Emilie Autumn at House of Blues, Chicago

Here are ChiIL Live Shows' original shots of Emilie Autumn's unique show at House of Blues last month on  2/25/2012.  We were delighted by the demented, daring world of a Victorian Era Asylum and the colorful characters who dwell within.  Emilie Autumn and her Bloody Crumpets put on a memorable live show and were a joy to photograph.  The music, set, costumes and underlying social commentary were impressive.

The audience was great, too.   We saw many familiar freaks from the Chicago steampunk, Renaissance Faire, and Comic Con crowds, most of whom live for an excuse to dress up.    We were enamored with the creativity, talent and passion that went into this show, and Emilie and company truly seemed to enjoy themselves and the audience just as much as the audience adored them.   

Badfish & Scotty Don't Rock House of Blues Chicago 2/4/12 (photos)

Badfish and Scotty Don't rocked House of Blues Chicago, February 4th, 2012. Check back with ChiIL Live Shows like we vote in Chi, IL....early and often. We've got show video footage and CD reviews coming soon!

Midwest Hype Opens for Badfish at HOB Chicago 2/4/12 (photos)

We have a review of Midwest Hype's new CD and show videos soon to come.   So check in with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.

Full Service Opens for Badfish-HOB Chicago (photos)

Here are ChiIL Live Shows original shots from The House of Blues-Chicago show on 2/4/2012.    It was our great pleasure to see Badfish and Scotty Don't live.    Local favorites, Midwest Hype, opened and we enjoyed a first listen to Full Service, pictured above.

It may still be winter in Chi-Town but all 4 bands made us want to dance barefoot and welcome the summer festival season in with a vengeance.    We had a chance to check out Full Service's self titled CD,  released in 2011, with 10 fun tracks including Lately, Coconuts, Hi Ho, Gymnasium, Ramona, Tasteless Gravy, Rocketships (LIVE), Hotter in the House, Trumpets & Hallways.    It may just make you wanna pack up the tent in a micro bus and hit the road!   Keep an ear out for these boys on the summer circuit.    They put on a sweet, live show.


Give them a listen at their main site, Full Service Music, here.

They're currently rockin' Austin, TX (their current home base) and just premiered their documentary, "TAKEOVER!", about their unique, determined underdog style of co-opting tours and scrambling their way up from the parking lot scene to the main stage!.   Check out the details on their Takeover!  Facebook page and website.


Home is Where The Yard Is Vol 1 is now available, too.   

ChiIL Live Shows will have HD videos from that night, from all 3 bands, coming soon.   So check back like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.   See you out there.

 

Led Zeppelin 2 at House of Blues Chicago 1-14-12 (live show photos)

Here's a full set of ChiIL Live Shows' pit photos from Led Zeppelin 2 at House of Blues Chicago 1-14-12.   Double click the slideshow for SmugMug and more settings, including easy share options.   We'll be putting up a "best of" much smaller set from this show as well, but these guys were so much fun to shoot and we got so many sweet shots, we didn't want to decimate it down to just a few pictures.   Enjoy!



Here's a video from their recent Ft. Lauderdale, Florida shows and Stairway to Heaven below, so you can get a taste of their live shows.   Check out their Zep2 YouTube Channel for more.

Led Zeppelin 2 Rocks House of Blues This Friday and Saturday (17+)

Double click the slide show to alter speed/play full screen/other options

 
Considering it was just Jimmy Page's birthday, yesterday, it's the perfect time to let you in on the fun shows going down this weekend at House of Blues.   We shot these guys at Do Division back in the summer and didn't even realize who was Mr. Robert Plant, incognito!   Any guesses?

 

These talented and prolific musicians, in their own right, not only dress the part for Zeppelin 2, but take on the mannerisms and persona of the band as well.   This lethal combo of sincere tribute, excellent musicianship and campy parody, makes for a killer show.   Zep 2 is serious musicians, playing seriously legendary tunes, who don't take themselves too seriously.   Come down and check 'em out.

 

Led Zeppelin 2 (or LZ2)
CHICAGO


JAN 13, 2012 House of Blues "1971 Set" 

JAN 14, 2012 House of Blues "1975 Set"

Friday 01/13/2012
Saturday 01/14/2012
Doors: 07:30 PM


Show: 09:00 PM 


Prices: 
$21.50 - GA - Advanced


$25.00 - GA - Day Of


Ages: 17+ 


House of Blues Chicago 


329 N. Dearborn


Chicago, IL 60654


(312) 923-2000

We plan to shoot their show Sat. and should have more, fun, live show shots shortly on ChiIL Live Shows and ChiILMama.com.

LED ZEPPELIN 2 ... THE LIVE EXPERIENCE brings you the excitement 
of Led Zeppelin "In Concert" by re-enacting the live improvisation & onstage interaction that earned Led Zeppelin their legendary status for performing. LZ2 has played major venues across the US in 2010 and 2011 and drawn rave reviews for a "spot-on" Zeppelin show, playing deep cuts and classic tracks from the entire catalog, and occasionally entire Zeppelin shows from specific dates.

BRUCE LAMONT


The Chicago Southsider is no stranger to the city's rock scene. Bruce has been the frontman for the critically acclaimed avant-metal group Yakuza for the past decade, touring all over the world. In addition to Led Zeppelin 2, Yakuza, and his solo works, Lamont performs with other projects including Circle of Animals, and Bloodiest, and previously with Dyslexic Apaches. Lamont's solo album "Feral Songs for The Epic Decline" was recently selected Top 20 Metal Recordings by SPIN  

IAN LEE


Canadian-born Drummer Ian Lee's dad was a well-known folk musician (the satirical and occasionally controversial Brothers-In-Law) Starting drums at age 8, Ian moved to US to join Bad Oskar, opening for Ted Nugent and national acts. In Chicago, Ian drummed for Woolworthy, Not Rebecca, and with members of Cheap Trick, Veruca Salt, Ministry, and Urge Overkill. Currently from Arizona, Lee runs the www.thebestdrummerintheworld.com website, and was recently featured in Asylum magazine "How to Be John Bonham -- A Drummer's Guide".  

 
MATTHEW LONGBONS 

After winning Downbeat awards on jazz trumpet in high school, Matthew picked up bass. In 2001 Matthew joined Chicago-based Ghettobillies, playing upwards of 200 gigs a year, including shows with Alice Cooper and The Allman Brothers, and numerous European tours. Matthew was voted best un-signed bassist in America at the 2004 National Emergenza battle of the bands. and has played with Pete Special (The Band), Umphree’s McGee, Nyco (Ted Atkatz of CSO), Underwater People, Matt Walker (Smashing Pumpkins, Garbage, Morrisey). Matthew handles bass, keys, and mandolin in Led Zep 2.

PAUL KAMP

By age 12 Paul was playing lead guitar in bands on Chicago's southwest side. Kamp is recognized for his work with Busker Soundcheck, a Chicago trio known for inventive, interactive rock songs, including bowed-guitar and a range of electric and acoustic styles, a staple of the 1990's Chicago music scene. Busker Soundcheck was a touring machine, with studio recordings hailed on several prominent critics' "Best Of" lists. Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune, called Kamp "one of the most accomplished guitar players in the Midwest" and he earned a nomination as "best guitarist" in the Illinois Entertainer magazine. 

For more info, check out the band's main site right here.

Ace Frehley at HOB-11-9-2011

The Kiss Army is alive and well and swelling in numbers.   And all the Chi-Town recruits were at HOB earlier this month, proudly wearing their vintage Kiss Tee's and even bringing along the next generation.


   
Even though Ace Frehley gave up his face makeup long ago, some fans, fondly paid tribute to their childhood idols with the full deal--or in this fan's case, half and half.   

 

ChiIL Live Shows even spotted action figure Ace, swinging from the reserved balcony box seats!



As a child of the 70's, I remember Kiss well.   They had all Kiss days at the local amusement park, where their music blasted from every speaker in the park.   And every face painting booth at every school carnival featured their iconic face paint as a popular option.   It was front page news when the band was first photographed without their black and white paint.  I still have some crazy platform boots with ginormous metal heels, that Dug calls my Kiss Army boots.   Kiss is still in rotation today on our ipods, and the punk kin love their stuff as much as we did at their age.





When I got press access to shoot the show, I wasn't sure what to expect, but Ace has still got more than a few picks up his sleeves and brought the house down with eardrum bursting rock.   





He played loads of old Kiss classics along with his own later material.  He has an excellent backing band and an enthusiastic fan base.  

  






 

But Ace still holds his own as more than a nostalgia act.   Sure, Kiss had more flash, with their pyrotechnics and larger than life costumes.  



But what Ace lacks now in spectacle, he make up for in substance.  His show shocked me and made me feel better.

The Last Vegas open for Ace Frehley & The Biters at HOB-11-9-2011

Check out music videos from The Last Vegas here.   They rock hard live and every one of them is seriously photogenic.   They were a pleasure to shoot and I'd go see them again in a second.   We hope to have a review of their latest release up soon.

 

 

   “OTHER SIDE” NEW VIDEO / SINGLE DEBUTED NOV.2nd

 
AOL’s NoiseCreep (www.noisecreep.com) released The Last Vegas new Video / Single, the “Other Side” earlier this month.  

Legendary cult actress and ‘Scream Queen’, Sybil Danning (Howling II, Halloween, Werewolf Women of the SS) stars in and produces this classic piece of Americana trash rock cinema.  Check it out.

After 3 years of extensive touring with some of rock's biggest acts (Motley Crue, AC/DC, Buckcherry, New York Dolls), THE LAST VEGAS are back in action with their latest single, "The Other Side".

   

That's right THE LAST VEGAS are offering three songs for free download at their website http://www.thelastvegas.com Head over there now and check out "The Other Side", "Evil Eyes" and "It Ain't Easy".  

The physical EP was just released this week on November 22nd.   THE LAST VEGAS' previous full-length, "Whatever Gets You Off" was one of iTunes Top 15 Rock Albums of the Year (2009) alongside Pearl Jam, The Dead Weather, Them Crooked Vultures and The Black Crowes. 

 

 

The debut single, "I'm Bad", hit over 300 thousand downloads on iTunes in the first week and was named iTunes Rock Single of the Year.

 

Van Ghost LIVE at House of Blues 6/11/11