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Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Shows On Our Radar: Decapitated Tonight, Sabaton & Peelander Z Tomorrow and More


Metal Tonight:

ChiIL Live Shows will be back at the House of Blues for an early show tonight to see Meshuggah, Baroness and Decapitated.   We've got a video interview slated with Decapitated.


Meshuggah – The Ophidian Trek 2012

Buy Meshuggah – The Ophidian Trek 2012 concert tickets for the show at House of Blues Chicago

Tuesday 05/15/2012
Doors: 05:00 PM
Show: 06:00 PM
Prices:
$27.50 - GA - Advanced
$30.00 - GA - Day Of
Ages: all

House of Blues Chicago
329 N. Dearborn
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 923-2000

Driving Directions



Headlining Artist:

Meshuggah

Other Artists at this Event:


Additional Info:

• tickets subject to all applicable facility fees and service charges
• applicable fees and charges apply to all ticket sales
• NO REFUNDS / EXCHANGES / CANCELLATION

Listen to Meshuggah Songs



Tomorrow night, join us for a rockin' double feature at Reggie's Rock Club:



We'll be interviewing Swedish power metal band, Sabaton, then shooting their show at Reggie's Rock Club.   We're also going to try to catch up with Peelander Z on the flip side, playing in the Music Joint!



Thursday night check out Melismatics Album Release party at Double Door.
$5
8:30pm
21+ 



The Melismatics formed at the turn of the century in the fertile ground of the Minneapolis indie-rock scene. Their debut album “Postmodern Rock” quickly caught the attention of college radio stations around the country and garnered favorable reviews from critics around the world. Shortly thereafter, Minneapolis indie-rock king pin Ed Ackerson (Motion City Sountrack, The Replacements, The Jayhawks) signed the band to Susstones Records and produced their next two albums “New Infection” and “Turn It On”.

The Melismatics toured the country numerous times over and continued to win loyal fans with their high-energy and unpredictable live shows. Their music has been featured on MTV’s “The Hills,” “The City”and “Laguna Beach,” NBC’s “Windfall”; Animal Planet’s “Jockeys” and they’ve played such notable events as Lollapalooza, Summerfest, and CMJ.

The Melismatics released “The Acid Test” on CC Entertainment/E1 Music (2008). Renowned producer John Fields (Jimmy Eat World, Rooney, Har Mar Superstar, etc) caught the band performing at 2007 SXSW in Austin, Texas and signed on to produce the album. The music video for “Digging Deep” charted at #4 on MTVU and received widespread airplay.

The Melismatics’ upcoming album “MANIA!” was produced by Jon Auer of The Posies and Big Star, along with Ed Ackerson (Motion City Soundtrack, Golden Smog, The Replacements) and was mixed by John Fields. The LP was mastered at Sterling Sound in NYC by Chris Athens (Coldplay, Beastie Boys, NERD, etc) and features collaborations with Dan Wilson (Adele, Semisonic) and Jon Auer who also lends vocals to several tracks.

The Melismatics have found a sound all their own that is familiar yet unique, euphoric and adventurous. The Melismatics’ sound is constantly evolving and developing– as The Onion put it, “no one ever accused The Melismatics of being predictable.” 
MANIA! Out Now on Chicago's Pravda Records


Friday night check out Yamantaka at Schubas
10pm
21+
$8 adv/$10 door



YAMANTAKA // SONIC  TITAN are not your average band. They are from Montreal, and describe themselves best as a "psychedelic noh-wave opera group fusing noise, metal, pop and folk music".  The live show combines performance art sensibilities with straight up rock and roll.

 
YAMANTAKA // SONIC TITAN Announce US Tour with Xiu Xiu
Nominated For MTV's Album of The Week
Self-Titled Album Out Now

 
Quotes

"YT//ST creates full-scale events, complete with eerie face-paint, monochromatic paper sets and Boredoms-style drum blasts that blend black metal and kabuki into a jaw-dropping new form. The group’s debut album is equally epic, yet it’s all just a glimpse into their master plan to freak out the squares with a stage production so large no theatre in the world could contain it." - Noisey

"the record feels wholly substantial and satisfying in its own right, and even those with no prior knowledge of YT//ST's history and elaborate intentions can just enjoy it for what it is: volcanic prog-rock colored with equal parts post-punk urgency, stoner-metal heft, and psychedelic pop whimsy." - Pitchfork


Tracklisting

1. Racoon Song
2. Queens
3. Oak Of Guernica
4. Reverse Crystal // Murder of a Spider
5. Hoshi Neko
6. A Star Over Pureland
7. Crystal Fortress Over The Sea Of Trees


Check out ChiIL Live Shows like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often for upcoming features on all of the following:
  
  • Original video interviews, live show shots and footage:
English Dogs & Casualties (Reggies), Royal Baths (Empty Bottle), Veronica Falls (Empty Bottle), Red Baraat (Schubas), Revocation (Ultra Lounge), Oberhoffer (Lincoln Hall), Suidakra (Bottom Lounge)


  • Live original show shots and footage:  

Spiritualized (Metro), Suckers (Empty Bottle), Balkan Beat Box (Metro), The Tossers (Metro), The Cribs (Schubas), Adrenaline Mob & Kill Devil Hill (HOB), Fela (Lincoln Hall), Over Kill (Bottom Lounge), Dirty Ghosts (Empty Bottle), Bloodiest (Empty Bottle), Steampunk Chicago & The Squidling Brothers Circus present:  Gearbox Fantastique II (Reggies), Bear in Heaven (Schubas), Lawrence Arms (Metro), Cymbals Eat Guitars (Lincoln Hall), Meshuggah, Baroness (House of Blues), Decapitated (House of Blues), Gomez (The Vic)

  • Original video interviews, live show shots and footage from major music fests:
Summer Camp Music Festival
Pitchfork
Lollapalooza
North Coast Music Fest
Riot Fest

Flamenco Weekend-Multicultural Magic-A Traves Del Espejo-Through The Mirror



SHOWS ON OUR RADAR THIS WEEK:

It's that once a year chance to catch the annual flamenco dance show from Studio Mangiameli "A Traves Del Espejo (Through The Mirror)."  It runs May 18-20th.  




A Través Del Espejo (Through The Mirror)
Adventure Stage Chicago




A friend of ours is performing with thirty flamenco
students from Studio Mangiameli and many of Chicago's flamenco scene's finest live musicians
.   She's a Chi town mom, a pediatrician, and a flamenco dancer.   Here at ChiIL Live Shows/ChiIL Mama we love to highlight parents pursuing their passions in the creative arts--music, dance, theatre, visual arts and beyond.   There IS life after birth.   

We also had the great pleasure to snap stills and shoot the Q & A at another accomplished flamenco dancer/ Chicago mom show a few weeks back.  Wendy Clinard's work was a joy to see, and originally inspired by her travels with her young daughter.


Chi, IL Live Dance-Multicultural-"From the Arctic to the Middle East (Broken Narratives by an American Flamenco Dancer)"   We're still editing and building a feature and will have that for you shortly. 
Here's the scoop on this weekend's show --Studio Mangiameli "A Traves Del Espejo (Through The Mirror)" from their official release:



Mirrors are a dance student's best friend and worst enemy, exposing moments of beauty and clarity as well as missteps and faulty technique. A Través Del Espejo is about those occasional magical and transcendent moments when a dancer looks not just into the mirror but through it, where one inhabits one's fantasy and is transformed by the power of one's imagination. Those moments are what keep us going through  countless classes and rehearsals, hours of frustration and fatigue.

Developed by Artistic Director Chiara Mangiameli, whom The Chicago Tribune calls a "formidable flamenco dancer" for her work alongside master chef Rick Bayless in the current production of Cascabel,  A Través Del Espejo brings together and ensemble of nearly thirty flamenco students from Studio Mangiameli with some of the most accomplished professional musicians in Chicago's flamenco scene such as members of Las Guitarras De España and El Payo.



True to flamenco and its emphasis on personal expression, the student body displays a large age range, each dancer interpreting  the various moods and emotions behind each piece.

Featuring
Chiara Mangiameli, dance and vocals
Carlo Basile, classical and flamenco guitar
David Chiriboga, flamenco guitar
David Gonzalez, vocals
Kinan Abou-afach, cello and oud
Omar Almusfi, percussion

Note: Free parking is available on Friday and Sunday in the Roman Polish Catholic Union lot on 984 Milwaukee Ave.
Street parking on Saturday.

Tickets are $20, $25 cash only at the door (no discounts will be given at the door).

Minimum Age: 7
Kid Friendly: Yes!

Email:  studiomangiameli@gmail.com
Web:  http://www.studiomangiameli.com

Click here to purchase tickets




Two New Songs From Clip Art & The Hudson Branch Record Now Out

Check out Clip Art's newest two releases  “Death V. Decline” and “Pains of the Young" right here.   


 



 

ChiIL Live Shows has a bunch of great live show shots of Clip Art in action at their month long residency at Schubas earlier this year.   Check 'em out here.   Chicago's got talent!

Clip Art Live Show Shots 1/9/12
Clip Art Live Show Shots 1/16/12


They just released these two new songs at The Hudson Branch record release at Lincoln Hall on 5/8/12.


For more info on Clip Art and The Hudson Branch click the links right here.



Riot Fest 2012 Early Tickets On Sale and First Lineup Announcements


Rise Against * Iggy & The Stooges

The Offspring * Elvis Costello

A Day To Remember * Coheed and Cambria

Gogol Bordello * Descendents

Dropkick Murphys * NOFX

The Jesus and Mary Chain * The Gaslight Anthem

Alkaline Trio * Slapstick (reunion) * AWOLNation

The Promise Ring * Chiodos (original lineup reunion) * Gwar

August Burns Red * Frank Turner * Less Than Jake

Built To Spill * Rev. Horton Heat * Fishbone

Nobunny * A Wilhelm Scream * Screaming Females

Teenage Bottlerocket * Off With Their Heads * Sister Crayon

Deals Gone Bad * White Mystery * Larry And His Flask

The Story So Far * Japanther


…AND MANY MORE…

Check out ChiIL Live Shows (free downloads, original pit photos, band video interviews and live show footage) and ChiIL Mama (alt punk parenting) for loads of coverage from Riot Fest 2010 & 2011.  Bring your punk kin & banger babies.   All Riot Fest shows are all ages unless stated otherwise.  If we can walk together why can't we rock together!  

Friday, May 11, 2012

Got Littles?: Winners for CircEsteem Spring Circus and Little G Band



ChiIL Mama has two family 4 pack ticket winners to announce today.   Big congrats!

CircEsteem Spring Circus-your choice of 6 dates--congrats to 4 ticket winner, Nicole F!  

Check out our past coverage including full show details, video/photo links and more, here.   Highly recommended!   

ChiIL Mama's own Sagezilla and Du-Jay are performing along with 150+ Chi-Town kids ranging from the after school program beginners to the advanced, traveling performance team!   My two have been learning circus arts for two years and have advanced to the pre-team.   Come check out all these astounding kids in their biggest show of the year.   The theme is CHICAGO.   

This is THE must see of the next two weekends.   Shows are tonight (Friday 5/11-also Sage's 9th birthday!) and Saturday 5/12 at 1pm and 5pm.   Next weekend shows are on Saturday at 1pm and 5pm and closing show Sunday at 2pm.   Type CircEsteem in the side search bar at ChiIL Mama for loads of photo filled features, interviews and performance videos from the past two years.



 ChiIL Mama is a proud sponsor of Beat Kitchen's Concerts for Kids



Little G Band (for kids birth through 10 with parents) at Beat Kitchen SATURDAY AT 3PM--congrats to 4 ticket winner, Teresa O.

About Little G Band (from their Facebook Page)

We are a family power rock trio. My daughter is 9 and plays 4 instruments,
my son is 7 and plays 5 instruments... At professional level, no less.
Yes, really.   We can't wait to check em out.  

Here at ChiIL Mama we love families that rock together!    *NOTE:   This Beat Kitchen Kids show is SATURDAY AT 3PM


You can enter this week to win more great 4 packs of concert tixs to Beat Kitchen Concerts for Kids including Mr. Singer and The Sharp Cookies CD Release Party at Beat Kitchen next Sunday!

 
**CLICK HERE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!**


As always, we have frequent, fabulous give aways, live concert footage, original video interviews, photo filled recaps, and the heads up about upcoming events, so check back with ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often.   We'll tell you the best places to ChiIL Out this spring and summer!    There IS life after birth.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

ACT OUT: ATTEND THE TALE OF DANNY TANNER: A FULL HOUSE MUSICAL At Gorilla Tango

(sitting): Rob Speer (Danny Tanner)
(top): Ali Keirn (Michelle Tanner)
L-R (bottom): James Dolbeare (Jesse Katsopolis),Katie Johnston-Smith (DJ Tanner), Meghan M. Hillmeyer (Stephanie Tanner), and Chris Gorton (Joey Gladstone)   GT production photo   Credit:  Brian Work

Heads up--head out.   But ya may not want to drink and drive after this show...

We gave you the heads up last month.   Now it's time to head out...to Gorilla Tango Theatre tonight!    

Chi, IL Live Theatre Opening Tonight:

Wake up San Fran, if you can… It’s been seven years since Danny Tanner’s wife – the sweet, sweet Pamela Tanner – was tragically killed by a drunk driver, throwing the Tanners’ lives into equal parts chaos and hilarity. Every year since then, Danny, his brother-in-law Jesse, and best friend Joey kill a drunk driver on the anniversary of Pamela’s death. This is the year everything goes wrong…

Darkly comedic, ATTEND THE TALE OF DANNY TANNER: A FULL HOUSE MUSICAL performs Wednesdays at 7:30pm, May 9 – June 27, 2012 at 1919 N. Milwaukee. Tickets are $15; www.gorillatango.com or 773-598-4549 for tickets and more info.

In this original musical, the true life of Danny Tanner and his family is exposed; promises will be broken, sinister paths explored, lives (maybe even of main characters!) will be lost, and yes, songs will be sung. Whether you're a member of the Full House fan club or scoff in a superior fashion when you hear someone utter "Cut It Out", you will find both a touch of nostalgia and an illuminating light shining brightly on the Tanners' most clandestine realities in this black comedy with a twist. Come see the Tanners as you've never seen them before. Attend the Tale.

The idea for a Sweeney Todd-esque Full House musical came to Katie Johnston-Smith while she was brainstorming new parody show ideas for Gorilla Tango. Katie knew Chris Gorton through various improv ventures and was aware of his songwriting talents. She approached him with the show idea in November 2011 and together they started writing and developing what would be come ATTEND THE TALE…. Once all of the songs were mostly completed, they enlisted the assistance of another local musician, Tara Trudel to help put the finishing touches on the show, musically speaking.

This is the first musical that Johnston-Smith and Gorton have written, although all they are both well versed (pun intended) in improvised musicals and song writing.

Katie Johnston-Smith, a native of Pittsburgh, has a Bachelor's Degree in Music with an emphasis in musical theatre performance from Belmont University in Nashville. She can be seen performing around town with Second City Training Center's Musical House Ensemble Infinite Sundaes, and as a featured member of The Cupid Players.  She is also Gorilla Tango Theatre Bucktown's Executive Producer. 

Chris Gorton sang his first song at the age of four, saw his first musical at the age of eight, and has been in love with singing ever since. He's performed numerous musicals, been in a variety of shows, learned about harmonies in his college a capella group, and then sang on a cruise ship. He has no musical training other than singing in chorus in elementary and high school, but he loves music passionately, so that makes up for it. He writes songs for fun, and he makes up other songs for more fun. He taught himself the guitar. Combining all of his loves he wrote his first musical; this is that musical. He plans to write more. He currently performs improv and sketch comedy throughout Chicago.

Written by Chris Gorton and Katie Johnston-Smith
Music written by Chris Gorton, Katie Johnston-Smith, and Tara Trudel
Directed by Kelly Williams
Choreographed by Nikki Pierce
Fight Choreography by Bobby Hoffman
Musically Directed by Rhapsody Snyder
Costumes and props by Vanessa Walilko

Featuring: Rob Speer (Danny Tanner), Katie Johnston-Smith (DJ Tanner), Meghan M. Hillmeyer (Stephanie Tanner), Ali Keirn (Michelle Tanner), James Dolbeare (Jesse Katsopolis), Chris Gorton (Joey Gladstone), Tom Daily (Man, Steve, Woodchuck, etc), and Miryam Andrews (Woman, Becky, Kimmy Gibbler, etc).

Gorilla Tango Theatre (GTT) provides year-round theatrical venues where audiences of all ages can consistently go to see a wide variety of talented artists. GTT exists to provide artists with an opportunity to produce their work in professional environment. GTT was created by Dan Abbate and boasts two venues: an 80-seat performance space in Bucktown and a 150-seat performance space in Skokie. GTT Bucktown is conveniently located at the intersection of Western and Milwaukee in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood. Easily accessible by public transportation, GTT is steps away from the Western Blue Line stop and the #49 Western, #73 Armitage and #56 Milwaukee buses. Street parking is readily available.  Gorilla Tango’s Skokie Theatre is located in the heart of Downtown Skokie; street and lot parking available. With shows for all ages, all GTT performances are on a rating system, similar to the one used in movie theatres. GTT offers a variety of affordable beer and wine for purchase. Consult the website Calendar for all Gorilla Tango shows, locations, rating information, tickets, and more.

www.gorillatango.com – 773.598.4549
Gorilla Tango (Bucktown) - 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60647
Gorilla Tango’s Skokie Theatre - 7924 Lincoln Ave. Skokie, IL 60077

The Cribs-New Release Out May 15th



The Cribs' In The Belly Of The Brazen Bull Now Streaming On Hype
Fifth Studio Album Out In Two Weeks, On May 15th Via Wichita Records
North American Tour Dates Announced



ChiIL Live Shows has been kicking you clips the past few months and hope you had a chance to see The Cribs amazing, high energy, sold out pair of Schubas shows last month in Chi-Town.   We were there April 9th and will have live clips, show stills and a full album review up for you in conjunction with the release.   For our followers across the nation, the remaining tour dates are below and selling out fast.   Catch 
'em while you can.   They rock hard live!

On May 15th, the Wakefield trio will release their fifth studio album, In The Belly of the Brazen Bull, via Wichita Records. Recorded between Abbey Road in London, Steve Albini’s EAR studio in Chicago, and David Fridmann’s Tarbox Road studio in Upstate New York, the album can now be streamed in it's entirety over at Hype Machine.

After sold out UK and US  Spring Tours, culminating with a packed house at Music Hall Of Williamsburg, The Cribs are also excited to announce they are returning to North America. Next month they will kick of the tour on the East Coast and will then make their way across the country to the West Coast. Tickets are on sale now, head over to The Cribs website to grab your tickets while they last.

Tour Dates

06/05 - Johnny Brendas - Philadelphia, PA
06/06 - Irving Plaza - New York, NY
06/07 - Black Cat - Washington DC
06/08 - Motorco Music Hall - Durham, NC
06/09 - Masquerade: Hell Stage - Atlanta, GA
06/11 - Fitzgerald's: Upstairs - Houston, TX
06/12 - The Parish - Austin, TX
06/15 - El Rey Theater - Los Angeles, CA
06/16 - Great American Music Hall - San Francisco, CA
06/18 - Venue - Vancouver CA

Copyright © 2011 Tell All Your Friends.

Jane's Going To Summer Camp #SCamp 2012



Memorial Day weekend is rapidly approaching.   And ChiIL Live Shows will be spending it with Jane's Addiction at summer camp!    Check back with us like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often for loads of photo filled features on this year's hottest SCamp bands.   Hope to see you there.  

Check out our full show review of Jane's Addiction at The Metro, Chicago HERE.

Check out ChiIL Live Shows/ChiIL Mama's past photo filled Summer Camp Music Fest 09-11 coverage HERE.


Check out Summer Camp Music Festival's Main Site and Full Details HERE. 

It's not too late to get tickets and make some memories.   Come SCamp with the stars.


Great New News From Fitz & The Tantrums



ChiIL Live Shows caught up with Fitz  & The Tantrums at Chicago's Comma, for an intimate industry show, during their run of 3 sold out shows at The Metro.   Click the links here to check out our live footage, original video interview with members of the band, and parenting related video interview with their drummer, John Wicks, father of young twins, for our series on How Creatives Parent and How Parents Create. 
Here's what Fitz has to say:

Hello Everyone!

We are excited to announce that we've teamed up with producer Tony Hoffer (M83, The Kooks, Beck) and will begin recording the follow up to 'Pickin' Up The Pieces today in Los Angeles!! We've written over 30 songs and are ready to record!!

We're gonna do something very special with our fans this time and bring you ALL in on the process of making the new album.  You'll get video and photo updates from the studio and on the road during the recording and mixing of the new record!  We'll bring you to our photo and video shoots.  You'll be on the bus on our way to Bonnaroo while we listen to rough mixes.  You'll help us chose artwork and special package options.   Plus, you'll be the first to know when we are finished and when we release it for pre-order and streaming!  We want you to know what it's like to be IN the band!   

Come along for the ride!  Visit our website blog and social networks often so you can follow us each step of the way...

Finally, since we can not express our gratitude enough to everyone for making our dreams come true, we would like to offer you a FREE EP!!  Sign up on our WEBSITE to download a FREE LIVE EP from the House of Blues Boston and the "Breakin' The Chains of Love (Brand New Karate World Remix)" by our very own drummer Mr. John Wicks!  All we ask is that you spread the LOV and share it with your friends!!

Thank you for coming along on our journey!  We will see you in the studio.

xo,

FATT

VISIT FITZANDTHETANTRUMS.COM


This is particularly great news for this talented band.   As much as we adored their last release, the mix was rough technically, and every time a song of theirs got airplay this year, my sound guy husband would give a long suffering sigh and say, "I wish someone who had a clue would mix for them."    Sometimes wishes do come true....at least going forward.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

RED FANG Announce North American Tour Dates


ChiIL Live Shows' full interview with Red Fang from 11-11-11, when they opened for Mastodon at The Riviera in Chicago.    We also featured a shorter excerpt from this interview on ChiILMama.com as part of our ongoing series on How Creatives Parent and How Parents Create, featuring members of Prong, Fitz and The Tantrums, Red Baraat and more.   The members of Red Fang were truly funny guys and a great interview.


Click here for ChiIL Live Shows' pit photos of Red Fang opening for Mastodon at The Riviera in Chicago.

Portland Oregon's RED FANG are in the midst of wrapping up their European tour with a show tonight in Moscow, Russia and their final gig tomorrow in St. Petersburg, Russia.    They've been out on a mad metal Euro tour with other colorful, toothy, metal favs of ours BLACK TUSK!

 

ChiIL Live Shows' pit photos of Black Tusk headlining Ultra Lounge, Chicago, just before they left the country with Red Fang.   Click here for  Monstro/Thou/Black Tusk, also at Ultra Lounge, a few months before.

Before they head back state-side, RED FANG is pleased to announce that they have just confirmed a new batch of North American tour dates. Included in this run are headlining shows as well as shows serving as direct support to The Sword. All tour dates can be found below.

Click here for ChiIL Live Shows' pit photos of The Sword opening for Kyuss Lives at The Vic in Chicago.


Rock for Grant High Art Dept:
RED FANG will be headlining "A Benefit For Grant High Art Department" scheduled to take place Friday May 25th at the Hawthorne Theater in Portland, OR. Support will come from Lopez, Nether Regions and Grant High's own Hell's Parrish. Doors for the show at are 7:00 pm with the first band hitting the stage at 7:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased for the show HERE.

RED FANG will also be taking part in Metallica's inaugural "Orion Music + More Festival" June 23rd in Atlantic City, NJ. 

RED FANG recently premiered their latest video for "Hank is Dead" directed by Whitey McConnaughy can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgV7hnjoyt0

RED FANG are streaming Murder The Mountains in its entirety at this location.  The album is now available on CD, 12" vinyl, and deluxe digital via Relapse HERE and on iTunes HERE.

Check out Red Fang's main site here.


RED FANG On Tour

RUSSIAN TOUR
5/7: Moscow, Russia    Plan B
5/8: St. Petersburg, Russia    Orlandina

"A Benefit For Grant High Art Department"
5/25: Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater

Headlining Dates
6/1: Seattle, WA @ Highline
6/12: Boise, ID @ Neurolux
6/13: Salt Lake City, UT @ Bar Deluxe
6/14: Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
6/16: Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves

Supporting The Sword
6/17: Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald's Upstairs
6/18: New Orleans, LA @ The Parish @ House of Blues
6/19: Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
6/20: Raleigh, NC @ Kings
6/21: Baltimore, MD @ Sonar

"Orion Music + More Festival"
6/23: Atlantic City, NJ @ Bader Field

"MusicFest NW"
9/5: Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater

Monday, May 7, 2012

What Your Mama Really Wants-Adrenaline Mob & Kill Devil Hill at HOB Chicago


Give your mama or your babymama what she really wants for Mother's Day--a night out with mega metal musicians from Black Sabbath, Pantera,
Dream Theater, Symphony X and Disturbed--
Adrenaline Mob and Kill Devil Hill at HOB, Chicago.
  Flowers die but metal lives!   ChiIL Live Shows will be there and we'll have pit photos and a show recap shortly.

Current And Former Members Of Black Sabbath, Pantera, Dream Theater, Symphony X and Disturbed All On One Stage

Adrenaline Mob and Kill Devil Hill are heading out on the road together for what will be a memorable night of hard rock musicThe run, which will be comprised of current and former members of Black Sabbath, Pantera, Dream Theater, Symphony X and Disturbed, kicks off on May 10th in Cleveland.  The tour will make stops in Dallas, Chicago and Orlando before wrapping up in Charlotte, NC on May 22.  

The shows will feature Kill Devil Hill followed by Adrenaline Mob and then end in all out jam between the two groups. Special VIP Packages, including exclusive items and meet and greets will be available for each band.  Please check with the band’s respective websites for details. Adrenaline Mob is the powerhouse vocals of Russell Allen (Symphony X), the shredding guitar attack of Mike Orlando (Sonic Stomp), the rhythmic bass playing of John Moyer (Disturbed) and the drumming virtuosity of Mike Portnoy (Ex Dream Theater/Avenged Sevenfold).  Kill Devil Hill is comprised of famed bassist Rex Brown, (Pantera, Down) drum monster Vinny Appice (former drummer with Black Sabbath, Dio and Heaven And Hell), guitar virtuoso Mark Zavon and vocalist Dewey Bragg.

Adrenaline Mob will be touring in support of their Elm City Records debut Omertá. The record debuted Top 5 on the Billboard Rock Album chart when it was released on March 13. The band reached #5 on the chart and also was #62 on the Billboard Top 200 selling over 6600 copies its first week.  The album has been getting amazing reviews with Revolver declaring “If you dig hard-hitting modern metal, then Adrenaline Mob’s 11-track debut offers some monstrous moments.” Adrenaline Mob formed in 2011 when Sonic Stomp founder Orlando, who had been working on a collection of songs, approached Symphony X vocalist Allen with a concept and idea for the band.  Together they joined forces and refined those ideas.  Allen then reached out to long-time friend and ex Dream Theater/Avenged Sevenfold drummer Portnoy to see if he had any interest in playing with them.  Portnoy jumped on-board and from the very first note, the chemistry and sound was apparent. In late 2011, Portnoy recruited Disturbed’s Moyer to fill the vacant bass slot and the beast that is known as Adrenaline Mob was born.

Kill Devil Hill is a super group consisting of famed bassist Rex Brown, (Pantera, Down) drum monster Vinny Appice (former drummer with Black Sabbath, Dio and Heaven And Hell), guitar virtuoso Mark Zavon and vocalist Dewey Bragg.  The band are gearing up to release their self-titled debut album on May 22nd via SPV/Steamhammer.  In 2009 Vinny had found the perfect guitarist in Zavon, who was also looking to start a new band. Zavon played a demo he had recorded with vocalist Dewey Bragg, and Vinny was floored.  With the three members in place Vinny asked his long time friend Rex Brown to play bass on a demo track called “War Machine”.  Rex immediately agreed and the final puzzle piece was in place for the formation of Kill Devil Hill.

ADRENALINE MOB/KILL DEVIL HILL TOUR DATES.
May 10 Cleveland, OH House Of Blues
May 11 Flint, MI The Machine Show
May 13 Chicago, IL House Of Blues
May 15 Dallas, TX Trees
May 16 San Antonio, TX Backstage Live
May 19 Fort Lauderdale, FL Revolution
May 21 Orlando, FL House Of Blues
May 22 Charlotte, NC Amos’ Southend


Flatfoot 56 Reveals New Album Info; “Toil” To Be Released July 24 Through Paper + Plastick Records



Flatfoot 56 has announced today the details behind its fourth label-backed studio album. The band will release Toil on July 24 via Paper + Plastick Records. Worldwide distribution will come from Stomp Records in Canada, and People Like You Records in Europe.
 
The Chicago-based Celtic punk-rockers recorded Toil in Matt Allison’s Atlas Studios, working with producer Johnny Rioux of the Street Dogs in January and February. They emerged from recording sessions with 13 new songs for the album, and the tracklisting can be seen below. “[Johnny] knows how to challenge us and push us to the next level, which is what any band hopes for,” says frontman Tobin Bawinkel (vocals/guitar) of the band’s decision to work with Rioux again.
 
The choice of producer was a big one this time, as Flatfoot 56 wrote a record that Bawinkel says takes on a “much more mature, heartfelt tone.” Rioux produced 2010’s critically acclaimed Black Thorn as well, so the band felt comfortable working with him again. “We still love whipping the crowd into a frenzy and making everybody dance,” says Bawinkel, “but we wrote some tunes that people can relate to, and that they can sing along to.”
 
Bawinkel and the rest of Flatfoot 56 – his brothers, Justin (drums) and Kyle (bass), Eric McMahon (bagpipes/guitar) and Brandon Good (mandolin/guitar) – may have suggested that Toil would be less raucous than previous albums, but the band’s well-noted hardcore-tinged sound is still present. “Brother, Brother” starts fast and never slows down, a blisteringly paced barnburner of an opening track, carried by McMahon’s bagpipes, aggressive yells, dirty guitars and a huge chorus. Meanwhile, other tracks like future first single “I Believe It” showcase a more rootsy, folk-oriented side of the band. Gang vocals and pounding drums allow Flatfoot 56 to retain its signature sound.

 
Toil is the band’s follow-up to 2010’s wildly successful Black Thorn, which notched the band a spot on nine Billboard charts.

 
Toil will become available on July 24 via Paper + Plastick Records. The record will be available in vinyl, CD and digital formats.

Flatfoot 56 Facebook
Flatfoot 56 Twitter


Flatfoot 56 - Toil
July 24, 2012
Paper + Plastick Records


1. Brother, Brother
2. The Rich, The Strong and The Poor
3. I Believe It
4. Take Hold Again
5. Toil
6. Live Or Die Trying
7. Work For Them
8. Terrorizing Truth
9. Strongman
10. 6'10"
11. This Time
12. Winter In Chicago
13. I'll Fly Away
 
More about Flatfot 56:
Playing a positive-natured brand of hardcore-tinged Celtic punk, Flatfoot 56 has been unleashing itself upon America and the rest of the world for over a decade now. Forming in 2000, the Chicago natives achieved nationwide attention with their first two label-backed records, 2006’s Knuckles Up and 2007’s Jungle of the Midwest Sea. These releases built on a heavy dose of previously established regional notoriety, helping the band gain steam early on.
 
While each album received its fair share of critical acclaim and fan reception, the quintet exploded onto a new level with 2010’s Black Thorn. Landing the band on a total of nine Billboard Charts, Flatfoot 56 proved it could consistently reach an expanding audience while playing a genre not often associated with widespread success.
 
Frontman Tobin Bawinkel (vocals/guitar) is now set to lead Flatfoot 56 on in their furious march forward. Armed with brothers Justin (drums) and Kyle (bass), along with Eric McMahon (bagpipes/guitar) and Brandon Good (mandolin/guitar), Flatfoot 56 will release its fourth label-backed studio album, Toil, on Paper + Plastick Records on July 24, 2012.
 
Like the band's last release, Toil was produced by the Street Dogs’ Johnny Rioux. “We decided that since the last experience with Johnny was so beneficial, we wanted to repeat it,” Bawinkel said. “We have been friends with Johnny for years our mutual respect fosters a good creative environment for putting together a record. He knows how to challenge us and push us the next level, which is what any band hopes for.”
 
The band recorded Toil in Matt Allison’s Chicago-based Atlas Studios in January and February. “We have always respected Paper + Plastick’s independent approach to putting out records because they always seem to promote the creative side of the album,” Bawinkel said of the band's choice of label. “As a band we all really value that creative vision, and Paper + Plastick is the place to be for that.”
 
While the record is set to be more rootsy and folk-oriented, it promises to pack the same relentless knock-down punch that fans have grown to expect from Flatfoot 56. More than a decade into its career, Flatfoot 56 isn’t slowing down, but maintaining a blistering pace of touring and musical output. “The next record's sound is taking on a much more mature, heartfelt tone,” Bawinkel said. “We’re writing these songs as life gets thrown at us, and as we all get a bit older and start to interpret life in different ways, we want to express ourselves to reflect the victories and defeats that we all go through. We still love whipping the crowd into a frenzy and making everybody dance but we want to write some tunes that people can relate to, and that they can sing along to.”
 
Toil will be released in 2012 by Paper + Plastick in the United States, Stomp Records in Canada, and People Like You Records in Europe.

Meat Puppets Cross Mediums With Book Release & Interactive App


New Book, Too High To Die: Meet The Meat Puppets, Traces Legendary Rock Band's Entire Career

Here at ChiIL Live Shows, we love it when mediums cross and music inspires books and DVDs, books inspire music and theatre, and so on.   We had a chance to take our kids to see The Meat Puppets at an all ages summer music festival, and we had so much fun reliving their tunes and quirky choreography by showing the kids their music videos first.    As of June 1st, it gets even better.   There'll be an authorized band bio out!

Then later this summer, look for Meat Puppets to bring their pioneering legacy into the interactive world, as the band helps launch a new interactive music app called JamBandit. Fans will be able to experience Meat Puppets as never before, feeling the rush of genuinely playing in realtime with Cris, Curt, Ted, and Shandon, regardless of musical ability or training. To sign up for a sneak peek, visit www.jambandit.com.   We can't wait to check it out!

Here's the book scoop:
For the first time ever, the Meat Puppets' story will be told in book form, when the authorized band bio, Too High to Die: Meet the Meat Puppets, is released on June 1, 2011. Journalist/book author/long-time Puppets fan Greg Prato wrote the book with full cooperation from the band.

In addition to featuring interviews with band members past and present, many renowned rock names were interviewed for the 407 page book, including Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Peter Buck (REM), Kim Thayil (Soundgarden), Henry Rollins (Black Flag/Rollins Band), Ian MacKaye (Minor Threat/Fugazi), Scott Asheton (Iggy & the Stooges), Dean DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots), Doug Martsch (Built to Spill), Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth), Dave Pirner (Soul Asylum), J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.), Mike Watt (Minutemen/fIREHOSE), Chad Channing (Nirvana), and Paul Leary (Butthole Surfers), among many others.

Set up in an "oral history format," the book is comprised entirely of never before published interviews, which were conducted solely for this book. Also included are 15 rarely seen and/or never-before-published photos of the band from throughout the years. All eras of the band are covered, including the writing/recording of such classic albums as 'Meat Puppets II' and 'Up on the Sun,' the group's appearance on Nirvana's classic 'MTV Unplugged' episode, the story behind their breakthrough hit single "Backwater," and how the Kirkwood brothers reunited in 2006, after being apart for nearly a decade.

As the group's singer/guitarist/songwriter Curt Kirkwood says on the book's back cover, "It's a very strange, wonderful experience to read...I love the way it flows...a linear time capsule compendium of the band's past...so many perspectives tied together so well. I feel like I've been hanging out in these scenes just yesterday. Folks I know well and folks I've never even met giving me insights and perspectives on the band and myself that I've never considered or been aware of. Eerie and fun to find myself so captivated reading about something that has held me captive for my entire adult life...sometimes it's hard to see the forest for the trees. This is giving me a glimpse of the forest...thanks for the bitchin' experience."

The book will be priced at $24.99 and made available for sale via Lulu.com on June 1, with a pre-order currently set up via the Meat Puppets official website.

For pre-order info (and for more information about the Meat Puppets), visit www.themeatpuppets.com.

Friday, May 4, 2012

PLAY LOCALLY-(21+) Damn Choir Album Release & Suckers at Empty Bottle

There's once again an overabundance of great live music, theatre, and events going on in Chi-Town.   Here are just a few of our highly recommended live band favs for Friday and Saturday.



Friday 



record release party (21+)

The Damn Choir | Paper Thick Walls | Kingsley Flood at The Hideout
    • Today
    • 10:00pm until 1:00am

  • The Hideout - 1354 W. Wabansia Ave, Chicago, IL 60642

  • Get tickets: http://ticketf.ly/HixAaM
    Details: The Damn Choir at The Hideout

We've been promoting this one for a while on FB & Twitter, and today's the day.  Check out our original show shots here then come out and hear them live at Hideout tonight!



Damn Choir at Burlington (with Crain Wives and Briar Rabbit  12-16-11)




Paper Thick Walls at Schubas  (click the link for our show shots from Schubas)

 

Saturday 



Suckers at Empty Bottle (21+)

Come check out some live ear candy at Empty Bottle.  
Suckers' Candy Salad Now Streaming On Paste
Sophomore LP Out On Frenchkiss Records

Spring Tour With Support From Frenchkiss Labelmates Young Man & Devin


Tour Dates

5/01 - Glasslands - Brooklyn, NY
5/02 - Kung Fu Necktie - Philadelphia, PA
5/03 - Club AE - Pittsburgh, PA
5/04 - The Basement - Columbus, OH
5/05 - Empty Bottle - Chicago, IL
5/07 - 7th St Entry - Minneapolis, MN*
5/09 - Hi Dive - Denver, CO
5/11 - Kilby Court - Salt Lake City, UT*
5/12 - Neurolux - Boise, ID N*
5/13 - Neumo's - Seattle, WA*
5/14 - Media Club - Vancouver, BC*
5/17 - Bottom of the Hill - San Francisco, CA*
5/18 - Echo - Los Angeles, CA*
5/19 - Alex's Bar - Long Beach, CA*
5/20 - Casbah - San Diego, CA*
5/22 - Rhythm Room - Phoenix, AZ*
5/23 - Lowbrow Palace - El Paso, TX*
5/25 - Red 7 - Austin, TX*
5/28 - The Earl - Atlanta, GA&
5/29 - Local 506 - Chapel Hill, NC&
5/30 - The Ottobar - Baltimore, MD&

*  w/ Young Man
& w/ Devin


Press
"Pushing themselves to hone their sound has allowed them to construct an infectious piece of work without sacrificing depth or meaning, particularly in terms of their lyrics." - Paste

"With a dollop of radiant electronic energy, the Brooklyn art pop collective sounds ready for the summer, and they will be." - Consequence of Sound

"you’ll definitely find plenty to fall for on this effort, such as the band’s favorite accompaniment–a nice heartfelt whistle." - Austin Town Hall

"No one’s abandoning their love for awesome, varying guitar tones (that solo!) nor that affinity for hyper-catchy riffs in unexpected places (that whistling!) nor those heartstring-tugging choir vocals, they’re just updating their tried-and-true formula into anthemic territory, and it works like a charm." - Pretty Much Amazing

"they’ve concentrated and focused their eccentricities into a set that is dreamlike but not at all dream-pop, and sweet without ever slipping into cloying twee territory." - PopMatters

""Turn on the Sunshine” gives fans a complex arrangement of poppy chord progressions merged into the smooth, singular focal point of a sweet and innocent love track." - The Wild Honey Pie



'Candy Salad' | Tracklisting
01. Going Nowhere
02. Figure It Out
03. Bricks to the Bones
04. Chinese Braille
05. Leave the Light On
06. Charmaine
07. George
08. Turn on the Sunshine
09. Lydia
10. Roses

Click Here To Stream Candy Salad  On Paste Magazine
....................................................................................

Besides being a signature song for Suckers, “It Gets Your Body Movin’” is a mission statement for the band as well.  Ever since coalescing in Brooklyn four years ago, they’ve been restless experimenters, thriving on creative momentum.  And while the trio’s just-completed sophomore album Candy Salad, out April 24th on Frenchkiss, is a remarkable progression from their auspiciously far-flung debut Wild Smile, it’s every bit as indicative of how they’re powered by the uncertainty of paradox. It’s a more mature work than Wild Smile, mostly because of its directness and simplicity. It has a warmer sound than their past releases, resulting from hours upon end of intense studio work, but still retains a refreshing, almost effortless feel that instantly draws in the listener.

And that’s essentially the story of Suckers: instantaneous impact that can obscure the tremendous evolution that preceded it.  Vocalists Austin Fisher and Quinn Walker grew up down the road from each other in the alternately enlightened and grim environment outside of New Haven, CT, while enigmatic bassist/utilityman Pan lived about twenty minutes away.  Though raised in the shadow of Yale, the three were inspired to seek the kind of cultural stimulus one could only acquire hours away in New York City.  Upon arrival, they soon immersed themselves fully in the city’s unpredictable and volatile intersection of art and music –Fisher would spend off hours working at the Guggenheim and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, while Walker released a solo double-album to considerable underground acclaim on Voodoo-Eros, the label run by influential avant-pop band CocoRosie.

And while those early days of hashing out material previously written by Fisher and Walker were formative, it wasn’t until they started composing from scratch as a trio that Suckers truly began to take shape.  The first song they wrote together became “It Gets Your Body Movin’,” an infectious singalong that detonated on contact in the blogosphere, a timeless song that began their incredibly timely trajectory within the internet’s hype cycle.

It would become the linchpin of their 2009 self-titled EP, produced by Anand Wilder of Yeasayer and a crucial document of where the band was in that still fetal stage.  Fisher rightfully calls the time between the EP and their 2010 debut Wild Smile “a blur,” which culminated with the band being the toast of SXSW after wowing the festival with their kinetic live performances, Walker’s stratospheric falsetto and uncanny, wildly colorful stage presence. You could hear hints of the twitchy experimentalism of Talking Heads, David Bowie’s flamboyant persona and a vocal range that spanned from Kate Bush’s spectral incantations to Bono’s populism, and though referential of Walker and Fisher’s idols, it sounded like little else.  As Fisher puts it, “if we think something is starting to sound overtly like another band, we change direction.”

Indeed, the immensely tuneful and lyrically ambitious Candy Salad represents such a marked change in direction that even Suckers’ older records aren’t subject to the band’s aversion to replication.  Unlike Wild Smile, which featured songs culled together from various studio sessions, the band hunkered down at Vacation Island in Williamsburg with Matt Boynton (Black Dice, MGMT).  The intent was to formulate something more cohesive and warm and from the majestic Brit-pop of “Lydia” to the charging Eno-esque “Figure It Out,” to “Going Nowhere,” their most straightforward song to date despite removing the bass “When Doves Cry”-style, they’ve achieved something totally new for the band while maintaining the buoyancy and pop smarts of Wild Smile.  Obviously, they can’t wait for their fans to hear it, partly because they want to share it - Walker hopes you love it, Fisher hopes you get the lyrics tattooed on your back and Pan hopes it makes mom proud - and partly because they’ve already got their sights set on what’s next, perpetual bodies in motion.

Chris (Sandman) Sand-The Infamous Red Bathrobe Video Premier



Sandman-Thanks for the Sex-LIVE at Hideout, Chicago
ChiIL Live Shows 4/26/12 (PG13 for content)


As referenced in our interview with Chris and Tony, here's the infamous, "red bathrobe", laugh inducing music video for Thanks For The Sex, shot at Tony's home last summer and "locked in the vault" till now.    Sandman hasn't even put it out there on his own sites, but he gave us the thumbs up to run it.  You've seen it here at ChiIL Live Shows, folks.   Though tame by most standards, this one gets a PG13 for content, though it's more likely to crack you up than incense the censors.    We also have a live version of the same song that we shot at Hideout on 4/26/12 above.    Enjoy!





Sandman-Thanks for the Sex-music video 
at Tony's home, Chicago

Gotta Get Home To My Baby-LIVE at Hideout-Chris (Sandman) Sand


(PG13 language alert)   We dig this slice of Americana--a brand new song from Chris (Sandman) Sand of Roll Out Cowboy documentary fame.

Chris (Sandman) Sand--The Rappin' Cowboy-- performed LIVE at Hideout in Chicago on 4/26/12. His wife and infant daughter, Stevie, are in Montana. His gigs as a musician and his truck driver day job take him away from them for stretches, but provide great material for songs that are simultaneously poignant, funny and all together endearing.

Ballad of a Salad-LIVE at Hideout-Chris (Sandman) Sand





ChiIL Live Shows/ChiIL Mama had a chance to catch Chris (Sandman) Sand and Tony Rogers at their recent Chicago show at Hideout.   Here's Ballad of a Salad live and the music video version, shot last summer in Tony's kitchen, below.    



*Check out our full video interview with both musicians here.




We'll have a shorter version of just the How Creatives Parents and How Parents Create excerpt here in the near future.



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