I can only recommend that you should lay down your hard earned money on this album if you fit into one of two catagories:

1) You are a die-hard fan of the band and you have to add this to your collection or you would feel like you’re missing a chapter of your life in Arcade Fireness.

2) You are tone-deaf hipster from hipsterville needing to pick up the latest verbal blowjob given to you from the amazing writers at Pitchfork.

This is Chicago’s very own Hollows with their song ‘Bobby Blueheart’ Live at The Empty Bottle at the Chirp Radio Launch Party on January 16, 2010 courtesy of  High Frequency Media. Hollows are one of the most fun bands I’ve heard in a while with female vocal harmonies and their 60′s style rock party going strong. You can pick their music up through Addenda Records or their latest 7″ at Trouble In Mind Records today!

When my friend Kelli Becker contacted me about her involvement with The Arts of Life, she caught my attention about how this non-profit was making a positive impact on the lives of people with disabilities with the use of creativity… or in other words… ART!! Here are the details people… get your ass out to it.

Chicago’s Most Unique Artists’ Community launches their second studio with a 10-year exhibit and celebration.

The Arts of Life is having a giant birthday party on June 19^th from 6 to 9 pm at their new studio and you’re invited! Marking their 10^th anniversary of bringing people with and without disabilities together in creativity, The Arts of Life opened its second studio on January 4, 2010 in the North Shore of Chicago.  Through the very generous support of Progressive Services Network (PSN), The Arts of Life was able to expand its unique and empowering model of community art to work with some very talented artists in the North Shore.  The North Shore studio currently has twelve artists and hopes to grow into a vibrant artistic community similar to their Chicago branch.

The birthday celebration is being held as part of the Arts of Life’s annual summer exhibit. Keeping with the birthday theme, the event will not only unveil over 60 new works from more than 30 Arts of Life artists, it comes complete with a community play put on by the music and performance programs, lawn party games, as well as an old school cookout. The event, which opens its doors at 6PM, is a chance for The Arts of Life community to share their passion for art, music and performance with the public. Many Chicago and North Suburban businesses and art institutions will also be supporting the event, including Windy City Flyers, Wine Styles, Chicago Children’s Museum, Old Town School of Folk Music, Lincolnshire Marriott Resort, MCA, Goodman Theatre and Cubs rooftop tickets.

The Arts of Life is artists with and without disabilities creating an artistic culture to realize their full potential.  The 501©3 non-profit is committed to providing high quality, innovative services for developmentally disabled adults. The studio focuses on its artists’ needs and strives to exceed expectations.

Chicago’s Power Poppin and Glam Rockin’ majestic within this four-piece of three girls and a panda has released their latest recording ‘Big Bang’ which is chalk full of vocal harmonies, riffs, and some straight forward rock songs. ‘Big Bang’ is a fun EP for all of you whom like the sounds of Veruca Salt, Heart, or even Pat Benatar… and this is much due to the strong vocal stylings of front-woman Leilani Frey. Although ‘Big Bang’ is a short intro to the Maybenauts… the best way to capture the band in their element is LIVE on stage! Panda aside… this group has the capabilities far beyond these 5 songs, and will be something to look forward to on a stage near you.

You can pick up this disc online at their official website – click here or pick it up like I did at Lauries Planet of Sound at 4639 N Lincoln – Chicago, IL 60625

This is a video from Chicago’s very own Panda Riot for their latest single “Motown Glass” which is off their soon to be released EP Far and Near which will be released on May 11. For more information on Panda Riot go to their: Official Website | Myspace | Facebook

This is the show you need to catch this weekend here in Chicago for all things that is great in music! Why?…

Chicago punk band Gauge played its final show in 1994,  putting an end to a brief, but influential, musical career. The band, which formed in 1991, was highly regarded in Chicago’s northwest and western suburban punk scenes.

Playing a style of post-hardcore that combined power and melody, Gauge was known for their intense, cathartic performances. The band inspired and performed with other acts from the same area such as Cap’n Jazz, Friction, Sidekick Kato, and Braid. If these bands don’t sound familiar to you and you think you know Chicago music… then please… let me kick you square in the face for being a jackass.

But Gauge didn’t just stick to the comforts of their familiar stomping ground. Over the course of several regional tours and two U.S. tours, the band shared the stage with groups such as, Green Day, Jawbox, Jawbreaker, Avail, Smoking Popes, Born Against, Screeching Weasel, Kerosene 454, All, Los Crudos, Lungfish, Pegboy, Shudder to Think, and Trenchmouth.

Fast forward to August 2009, Gauge members Scott “Gub” Conway (Even in Blackouts, Red Villain), Kevin J. Frank (Haymarket Riot, Traluma, The Sky Corvair), Neil Sandler (Rollo Tomasi, Traluma) and Ryan Rapsys (Euphone, Amazing Baby) gathered for the first time in 15 years. By the end of that night, they decided to play reunion shows on March 5, 2010 at the Bay View Brew Haus in Milwaukee, WI and March 6, 2010 at the Bottom Lounge in Chicago, IL.

In December 2009, Gauge entered Electrical Audio with Greg Norman to record a new song and updated versions of older material. Additional sessions were completed at Blam! with Sean Morrison in January 2010.  In addition, the band also completed “Gauge : II”, the remastered second half of their catalog.  Both the new recordings and “Gauge : II” will be made available at both reunion shows.

Also…. EVERYONE attending the March 6th show @ Bottom Lounge will receive a FREE ‘Mints’ 7″ featuring all new versions of “Feed the Dry” and “Sheephurter” plus download codes for a new version of “Stinksmell Boy” as well as our new song, “New Jerk.”!!!!

To those of you whom don’t know GAUGE… there is a little video for you to catch up on their sound and energy below!!

Gauge – 38 Cinder – 1994

One hell of a local Chicago band here! Wanton Looks have been turning heads all around the cit with their straight forward ROCK!!! sound…. for more information go to their myspace page!

Unicycle Loves You is one of Chicago’s finest of Indie Rock bands…. this is their latest single “Justine” Directed by Anthony Dixon and edited by Jim Carroll. Click here to go to their official website for more music from the band!

Check it out:

For more information on the band, go to:
Official Midstates site
Official Midstates Myspace
Official Midstates Facebook
Official Midstates Twitter
Official Midstates Youtube

Here is Midstates & The Choir of Ghosts LIVE from back in July 2009…

The Killigans
“Honor”
Self-released
Click here to buy this release!

Straight out of Lincoln, Nebraska… The Killigans have consistently put out releases that have turned heads, and made all of us in the Folk-Punk community keep asking for more. I’ve been going to shows of the Killigans since early 2006 when they released “Brown Bottle Hymnal” , next in 2007 “One Step Ahead of Hell”, in 2008 they released a live album “Live at The Zoo Bar”, and now a new release “Honor” is here. Every studio release The Killigans have put out since they began as a band in 2004 have been just simply the best independent releases I’ve ever heard in Folk Punk… both musically and lyrically…. it just amazes me that they are not signed and haven’t blown up yet not only nationally but internationally.
“Honor” captures The Killigans at the top of their game… from the smokin’ first track ‘Martyrs of the Lower Middle Class’ to the anthem ‘New Revolution’, or even the closing last call for kick ass music track ‘Liquor Store’. The best way to describe The Killigans sound would be if you took Filthy Thieving Bastards, Bad Religion, and The Street Dogs in a blender… toss in a fifth of whiskey and blend!!!
I recommend these guys to everyone whom asks me who I like the best in this style of music… I recommend you buy all their albums.. you won’t be disappointed.

For more information on the Killigans:

The Killigans Official Site
The Killigans Myspace
The Killigans Facebook
The Killigans Twitter
The Killigans YouTube