Rabble Rabble to Release New 7" on Gimme That Sound!

Chicago psych/garage punks Rabble Rabble are getting ready to release a hot new 7" single via Gimme That Sound Productions!

Two songs, recorded with producer/label head Stephen George during the band's east coast tour last year, will be available on vinyl and digitally on Monday, May 23rd--the same day the band headlines a free show at Empty Bottle!

We had a chance to preview the tracks and really dig what we hear! A-side "Why Not" recalls the heyday of Northwestern grunge and is pitched somewhere between the punk abandon of Mudhoney and the psychedelic blues of Screaming Trees. B-side "Long Hook" is more in the garage rock vein with bratty vocals and 60's spy guitar that evolve into a blistering acid freak-out!

Rabble Rabble is: 

Ralph Darski (Guitar, Bass, Vocal),
Todd McCafrey (Guitar, Bass, Vocal),
Kaylee Preston (Drums)
Matt Ciarleglio (Bass, Guitar, Vocal)  

Red Light Driver-Celeste Celeste EP Review

Indianapolis psych rockers Red Light Driver have just released a new EP entitled Celeste Celeste. The band, known for its visually arresting live shows, has a couple of previous releases available (most notably 2009's acclaimed ...And Now We Can Be Ourselves) and this collection adds to an impressive body of work.

Celeste Celeste kicks into high gear immediately--the title track's guitar pulses a warning and the song morphs into a jangly slice of psychedelia that sounds like it was recorded for some long lost Paisley Underground tribute.

"The Away Anthem" follows the noisy interlude "Enchanting" with more jangle--I'm guessing that RLD grew up on 80's college radio--although the vocal interplay recalls Sonic Youth circa Daydream Nation and maybe even Husker Du.

Another "interlude" follows (this one more melodic) and then the penultimate track, "Diamond Rough," comes on with real swagger, drawing inspiration from garage, punk and 60 years of rock n' roll attitude. Celeste Celeste closes with "Canterbury Tea," the longest and, perhaps, most lysergic thing on the EP--a potent, trippy brew that leaves the listener dizzy and craving for more.

 

JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound to Star in Passing Strange!

JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound will be starring in the Tony Award-winning musical "Passing Strange" at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, 777 N. Green St.

The show (book and lyrics by Stew and music by Stew and Heidi Rodewald) is described as "a daring new musical that takes audiences on a journey across boundaries of place, identity and theatrical convention."
 
Passing Strange stars Brooks as the musical protagonist and features members of The Uptown Sound as his backing band.  
 
Previews are April 21-23 and the show runs from April 25 to May 29. Preview tickets are $5-$20 and regular run tickets range from $15-$35.
 
Click here for more information and tickets.

The Bright White @ Beat Kitchen Next Wednesday, 4/13!

After well-received shows at Schuba's Tavern and NYC's Mercury Lounge, Chicago's The Bright White has another high-profile show on the books.

The band will be sharing a bill with Australia's popular Skybombers and local gypsy punk outfit La Scala at Beat Kitchen next Wednesday. The Bright White will be playing behind the new EP Until Then.

Tickets are available here for the 8 PM/21+ show.