December 2013

Happy Holidays, blogspot readers!

There's plenty of time left to rock out your 2013 by checking out the following list of shows happening around town and elsewhere this month.

Please note all events/shows listed are 21+ unless otherwise specified...


Dec 1:
Reggie's Rock Club - check out sludge metal group Pale Horseman sharing the stage with southern sludgebilly The Midnight Ghost Train (KS) and reptilian acid rock King Hyss
$7

Dec 3:
Livewire Lounge - attention humanoids and robotics, check out Wire-Tripped that will feature not only the best in Electro/EBM/Industrial and Synthpop by The Audio Assault, Circuitry, and Peter Propaganda but also a screening of Blade Runner.
NO COVER

Dec 4:
NiteCap - Asgard Radio, Chicago Metal Alliance and Spook Show Entertainment presents The Devil's Playground featuring host David Bates (of Sinister Fate) as he spins your favorites in metal, rock, industrial, punk and goth with burlesque performances by Jezzibel Bates, Ammunition, Lenux Antibiotix, Lady India Deminuit ...also live music performances by D-Railed, Saence, Pulse Urn and Virtucide of Voodoo Queen Management
FREE / 10p

aliveOne - starting on this Wednesday (and every Wed until Dec 18) Cole DeGenova & the Peoples Republic will begin its residency. The 2nd set will be an open jam session with musicians/singers
FREE

Dec 5:
Double Door - RAWards (in music / fashion / art / comedy / film / multimedia)
$15 adv / $20 dos / 7:30p show

SoFo Tap (4923 N. Clark) - it's Back2Skool time with DJ VoxBox, Tommy Hall and Fred Says happening every 1st Thursday of every month
NO COVER

Abbey Pub - rock with Joe Marcinek Band featuring special guests Jennifer Hartswick and Allie Kral with Spare Parts and Business As Usual
$10 adv / $12 dos

Dec 6:
Ye Olde Town Inn - check out Of The Fallen, 3 Hour Catalyst, Spinning Red and Sinister Fate rockin' the stage here.
$8 / 10p

The Riverside Complex (2313 S. Throop) - It's Ballistic 3 featuring 30k watts of bass and custom video mapping stage to enhance your EDM experience as well as redefining (R)adical (A)udio (V)isual (E)xperience
$13 adv / $20 dos

Joe's Sports Bar - Casey Donachew Band performs material off their new album "Stand Off" at this venue

Double Door - check out Miles Nielsen with Ryan Powers and the Secret Weapons, Daniel and The Lion and Geoff Dolce
$8 adv / $12 dos / 8:30p

Elbo Room - rock with Front Runners, Workout Music and What It Do (On Your Marx)
$10

The Castle Theatre (Bloomington, IL) - check out Electric Elements with Gummy and Team Bayside High featuring Drop Dead and guests Kosmosis Jones and Notorious Nino
18+ dance floor / Exclusive 21+ VIP balcony / $20 (+$1 underage fee charged at the door)

Brauer House (Lombard, IL) - check out Radio Creeps along with WORM (the World Organization of the Righteous Movement) and Flood Damage rockin' the stage

Dec 7 & 8:
Division Street (Between Ashland and Leavitt) - shop local during the Do-Division Holiday Fest
11a / NO COVER

Pulaski Park Fieldhouse (1419 W. Blackhawk) - check out the Renegade Craft Fair Winter Market
NO COVER / 11a

Dec 7:
Saint Gertrude's Church (1401 W. Granville) - shop at this Christmas Bazaar and check out the lovely jewelry selection by Tracy Pilarczyk Shen (or shop online at http://www.stonecove.etsy.com)
FREE / 10a - 4a

LiveWire Lounge - prepare for Sacred Monster returning to Chicago for this one-night only performance featuring Relentless and Psycho Sister

Concord Music Hall - attend Midnight Conspiracy's "Rays of Ra" lazer show featuring Team Bayside High
18+ / $10

Elbo Room - attend Chords For A Cure's yearly concert event to benefit cancer research and help those in need of treatment. **ALL proceeds from this event will benefit the Leukemia Research Foundation** This event will feature acoustic sets by A Friend Called Fire, Crimson and Coal, Letters to Lillian and Rachel Katzman
$10 / 8p

Cubby Bear - it's Calm Like A Bomb's 10th Anniversary show featuring Lateralus Tool and Alice In Chains tribute bands
$7 / 9p

Dec 8:
Double Door - Da Bears Blog and Art of Men present an event to benefit the Otis Wilson Charitable Association featuring a Mike Ditka Look-A-Like Contest
$10 / 7p

Schuba's Tavern - it's the 2nd Annual Woman Power Holiday Show featuring Liza Day, Diana and The Dishes and Lady Laura performing at this benefit for Deborah's Place
$15 / 8p

Dec 9:
Chicago Cultural Center - Chicago Artists Healthcare Town Hall event where artists/bands can learn more about the Affordable Care Act (aka "Obamacare") and how to sign up, find affordable health insurance plans, connect with Chicago-area health resources and enroll in IL Medicaid (if you qualify). Also get a FREE flu shot.
FREE

Schuba's Tavern - Sweden's Anna Van Hausswolff makes a special stop at this Lakeview venue during her US tour performing material off her latest album Ceremony

Double Door - check out this week's Double Holiday Feature: A Christmas Story and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation with NO commercials!
FREE / 7p

Dec 10:
Double Door - 30 Seconds Over Chicago presents the Chicago Venue Advertising Competition ~ Finals
$10 / 7p

Dec 11:
Door No.3 (located at Double Door) - FABITAT featuring DJ Adam El (of 16 Candles / Berlin) spinning
FREE / 9p

Dec 12:
Liar's Club - it's Current Seas EP Release tour

Abbey Pub - NSP Live presents LEP Bogus Boys, Notrydo Sincere with Kaotic drumline, Beadz and more at this show hosted by Chi-Bizz and Suanye with DJ Kool Ant and DJ Shaun T spinning in between sets
$15 dos / $20 VIP / 9:30p

Dec 13:
Wynfield's (Satellite Beach, FL) - rock out Vertebreaker, Dropshots and Wallow Sound
$5 / 9p

Schuba's Tavern - attend this annual winder coat drive event, Warm, Safe Sound, in which fans are asked to donate coats (and/or sweaters) in exchanged for a reduced cover. There will be live music performances by The Locals, The Bright White, Ace Reporter, Hard Kiss and Young Distractions.
If interested in volunteering, email nowishistory@gmail.com

Ye Olde Town Inn - celebrate Armored Assault's Ten Year Anniversary Bender! featuring guests Cause Of My Affliction, Beyond Death, Testimony and Armored Assault
$8 / 9p

Cubby Bear - Hail to chivalry and honor! Take up arms, Red Team (and you too, Gold and Brown) because Cealed Kasket is returning to the stage in support of Moistboyz featuring Dean Ween
$16 adv / $18 dos

Mayne Stage - check out Jess Godwin rockin' the stage with a full band.
ALL AGES / 7:30p

Metro - rock out with Trainwreck Symphony, Tomorrow Has Arrived, The Run Around, Chicago Loud 9 and Standing On The Shoulders of Giants
18+ / $7 adv / $10 dos

Joe's Bar - Elizabeth Lyons with Brushville will be performing on stage here
$8 / 8p

Lincoln Hall - check out CIMMfest's FILMAGE:  the Story of the Decendants & All with special guest Q & A
18+ / $10 / 8p (sold out) / 10:30p

Dec 14 & 15:
Plumbers Hall - it's the Randolph Street Market's Beaux Arts
$8 - 10 / $3 - 5 (for students)
Please note the admission includes a $5 to $10 voucher good towards purchases
10a

Dec 14:
Empty Bottle - shop at Homemade Market for that special holiday gift
NO COVER / noon / 21+ event

Door No. 3 (located at Double Door) - Akasha presents Simmer Down Sound featuring The Graduate, Rad Brian, Marcus I with live music performances by Akasha (featuring Illuminati Congo) and visuals by Odd Obsession Movies ...drink specials and dancing's required
FREE / 9p

Martyrs' - The Steak House Mints will be performing their final show of the year with Leslie Hunt and Temple Schultz
$8

BBC (Milwaukee, WI) - it's the Heavy Holiday Hoedown featuring a cookie decorating contest and raffle and more with live performances by Modern Echo, Circus Fires and Lost In A Name
$7 adv / $10 dos

Tonic Room - SoundPrism presents Digeometric, Business As Usual, That Freak Quincy and Kabrakoi performing on stage here
$8

Subterranean - it's the 3rd Annual Noise For Toys in which  all proceeds (cover fee and/or unwrapped toys collected) will be donated to Toys For Tots organization (providing families in need with toys during the holiday season) featuring live music by Blane Fonda, The Noise FM, Board of Governors and Chasing Mars
$10 or $5 with donation of unwrapped toy / 17+ / 8p

Dec 15:
Double Door - The Retar Crew with Scratch Pilots (featuring Griff from the Verve Pipe), The Dirty Dirty Dollars and DJ Supernova
FREE

Exit (upstairs) - attend Gigi's (Giselle) Breast Cancer Benefit featuring DJ sets by Tomogatchi, Gil GAvin, Cecil Medin, Scarylady Sarah, Peter Propaganda and more with performances by Gigi Arroyo, Rya Red and Amourena Tsokatos
$1 to enter the raffles / 7p

Serbian-American Museum - attend the Jesse Charbonier Album Release party featuring delicacies by Chef Dejan and performance by Chicago's local Jazz singer, Jesse Charbonier along with Adrian Ruiz (on piano), Michael Lough (on bass) and other special guests. Attendees are asked to dress in vintage wear from 1920's to 50's.
$25 adv / $35 dos / 5p

Dec 16:
Double Door - it's another Double Holiday Feature: Elf and The Nightmare Before Christmas
FREE / 7p

Dec 17:
Double Door - it's the Double Door Holiday Rockathon featuring Magatha Trysty , 10,000 Light Years and The Elements of Style
$7

Reggie's Rock Club - The Wooten Brothers, Victor, Joseph, Roy "Futureman"and Regi will be rockin' this Southside venue.
17+ / $30 adv / $40 dos / 7p








Dec 18:
Door No.3 (located at Double Door) - it's the Thantos 20th Anniversary show with guest guitarist William Faith, Binary Partners, tim Larson and special guest DJs Scary Lady Sarah and Philly Peroxide
$7 / 8p

Fizz Bar & Grill - it's Rouge! Electro Swing time again. Don your finest Victorian / Steampunk / vintage wear and swing the night away with DJ / host Joseph Vourtequue
FREE

Dec 19:
SPACE (Evanston, IL) - actor Harry Shearer and his wife Judith Owen bring their annual Holiday Sing-Along tour with special guests to this venue
$22 - $36 / 7p

Dec 20:
Elbo Room - attend the Philippines Benefit Concert featuring Michael Laechel performing on stage. **50% of all proceeds will be donated to the victims of the Phillippine typhoon**

Double Door - it's the Deal's Gone Bad's 2nd Annual Holiday Homecoming with live performances by Deal's Gone Bad, Hard Lessons, Green Room Rockers and 6'10'
$10 adv / $12 dos / 8p

Lincoln Hall - Derek Nelson's new project Martin Van Ruin will be celebrating the release of their debut album Every Man a King with Pet Lions, NE-HI, and Derek himself opening the show
$12 / 18+

Dec 21:
Subterranean - check out the Steve Stone record release party featuring Molehill rockin' the stage

Ye Olde Town Inn - Celebrate Matt Wolf's birthday with Something Beautiful, Skull Fogger and 5 Minus X sharing the stage along with other birthday surprises.

Rockwood Music Hall (NYC, NY) - Jess Godwin will be performing solo on stage 1
3p

Lincoln Hall - it's the Black & White Dance Party gala featuring Autograf, Them Flavors and Covalence.
Formal wear/classy/fashion forward attire required
18+ (21+ to drink) / $7 adv / $10 dos

Red Line Tap - rock with 6 Degrees of Separation

Another Hole In The Wall (Steger, IL) - 89.1 Pure Rock presents Dark Days of Christmas featuring the following bands scheduled to rock your faces off - The Letter Black, Righteous Vendetta, Echoes of Ruin, Left At The Altar, Forgetting Last Monday, Monolith, Escape The Paradigm, The Trademarked and Unknown Zodiac.
ALL AGES (21+ - need ID to drink)  / $11 adv / $13 dos / 4:30p

The Mutiny - Queer Fest America presents A Very Queer Fest-Of-Us, a benefit event for Gay Liberation Network
NO COVER

Dec 22:
House of Blues (Chicago) - Villains unite! V Is For Villains is taking over House of Blues (again) with El Famous, Seconds to Serenity and Savior Self. Grab your ticket now from any member of V Is Villains and receive a special bonus (pre-holiday) gift!
ALL AGES / $10 adv / $13 - $15 dos / 5p

Dec 23:
Double Door - check out this Double Holiday Feature: Bad Santa and Die Hard
FREE / 7p

Dec 28 & 29:
Ravinia Festival - it's the 2013 Walgreens National Concerto Competition for Young Soloists hosted by Midwest Young Artists.
For details and entry information (including application), visit http://www.secure.mya.org/forms/competition/php

Dec 30:
Concord Music Hall - Gramatik celebrates the new year with Lowtemp
18+ / 9p


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide

September 2013

Hey, blogspot readers - summertime fun is NOT over yet ...even if the first day of autumn happens on Saturday Sept 21. There are plenty of festivals, events and more including touring bands happening around Chicago (and elsewhere) that you should check out during this month.

Please note - all shows listed are 21+ unless otherwise noted, blogspot readers.

Aug 29 - Sept 1:

Millennium Park - Jazz Fest

Aug 30 - Sept 1:

Hide Away Lakes Campground (Yorkville, IL) - Love Shine Festival-Rock vs Autism. For more information, visit http://www.loveshinefestival.org

Union Park - North Coast Music Festival

Sept 1:

Empty Bottle - it's the Empty Bottle Friendly Family Block Party featuring music performances by Yakuza, Rabble Rabble, Pet Lions, Circles, Nude Intruder, and more

On Milwaukee Ave (between California and Fullerton) - get licked by the Top Shelf Lickers and inspired by Makeshift Prodigy while they rock the stage at Remix Chicago!

noon

Livewire Lounge - rock with The Azoic, JILT and Flood Damage

Will Call Miami (Miami, FL) - it's the Labor Day Massacre! No cover. A pig roast and live music performances featuring Las Tias, Pocket of Lollipops, Pretty Girls and more

Sept 4:

Smartbar - Join the members of MACHINA for another fun time with DJ Scary Lady Sarah featuring guest DJs Jim Marcus and Jason Novak

FREE

Sept 5:

Subterranean - check out Moon sharing the stage with Polarizer, Huntsmen and Dead Parade. For tickets, visit http://www.subt.net

Hard Rock Cafe - rock the night away with Hero Monster Zero and 8090 along with Real Estate Fight.

All Ages / $7

Double Door - RAW Natural Born Artists Showcase: Translations - a music / fashion / art / comedy / film / multimedia.

For more information, visit http://www.rawartists.org/chicago/translations

$10 adv / $15 dos

Ultra Lounge - Jack Rabbit will be performing here

Breadbox (Brooklyn, NY) - it's Ladyfinger featuring a handpicked lineup of touring and local artists rockin' the stage in jazz, electronic and world music - Woof Woof, John Kurtz Band, Sky White Tiger and dancing the night to DJ set by Dan Wender.
FREE with rsvp http://www./gimme.io/LadyfingerBreadbox

Sept 6 - 8:

The Den Theatre - attend Viewpointe(s): generating exposure for women dancemakers. This event will showcase five (5) talented women and their perspectives in movement.

$15 pre-sale / $20 at door

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

Sept 6:

Double Door - check out Paper Thick Walls with Deanna Devore, American Wolf and Xoe Wise

$10 adv / $12 dos / 8:30p

House of Blues - rock with Lucky Boys Confusion featuring Adora and United Federation of Planets

The Burlington - Post Honeymoon's record release featuring We Are Hex and Bone & Bell

Elbo Room - check out Ben Burns and attend his vinyl release party

Molehill will be kicking off their Equinox Fall tour 2013 in Muncie, IN.

For more details, visit http://www.molehillmusic.com

Sept 7:

House of Blues - check out local band The Bellwether Syndicate opening for The Mission (UK). Tickets still available

17+

Evanston Vineyard Church - celebrating the life and music of singer/songwriter Matt Ryd

The Forge (Blue Island, IL) - rock out with this metal lineup featuring Malas, Elbow Deep, Pale Horseman, Those Mother Fuckers, King Hyss and Violet Kill

$5

The Aberdeen Tap (440 N. Aberdeen) - The Urban Pig Roast Chicago benefitting The Children's Advocacy Center and The Ferrer Foundation.

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

Damen & Roscoe - rock with a pint of Guinness in one hand and oysters in the other at this year's Oyster Fest! check out The Future Laureates on stage (1:30p) opening for Tossers and Rusted Root
$7 suggest donation

Reggie's - check out D.O.A. with Voice of Addiction and Guilt By Association tearing of the stage

Sept 10:

Kaufman Center (NYC, NY) - it's time to pick sides again as Intelligence Squared debates resume on this day with this debate - The U.S. Drone Program Is Fatally Flawed featuring Ahmed Rashid and John Kael Weston FOR the motion and Admiral Dennis Blair (USN, ret) and General Norton Schwartz (USAF, ret) AGAINST the motion.

For tickets and more information, visit http://www.intelligencesquaredus.org

Sept 11:

Ultra Lounge - Corrosive Musick presents Faderhead rockin' the stage

Double Door - Door No. 3 presents FABITAT: Groove featuring DJ Adam El (of 16 Candles /Berlin) during the night for west side's LGBTQ community and its supporters.

FREE

Sept 12:

SouthSide celebrates seven (7) fun years covering Chicago's local scene and more!

Schuba's Tavern - help Save The Clocktower rock the stage with Porcelain Raft

Underground Wonder Bar - get your funk/groove on with Room 11

Reggie's Music Joint - feel the night music featuring Magicks, Romance, Shard Style and Remington

$5 (or rsvp for FREE entry at http://www.Do312.com).

The Mutiny - Counterfeit I rocks the stage

Underground Wonder Bar - check out singer/songwriter Leah Druzinsky rockin' the stage

Sept 13 - 15:

Humboldt Park - Riot Fest and Carnival 2013!

Sept 13:

Cubby Bear - enjoy an evening of the arts while helping to benefit Children's Hunger featuring special acoustic performances by Stephen Francis (of Model Stranger), Karl Hafner (of Lucid Ground), Kezban and Leigh Evin McCullough with stand up comedy.

FREE with non-perishable item

Abbey Pub - rock out with Calm Like A Bomb (Rage Against The Machine tribute band)

Subterranean - I AM Dynamite rocks the stage here

All Ages

House of Blues (Chicago) - Blood On The Dance Floor will be bringing their "Bad Blood" tour to Chicago and legendary venue.

Sept 14:

Lakeview East Festival of the Arts

NiteCap - Catalano invades this Portage Park venue with guitar shredder Sony Lombardozzi (from Erie, PA) featuring local band Psycho Sister

Flagstone: Crafts and Cocktails (Geneva, IL) - Neil Diamond Phillips rocks the stage again

Six Flags Great America (Gurnee, IL) - attend Out In The Park ...a spectacular night of amusement, live music entertainment by Jess Godwin with Eli Lieb and Isaiah Grass and more to help benefit Chicago House. DJ Matthew Harvat will be spinning live.
$38 adv / free parking

House of Blues (Chicago) - rock with The Psychedelic Furs featuring The Technocolors
17+

Sept 16:

Ye Olde Town Inn - Genus will be rockin' the stage with Apocrypha, Taken By The Sun and Vengeful Spirit

House of Blues - Q87.7 presents Super Happy Fun Club with Smallpools

Sept 18:

Livewire Lounge - Psyclon Nine brings its "Hellions of Hollywood" tour to Chicago

Subterranean - it's Archie Powell & The Exports appearing on stage!

17+

Lincoln Hall - attend Justin's 99 Red Balloons Benefit concert featuring JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound

Wise Fool's Pub - it's the monthly Rouge! Electro Swing Night! party
FREE

Sept 19:

The Verve (Terre Haute, IN) - Model Stranger's "The Changing Score" tour kicks off here (with the tour ending on Oct 5 at Martyrs' for the official record release party).

For more information, visit http://www.modelstranger.com

Ultra Lounge - Youth Code, Night Sins and Population featuring DJ Scary Lady Sarah performing live at this Logan Square venue

Sept 21:

Metro - join the other beautifully stylish creatures of the night at NOCTURNA with DJ Scary Lady Sarah as she spins your requested post-industrial, EDM, shoegaze and more until dawn.

18+ / $10

Grant Park (Upper Hutchinson Field) - Join Chicago's Mental Health Walk to raise awareness and fight stigma during the NAMI  Walks 5K
To register, visit http://www.namiwalks.org/chicago or phone 312 - 563 - 0445

(Reggie's) Music Joint - The Socialists will be rockin' the stage here.
Kids can enter FREE with parents
7p

Sept 24:

Township - The Grahams will be performing adventurous stories from their current release Riverman's Daughter to life.

Sept 25:

Bottom Lounge - Velvet Acid Christ will be rockin' live in Chicago!

Sept 26:

Goose Island Wrigleyville Brewpub - join Leigh Evin McCullough and others for Open Mic Night presented by swizzlesteve and Chicago Acoustic Underground

FREE

The Hideout Inn - attend the Julie Meckler record release show

Double Door - it's the Headliner's Ball featuring live performances by Helen Money, DJ Spooky and Jeremy Ellis

Sept 27 - 28:

Metro - Cold Waves II Festival featuring live performances by Prong, 16 Volt, The Clay People, Die Warzau and many more

Single Day General Admission $33 / Single Day VIP $125 (includes 2 tickets) / limited 2 Day passes ($56) left and on sale now

18+

Sept 27 - 29:

Millennium Park - sample food and more at Chicago' Gourmet 2013 presented by Bon Appetit. For tickets and information, visit http://www.chicagogourmet.org

Showplace Icon - Chicago International Social Change Film Fest. For more information and tickets, visit http://www.chicagosocialchange.org

Wicker Park/Bucktown area - Coyote 2013 (art festival and music)

Sept 27:
27 Live (Evanston, IL) - Do the "Time Warp" at The Rocky Horror Picture Show Live!

Sept 28:

Uncommon Ground (Clark St location) - check out singer/songwriter Aryk Crowder performing songs from his upcoming album

All Ages / $5

Penny Road Pub - Counterfeit I will be rockin' the stage here

Double Door - Soul Summit FREE Dance party with DJs Sloppy White, Dave Mata and Duke Grip featuring DJ Monk One (Wax Poetics, Brooklyn NY)

FREE / $10 VIP tix available

Soldier Field - AIDS Run & Walk Chicago

For more information and to register, visit http://www.aidsrunwalk.org

Rosy's Roadhouse - check out Lucky Boys Confusion rockin' the stage here

Bottom Lounge - Jonny Craig brings his " Souls On Fire" tour to this West Loop venue along with William Beckett, Kyle Lucas and Hearts & Hands

Sept 29:

DePaul University (Lincoln Park campus) - Chicago's We Love Yoga Festival

For more information, visit http://www.weloveyogafestival.com

Sept 30:

Brauerhouse - Burn of the Wicked: A Tribute to Iced Earth rocks Midwest Metal Anthem 2013

Until next time, support your local scene,

SouthSide

01 Sept 12

"...let's give it to the girls ...no, they don't like being told what to do..." ~ Blane Fonda

Hey, blogspot readers, SouthSide's rockin' her weekend around town with a stop at the legendary venue well hidden inside an industrial/manufacturing park. The Hideout Inn - a perfect name for this quaint inn-like bar and it's "guarded" location, was the place to be during the busy North Coast Fest affair to catch the dream pop/electronica sounds of Panda Riot featuring that 80s pop-inspired band Blane Fonda as headliner. And as an extra bonus guest - SouthSide caught a glimpse of the famous Burrito/Tamale guy selling his delicious food to the Hideout patrons!

This reviewer arrived in time to catch the remaining performance of Panda Riot as the band enthralled its captive audience with a tribute to REM titled REM, blogspot readers. This electronica/dream pop band has a way enticing the ears with such flowing, dreamy soundwave featuring three guitars, a simplistic drum set up (2 toms and some cymbals) and electronic sound machine (to create dream-esque pop sound). Toss in the soft yet dynamic vocals by guitarist Rebecca and you have one powerful combination which could lead to a mindblowing experience from the melodic tone of Panda's music. SouthSide enjoyed hearing (as well as feeling) the floetry while amidst the downtempo groove and aria-like voice enticing the ears during songs such as Golden Age and Forest which might have you thinking Kate Bush at time. There will be times when the music alone has the tendency of making you move along to the rhythmic vibe like during Camden where the tempo and music was the back focus so Rebecca's voice could have that spotlight focus. If you truly want to enjoy music like this, blogspot readers, SouthSide highly suggests closing your eyes and letting your ears be your guide especially when Panda's performing Black Pyramids ...thus thoroughly hearing the beauty and complexity of each note played within the melodically pleasing music and the poetic lyrics. For more information about Panda Riot, visit http://www.pandariot.com.

Now it's time for something more eclectic as well as profoundly animalistic and obscure besides rockin', blogspot readers. Something that was totally a direct opposite of the opening band as Blane Fonda kicked off its headlining performance with a hot vibrant bang of 80s pop-inspired/alternative music to which caused the venue of The Hideout Inn to instantly swell with fans. More about their fans in a minute. What makes this band a little obscure and (sometimes) over the top (in a good way)? Well, let's start off with Blane's front man, Mark, on vocals. He must have been feeling his animal spirit tonight, blogspot readers, because he spent the majority of Blane's performance strutting and dancing around (in his little area) on stage with a wolf pelt on his head while draped with a some sort of tribal blanket or covering. SouthSide can only surmise that through these two wrappings he was able to channel that fiery spirit felt and seen during each song performed like Modern Woman or Opportunity Rocks. Yet there's also a heartfelt side to Mark and his animal spirit in which he poured out the raw emotions as a man deeply in pain especially during Fess Up, Face Down  and Salacious Love. Then while listening to Mark, be sure to check out the band behind the man, blogspot readers. You will note that each song has it's own distinct personality and music flavor ...sometimes blended to get you moving wildly to the rhythmic 80s pop vibe. There were moments when SouthSide heard a unique combination of disco/pop before quickly moving to something spicy and Latin-inspired (via off the trumpet) or 80s-inspired dance pop sound. Even though pushing the eclectic boundary with their sound, SouthSide found Blane to be on the cutting edge of not trying to imitate the 80s but creating their own sound that would fit within that era of music. And with music like this, do expect their fans to react crazily with their dancing motion. That's putting it very mildly too. Yet, all around this reviewer, there were times in which Blane's fans had that strong urge to dance and groove along with the band like they did during Modern Woman or shout their favorite curse word. This reviewer highly suggests rockin' along with Blane Fonda at their next scheduled show but in the meantime, visit http://www.blanefonda.com for music and other wacky musings by this local band.


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide

04 May 12

"...I would like to dedicate this set to MCA (Adam Yauch of The Beastie Boys)..."


Hey, blogspot readers, the music world was deeply saddened by the sudden passing of newly (Rock-N-Roll) Hall of Fame inductee Adam "MCA" Yauch which put a tiny damper on this year's Cinco de Mayo-Derby festivities. However, SouthSide wholeheartedly believed Adam wouldn't approve of tears and sad eyes ruining the fight for our right to party while attending a celebratory moment at The Hideout Inn. Placed in an obsecure locale within the heart of an industrial park of Chicago, this legendary music venue (once home to Wilco shows) was definitely in the party mood despite the news of the day as fans crowded inside to celebrate The Damn Choir's sophomoric release of You're My Secret Called Fire. Assisting this local band with their fun and celebration was friend Paper Thick Walls and Kingsley Flood (http://www.kingsleyflood.com) from Boston, MA.

Though missing most of Kingsley's performance, SouthSide arrived at The Hideout Inn in time to catch the final few minutes of their rockin' set, blogspot readers. Yet it was enought to get this reviewer swept into the party mood due to this band's vibrantly explosive mix of gypsy-Americana / pop alternative sound with some hot Brit rhythmic groove (off the keyboard). SouthSide liked the hip sound wafting throughout the packed venue in the back as the upbeat swing had many dancing to the beat especially during the closing song - I Don't Wanna Go Home. Currently on tour, this reviewer highly suggests checking out Kingsley Flood ...hopefully they'll return to Chicago soon for another show (or two).

The last time SouthSide had a chance to rock this band, it was last year at the same venue for their CD release show. Tonight, one year later, she once again enjoyed hearing a few selections by Paper Thick Walls off their A Thousand Novels CD in which continued with the central theme of groovy-licious vibe and music. SouthSide's friend rocked the stage with another solid outting by featuring heartfelt vocal combination from the duo Eric (also on guitar) and Kate (on piano/trumpet) as well as melodic Americana/folk sound. Besides like the somber-like opening to kick off the set, this reviewer enjoyed the gradual crescendo rise to up the tempo and sound til exploding the ears to a boisterious music and vivid emotions within the vocals. At times the music alone, blogspot readers, was amazingly intense as well as haunting amidst the imagery flowing from the lyrics. Paper Thick Walls wonderfully combined such elements of sound and vocals to create a floetry of explosively vibrant set of music paired well to dynamically expressive voices popping the words to life during each song. The intensity definitely fueled this lively group's energetic momentum at the right moments for dramatic emphasis in which the music matched note for note. SouthSide suggests listening to the following songs (in no particular order) - Desolate Place (for its dream-like imagery set inside a haunting combination of storytelling-ballad style), Overgrown (featuring a rockin' violin rhythms to give an upbeat Americana/folk sound and tempo) and White Flags (a fun tune about telling your boss to "take this job and shove it" where you can vividly feel Eric's angst and frustration besides hearing it). Plus she suggests checking out Potrait, Orange Tree, Masters of the Sea and the title track A Thousand Novels off the album. For more information about Paper Thick Walls, visit http://www.paperthickwalls.com.

Amidst a thunderous boom of sound which instantly grabbed everyone's attention, The Damn Choir made their grand entrance to kick off their celebratory occasion with an intense rockin' bang, blogspot readers. This band wasted no time impressing this reviewer with a strong showing of heartfelt vocals amidst their Americana/folk sound but that was the prelude to what she heard next. POW! This band explosively shook the venue (and the ears) with a thunderous boomer of intense music especially during their opening song before ending with a calming lull. The Damn Choir playfully teased the crowded room with such antics - thinking one minute it's merely a soft toned song or sound to the tempo yet on the other hand, the band pulled something completely different throwing you off a little. Even the instrumental bridges were filled with intense momentum in which you saw each member (including the Jack in the banana suit on percussions) passionately performed while on stage. SouthSide enjoyed the tiny surprises that occurred throughout their performance not knowing where Gordion and others were taking her. The intensity wasn't just contained to their Americana/folk side, blogspot readers. It was also demonstrated within their pop side that featured a pseudo religious theme laced inside the lyrics while switching between a reverently rhythmic tempo and excitable melody before wowing the crowd with a huge finish (as heard in Creatures of Heaven). Or feel that steady percussion march during another particular song which had SouthSide trying her best to keep up with the sudden riff/chord changes. There was vividness not only in the music but also in the vocals (by Gordon and Katy) to make the lyrical words pop to life with flowing imagery especially while singing Ghost Spit and Road Noah. However SouthSide suggests checking out The Damn Choir's new song where Gordon truly displayed the heartfelt emotions in his falsetto vocals before really wowing the crowd with their rendition of The Cure's Just Like Heaven. It was so emotionally heartfelt that SouthSide was able to forget about Rob Smith's emo-like voice for a moment to enjoy how this band flipped this classic 80s song into something less dark and more upbeat within an Americana/folk sound but keeping some emo darkness to the tone. SouthSide highly suggests blogspot readers getting to know her new friend, The Damn Choir at their next show. For more information about this band, visit http://www.thedamnchoir.com.


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide