27 Oct 12

Good evening, ghostly ghouls and goblins, it's that festive time of the year again! And this fashionably costumed reviewer doesn't mean that jolly guy in a red suit either. nope, creatures of the night, it was time to celebrate with a frosty mug of your favorite witch's brew at the 16th Annual Halloween Bash. Held at Double Door, local bands like Panther Style, Hessler and AM Taxi got decked out in their costumes performing as legendary rock bands such as The Cult, Iron Maiden and The Replacements in which fans heard classic hits and B sides. Yet, it wasn't just the bands and fans dressing for the holiday spirit, some of the Double Door staff were in their finest attire including an Alice Cooper-looking DJ spinning tunes to get the growing crowd in the mood for tonight's show. Creativity was the word of the night as many fans went above and beyond this year. SouthSide noted many pirates in the audience as well as an "Audrey Hepburn" from Breakfast In Tiffany's with her "Johnny Depp" Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas escorting her to a "Mitt Romney" and Mad Hatters with a few Alices. The one costume that stole the entire show was person who dressed as Satan. He stood towering over people (due to stilts) with his staff and fierce red makeup paint. There were some notable "dead" rock stars at the Double Door too like Jerry Garcia and Amy Winehouse. Now, on with the show...

"...we're The Cult and you better like it..."

Kicking off this Halloween Bash was The Cult (aka local rockers Panther Style) in which they destroyed the stage with thundering excitement and heart-pounding electric classic punk riffs especially during the second song, Fire Woman. This reviewer enjoyed how Panther brought some kick-arse sound to the venue coupled nicely with twitterpating riffs that some heads banging to the beat. Other songs performed wereWild Flower, Lil Devil and Love Removal, The Cult's hit. Meanwhile, dressed in matching red jackets, Beck (aka The Sweeps) made a rare appearance on the Double Door stage, blogspot readers, performing their selection of hits which included Where It's At, Gamma Ray and Loser. Also the band brought the crowd back to its 2001 days during the performance of Golden Age yet it was the song Loser in which the crowd truly came to life when singing along with the band. Rockin' the stage next was Social Distortion (aka Blackbox) and the band's lead singer did a kind gesture by passing out roses to a few lucky ladies near and around the stage before kicking off the set with Mommy's Little Monster. "...Just trying to see if the all of the kittens are noticing me..." quipped the singer in between songs that featured a punk verion of Rolling Stones' Under My Thumb and a spirited version of Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire besides others like I Was Wrong and Story of My Life.

Halfway through this rockin' Halloween party, blogspot readers ...and oh look, it's Tom Petty (aka Ryan Powers) with his Heartbreakers appearing on stage! Immediately this crowd took to the task of singing along with Tom and his band to hit tunes like Refugee, Runnin' Down  A Dream, Won't Back Down and Last Dance With Mary Jane. You could really hear people singing during Free Fallin' and American Girl which closed out the set. Following after Tom Petty was the heavy metal gods, Iron Maiden (aka Hessler)! Though needing more umph in the vocals to really the crowd into the headbanging zone, this performance was truly for the Maiden fans in attendance, blogspot readers, not for SouthSide.  She felt there was something missing from the performance even though there was energy generated from the epic songs, screaming metal riffs and thundering rhythms to delight any metalhead. Featuring songs like Run To The Hills and Number of the Beast, Maiden did thrill the crowd with the appearance of the Iron Maiden  to close out the set. Next to appear on stage, The Replacements (aka AM Taxi) rocked the stage with their hits like Alex Chilton and Unsatisfied as well as their no nonsense approach to the set. For this particular Chicago appearance, the band performed straight through without breaking between songs which this reviewer can only suppose they didn't want to lose the crowd's momentum and energy especially during this late hour. And closing out this festive party was "...I'm Billy fuckin' Idol..."! Yes, blogspot readers, that bad boy from the UK, Billy Idol (aka The Last Vegas) made another rare Chicago appearance to perform his hits like Dancing With Myself, Cradle of Love and White Wedding. There was a lot of fist pumping excitement ...and what's a Canadian flag doing here? Who knows. The late night crowd really came to life during Billy's rock anthemy song - Rebel Yell as they rocked, danced and sang along with him.
*whew*

What a night, blogspot readers!

Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide

One On One with Sid Yiddish

Sid Yiddish – the local scene’s mysterious throat warbler ...a former America Got Talent contestant ...Denmark’s favorite non-Dane celebrity ...leader of his Candy Store Henchmen band ...and now. a “Ludacris video extra turned college grad student”. Yes, blogspot readers, you read correctly. Sid Yiddish, that man of mystery sometimes dressed his infamous Jewish costume for shows, was part of the Ludacris video for “Jingalin’” over the summer. And spotting Sid in it won’t be too hard either ...he’s the only non-practicing Orthodox Jew hanging out with the ladies. After a long busy summer and beginning of fall, SouthSide was finally able to snag a few moments with the space alien from Saturn, Texas in his “office” at Columbia College recently to chat about what’s new within his universe to how he landed that role in Ludacris’ video and more.

After settling into his underground lair, SouthSide began the interview with Sid’s description of himself today compared to a year ago within five (5) words or less. According to him “...no comparison...” but he kindly added “...educational adventurous inspiring innovative tuqueish...” Tuqueish, blogspot readers, was Sid’s new word of the day.  So what evil plots or schemes does an “...educational adventurous inspiring innovative tuqueish...” have planned for unsuspecting earthlings? Well, he’s learning how to use the universe then he’ll eventually teach his method to others ...as well as “...take over the solar system then [the] universe ...maybe the world...” IF it’s still here after 21 Dec 2012. So what’s new and happening in Sid’s world, you might wonder, blogspot readers. Believe it or not, this former AGT contestant has a publicist! Recently, he met with the “team” who will be handling everything which includes getting “...gigs and world wide fame...” This package also includes putting together a Wikipedia page  that might have a mention (or two) of SouthSide. Don’t believe any of the rumors about Sid and her doing a waltz across Wabash towards State St, blogspot readers. Even though he couldn’t say (“...hush hush...” says Sid), the “team” is currently working on some stuff for the upcoming holiday season.

In his weird Furby voiceover for SouthSide’s daughter as entertainment. Sid briefly relayed the story on how Lee Klawans of Dr. Evil Publicity (http://www.DrEvilPub.com) approached this local space alien and take him on as their very first client. So far, he has met an entertainment attorney, social media person and many others who are hard at work on his image and future gigs. At Columbia College, Sid is listed as a First Year Interdisciplinary Media & Arts Immediary grad student under its three (3) year program in which he loves. Funny thing is, blogspot readers, he’s not the only Sid in class. He also  added that his advisor (for the year) is Paul Catanese and “...[the] teachers are great...” He had done three (3) presentations that two had featured The Henchmen performing in classroom with him. As you can imagine, it did attract curious onlookers on those particular days. “...[we] did a parody of Mack The Knife as Stake The Knife...” that showed off Sid’s patented hand movements to direct the band. Also, he did another one titled Ninety Minute Delay on the Eisenhower. Then recently, he got a little dicey with a “blue” film called Blinded By Masturbation (in which has received over 70 views thus far on YouTube, blogspot readers). Briefly, Sid told SouthSide the censored story of how he caught his female Terrier, Nutters, doing the act (while using her tail) ...and believe it or not, the dog’s fixed. Sid does have respect when it comes to underage kids in the room and did his best to control his language.

Yet, it doesn’t stop there, blogspot readers. Sid has been busy doing things with MultiKulti like Fractulation where in one part he’s plunging to earth and PSAs Volume I 2011 – 2012 (came out over a month ago) that features another SouthSide friend, General Patton. Besides that, Sid has been busy with new releases such as Sid Yiddish Live @ Mr. Earl’s Funhouse (it’s a short run – 31 copies under the label, Human Burial Records (located in Kenosha, WI) ...sometime next year, there’s Covered Wagons (under the Trash Fuck Records), Stentor Radio Interview (a 2010 interview with Denmark’s Clean Boys) and then off Placenta Recordings (located in MI), Danish Viking Astronaut. Here’s what Sid had to say about that “...they approached me ...wanted to record me if you can believe that...” PLUS, there will be a box set of Sid Yiddish, blogspot readers! It will feature early Sid (before Sid became the Sid Yiddish we know today) dated from 1979 to 1999 (Vol. 1) and 1999 to 2009 (Vol. 2) “...who does this?!” Sid excitedly exclaimed. And like the Sid Yiddish Live CD, this box set will be limited-run too. That’s not all, Sid fans! Sid Yiddish and his Candy Store Henchmen have a new album titled – Leather Strawberries Live On WZRD (according to Sid the title has nothing to do with sex ...it’s about fruit rollups). He thought it was a great title since aliens like him (especially those from Saturn, Texas) eat and LOVE Hello Kitty Fruit Snacks. “...[It] gives you energy to zap more people...”

And, we’re still NOT done, blogspot readers. In the meanwhile, Sid’s working on a return trip to Denmark for the Summer where he’ll be part of a book project of translated Danish poetry. The exchange program will include 3 to 5 dates here as well as there but Sid hopes his extremely busy schedule will allow it. There’s another project in which Sid posed for a photographer/artist, Ed Patterson as the biblical figure, Abraham sacrificing Issac for a church located in Greenwood, IN. The photographs were taken at Indiana Dunes and here’s another interesting fact, blogspot readers, Jason “Evil” Covelli (of Human Burial Records) portrayed Noah. “...hopefully I’m able to attend the opening [happening sometime in Spring of 2013] ...will start a Kickstarter program to go...” And if that’s not enough Sid Yiddish news you can use, there’s more. He was an extra (an spectator) in a 17^th Century period piece about Daniel Mendoza, the first Jewish world champ boxer when he beat Sam Martin, the Bath Butcher ...according to UK Boxing History, King George III was a fan of Menoza. On Oct 6^th, one of Sid’s cover songs, Man Titties, was aired on the Dr. Demento Show, blogspot readers. Then with Torque Monks, Sid hopefully will have the album Behold The Pale Monk, Healthy Poison and Live @ Solarium De Luna  released sometime in 2013. As if that’s not enough, he also has more compilations that were TOO many to name during this interview. However, expect to see Sid Yiddish somewhere ...anywhere and/or everything next year.

So how did Sid land a role in Ludacris’ hit video, Jingalin’ (and he LOVES saying that word, blogspot readers)? In his Ferbie voice again, he told SouthSide the brief version of this long, interesting story. About eight (8) months ago, Sid sent out emails to land various gigs until a casting agent contacted wondering if he wanted to come down to Atlanta for a video shoot. At first, he declined the offer but his label, Aleatory Records flew him down. That’s when he found out why the famous rapper/hip hop artist Ludacris wanted him – “...what Jew works on Sabbath [Saturday]?” Plus, they thought he was a practicing Orthodox Jew. Sid did tell this reviewer that they did cut the one scene where he’s playing a dice game with the sheik which is almost a set for the “ a Jew, Sheik, etc enter a house party” type of joke, blogspot readers. He even showed her the actual dice that was used for the video ...a notable keepsake from his mark within hip hop/rap world. Yet, it wouldn’t be Sid Yiddish if he didn’t do a parody of Ludacris’ Jingalin parody where there’s an alternate version by Jew-dacris by MultiKulti. Despite Sid’s recent as well as future accomplishments, Sid Yiddish is quite humble. And that’s the honest truth, blogspot readers. “...[It’s] gotten me open to more doors ...more coverage [including] more Facebook fans, gigs and records...” Those who have recognized him (from the video) on the “L” (Chicago’s elevated public transit system) ask him “How can I meet Ludacris?”

With Sid’s enormous and busy schedule between recording, show appearances (sometimes with the other local masked man, Flabby Hoffman) and school, you might wonder how he can add one more on top of what he has on his plate. He was part of the Great Fire & Traveling Truck Show in which he and others traveled around town as sideshow acts (an homage to the traveling sideshow acts of the early 19^th Century) performing feats of amazement and more. Sid told her it contained a bunch of actors and actresses, a tarot card reader and also a bearded bee lady to entertain the audience. Sid, though trying his best to describe what his performance was, told this reviewer that he does something with banjos ...something that’s never been done before at a Sid Yiddish show. SouthSide wished she could have attended the final show (held in Pilsen) since ABC’s 190 North (a local news/entertainment program) was going to be there to film.

Before ending this interview, Sid did reveal that he’ll be an election judge for the upcoming Presidential election and his considering a spec for a commercial (he let SouthSide see the email ...sorry, blogspot readers, she can’t reveal that secretive tidbit to you.) Also, coming soon on the internet – http://www.SidYiddish.org and despite currently under construction, there are photos of Sid on there. PLUS – he’s going back to the studio with Tom Repentry (of Monk 9) where they’re working on a parody of that popular song – PSY’s Gangnam Style.

You can find Sid (as well as His Candy Store Henchmen) on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, YouTube, etc.

Until next time, support your local scene,

SouthSide

November 2012 update

Hey, blogspot readers, more hot and events happening this month. Please, remember all shows listed are 21+ and older unless noted.


Nov 6:
Cobra Lounge - GlitterGuts Photobooth The End of the World Election Throwdown featuring The Hamburglars and Octavarius.

Makeshift Prodigy's Atlantic Records debut Illuminate drops. Pre-orders are now being taken for $3.99 at http://www.makeshiftprodigy.com.


Nov 8:
Reggie's - Viva La Muerte presents Screaming Mechanical Brain, W.O.R.M., Flood Damage, Gabriel & The Apocalypse featuring DJ Peter Propoganda.


Nov 10:
Cobra Lounge - Rock with Punk-Rock Blues band from Toronto, Canada - Catl (described as "...ragged, raucous irresistibly raunchy rhythm-n-blues in the classic sense...") featuring Rivals of the Peacemakers, The Not So Good Ol' Boys (Cleveland, OH), and Hammerdown.
$7 / 9p

The Ace Bar - Black Bridge CD Release party


Nov 12:
Chicago Dramatists - The Real Jane Martin in an early show (8p) with a $5 cover charge that features a spectacular show in three acts with TRJM.


Nov 23:
Social 219 - Floyd Farms presents Rogue Gallery Entertainment's event - A Black Friday with Rogue Gallery.
10p


Nov 24 - 25:
World Source presents Planet Rock IV Chicago Thanksgiving Weekend. Location TBA


Nov 30:
Double Door - Red Rebel County's last show of 2012!


And go to Pinto and The Bean's YouTube page to check out their latest Halloween video for their song Night Rider.


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide.

From the Desk of SouthSide

Hey, blogspot readers, musicians, artists, SouthSide has received some news that you might be able to use!

Elbo Room (located here in Chicago) is now booking for 2013! Check out the details below:

The ELBO ROOM  is seeking bands for January and February of 2013! E-Mail ADAMPOWERS@elboroomLIVE.com for main room inquiries. If interested in the lounge, please e-mail KAYLA@elboroomLIVE.com.

Below are open dates for the remainder of 2012 for the COCKTAIL LOUNGE:
11/1 9p-12a

11/7 9p-12a

11/21 9p-12a

11/25 9p-12a

11/27 9p-12a

11/29 9p-12a

12/2 9p-12a

12/5 9p-12a

12/6 9p-12a

12/9 9p-12a

12/12 9p-12a

12/13 9p-12a

12/16 9p-12a

12/19 9p-12a

12/22 9p-12a

12/23 9p-12a

12/26 9p-12a

12/27 9p-12a

12/28 9p-12a

12/29 9p-12a

12/30 9p-12a

12/31 9p-12a



The cocktail lounge is open to acoustic acts, DJ's, album release parties, birthday parties, and any band looking to do an acoustic set.

Please contact for further information.     Until next time, support your local scene, SouthSide

23 Oct 12 - Rah Rah

Hey, blogspot readers, the fun never stops when rockin' around town with SouthSide. Tonight, she was suppose to be reviewing the Canadian band Rah Rah at Double Door. However, she missed hit. HOWEVER, she made up for it by snagging an impromptu interview with Marshall Burns (guitarist/vocalist) of Rah Rah to discuss about their live performances to what's the local scene like in Toronto, Canada.

SouthSide: In five (5) words or less, please describe Rah Rah to my blogspot readers.

Marshall: "...having fun and playing rock-n-roll..."

SouthSide: What makes Rah Rah's live performances fun and interesting that it brings your fans back to another performance?

Marshall:  "...one thing we started to do kinda fun with theactrics and robot cats ...big balloons that spell out our name ...confetti cannons [which was apparently used during their Double Door performance] and sometimes a candy-filled pinatas ...[We] sort of rotate through the fun to create a party atmosphere and try not to take ourselves seriously ...the songs are somewhat serious ...after waiting all day to play for 30 [or 45] minutes, we must maket the most of it..."

SouthSide: In Toronto, Canada, what's the local scene like? And is there fairly good amount of fan as well as other band/artist support?

Marshall: "...[It's] very supportive in the arts where we're from ...Toronto is like the size of Montana with small towns around it ...there's bands and clubs ...people are very supportive.."

SouthSide: What genre of music is quite big or happening in Toronto these days?

Marshall: "...there's a lot of punk, metal, indie ... a little bit of everyting ...[SouthSide asked if he saw an American influence on Canadian music music at this point] ...yes, there's some American influence in Canadian music ...I like city of Chicago and the band Wilco..."

SouthSide: Is it easier for an indie Canadian band to get their music heard on radio?

Marshall: "...yes, because we have Canada-only as well as college radio which makes it easier for bands like Rah Rah to get heard compared to probably here in United States..."

[At this point, SouthSide did ask Marshall if there was some way they could take back Justin Bieber. Marshall said he feels for us.]

SouthSide: In your travels thus far, what is your impression of the American indie/local music scene?

Marshall:  "...our New York shows went really well ...feel encouraged by the good responses ...we're going to tour the Midwest before going home for shows in Canada then hitting LA [by the end of November at Bootleg Bar]..."

SouthSide: Which selection of Rah Rah songs should my blospot readers particularly listen to first?

Marshall: "...the new record [The Poet's Dead] because it's fancy and new ...we're proud of it ...it's the first one we put a lot more time [and effort] and it shows ...there are three [3] other albums out there but start with the new one and work your way back through the previous ones..."

SouthSide: Do you have a wild and/or funny road trip story about your tour thus far?
Marshall: [He didn't remember one but said the other members of the band probably have one] "...Steve Earle [singer/songwriter, actor, producer] walked by me in New York ...didn't meet him..."

SouthSide: If given the opportunity, which artist/band (indie/mainstream living or dead) would like to collaborate with? And why? Which song would you work on together?
Marshall: "...Bob Dylan because he's the best songwriter I've heard ...wouldn't want to touch any of his songs but would like to get a couple of tips from him..."

SouthSide: Any last words or final thoughts about Rah Rah and its music that you would like to tell my blospot readers?
Marshall: "...the new record came out today ...hope people check it out..."


And off that new record, SouthSide recommends listening to Prairie Girl and Art and A Wife as well as visit their YouTube page to see the funny little 1:30  video called My Guarantee featuring fun with paper robots and birds.

Heads up, blogspot readers in Seattle, WA, Rah Rah will be performing on Tuesday Oct 30th at High Dive along with James Coate and Jess Grant Conspiracy. For more information, visit Rah Rah at http://www.rahrahband.com or on Facebook.


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide

November 2012

Hey, blogspot readers, November may have 30 days but it's full of exciting events and shows rockin' not only in Chicago and Chicago area but elsewhere including Presov, Slovakia! This reviewer highly recommends that you spend your chilly fall nights warming up to some of these hot shows happening soon.

Please remember - all are 21+ unless noted.


Nov 1:

Be Here Now (Muncie, IN) - Model Stranger will kick off it's Fall East Coast tour before heading back to the studio to work on their next album! Strangeloves (ie Model Stranger fans) are also encouraged (if they want to) travel and party with the band. For more information about the Fall Tour and band, visit http://www.modelstranger.com.

Winston’s (San Diego, CA) – Donna The Buffalo will begin the November and December portion of the band’s tour Visit http://www.donnathebuffalo.com for more details.

Tonic Room – starting tonight (and every Thursday night) Great Divide will begin its residency at this venue featuring a couple of acts from Nashville – Cole De Genova & The Peoples Republic with DJRC to Daniel & The Lion, Foreign Fields with DJRC (Nov 15). Visit http://www.greatdivideband.com for more details. SouthSide will be reviewing the Nov 1 show

Goose Island (Wrigleyville location) – Goose Unplugged featuring Vino, Matt Alfano (of Mason’s Case) and All & Ira

Nov 2:

Double Door – Jess Godwin’s EP Release with Living In Pretend, Julian Bell, Funky Hot Grits featuring DJ Sgnik

8:30p / $10

Reggie’s Rock Club – The Scene Is Dead Tour featuring Davey Suicide, Blood On The Dance Floor, Jefferee Stak and New Year’s Day. SouthSide will be reviewing as well as interviewing Davey Suicide.

All Ages

Smart Bar (located at Metro) – Pantha Du Prince (aka Hendrik Weber) will be featuring material from his most recent release – Black Noise

Quencher’s Saloon – Phantom Note Production presents Killer Moon with Elixir on Mute, Destroyer or Liberator and We Killed The Lion

8p

Ace Bar – Polarizer with The Jesus Rehab, New World Ancients, and Julia Massey and the Five Finger Discount

8p

Hard Rock Café – Adora will be performing

Nov 3:

Uncharted Books (Logan Square neighborhood) – Congrats On Your Success. A FREE B.Y.O.B. comedy show

Occult Bookstore’s Lock-In / Sleepover

7p

Brauer House (Lombard, IL) – Helium Fuse will be performing

Subterranean – Aryk Crowder will be performing

Evenflow (Geneva, IL) – check out Paragon and The Employees

9p

Aquabelly (Presov, Slovakia) – Mayo the Guitarist will be performing there

Nov 4:

Beat Kitchen – Concerts for Kids! The lineup will feature Apples, Peaches and Lemonade

For other Concerts for Kids! lineup and dates, visit http://www.beatkitchen.com or check the Facebook page at Kidsshows Chicago

$6 / Noon (12p)

Double Door – Cypress Hill with Action Bronson

$25 / 9p

Nov 5:

Red Line Tap – celebrate Ike Turner’s birthday

Nov 6:

Ace Bar – skip the shindig planned at McCormick Place. Attend this election event – Election Night Ball featuring Sheriff Scabs, Dana Lynn & The Dirty Creeps, The Plaster Saints and The Laffing Hyenas
8p

Nov. 7:

Matey’s Irish Pub (Crown Point, IN) – it’s acoustic Fresh Hops Wednesday!

The Exit – Tribute to Black Sabbath

7p

Elbo Room – Every Wednesday night, it’s FREE Local Music Jam Showcase!

Nov 8:

Elbo Room – Without Return with Spence, Room of Voices, Chris Wilson and Planet Earth, Item 9 & The Mad Hatters

$5

Nov 9:

Double Door – Supersuckers with The Handcuffs and The Dead On

$12 / 9p

Elbo Room – Always The Villain with Waiting For Signal, The Great Whiskey Project and Vintage Blue

Empty Bottle – Wine From The Moon presents The Damn Choir with Communist Daughter and Quiet Corral

$10

Goose Island (Wrigleyville location) – check out Hero Monster Zero as part of the Swizzle Benefit for Brian Hirsh

9p

Harte’s Saloon (Evergreen Park, IL) – Joe Marcinek Band will be performing

Nov 10:

Double Door – Shoeshine Boy presents Workout Music with The Pimps, Polarcode, Mason’s Case and MG Bailey

$7 adv / $10 dos / 8p

Elbo Room – Kali Ma, after a long hiatus, returns to the stage! The band will be performing 3 to 4 songs off the upcoming new album, Mogambo. All Kali Ma proceeds will be donated to Black Bear Academy.

Bottom Lounge – The Action Blast featuring Madina Lake

Underground Wonder Bar – Whitewolfsonicprincess rocks the stage

Ace Bar – Black Bridge CD release party

McHenry, IL – at Blacklit Arena be a part of this Zombies Vs Skeletons’ event –World of Ravecraft, a massive Nerf war!

8p

Q4 / Multi Kulti – The Scorpion Kings: John Ibarra and Phillip Morris B-day show.

Nov 11:

Double Door – The Retar Crew performs a FREE show

9p

Nov 12:

Double Door – Swearwords with Brave Ulysses and Two Houses

$5 / 8p

Nov 13:

Sulzer Library – learn about weaving with Julianna during this live demonstration of tapestry weaving followed by questions. Plus meet other creative people and view some beautiful artwork.

FREE / 2:30p

Double Door – Gigity.tv presents 30 Seconds Over Chicago. It’s all-city advertising competition that’s crossed between Mad Men and American Idol. 30 Participating businesses (mostly from the Wicker Park area) wrote a creative brief in which both professional and amateur filmmakers and copywriters will convert into pitches for 30-second commercials. For more information, visit http://www.30secondsoverchicago.com

$10 / 9p

Nov 15:

Hotel Café (Los Angeles, CA) – Sofia Talvik will be performing an intimate show as a wrap up to her year of touring

Double Door – RAW Natural Born Artists presents RAWARDS. For more information and tickets, visit http://www.rawartists.org/Chicago/rawards2012

Nov 16 – 17:

Beat Kitchen – 4th Annual Chicago Roots Collective Festival! This two-day music event will feature some of SouthSide’s friends rockin’ the stage such as The Future Laureates, Band Called Catch Molehill, Cobalt & The Hired Guns, Goodbyehome, Jackpot Donnie, Tree and many more. SouthSide will be reviewing the opening night fun

Nov 17:

Bottom Lounge – Wylls & The Will To Live, Zmick, and Digeometric will be rockin’ the stage

Reggie’s – The Socialists will be performing

7p

Elbo Room (Acoustic Lounge) – Me In Radio makes its Chicago debut featuring Ritchie Versace – the one-man acoustic piano

$5 / 10p

Penny Road Pub (Barrington Hills, IL) – Pat Travers performs there

The Valarium & CiderHouse (Knoxville, TN) – Skytown Riot will be there

Brauer House – Perversions return to the stage

Nov 18:

JBTV studios – SouthSide along with her daughter will join others to this special ALL AGES taping featuring I:Scintilla!

Free / 3:30p

Nov 20:

Double Door – The Luck of Eden with Exit Ghost, The Violet Lies and Parallels and Lies
$7 / 8p

Nov 21:

Park West – Strange Arrangement’s last show before taking a winter/spring hiatus to recharge their music batteries. Featuring Greensky Bluegrass.

6p

Martyrs’ – Flabby Hoffman Trio’s Coup De Ta-Ta’s album release show ...expect the unexpected to happen

Hard Rock Cafe - Villains Company will be rockin' the stage there ...and SouthSide will be reviewing as well as interviewing the band

Nov 23:

Portage Theater – Peace Fest Harvest

Miramar Theatre (Milwaukee, WI) – iHeartSource featuring Will Bailey

Nov 24:

Double Door – Ultraviolet Hippopotamus with Genome and Jib-n-Jab (featuring the members of The Coop)

$8 adv / $10 dos / 8:45p

Ace Bar – Jet W Lee with The Dyes and Sink Tapes (NJ)

The Brat Shop – check out Spyderbone and The Mob Rules

Nov 29:

Reggie’s – World Inferno, Friendship Society and O’Death will be rockin’ the stage

Nov 30:

Double Door – Benefit for The Renee Family featuring performances by Earthen Grave, Red Rebel County, Skank, The Root Cause, and Billuraduk
$10 adv / $13 dos / 8p

Papa Pete’s Pizza – grab a slice and watch Indigo Sun featuring Digeometric rock the stage

Congress Theatre – rock out with Lamb of God with In Flames and Hellyeah
6p


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide

20 Oct 12 - Kasim Sulton

"...gotta play the martyr when playing at Martyrs'..."

Good evening, blogspot readers, it's an extra special edition of SouthSide On The Town just for you! Tonight, SouthSide enjoyed a rather intimate singer/songwriter acoustic performance by the legendary Kasim Sulton. His name should ring many bells since this bassist/keyboardist's name is attached to many well-known bands / artists such at Todd Rundgren, Meatloaf (on vocals - Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell), Utopia, Joan Jett (member of the backing band - The Blackhearts), Cherry Vanilla, Blue Oyster Cult, Yellow Matter Custard (a Beatles tribute supergroup) - just to name a few. In his vast career, spanning decades, he has toured with other acts such as Hall & Oates, Cheap Trick and Richie Sambora and performed as studio musician alongside artists like Patti Smith, The Indigo Girls, and Steve Stevens. Also, Kasim has sang lead on Utopia's only top 40 hit Set Me Free (1980) and hit the Canadian Top 40 with Don't Break My Heart (1982). 

So, after looking at a brief summary of this artist, one should get the feeling why SouthSide was excited to be part of this unique opportunity. It was more than just hearing music being brought to life amidst such heartfelt vocal falsetto, lively acoustic rhythms and touching yet inspirational lyrics. It was also about the stories Kasim shared with his audience ...little intimate details not noted on any CD or album cover about a particular song to life as a single dad with his son in Staten Island to which he emphatically stated that "...single parenting is not for the faint of heart...", blogspot readers. For the fans who attended this special early Martyrs' show, it was a chance for them to relive their Kasim Sulton memories through the particular songs performed. There were moments when this reviewer heard a few shouted requests (one in particular - Utopia's The Martyr even though he really didn't know all of the lyrics but did improvised a little). This audience was totally basking in Kasim's warmth and friendliness as well as compassion for the music during certain songs like Utopia's Lysistrata (which was a part of a CD giveaway where fans had to name the song after a few chords played). This particular did resonate very well with some members of the audience due to its peace activism.

"...How may here want to hear a Lorne Greene song?" That question had many suggesting Patches however Kasim lovingly soothed the tempered requests and the audience's music soul with another filling the peaceful venue to the command of his heartfelt falsetto which wonderfully captured the emotion and tone of the ballad performed. While not observing Kasim working his magic on stage, this reviewer also noted some the audience singing along with him from time to time to other songs like 15 Minutes (off his upcoming album) that perfectly captures everyone's desire of having their "15 seconds" of fame under a rather spirited tempo and upbeat rhythm though the lyrics do have a serious tone and meaning when he sings. Or check out the unlikely song (meaning unlike what he normally writes) titled Stand Up in which he wowed the audience with something he had never done before - performing an allegro (upbeat) acoustic tempo song that he just wrote. According to Kasim - it's about him but the preverbial "him". This particular song, blogspot readers, was quite motivational as well as inspirational that encourages everyone to "stand up" for themselves and be something. SouthSide enjoyed it for the heartfelt falsetto and the bridge where you defintely felt his motivational words speaking loudly through his voice. Kasim hopes to add this song to the new album.

Besides being a singer/songwriter, Kasim is also a wonderful storyteller. He regaled the audience with tales about his days performing at Durty Nellies with a Beatles-like band to his busy multitasking lifestyle in which he's between touring with Blue Oyster Cult, being a single parent, and recording the new album. Yet, his eyes would light up the entire room espeically when he told the story about his son who was suppose to be home doing homework and walking the dog not over his girlfriend's house that weekend. He did passionately speak about his involvement with the Band of Brothers project and Rockers In Recovery until getting somewhat heckled by an audience member to which he told him "...you see the show is not about you ...it's about me..." This project puts together 12 soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan who have been diagnosed with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and are given instruments. So far, blogspot readers, there have been 5 or 6 webisodes in which you can see at http://bandofbrothers.org.  And in one of the webisodes, the opening theme used was Watching The World Go By that you truly get the sense that every Kasim song expressed a sort of "every man (or woman)" sentiments inside the lyrics. He wonderfully captures what real people are thinking and/or experiencing in their lives whether it's love and relationship to socio-political ideals as heard in the closing song One World. During this particular, his assistant used his pivot head glasses to record everyone for his YouTube page.

However, the audience was saddened that he had to go. But before he did leave, we had a choice of hearing his version of Puff The Magic Dragon or the Bikini song. Someone wanted to hear Martyrs again as others were shouting their favorites to be heard and sung. To appease the audience one last time with his presence, Kasim closed out this special show with Baby, Don't Hold Back. It was truly a magical evening spent with this singer/songwriter and this reviewer highly suggests attending his next performance.

For more information about Kasim Sulton, his music and career, visit http://www.kasimsulton.com.

Until next time, support your local scene,

SouthSide