05 Dec 14

Beware naughty, children, The Krampus is looking for you....

Happy Holidays, blogspot readers! It's going to be a VERY busy December for this roving local scene queen as she tries to cover the many happening shows or events rockin' around town. Today was no exception. She plans not to do just 1 or 2 ...or even 3 shows in one day but 4! From downtown to Wrigleyville and Boystown, SouthSide was there rockin' with her friends all day. Her first stop was at Shop Columbia's 6th Annual Holiday Market for the art and handmade crafts done by local artisans. From displays of one of a kind posters to crochet winter wear and more - unique gift-giving items you won't find at the big box store. And besides that, there was also a rare afternoon performance by college student - Sid Yiddish and His Candy Store Henchmen!

Sid Yiddish, Denmark's native son and famous celebrity, was the featured attraction on Friday afternoon in which he performed a couple of selections off his recent CD release - "freilakkh Shtuping freilackkh" (translated - "merry fucking happy"). Songs like Sid Yiddish Meets Walt Disney and his own version of Silent Night and Jingle Bells, new listeners to Sid's unique musical  expression and composition might be in for a "shock and awe" moment upon seeing this artist live in person. It's a fair warning from this reviewer who has not only reviewed Sid with his Candy Store Henchmen but has also performed at a Henchmen herself at one time. By incorporating an oddball collection of things that you wouldn't normally use a music instrument (for example, the seat of a chair, windshield wipers as drumsticks, his throat to sing, this Columbia College student is the master of a unique music genre that could scare away many critics as well as listeners.

This is what art is all about, blogspot readers, creating something new ...different and strange that doesn't fit the "norm". And with Sid's music, sometimes it's better to expect the unexpected to happen during his performance. At times, you might find it confusing and frustrating to understand due to the unorthodox way his songs are composed ...it's an un-orchestrated mess of complex rhythms, sounds, and melodies written to be played at different tempos and beat counts. Yet don't think of that description as a negative cognition about what Sid Yiddish does on stage. In fact, after seeing him live a few times, it's more fun watching the audience's reaction than watching him. At first, people literally don't know what to think of him and or his music but after some time, they definitely do get into the strange weirdness of sounds and other things that occur while he's on stage.

For instance, try handling Sid's 90 Minutes Delay on the Eisenhower - where he actually re-creates the anger ...the frustration ...the annoyance of "stop and go" traffic that routinely occurs on any expressway around Chicago especially during morning (and afternoon) rush hour. The noise of horns blaring ...the frequent f-bombs and so much more could be heard within the room as Sid and the band yell, scream etc at each other while playing their music instruments. It's realistic music, blogspot readers. Or try the quirky yet intense song which SouthSide will dub as Mr. Squirrel (actual title is Flight Of The Satanic Danish Apocalyptic Jewish Squirrel) ...poor Mr. Squirrel (skip over this part if you don't want a spoiler) he gets it in the dead. His Christmas renditions of Silent Night and Jingle Bells won't be the traditionally heard and performed especially since it might feature a bit of throat singing or other sound effects amidst a chaotic clash of noise and rhythms.

Usually seen with other local legend, Flabby Hoffman, who also combines unique fantastical sounds but on a psychedelia realm, blogspot readers, will soon be embarking on another tour of his "native" homeland Denmark in the beginning of 2015....

For more information about Side Yiddish and His Candy Store Henchmen, visit Sid Yiddish at http://www.sidyiddish.bandcamp.com or "like" his page on Facebook.

 

 

 

 

Until next time, support your local scene,

SouthSide

24 Apr 13

Hey, blogspot readers, who has the BIGGEST mouth among you?

SouthSide recently spent an evening at a battle of the bands competition where up and coming bands/artists were able to strut their stuff on the legendary Metro stage in front of family, friends and other students. Columbia College (of Chicago) Biggest Mouth 2013 featured 12 student band finalists performing a quick sample of their music like neo-soul fusion (Upsin Hounds), R&B/pop rock (Daryn Alexus) and more before judges to be crowned the best band. The audience also had a say in this competition too as they were asked to text their favorite of the night. Before attending the show, this reviewer (via telephone) was able to chat with Alma Cook of Alma about her music, the competition and what she hopes to achieve from it and much more.

Even though stumping the artist on the first question, blogspot readers, Alma described music as "...honesty and spiritual growth..." in which she places importance on the ability of connecting with people on what she has to lyrically say to them ...something that they will understand. For Alma, she hopes her songs as well as the lyrics themselves will have people in deep conversations where ideas and opinions can be shared together or one on one with her - which she likes the most. After each show, Alma makes herself available for anyone for discussion. "...It's all about us having different or opposing opinions rather not about me being right..." says this artist. Besides performing under her own band name, Alma is busy person performing within other artists/bands in different genres like a hip hop group to a folk music project that she just started. She also wants to be a part of an acapella group. By doing this, it will help grow into the artist that she wants to be.

Since this was her first time hearing about the Biggest Mouth competition, this reviewer asked Alma to briefly describe what it entail to which she stated Columbia College hosts a monthly battle of band  show and the Biggest Mouth happens at the end of the year. It started with over 130 bands before narrowing it down to the top 12 competing in front of an audience and panel of judges. Yet, to Alma, as a career prospective it wouldn't matter if you won 1st or 2nd prize. She simply wants "...to show people that I have something to say ...[it] doesn't matter if I win ...it's about building a fanbase..." in Chicago. Even though it was a brief set, SouthSide enjoyed her Metro performance liking the neo-smooth contemporary sound that had a lively rhythmic beat and energy. Her vocals were heartfelt as well as dynamic that definitely pleased the crowd. In case you weren't able to attend this year's Biggest Mouth, blogspot readers, you can meet and see this artist performing on the acoustic lounge stage at Elbo Room on May 14th during the "Women Rock" showcase.

This reviewer did stay for majority of the Biggest Mouth and found herself rockin' along with the dynamic vocal power during Daryn Alexus' set. She was hot! And that's putting it mildly, blogpsot readers. This artist literally had the crowd going when opening with a sultry R&B number before tearing the Metro with a thunderous rock show. Then it was Kylie Marcus who also wowed the crowd with another strong yet dynamic vocal performance despite noticing that her backing vocalist almost overshadowed her. However her cover of Heart's Barracuda (which she dedicated to her mom) seemed a little too old for Hanna's voice to handle. She didn't have the same vocal punch that the lyrics required to carry this song. Upsin Hounds had this cool neo-soul groove and sound which had many moving to the swinging rhythmic beat. It was quite funky and fun especially when the trio of female vocalists were harmonizing on the lyrics ...a touch of sexiness to highlight this group's stage appeal, blogspot readers. Though missing this band's Elbo Room performance (on April 29th), SouthSide will be on hand to cover their next show for a future On The Town review. The next band after them had the most difficult task of meeting the standard and level the Upsin Hounds rocked the stage with. For SouthSide, the music didn't seem to gel cohesively with the front man on vocals who was trying too many voice ranges during their short set. The band that truly had this crowd in a frenzy was Earl especially during the song Last Cigarette in which this reviewer enjoyed the organic feel (featuring a flute and saxophone) within the band's rockin' alternative/jazz rock fusion, blogspot readers. She however didn't care for the band's second song because the fluctuating tempos and rhythms were somewhat confusing to this reviewer's ears ...as if they were doing too much at the same time.


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide
 

13 May 11

Fear no bad luck here, blogspot readers, on this Friday the 13th! It's another rockin' Friday to kick off a long busy weekend of music and fun (as well as no sleep) for this roving party gal. Tonight, she's celebrating with the graduates of Columbia College at their annual Manifest to see her good friends, Boom Goes The Globe, perform on the Next Up Stage. This annual day-long urban arts festival captured the creative spirit of Columbia's undergraduate and graduate students from film to exhibits and performances as well as some weirdness. Yes, SouthSide mentioned weirdness but not in a bad way - there were living dolls (fashion design students) and a Columbia professor in drag who was really showing off his mad dance skills during Boom's set.

This reviewer highly recommends taking the next shuttle flight to the universe of Euro-electro techno/disco with Boom Goes The Globe. Despite not having the glow of their wicked lighting sequences (to accompany the lively mix of upbeat percussion rhythms and remixes) or a longer performance time, this local band knew how to liven up the celebration while transporting this crowd into the planetary nebula of its amazing sound. Even the light sprinkles of rain couldn't stop them from dancing to the electronic tempos and beats off certain songs including the vibrant wave of Asian pop mixed used which had many wildly dancing. Boom made good use of their short time keeping every body energized to the spaceman disco vibe until it was time to return to earth. Don't worry, blogspot readers, SouthSide's certain Boom Goes The Globe will lift off again soon at another spacet port (venue) near you however in the meantime, visit http://www.boomisalifestye.com or http://www.myspace.com/boomgoestheglobe for more details about this rockin' space duo and their music.

Now it was off to Cubby Bear for more rockin' fun and music deep in the heart of the Wrigleyville neighborhood ...actually enemy territory for this Southsider Sox fan. Yet, with neither team making waves in the current standings this season (so far), this reviewer let bygones be bygones to enjoy hearing friends, The Passing and Trainwreck Symphony, perform on stage with Basket Case (Green Day Tribute band). However, she cannot in all honesty recommend checking out the second band on the bill, The Run Around, blogspot readers, though it was her first time seeing them. Though having potential, the band left this reviewer with the difficult task of trying to figure out what they were all about especially with its music. The Run Around bounced all over the genre map that it left her more confused during their performance despite having only one bright spot when covering a hiphop/rap song. The band does have potential (somewhere) if it works on the vocals (sounded a bit off especially while trying to reach the high falsettos), stage presentation and band gimmick (front man shouldn't have to over exert himself in trying to convince the audience into liking them ...the music should do that for the band). Plus SouthSide would like to suggest one more important piece of advice - never beg the audience/fans to move closer to the stage ...invite them to rock with you. If you want to learn more about The Run Around, visit http://www.myspace.com/therunaroundband or on Facebook.

Opening with a blast of melodic hardcore rock, SouthSide's good friends The Passing kicked off the Cubby Bear lineup with a subtle band to energize the audience. Once again, this reviewer enjoyed the epic feel and sound of this local band which was coupled nicely with front man Steve's emotionally charged vocals. Such dynamic powress from this singer made you literally feel the words besides hearing them highlighting the pain and angst sometimes woven into the lyrics. She suggests checking out Passing's song Downward Faster in which had this dark mystique enticing the ears with its haunting electro and edgy rock vibe before being thoroughly wowed by emotions in Steve's vocals. Also check out new song, Friends - a switch from their melodic side that had SouthSide instantly liking the darker, harder electro side (with some digital sampling for fx) ...Steve truly emmersed himself vocally into this song's lyrics - be careful of hearing plenty of wicked emotions as he vents ...overall, the song's a bit frightening to behold yet wonderfully enjoyable to taste the deliciousness of Passing's melodically evil dark side. With friends (as heard inside the lyrics) like these, you won't have any need for enemies, blogspot readers. Visit The Passing at http://www.myspace.com/thepassing or on Facebook.

There's a saying "...if it's not broken, don't fix it..." yet in Trainwreck Symphony's case, the negative notion here does not truly apply, blogspot readers. "Fixing" is good for this local band especially when it enhances its already vibrantly energetic music and rockin' sound. The thunderous fire off the hardcore guitar riffs and Xavier's powerfully dynamic vocals haven't changed yet it was the haunting violin rhythms that seemed to change (slightly) the band's makeup and sound. SouthSide's not saying this added "fixture" was a bad thing but it did do something to Trainwreck - it brought out more of the dark mystique never heard before by either front man Xavier or band itself. The electronic violin revealed just more than rhythms to liven up the rockin' tempo but also added unspoken vocals to highlight Xavier's style especially during one particular song about finding the right words to say "goodbye". Both violin and vocals were paired naturally and perfectly, blogspot readers. And that wasn't the only "fixture" to occur within Trainwreck's performance. This reviewer also enjoyed this band's rock/hiphop/lyrical rap fusion - very lively while blending the best of both worlds to compliment Xavier's strong vocal presence without missing a rockin' beat. One of the better Trainwreck Symphony shows SouthSide has seen even though they did disappoint their hungry fans by not performing an encore. The band's currently on hiatus from the stage (don't worry - simply resting and recording) but she highly recommends visiting http://www.myspace.com/trainwrecksymphonymusic for more music and details.

To be honest, SouthSide's not the best judge of tribute bands ...and she would like to add she's not truly an avid Green Day superfan either. This reviewer simply likes one song of theirs - Know Your Enemy. Yet this reviewer does recommend checking out Chicago's only Green Day tribute band known as Basket Case (affectionately named after Green Day's 1994 single from 3rd album, Dookie) when they rock the stage again. It's rare for any tribute band to get a recommendation from this reviewer because she's looking for not only their knowledge of the music in which the band is tributing but how they present it on stage as if they literally stepped into that band's shoes - i.e. looking and (sometimes) sounding like that said band. Basket Case passed SouthSide's test with flying colors, blogspot readers. As mentioned earlier, she's not a super Green Day but she does know their music in which Basket proved they could fill in for Billie Joe and the guys if they ever want to take a break from the stage. Basket bursted onto the stage wearing similar clothes from Green's Know Your Enemy video while energetically performing old as well as new Green songs though it received mixed reaction from the crowd but they still rocked along with the band. For more details about Chicago's Basket Case, visit http://www.basketcasechicago.com or on Facebook.


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide