s On Weed St.

May 16:

Red Line Tap – it’s Channel 3 with 80 Proof Preacher rockin the stage.
$7 adv / $10 dos

Subterranean – attend Owl’s release show featuring Weekend Nachos.

17+ / $17 adv / $20 dos

Cubby Bear - check out Veins of Zenith performing on stage along with Firago, A Friend Called Fire and Jimi Falls

Brauerhouse (Lombard, IL) - get licked by Top Shelf Lickers along with Agents of Change and Tijuana Jai Alai
$5

NiteCap - this is your second chance to hear the live version of Ovrevolt's "Water" album

May 17:

Embassy Suites Hotel (511 N. Columbus Dr) – LGBT Equality Institute will be holding a day long conference here.
For more information, visit http://www.eqil.org

Metro – missed out attending Convergence 20 Chicago, then don’t miss NOCTURNA where the fashionable Goths, Industrials, Punks, etc dance until dawn with DJ Scary Lady Sarah

18+ / 11p / $10

Livewire Lounge - Divineingwitch Productions presents Stone Magnum, Ancient Dreams, Coven 13 and Deep Space Pilots featuring Mark Weiner of Earthen Grave performing here.

Mike's Luv 'N' Music (Summit, IL) - check out The Fuckers' album release show with Step Right Up, Dead On TV, Alejandro & The Alcoholics and The Audio Dead
AA / 8p / $5

May 19:

Double Door – check out Perfect Kiss, Spaces of Disappearance, mtv ghosts and Deer Emerson performing live here.
$5 / 8p showtime

Fizz Bar and Grill – PJ’s My Cousin Too will be making their Fizz debut.

Dolphin - Digital presents David Harness
10p

May 20:
Brixie's Beer Bar & Grill - Craft Beer goes punk featuring The Hamburglars robblin' with The Phenoms and Et Tu Brute
NO COVER

Another Hole In The Wall (Steger, IL) - rock with Gemini Syndrome along with Eyes Set To Kill and Exotype

May 21:

Fizz Bar and Grill – Rouge! Electro swing will be happening with Lord Vourteque and Mr Automatic spinning your favorite swing and Jazz tunes remixed in that funky electro sound along with special guest Dutty Moonshine (UK) and special performer – Lady India ...resident stage performer Lady Lenux will be on stage too.
NO COVER / 9p

May 22 – 26:

San Antonio Recreation Area (Bradley, CA) – Lightning In The Bottle Festival

May 22:
Lincoln Tap Room - The Hamburglars are robbin' here with Modern Advances

May 23:

Cubby Bear – it’s Calm Like A Bomb (Rage Against The Machine tribute) along with 3’s and 7’s (Queens of the Stone Age) and Alice In Chains tribute band will be rockin’ the stage here.
$8 adv / $10 dos

Uncommon Ground (Clark St location) – Model Stranger will be performing acoustically with Greg Combs.

AA / $10

Scoot Inn (Austin, TX) - check out Collin Herring's "Some Knives" album release show featuring Christian Lee Hutson, Bonnie Whitmore and Mother Mercy & The Black Dirt
$5 adv / $7 dos

May 24:

Double Door – it’s the Soul Summit FREE Dance Party!
FREE ($10 VIP tickets available)

Goose Island Wrigleyville – check out Hero Monster Zero featuring Rito, Hard Kiss and The Bare Hambones.

$8 adv / $10 dos / 8p

Debonair Social Club – it’s Control rockin’ the stage with Tomorrow The Moon and More Gorgeous

$5 / 7p doors

Ebo Room – get energized with The Energy Commission along with Underdogs from Outerspace.

$10 / 8:30p

Hideout - it's Tesla Rossa featuring North By North, Holy Motors and Republic of Lights rockin' the stage here

May 25:

Jackhammer Night Club (6406 N. Clark) – Riot Bear Productions plans to throw the rowdiest ...raunchiest party during Bear Pride /IML weekend which will featuring live performances by Brickwall Vultures and Bearhug (St. Louis, MO).

Concord Music Hall – rap artist Future is bringing his”Honest” tour to town featuring Rico Love and Que.

AA

May 26:

Dolphin – Digital presents The Memorial Day Beatdown featuring Paul Johnson, Ricky Sinz, Vinnie Accardo, Mark Matras and Knex.
10p

May 28:

Door No. 3 (Double Door) – attend FABITAT featuring DJ Adam El (of 16 Candles/Berlin) and Loly Prblms
FREE / 9p

May 29:

Beat Kitchen – attend this benefit concert supporting New Leash On Life that will feature a live performance by The Damn Choir with Hemmingbirds.
17+ / $15 adv / $20 dos – ALL proceeds benefit NLOL.

Elbo Room – check out Peasantry along with The Gold Rush, Electro Mehteran and Muggsy Bogues.

$9 / 8:30p

May 30:

Reggie’s Rock Club – practice your German while rockin’ to Hanzel Und Gretyl along with Sinister Fate, Withering Soul and Beyond De-th.
17+ / $12 adv / $15 dos / 9p

ToucheChicago - Riot Bear Productions presents  Bear Pride World Wide V ...a night of punk rock with DJ Germ

Underground Lounge - NSP presents Stitched Up Heart, Blindfold The Devil and In The Aisles

May 31:

Elbo Room – after a long absence from the stage, Bambi Raptor returns with a few new surprises featuring Jesse R.S., BEEFUS, Comaboys, and The Bannermen.
$10 / 8:30p

Sopranos Restaurant and Lounge (Griffith, IN) – rock with Air Raid, Armored Assault, Testimony and TBA

$5

Red Line Tap - rock with Juicehead, The Fisticuffs, This Obsession and The Studs

$8

The Back Bar (Janesville, WI) – go see Someday I Could Kill with Fatal Agenda, Sinister Fate and Metamorphis rockin’ the stage.

$7 / 9p showtime

Penny Road Pub – rock out with Skull Fogger, Seet, Levian, Victims and Seconds To Serenity.

AA / $10 / 6p doors

Q Bar & Grill (Darien, IL) - Floyd fans do not want to miss Chicago's premiere Pink Floyd experience featuring In The Flesh when they perform here.


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide

25 May 14

"Hello, ladies and gentlemen ...welcome to the carnival..." ~ Mr. Agitator

 

 

Villains, Superheroes, and Goths ...oh my!?

 

Yes, blogspot readers, besides being a hot bed of sports activity, Chicago surrendered itself to Villains and Superheroes for the C2E2 and Goths for Convergence 20. Oh, what's a reviewer like SouthSide do? Well ...need to worry - she did both! First, she made a quick appearance at Bottom Lounge to say "hi" and welcome the lovely guests visiting town for Convergence 20 before making that mad CTA dash to Hard Rock Café for the Fallon Flynn Farewell party featuring Mr. Agitator, Vex, The Pulse, Fallon Flynn ...and a new Villain rockin' the stage as V Is For Villains. What a fantastic weekend happening around town...

 

Fallon Flynn - he will be sorely missed.

 

Recently, Fallon Flynn (real identity withheld) made a tough yet difficult decision to (temporarily) withdraw from the band known as V Is For Villains to trade-in his mask for one as a *gasp* family man. Yep, there's a little Villain or Villainess on the way, blogspot readers for this Villain guitarist and girlfriend which means the Villain nation will be short one vital person to support Mr. Agitator's planned villainy to rule the world! However ...all is not lost for this rockin' band of "evil" cohorts! There's a new Villain member stepping in Fallon's shoes for the time being. But before he could join the "normal" world as a regular person, Villains everywhere converged recently at Hard Rock Café to give this fearless guitarist the BIGGEST farewell bash ever thus making it a night no villain would not forget.

 

This was no ordinary V Is For Villains show, blogpot readers! It was the stage performance of their lifetime as our heroes (looking ever so snazzy in their costumes of villainy) opened the show with such intense fierceness during "Downright Arrogant". They were fired up ...energized ...pumping their "evil" villainy to the fullest that Eva Trixx believes it might have frightened a few of the Hard Rock Café patrons little. As Minister of Misinformation, let Eva be the first to tell you - WAKE UP, world! V Is For Villains will take over ...so either "Evolve or Die" ...resistance is futile. Okay back to the review. It was that energized momentum which had many crowding the stage singing along with the Villains leader, Mr. Agitator, song after song. Never had this villainess seen him so vigorously, passionately pumped on stage before ...not even when performing a couple of months ago at Bottom Lounge. It was that intense that Mr. Agitator was stripping off his costume ...down to his shirt and pants. Tonight, it was villainy at the purest form.

 

Performing songs like "Black Swan" (a Villains love ballad), "Everybody Hates Me", and "Broken Doll", this band rocked the stage with a bit of demented sexiness while performing the Nine Inch Nails cover "Closer". There was a sense of erotic sexiness wafting around the venue, blogspot readers, that could be felt as well as heard. Yet, this villainized song also had its moments of creepiness but it felt so sadistically good down to the very last piano rhythm drops (by the lovely Vex). Still this was Fallon's party ...so there were plenty of playful banter and antics between villain brothers especially when Mr. Agitator took a moment to express his heartfelt thanks to Fallon for all that he has done for and with the band during the last 3 years (wow - has it been that long?!). Fallon did promise to return. "Rise Above" and accept your inner villain person, blogspot readers! Yes, everyone's a "Sinner" and wants to be "Popular".

 

As for the new villain guy taking over Fallon's place as cohort and co-leader to Mr. Agitator ...those are mighty HUGE shoes he has to fill. Yet in Eva Trixx's opinion, he does fit in nicely with the Villains stage presence and guitar work (but needs to work on the costume a little) especially when rockin' the fan favorite "Pink Elephants". He may not be Fallon Flynn but he does execute the intense guitar riffs and sound needed to vitalize this band's energy to its full potential ...he doesn't miss a beat either when it comes to adding a bit of his own personality into each song played. The new guitarist (whose identity remains a secret for now) does have the "evil" chops to support Mr. Agitator's goal of ruling the world with one new villain convert at a time. Eva highly recommends every villain within the Villain nation to welcome the Villains new guitarist when attending the next V Is For Villains show.

 

For more information about V Is For Villains, visit http://www.visforvillains.com.

 

 

Until next time, support your local scene,

SouthSide

 



23 Apr 14 - Transcendence

“...It’s a new kind of thinking...” yet are we ready for it?

That’s the premise Wally Pfister’s directorial debut, Transcendence starring Johnny Depp, Rebecca Hall, Morgan Freeman, Kate Mara, Paul Bettany, Cillian Murphy, Clifton Collins Jr and Lukas Haas. Written by Jack Paglen, this movie is about a neurobiologist Dr. Will Caster (Depp) along with his wife, Evelyn (Hall) and fellow colleague Max Waters (Bettany) pitch a new kind of AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology that will do more than just cure cancer. He believes it could help the eco-system ...save the planet and much more. According to Dr. Caster, experts would call that “singularity” but he calls it “transcendence” because it will merge the advanced technology of collective intelligence and human emotions into one machine. That’s when he’s asked if he’s trying to create God to which he plainly answers “...isn’t that what man is looking for?” However, there are those who oppose their research and ideals known as R.I.F.T, an extreme terror group bent on separating man from the “evil” machine and they will do whatever it takes to stop him (and others like him). They see AI as an abomination and a threat. That determination and an attempt on his life inadvertently turned Dr Caster the perfect human test subject to see if his “transcendence” theory actually works. Like all scientific ideals, “transcendence” has its positive as well as negative side (that this reviewer shall not reveal here) thus ultimately pitting R.I.F.T. and the government to fight together for humanity’s future.

SouthSide has heard that the many critics panning Transcendence ...labeling it another Johnny Depp flop. Nor did she read any of the reviews before viewing this movie. Her goal was to see it for herself to form her own opinion about it. Her conclusion? Though it’s not Johnny Depp Oscar-worthy performance, she recommends checking out Transcendence for a few reasons. It contains that “it could happen” premise since we are in that age where we are (in a way) transcended  with our attachment to technology. Simply look how we live right now compared to 10 years ago. We can now stream music to movies and television onto our smartphones, iPad, tablet, etc ...there are apps for practically anything and everything you can think of ...and there’s also the advancement in modern medicine (thus far). Yes, we could (one day) reach that age when man and machine merge together. Would there ever be a time when man and collective intelligence evolve as well as expand to the point there’s no way of stopping it? Perhaps. Also Transcendence continually poses the question – “are we self-aware?” Truly an interesting question since it pertains to the belief that only we as humans have a soul. Yet, does AI have a soul? Hm ...that remains to be seen as humanity gradually moves towards that uncharted technological region. As the movie moves further along, you can see that being transcended into the machine can never replace being a real live human to which Evelyn realizes the more she spends time within the data center with her husband. Vice versa, he learns that too to which his collective consciousness does something to rectify that problem near the end. Lastly, Transcendence (like last year’s Oblivion) is a thinking person’s sci-fi / action / adventure type of movie. It will provoke the notion that this movie is merely more than fantasy ...there’s plenty of truth woven into the intricate plot of how we are heading down that dark path. Scary huh? Are you self-aware ...certain that you are whom you say you are ...are you plugged or unplugged into the collective?

In this reviewer’s honest opinion, Transcendence isn’t a Depp flop even though it doesn’t rank up there with some of his best work but it does rank higher than his dismal role in The Lone Ranger. Depp plays this role straight. There’s nothing outlandish (like his Capt Jack Sparrow or Tonto roles), comical or anything else she has seen him do before his role as Dr Will Caster. He portrays this character like a scientist (almost like Dr. Victor Frankenstein) who wants to better humanity with his work but somewhere along the way gets way over his head drunk on power before ultimately realizing that his “doing for the greater good” for the human race has its drawbacks. Rebecca Hall as Evelyn Caster is (at first) an underused character but does have her moments to shine as the wife trying to preserve her husband’s work once Depp inhabits the computer side of his character. She’s wholeheartedly a believer of what he’s attempting to accomplish but soon realizes the dangerous side effects to his work with each breakthrough he makes within the transcendence program. Paul Bettany played his Max Waters character as the man who airs on the side of caution throughout the movie having doubts (publicly known as well as hidden from the Casters) about transcendence and its importance despite knowing the potential harm it could do. Kate Mara’s Bree is the R.I.F.T. radical with a sense of welcoming Caster’s theory if it only came with assurances as long as it doesn’t harm humanity in any way. She does however want everyone to unplug from technology. Morgan Freeman once again portrays the guy with the keen eye who really sees what transcendence for it is despite warmly liking Dr Caster’s scientific theory at first. He doesn’t get much screen time (the same way in Oblivion) but he does make his presence known and felt with his famous calm demeanor and voice. Chicago native and director Wally Pfister (who used to work with Christopher Nolan on other projects like Inception, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises) studied Nolan and his directing technique and FX style very closely yet adding a little of his own personal touch for Transcendence. He does pay attention to details, large and small but leaving enough room for you to think and decipher what might happening along with a few OMG moments too. Visually, it’s quite picturesque and breathtaking on the big screen (like Inception) ...molds complicated character hierarchy (like The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises) ...and leaves you with a somewhat “happy” but inconclusive ending.

Maybe that’s part of the reason why many critics panned Transcendence. Too much thinking and the ending that leaves you to ponder the final scenes over again as you exit the theater...

Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide

18 Apr 14

Time to end this busy week with a bang, blogspot readers!

Concluding her spring break adventures around town, SouthSide rocked her Friday night at a local art gallery, Chicago Truborn (http://www.ChicagoTruborn.com) located in the Noble Square neighborhood to attend a CD listening party. Local guys Comasoft invited close friends and fans to check out their soon-to-be released album – Ropes On Fire before its official release happening in May. Unlike their previous release, blogspot readers, this new one will feature some vocal work by Anthony, front man of Makeshift Prodigy as well as the band itself going unplugged i.e. demonstrating its acoustic side ...something Comasoft has never done before. The festive occasion also featured a DJ set by Jimmy and a rare acoustic performance by Anthony while attendees browsed the lovely artwork proudly displayed in this store.

 

Chicago Truborn was the perfect place to hold Comasoft’s “Ropes On Fire” listening party. Its unique and very eclectic artwork produced by local artists provided the dazzling backdrop of graffitied/painted scenes of various Chicago locations to colorful skulls, t-shirts and much more to browse. This reviewer enjoyed her time viewing the walls of artistic graffiti especially the mesmerizing portrait of a colorful-haired woman with a raven beside her. That unique corner of the gallery served as the stage for the live music performances, blogspot readers. Besides the art on the walls, there was artist BunnyLuv doing t-shirt and poster printing for participants at this event to purchase ...raffle prizes and a hosted bar by Baderbrau. This reviewer highly recommends checking out the funniest piece of artwork that’s on the wall to your right once you enter the Truborn’s restroom. Don’t feel claustrophobic when entering the tiny walk-in closet under the stairs to browse the framed artwork and the t-shirts and fashion bags – it’s art as a unique display.
 

  

  

Anthony of Makeshift Prodigy showed off his acoustically unplugged side when performing a couple of covers (including an outstanding rendition of George Harrison’s While My Guitar Gently Weeps) and an original. This singer/songwriter wowed the audience with a strong showing of heartfelt emotions despite having a slight cold effecting the voice. Yet that rawness in sound wonderfully brought out feelings of heartache and pain to light not only heard in the lyrics but also in the music especially wile singing passionately “...what am I to you...”. blogspot readers. What an emotional plea coming straight from the heart. Then Comasoft debut the loud side of their new album “Ropes On Fire” to which this reviewer immediately liked how the raw electric sound grabbed her attention and kept it with its rhythmic floetry amidst the edgy vibe as heard in Bang. There’s a mix of rock and EDM in the new album too but it was their acoustic that really had SouthSide reeling with delight. She like everyone else that attended the event had never Comasoft acoustic before. It’s always fast, loud and hard. Yet this band can easily switch from loud to “soft”. blogspot readers, by retaining that same hardcore energy as felt on the loud side but now rendered to the acoustic riffs and front man Jay’s voice. This reviewer is planning to attend their May 15 album release show happening at Double Door which will feature performances by Parallels, Deanna Devore and Kinky Love (with Xoe Wise). The guys promised they will play louder (and better) during that night. For more information about Comasoft, visit http://www.comasoft.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide