Oh My God, Blane Fonda and Jonny Rumble at Double Door This Saturday, 10/2

Gonzo glam-poppers Oh My God make a rare hometown appearance this Saturday, Oct. 2, at Double Door.

Two buzz-worthy local bands, Blane Fonda and Jonny Rumble, are confirmed as openers for this 21+/$10 show. OMG is currently on a fall tour in support of last year's fantastic The Night Undoes the Work of the Day (Split Red Records) and two recent videos, the beautifully animated "Bring Yourself" and the campy "My Own Adventure."

Tickets for the Double Door show can be purchased here.

My Pet Dragon-"Flow" Maxi-single Review

Brooklyn's My Pet Dragon follow up their critically acclaimed single "Lover in Hiding," released earlier this year via Gimme That Sound Productions, with the maxi-single "Flow" to excellent results.

"Flow" is a modern pop confection with a catchy guitar hook by Anthony Rizzo and a rousing coda reminiscent of Arcade Fire. Singer Todd Michaelsen's sensual crooning is echoed by wife Reena Shah's dream pop backing vocals and the single is anchored by the ultra-tight rhythm section of Anthony and Jason Molina. There are also several remixes of "Flow," the best of which is by Indian-American composer/DJ Karsh Kale. His "Way of the Dragon" mix brings Reena's vocal to the forefront and adds some skittering beats tailor-made for the dancefloor.

"Flow" also contains a real gem in the form of a cover of Pearl Jam's "Release." My Pet Dragon reworks this grunge classic in more of an early 90s "shoe-gazer" fashion, although there is just a hint of Boston (or maybe Billy Corgan) in the vocals.

If you live on the east coast, you can catch My Pet Dragon in the flesh at Rockwood Music Hall (Oct. 2), Trash Bar (Oct. 8), The Basement (Oct. 15) and Cameo (Nov. 6).

WATCH: LCD SOUNDSYSTEM'S RAGING "HOME" VIDEO

On LCD Soundsystem's latest album This Is Happening, frontman James Murphy and Co. deliver a set of amped-up disco-punk jams, including the slow-building epic "Home." Now, there is a unofficial video from director Rick Darge. It's not sanctioned by the band or their label, but it's still pretty great.
According to Pitchfork the video features, a robot that comes to life and wanders dejectedly around city streets. It's basically a retelling of Short Circuit 2, except that instead of triumphantly breaking up a ring of con men, the robot ends up triumphantly rocking parties. And then becoming a rock star. And then falling apart when a coke-fueled hotel room orgy goes bad. And then returns to his gigantic-eyebrowed inventor. So not actually that much like Short Circuit 2, then.

 LCD Soundsystem "Home"


LCD Soundsystem are currently on the road with Sleigh Bells and Hot Chip. Check out dates here.

Remembering Jay Bennett in benefit concert

Saturday, September 25 at the Subterranean friends family and fans will be celebrating the life and music of Jay Bennett. The event doubles as a fundraiser for the newly formed Jay Bennett Foundation as well as a record release for Jay’s new album, Kicking at the Perfumed Air released via label ROCK PROPER MUSIC this past August. 

The show will feature many of Jay’s friends and collaborators, performing songs from throughout his career, including the new album Kicking at the Perfumed Air.

Performing: Edward Burch and the Third Verse Quiets – David Vandervelde – Ben Clarke – Dorian Taj – Steve Frisbie – members of Dolly Varden – Robbie Hamilton plus special guests...

Subterranean – 2011 W. North Avenue, Chicago IL
6:00 to 9:30 p.m. – Saturday, September 25, 2010
10 dollars

All proceeds will be going to the Jay Bennett Foundation

Scott Wesley-Seconds to Years CD Review

Chicago’s Scott Wesley teamed up with the Cassette Company production team to record Seconds to Years, a pleasant follow-up to his 2007 debut, Open Eyes.

Wesley, who kicked off 2010 with a performance at SXSW in Austin, Texas, delivers the hooks and a few curve balls on his sophomore release: lead-off single “Sun & the Water” is breezy and upbeat, while “Give it a Rest” is a little more left-of-center given its power pop guitar and new wave synthesizers; “Permanent’s” approximation of southern boogie calls to mind the Allman Brothers, while “Open Eyes” is a dead ringer for Jason Mraz; “Leeches” is a rather jazzy/spacey album closer. 

Seemingly custom-made for fans of the lighter jam band aesthetic, Seconds to Years is sure to please the laid back post-collegiate crowd that packs amphitheaters for the likes of Jon Mayer and Dave Matthews.

Scott Wesley performs at Brad Cole’s Acoustic Circus at Elbo Room on Saturday, Oct. 16.

Brad Cole-Exile CD Review

Chicago music fans familiar with singer-songwriter Brad Cole know him as the host of the monthly Acoustic Circus at Elbo Room and for his work on behalf of the Alzheimer's Association. Cole is also a veteran of the bands Treatment, The Second Story and The Subscribers, as well as a recording artist. His new CD, Exile, is a follow-up to 2008's Highway 200.

The songs on Exile, driven by Cole's world weary vocals, are uniformly strong and offer up some nice collaborations: Van Ghost's Rocco Labriola adds cryin' pedal steel to the plaintive country rocker "Come Home"; "Waiting For You" features jazzy drums and noir-ish guitar; Kate Schell adds delicate backing vocals to "The Hardest Part"; "Monster" is distorted funk rock; flute is featured on "Crossin' the Line"; "My Oasis" has the jangle of early R.E.M. and the anthemic qualities of U2.

A solid effort from one of Chicago's true hidden treasures, Exile finds Brad Cole getting by with a little help from his friends.

Brad Cole hosts and performs at Acoustic Circus at Elbo Room on Saturday, Oct. 16.

DJ BILLY OCEAN AT BURRLINGTON IN LOGAN SQUARE - CHICAGO!

RECORD OF THE DAY

Words and music by Serge Gainsbourg

1. Je t'aime... moi non plus (4:23) vocals by Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg
2. L'anamour (2:17) vocals by Serge Gainsbourg
3. Orang-outang (2:28) vocals by Jane Birkin
4. Sous le soleil exactement (2:52) vocals by Serge Gainsbourg
5. 18-39 (2:39) vocals by Jane Birkin
6. 69 année érotique (3:21) vocals by Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg
7. Jane B (3:09) vocals by Jane Birkin
8. Elisa (2:31) Serge Gainsbourg
9. Le canari est sur le balcon (2:20) vocals by Jane Birkin
10. Les sucettes (2:37) vocals by Serge Gainsbourg
11. Manon (2:41) vocals by Serge Gainsbourg

The album has just been Re-released on imprint Light in the Attic and is limited to 2000 copies. I have been listening to this record all day today... It's currently available at one of our favorite record shops here in Chicago Reckless Records.

JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE @ LINCOLN HALL AND RECKLESS RECORDS 9/18

Justin Townes Earle is an anomaly. He’s tall as the day is long, all angles and elbows and a hard stare, both welcoming and deadly serious. He’s Nashville North, all set up in lower Manhattan where he currently resides with all twang and charms still intact.


That hard working earnestness has paid off, to say the least. Justin won the Best New and Emerging Artist at the 2009 Americana Music Awards. His record, Midnight at the Movies, was named one of the best records of last year by Amazon, received four stars in Rolling Stone and found a sweet spot in the blackened hearts of fans and critics alike. GQ Magazine named him one of the 25 best dressed men in the world in 2010. He also appeared on HBO’s Treme with his dad, troubadour Steve Earle, on whose Grammy Award-winning Townes record Justin also guests.


On the new record Harlem River Blues, Justin chose the simple route. The record’s not a wall of sound produced to the rafters. It’s rockin’ and reelin’ at times, sweet and slow at others—and it’s great. Like good fried chicken, a well-cut suit and a handmade guitar, there’s heaven to be found in the beautifully crafted simpler things.


He will be in Chicago playing a FREE in-store at Reckless Records at 5pm (Broadway Store) and later on that night he will be playing at Lincoln Hall.

Umbra and the Volcan Siege Leader Unveils New Model Mellotron

Photo by Brad Meese

Chicago-based psych-rockers Umbra and the Volcan Siege have a new weapon in their musical arsenal. Bandleader and mellotron enthusiast Jim Licka reports that he has just received the new M4000 from Streetly Electronics, “the foremost experts in mellotron restorations, and the home of the all-new M4000.”

Licka, who also plays guitar and Moog synthesizer with Umbra and the Volcan Siege, placed his order for the M4000 in 2007 after visiting Streetly’s Staffordshire, England, headquarters and testing a prototype. An older model mellotron is featured on the most recent Umbra and the Volcan Siege EP, 2009’s The Beginning of the End.

The M4000 is the newest model of mellotron, an electro-mechanical, polyphonic keyboard that dates back to the early 1960s. Psychedelic and progressive rock bands used the mellotron extensively in the 60s and 70s and the instrument features on such classic albums as George Harrison’s Wonderwall Music, King Crimson’s In the Court of the Crimson King and Architecture & Morality by Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark.

Licka purchased his first mellotron in Toronto several years ago and is proud to be among a select number of M4000 owners, including Sir Paul McCartney, Arcade Fire and Medeski Martin & Wood.

North Coast Music Festival Day 2 Union Park Chicago

It was Saturday the second day of North Coast Music Fest and the weather was just right, with all 4 stages offering a variety of musical pallettes that would satisfy just about any type of music geek.


Soon after checkin in, I immediately caught up with the Canadian electronic band trio from The New Deal. They're style was a very energetic progressive breakbeat style that was felt throughout the Groupon Stage.

 

 

We then strolled off to the Coast Stage to catch the buzz off of Future Rock. Electronic rock with an attitude.

The night was not over yet...I made my way back to the Groupon Stage to catch that hip hop vibe that I have been following since my younger teenage years in the 90s. De La Soul was up next and it was truly a special moment for me being up close and personal with the whole crew. Dres of Black Sheep even joined in on the fun singing Engine 9 Chicago line style. This performance was the highlight of my night of Day 2 at the North Coast Music Festival.

After De La Soul's performance I made the quick trek back to the Coast Stage to see what Moby was up to...Moby was on the cd decks doing a live dj set.

North Coast Music Festival Day 3 Union Park Chicago

Day 3 of the North Coast Music Festival had a lot to offer but most of my energy had been saved for an electric performance by our very own Chicago house music legend Green Velvet aka Cajmere. If you have lived through the house music scene in the 90's, than you have definitely crossed paths with tracks like "Percolator", "Preacher Man", "Flash" and many more others from his Cajual and Relief Record labels.


The Coast Stage at 7:00pm started off with Green Velvet tweaking his vocals to "Shake and Pop".



The highlight of my night was when the dancers suddenly popped up in front of the stage and showed the crowd a little thing or two on how to dance!


The Coast Stage was represented well by Green Velvet and the large crowd showed much love on the memorable performance as well.

North Coast Music Festival in Chicago Day 3 Afterparty at the Bottom Lounge w/ Umphrey's McGee

The last day of the North Coast Music Festival at Union Park, proved to be Summer's Last Stand with a touch of a breeze and a few tears of rain which then disappeared. When the music finally came to an end it only meant one thing...Walk over to the Bottom Lounge on Lake St..The night heated up instantly with Michael Harrison Berg and co. as Van Ghost.
Finally, Umphrey's McGee took to the stage with a memorable jam session involving both their current and recent drummer. These guys lit up the stage with their energy and i most certainly felt it along with the rest of the crowd. Check them out below if you don't believe me!

North Coast Music Festival Afterparty at Transit Nightclub with Claude VonStroke

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North Coast Spotlight: Chicago's Van Ghost

If you are heading out to the inaugural North Coast Music Festival this weekend, be sure to check out Chicago's very own Van Ghost, who are scheduled to play at 3:30 PM on Saturday!

Van Ghost is an Americana/alt-country band led by Michael Harrison Berg and features the vocal talents of Jennifer Hartswick from Trey Anastasio's band. VG dropped the acclaimed Melodies for Lovers last year and are currently working on a follow-up with Grammy-winning producer/engineer Justin Niebank.

Stay tuned to Hostage Radio for our North Coast Music Festival recap next week. We will be posting pictures from the fest and more!