What would you get if you crossed a pop-punk band with a new wave band? Ok, more specifically, if you crossed the likes of Andrew WK with Devo and The Sex Pistols and made it reek of Hollywood glam? Well, you'd get Ima Robot, of course. They are geeky guys that have a silly name and play (oftentimes) silly music, but goddamnit they can write a hit song.

Their new album Monument To The Masses will be released on September 12th. Before I heard it, I wanted to hate this album. I really truly did. But I can't. This album is too good. The songs are fun and catchy as hell. This is not serious music. This is music that makes you wanna shake your tailfeather. I know this is a ridiculous cliche, but as I was driving to work on a rainy morning earlier this week, I put on "Creeps Me Out." My day was instantly trasformed into something full of sunshine, rainbows, and robot butlers serving M&M's and Perrier. Enjoy.

MP3 | Ima Robot - Creeps Me Out Monument To The Masses
MP3 | Ima Robot - Disconnect Monument To The Masses

***NOTE: This is just me whining, but I didn't get to see my little girl today and it fuckin' sucks. That's all.***

So why are there so many great new bands popping up from Texas lately? If anyone has an answer for that one, let me know. One of those bands is The Hourly Radio. They have a decidedly un-Texas, British flavor that is dark, melodic, and not unlike (at times) Interpol and Editors. They also perfectly look the part. Their new album History Will Never Hold Me will be released on September 5th on Kirtland Records.

Strangely though, some of the songs on the album often remind me of Pennsylvania indie-pop-punk band Weston's later albums, U2, or even Coheed & Cambria. Other songs have a dancier feel a la Savage Garden meets Joy Division. It is Dallas shoegazer pop rock if you will. With its soaring vocals layered with textured guitars, History Will Never Hold Me is delightfully atmospheric. Even the last track ends in a wash of sound similar in sound to something you might hear from Godspeed and/or Sigur Ros (I think I managed to cram enough name-dropping into this review to last me for awhile). Have a listen.

MP3 | The Hourly Radio - Deaf Ears History Will Never Hold Me
MP3 | The Hourly Radio - Crime Does Pay History Will Never Hold Me

The new Ray LaMontagne album Till The Sun Turns Black was released yesterday, and after a few listens, my opinion is that it is pretty damn good. My father actually introduced me his last album Trouble after he heard a song from it on a United Airlines flight last year. Since then I've become a big fan of Ray's hushed crooning and acoustic-based tunes.

If you are a fan of LaMontagne, you will not be disappointed by his new album. It is a little more textured than his previous stuff, but it's as good as anything he's done. You know, warm and intimate songs perfect for dimly lit rooms. And as IGIF pointed out recently, at least he's not making shoes anymore. Also check out Heather's post (they all are) for rare Ray LaMontagne goodies.

MP3 | Ray LaMontagne - Three More Days Till The Sun Turns Black
MP3 | Ray LaMontagne - Until The Sun Turns Black Live At KEXP
MP3 | Ray LaMontagne - Crazy Gnarls Barkley Cover

I think y'all need a little bit more metal in your diets, so I'm prescribing a healthy dose of Unearth to get you right as rain. These Boston tough guys play a pummeling style of metalcore that is threaded with barely enough melody to keep your head afloat.

Their most recent album III: In The Eyes Of Fire is a fierce beast that has enough breakdowns to devour a full-grown man. This is not sing-a-long metalcore. This is a lets-see-how-much-iron-you-can-throw-up-on-a-bar type of metalcore. In simpler words, this is great lifting music. It is a fast and menacing brand of heavy that incorporates just enough catchy guitar harmonies to lure you in before it beats you to a bloody pulp. My brother and I have been playing this album a lot lately and both give it two thumbs up. It is out now on Metal Blade Records. RIYL: Pantera, Slayer, All That Remains, etc...

MP3 | Unearth - So It Goes III: In The Eyes Of Fire
MP3 | Unearth - This Time Was Mine III: In The Eyes Of Fire

So yesterday we were busy with my brother's wedding shower and then went to see the Ricky Bobby movie. It was hilarious. And we are heading out the door right now to support my sister at the Accenture Chicago Triathalon, and attend her post-race barbeque. I'd write more, but...

These five six songs have been rockin' my iPod as of late. A little rock, a little pop, and a song I find myself singing over and over and over to my daughter.

MP3 | The North Atlantic - Drunk Under The Electrics Wires In The Walls
MP3 | Cold War Kids - We Used To Vacation Daytrotter Session
MP3 | The Hold Steady - Chips Ahoy Boys And Girls In America
MP3 | Slowlands - One More Fire Never Was There A Town
MP3 | What Made Milwaukee Famous - Almost Always Never Trying To Never Catch Up
MP3 | The Flaming Lips - Yeah Yeah Yeah Song At War With The Mystics

I'm finally getting around to posting something from Dogme 95. Dogme 95 is the creation of Chicago's Nick Wright and his music is past being eclectic. I almost don't know where to begin describing the songs from his full-length Arcadian Hymns. But I will...

The lo-fi songs are obviously the creation of a forward-thinking 4-track mind, but that's not a dis. Combining guitars, multi-tracked vocals, drum machines, Casio keyboards, and organic percussion, the music somewhat reminds me of Sentridoh and early Beck stuff. Great bedroom indie that occasionally bumps and mixes old-timey folk music and blues with that newfangled electro-pop in a charming manner. Heck at times, the more percussive stuff is very TVOTR-esque.

Dogme 95's Arcadian Hymns is out now on Chicago's excellent Mission Label and was called one of the top 5 local Chicago albums of 2005 by UR Magazine. Mission Label also sports releases from Ashburne Glen and an outstanding compilation called Demons and Rare Meat that features tracks from Dogme 95, Okkervil River, Tunde Adebimpe of TVOTR, The Octopus Project, and more. Go get these awesome records will you?

MP3 | Dogme 95 - Calm And Tame Arcadian Hymns
MP3 | Dogme 95 - Kingdom/Garden Arcadian Hymns

I hate to get caught up in the over-hype that surrounds a lot of new releases these days, but how exciting is the return of The Lemonheads? I know I posted about this a few months ago, but a track from the new album has surfaced.

As one of my all-time favorites, I've been a fan The Lemonheads for almost as long as I've been a music fan. Evan Dando is a great great songwriter and not only is he back playing rock music, but he has brought along one hell of a supporting cast. The new Lemonheads rhythm section is comprised of none other than Karl Avarez (bass) and Bill Stevenson (drums) from the Descendents. THE FUCKING DESCENDENTS! Hell, Dando even got J. Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. fame to add some searing guitar work to two songs. Are you excited yet? Dando himself has said:

"I wanted to make a rock record, a melodic rock record... We started out in Jam, Buzzcocks territory [but] we've got some psyched-out country on there as well... You should listen to the Descendents' [1982] Milo Goes to College to get an idea of what the next Lemonheads record sounds like."

You've got to be excited now. Their self-titled 8th albums drops September 26, 2006 on (what?) Vagrant Records.

MP3 | The Lemonheads - No Backbone S/T

After recently receiving a copy of The Changes soon-to-be-released debut full-length Today Is Tonight, I'm even more pissed that I missed the band a few time already this summer.

The Changes are one of a few curernt buzz bands here in Chicago, and they seem poised for indie stardom. Their particular brand of indie pop is full of complex head-nodding rhythms and breezy melodies. Almost the way I'd imagine a collaboration between The Smiths and The Sea And Cake to sound. You know, hummable pop songs fleshed out with loungey jazz-touched post-rock. More interesting than just a simple rehash of 60's and 70's pop and more akin to what bands like Voxtrot are doing, The Changes effortlessly blend a myriad of styles into their own distinct sound.

Whatever it is and however you describe their music, it is undeniably good. The album's opener, "When I Wake," is the kind of song that (every time you hear it) you wish it had just one more chorus. Pick up a copy of Today Is Tonight on September 26th from Drama Club Records.

MP3 | The Changes - When I Wake Today Is Tonight
MP3 | The Changes - Water Of The Gods Today Is Tonight

After much delay here is the fourth edition of Can You Hear The Podcast From The Southside? The theme this time is favorite Chicago music past or present and I even recruited a few other Chicago bloggers to help with this one. Both Amy and Jon from the great blog Shake Your Fist, Brad from Radio Free Chicago, and my wife had a part in this one. Titled "Someone In Chicago Loves You (or) Ain't No Tourist Attraction" features songs from Urge Overkill, The Lonesome Organist, Wilco, Archer Prewitt, Naked Raygun, and more...

As always, you can listen via iTunes on your computer or take it with you in you portable device. Subscribe to the feed (click here) and you'll get the latest podcast just as soon as its available.

Podcast | Can You Hear The Podcast (Vol. 4)

As usual I'm always a little late to listen to a lot of great stuff. Luckily though, I didn't miss the latest Calexico record Garden Ruin. Hailing from Tuscon, AZ, the band manages to capture the "high lonesome sound" of their home state. Sometimes a whisper and sometimes a roar; the music is mezmerizing and darkly melodic. It is out now on Quarterstick Records.

Put succinctly, 'Garden Ruin' is where Calexico fill those dusty, empty landscapes they documented with a big, big sound...

MP3 | Calexico - Cruel Garden Ruin
MP3 | Calexico - Yours And Mine (Live) Live On KEXP

I first heard Omaha, Nebraska's Cursive right before they released Domestica back in 2000. That album is a classic that is filled with intense, passionate, and dynamic songs. Amy and I were immediately captivated by the band's dark and discordant brand of rock. Since then they've released a handful of EP's and another full-length (2003's wicked awesomeThe Ugly Organ), and have continued to push themselves forward artistically.

At the core of Cursive's melodic yet dissonant sound is their choppy guitar interplay and the tight propulsive rhythm section. It is frontman Tim Kasher (however) that oftentimes steals the show. He sings as if his heart is being ripped straight from his chest; as if his life depends on the intensity of every syllable. Maybe it does.

Fast forward to now. Cursive is set to release their fifth proper album, Happy Hollow August 22nd on the Saddle Creek label. Greta's gone so the strings that played a prominent role on The Ugly Organ have been replaced by various instruments, including a crazy brass section (big-band emo anyone?), whatever. Happy Hollow is brilliant. And if you buy the vinyl, you can get the whole thing as a digital download as well.

MP3 | Cursive - Dorothy At Forty Happy Hollow
MP3 | Cursive - Bad Sects Happy Hollow
MP3 | Cursive - A Gentleman Caller The Ugly Organ
MP3 | Cursive - The Martyr Domestica

So last year Huntington Beach, CA's Over It released a feel-good pop-punk album called Silverstrand. Without even looking at their bio, I would have guessed that the band was from some sunny place near the the California coast (which they are). I mean, I can almost hear the surf and smell the salty ocean breeze here in Chicago just by putting the CD in.

They aren't breaking any new ground, but sometimes you I just need a little fun melodic pop-punk (just nod and say "yes"). Even though Lake Michigan is right here, there aren't any oceans for a thousand miles in any direction. This is a perfect pick-me-up when you long for palm trees and beaches. It's purty catchy too, so beware. Silverstrand is out now on Lobster Records, and their new album Step Outside Yourself will hit stores August 29th on Virgin Records. RIYL: Yellowcard, radio-ready California pop-punk, etc...

MP3 | Over It - Chef Yan Silverstrand
MP3 | Over It - Never Get Enough Silverstrand

As a kid, my father exposed me to a lot of great music from artists like Squeeze and The Police, Little Feat, and Dire Straits. Those artists (as hard as I may try) will never become dislodged from my musical subconscious. With songs like "Sultans of Swing" and "Money for Nothing," Dire Straits was a favorite of mine.

I bring that up because for the last few months, I've been regularly listening to the latest from former Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler, which just happens to be a collaboration with excellent Emmylou Harris. The album is called All The Roadrunning and is full of great country-tinged rock duets. The most striking thing about the album are the amazing harmonies the duo consistently dishes out. The official review from Amazon is a bit harsh, but don't let that dissuade you from listening. More often than not, magical things are bound to happen when two artists of this caliber get together. All The Roadrunning is out now on Nonesuch Records.

MP3 | Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris - Beachcombing All The Roadrunning
MP3 | Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris - All The Roadrunning All The Roadrunning

Despite seeing them live at least a half-dozen times (and probably more) during the mid and late 90's, I was never the biggest fan of Oblivion, but I've grown to really love 'em like a redheaded stepchild since their demise.

Anyhow, the group was a trio comprised of Pete Oblivion (vocals/bass), Scott Ozark (guitar), and Brian Czarnik (drums). They were an important and ever-present band during my years in and around Chicago's punk scene. They released a bunch records on Johann's Face, and also Dr. Strange, Harmless, Underdog, Sinister, and Suburban Home before calling it quits in 2001 after about ten years together.

Musically, Oblivion (not to be confused with The Oblivians) played spazzy hyper pop-punk with occasional nods to metal and classic rock. Kinda like Cheap Trick on speed. Their songs were catchy and poppy, but a little bit too goofy for me. I also thought Pete was a little wierd (Hubcap anyone?). With lyrics about girls and relationships, having fun, and whatever random topics they felt like singing about, Oblivion was never in danger of being considered a political band.

What are they up to now you ask? Well, Pete is in the band Mexican Cheerleader with Andy & Scott from Apocalypse Hoboken, and Brian (who wrote for Punk Planet for awhile) lives in Florida and works with disadvantaged tigers at an animal sanctuary. No one has seen or heard from Scott in years (OK, I made that last part up).

MP3 | Oblivion - Fantastic Plastic VA - A Taste Of Chicago
MP3 | Oblivion - She's Moving To Paris VA - Achtung Chicago! Drei
MP3 | Oblivion - School Stop Thief
MP3 | Oblivion - We Had To Say It Again Suckers From The Start
MP3 | Oblivion - Hamster Man Apocalypse Hoboken Split 7"
MP3 | Oblivion - Oak Park VA - Cheaper Than DIY
MP3 | Oblivion - Gar VA - Marc's A Dick, Gar's A Drunk

OK. So while Ryan from Muzzle Of Bees is away for the week, I'll be guest posting over at his marvelous site from time to time. And since I am always pressed for time this is posted (in slighty different formats) at both places. Deal with it.

Although I can only speak for myself, one of the highlights of last weekend's Lollapalooza festival for both Ryan (see above) and me was watching Catfish Haven's exuberant performance early on Sunday. The Secretly Canadian website states:

"Like Otis sweating out 'Pain In My Heart' or Marvin begging 'Please Stay', Catfish Haven are amongst few bands that can command a stage; keep a crowd up with a high energy live performance and still deliver such heartache."

So true. There were probably 100 people watching Catfish Haven when they began their set, but (by my estimation) there were over a thousand by the end. George, Miguel, Ryan, and company ripped through both new and old songs with punk rock energy and Motown soul. It was like Otis Redding singing Ramones songs. All comparisons aside, f*&%ing amazing is exactly how I would describe it.

The band has a great new record called Tell Me that is ragged and raw yet somehow refined. Less uptempo than their awesome Please Come Back EP, the album is energetic Americana that is fueled by George Hunter's smokey and soulful vocals. Modern classics that are channeled through the sounds of The Jam, the Kings of Leon, and Sam Cooke. Tell Me will be out on Secretly Canadian on September 12th, with a record release show four days later (9/16 for the math-impaired) at Chicago's Double Door. Both Ryan and I fully endorse Catfish Haven. Hard to desribe but easy to love. We suggest you see them live, pick up their records, and become their friend on Myspace.

MP3 | Catfish Haven - Crazy For Leaving Tell Me
MP3 | Catfish Haven - Please Come Back Please Come Back EP

While it is a bit of a departure for me to get caught up in the latest indie pop craze, I just couldn't resist the hype surrounding Bishop Allen's 2006 ep-a-month project. While it is ambitious to release a 4-song EP every month for a year, my first reaction was that there would just be a lot of mediocre songs.

Now I haven't heard all that many of the songs, but "Click Click Click Click" from the July EP is flippin' fantastic. Listen to the song only once and I dare you not to be singing along by the second chorus. It is pure genius. Since my wife and I take way too many pictures, I can see this song getting a lot way too much play in our house.

BTW, my wife is selling her gently used Canon Powershot S410 Digital Elph camera. Email me for more details.

MP3 | Bishop Allen - Click Click Click Click July EP

While I've always heard that Victory Records was a bit on the sketchy side and had a reputation for ripping off their artists, this latest episode only adds fuel to the fire. The popular Dayton, Ohio pop-punk band Hawthorne Heights has left Victory and filed a lawsuit against the label. I've got the band's official statment below courtesy of Punknews.org, and the entire 50 page lawsuit document is available via Alternative Press Magazine's article about this situation.

While I'm not even close to being a fan of Hawthorne Heights, their situation (as stated below) is pretty fucked up and (unfortunately) becoming way to common in the world on so-called "independent" labels.

The REAL Manifesto

"Due to recent events we have decided to leave Victory Records. Our departure is anything but amicable. We have decided to leave Victory, in part due to the actions of the man who sits at the head of the label, Tony Brummel. Tony Brummel is a man that cares more about his ego and bank account than the bands themselves.

Many of you are familiar with the greed driven letters sent out by Mr. Brummel: his manifesto calling rock supporters to arms and virtual declaration of war on hip-hop and Ne-Yo done under the guise of a band message; as well as the "street-team" letter which instructed people to re-arrange our CDs, putting them in higher visibility areas in stores. Unfortunately, the head of street-team, Abby Valentine, who understandably resigned following the incident, took the fall for this.

At the time of the letters we were branded as racists by some, all over a letter we did NOT write, targeting a genre which we have NOTHING against whatsoever. Because of these letters, our second album debuted at #3 on the charts, an incredible feat, which would normally be cause for joy, but now is tainted much like Barry Bonds' statistics.

When questioned about the letters Tony was more upset that we had told the press that he actually wrote the letters (not us) because he was more worried about "rumors" surrounding Taking Back Sunday and Thursday's exoduses being justified than the credibility and reputation of his current biggest band.

Couple these letters with him threatening the head program director at Q101 in Chicago for putting the new Taking Back Sunday song into rotation to the point in which the program director pulls "Saying Sorry" from rotation and you can see why we would more than question whether or not the head of our label cares about us or his own ego more.

Tony is a man whose greed knows no bounds. After selling more than 1.2 million copies of The Silence In Black and White and If Only You Were Lonely, we have never seen a single dollar in artist royalties from Victory Records. Tony will claim that we have not "recouped," a term used by those in the music business which means the label has spent more money in advertising than has been made by CD sales. In fact questionable accounting practices are the culprit and we are in fact owed substantial amounts of money much like audits from Taking Back Sunday, Thursday and Atreyu have uncovered.

You may be wondering, why now? Why did they wait three years before saying something? Why did they sound happy in that interview??? Like being in an abusive relationship, we let certain things slide as we were afraid, as many of the bands on Victory are, to stick our neck out for fear of being "beaten," in this case represented by the threat of not being promoted as has been the case with certain bands on the roster. We're done being abused. The reasons stated above represent the final straw in a huge pile of hay that broke our backs.

Undoubtedly Tony will proclaim that we are ungrateful and our success was due solely to "his" promotional efforts. In reality, promotion is only a portion of the equation in a bands success. Even then, in our case especially, promotional efforts can be attributed the hard work of the band and staff at Victory, many of whom recently resigned or were fired due to differences with Tony. Non-stop touring, dedicated fans and songs (we challenge Tony to sell over 1 million blank CDs) account for the rest of the equation.

We've accomplished more in three years than most bands do in a lifetime and for that we are extremely grateful and consider ourselves very fortunate. Our situation with Tony Brummel is indicative of issues that all bands on Victory Records encounter on some level or another.

We have decided to remove ourselves from the negative situation so that we can continue to do what we love best and focus on writing and playing music to people that care about what we have created."

-Hawthorne Heights

Do you long for a time (namely the 80's) when synth-pop bands like New Order, Simple Minds, and Depeche Mode dominated the musical landscape? If you do, you should certainly check out the fresh Aussie imports in Van She. The new band from Sydney blends synth-heavy new wave, choppy post-punk guitars, and breathy weightless vocals on their promising debut. "Kelly" is a standout track and will most certainly become a late-summer sing along. (Kurt you should play this song for your Kelly). Van She's self-titled EP is out now on Modular Records (which is also the home of artists like The Avalanches, MSTRKRFT, and Wolfmother).

MP3 | Van She - Kelly S/T EP
MP3 | Van She - Kelly (Alan Braxe & Fred Falke Remix) Promo

Sorry to all that have sent me emails and music recently. I haven't been keeping up very well. Its a combination of being overly busy and just being lazy. Rest assured that I've gotten whatever you've sent me. Anyhow, I'm getting back into the swing of things and I've gotten turned onto a few good new (to me at least) local Chicago bands that I am pretty psyched about.

While I really don't know much about The Interiors, I know that the few songs I've heard are pretty damn good. They are currently unsigned and are working towards completion on a full-length album. Musically they sorta remind me Touch & Go meets the Flaming Lips. Check em out...

MP3 | The Interiors - Bug

Cracklin Moth (formerly Reb Bird) has an excellent 5-song EP out also called Red Bird. Led by the gravelly vocals of Matt Ammerman and Rocco Labriola's sweet pedal steel, this is twangy alt-country that is worthy of a late-summer Kentucky sunset. Recommended for fans of Will Oldham and The Jayhawks. They are playing September 9th at The Double Door with The Bon Mots.

MP3 | Cracklin Moth - Red Bird

If you like pop you'll like Arwin. The band formed from the ashes of Everybody Uh Oh, the band takes cues from pop music's great past and bands like The Beach Boys and The Kinks, but modernize the sound with a little fuzz (a la Brendan Benson). They are planning to have an EP out later this year. Catch them at Chicago's Elbo Room on August 25th.

MP3 | Arwin - Meant To Be

Henry from Public Four contacted me about the band, and though I've been slow to reply, doesn't mean the band ain't no good. I'm actually not sure why the are still unsigned becuase they are great. On their self-released Animal Grammar EP, the band plays catchy-as-hell pop rock with hooks galore that is a little bit britpop and a little bit American soul. Be sure to check them out at The Double Door on September 8th with Bound Stems.

MP3 | Public Four - Not My War (Demo)

As a little bonus, Henry from Public Four also makes electronic music under the moniker Animal Grammar. Here is a catchy little tune.

MP3 | Animal Grammar - G Of A

After posting a few Killswitch Engage songs a few weeks ago, my brother suggested that I check out western Massachusetts metalcore upstarts All That Remains. I'm glad I followed his advice. This one is for you Grubbs.

On their latest album The Fall Of Ideals ATR dishes out a healthy dose of pummeling metal that manages to also retain quite a bit of melody. Yes, they actually have great songs! Blending soaring metalcore that is somewhat reminiscent of KSE with fast European style black metal makes for a great listen. Heck, Adam D of KSE even produced the album. Highly recommended for any and all fans of metal and hardcore. In a genre where it is sometimes hard to tell bands apart ATR manages to shine high above the rest. The Fall Of Ideals is out now on Prosthetic Records.

MP3 | All That Remains - Six The Fall Of Ideals
MP3 | All That Remains - The Air That I Breathe The Fall Of Ideals

As of today, my lovely wife and I have been married for four years. Where has the time gone? She is pictured below with our beautiful daughter Hailey Elyse.



I thought it would be fitting to post a few songs that (whenever I hear them) remind me instantly of her. They are sappy and cheesy, but isn't that how love songs are supposed to be?

MP3 | The Dead Milkmen - Punk Rock Girl
MP3 | Weston - Mrs. Perfect Girl
MP3 | Screeching Weasel - Totally
MP3 | Jawbreaker - Want

So after leaving Lollapalooza on Sunday evening, I headed over to a great little venue called Schubas to meet my wife for an intimate little show featuring The City On Film, Attention, and Jonah Matranga.

Coincidental or not, both Kevin and Justin have both already written about Jonah's latest project: a split 12" with Englishman Frank Turner, but I will also. Jonah delicately covers my favorite Billy Bragg song "A New England" and Babybird's "All I Want," while Frank Turner takes on The Lemonheads' classic "The Outdoor Type" as well as "You Are My Sunshine." This is well worth your hard earned money. It is out now on Welcome Home Records.

Anyhow, up first was The City On Film. It is the solo project of Bob Nanna (formerly of Braid and Hey Mercedes). Accompanied with nothing more than acoustic guitar (and guest vocals on two songs), Bob played a great (but short) set that was both poetic and humorous. He even played a few of the 92 songs he has written for Threadless shirts.





MP3 | City On Film - I Hate Stripes Threadless Songs

Next up was the on again/off again Minneapolis foursome Attention. I only say that because they feature ex members of both The Stereo and Gratitude as well as the current bass player Samiam. Their pop-punkish rock-n-roll was loud, melodic, and impressed me quite a bit. I'd never heard them before so I was very pleasantly surprised. I'm also amazed that they haven't had way more success here in the US.





MP3 | Attention - Stay Tour EP 2006

The night's headliner was one of my favorite contemporary songwriters Jonah Matranga. I've written about Jonah and his previous bands (Gratitude, New End Original, Onelinedrawing, Far) before, but he is such an amazing songwriter/vocalist/performer and his praises need to be sung. Amy and I talked briefly with him before and after the show and were amazed with what a great and generous person he was.



Now Jonah's set was one of the most impassioned performances I've ever seen. It seems like he means every word he sings like his life depends on it. His music (especially now after seeing him live) just resonates with me. Between songs he mentioned that he is at a point in his life now where he is doing things the way he wants to do them and in ways that make him comfortable. At points I felt (and it sounds almost funny) that he was speaking directly to me. Jonah's performance was easily one of the best I've ever seen, but wait... it gets even better.





MP3 | Jonah Matranga - A New England Jonah/Frank Turner Split 12"

About 3/4 of the way through, Jonah invited the other three members of Gratitude (JT and David from Attention and a guy named Bob) to join him onstage. What? Now even though they are officially kaput, these guys brought the house down. Amy and I love the Gratitude album and were ecstatic to be able to hear them play a few (5) songs.



MP3 | Gratitude - Sadie (Acoustic) Drive Away CDS

We couldn't have been happier. It was a more than perfect way to end a great music-filled weekend.

I woke up Sunday morning to the sound of my sister's completely untrained 3 year old German shepherd barking like a dog possessed. That's not relevant to my Lollapalooza coverage, but thought I'd mention it anyway.

So after a smoothie and a brief ride back to the festival grounds, I went to the AMD stage to go see Austin's What Made Milwaukee Famous. The early crowd bounced around to all their indie pop goodness. I was impressed. After most of their set, I raced over to the BMI stage for Chicago's own Catfish Haven and met up with Ryan from Muzzle Of Bees (check out his pictures of all these bands since I was sans kamera).

After some minor microphone issues, Catfish Haven proceeded to rock the shit out of everyone that stopped to watch (me included). They played my favorites off their Please Come Back EP and also new songs from their forthcoming full-length (due Sept. 12). Instead of just the three-piece I expected, they were joined on stage by two backup singers, saxophone, trumpet, keys, and a guy playing electric guitar. Woah! I can't say enough about how great Catfish Haven was. They are playing a record release show on September 16th in Chicago so check their website for details.

From there, we walked to see The Hold Steady. I'd never seen the band before and had only ever heard a few tunes. Their straight up rock-n-roll was powerful, humorous, and just plain awesome. Their latest album Separation Sunday (see Muzzle Of Bees) is next on my "must have" list of albums.

From The Hold Steady we (with Frank from Chromewaves also with us) went off to see Hot Chip. I really like both their albums, but I was surprised at how much soul they brought to their electro-pop tunes in a live setting. I was also a little surprised at just how much bass they pumped out and thumped out. If you wanted to dance, this was the band to see.

Then it was off to see Andrew Bird, who performed with just one additional drummer/musician. It was astounding to watch him play his violin and guitar while also whistling, singing, and working his loops. I truly have no idea how he pulled it off live. He was great, but I think that less than 20% of the people watching had any idea who he was. That was their loss.

The Shins played next and were a bit more uptempo and "rock" than on their albums. They were good, but I just expected a little bit more. I then raced the 8 blocks back to the other end of Grant Park to get some water and catch some of Matisyahu, who's Jewish reggae/hip-hop I was pleasantly surprised with. I am still not sure if he is for real. It seems kinda gimmicky.

At the recommendation of my wife, I then went to find the stage that Reverend Horton Heat was playing on. It was a rockabilly party. Despite not being a huge fan of that genre, the Rev certainly puts on a helluva show. Quite a lot of fun.

Next on the seemingly endless agenda was another old favorite of mine, Poi Dog Pondering. I've been a Poi Dog fan since I was 15 or so but haven't seen them live for probably 10 years or so. They aren't the same band that they were back then and despite putting on a good show, lacked (IMHO) a lot of the energy I remembered them having.

So I then waded through the sea of people who were ready to watch Wilco play to the massive hometown crowd that had gathered. As usual, Wilco did not dissappoint. They played the old favorites and even some new songs (click here for more setlist details). One of the new songs they played was "Impossible Germany" (listen below courtesy of Chromewaves).

MP3 | Wilco - Impossible Germany (Live) Live At Summerfest 2006

Finally there was Broken Social Scene. They came with the entire 15-memeber group and (like everyone has said) were totally fantastic. I (however) left a little early to meet my wife at Schubas to see three more bands that weren't on the Lollapalooza bill. It was a great weekend during which I saw many great bands for the first time and met many great people for the first time. If next year's lineup is anything like this one, you can bet I'll see you there.

So after taking the train back to Grant Park on Saturday morning, I headed straight over to catch Be Your Own Pet, and (as I expected) they were a glorious mess. Sounding just like snotty teenage chaos does, they looked like a band coming apart at the seams.


Be Your Own Pet

From there I dashed over to see Rainer Maria play a bunch of excellent tunes from their new album Catastrophe Keeps Us Together. Despite relocating to Brooklyn from Madison, WI, they are one of the last remaining bastions of true midwestern emo. Caithlin's vocals were gorgeous.


Rainer Maria

I then decided to catch a little bit of Austin's St. James and their breezy country pop songs complete with soaring pedal steel.


St. James

Then back to the AMD stage to be blown away by Cold War Kids. I'd listened to their EP's and wasn't sold but had also heard their live show was great. It certainly was. They brought so much energy to the stage and have given me a reason to spin them some more.


Cold War Kids

It would have been hard for anyone to top Cold War Kids, but The Go! Team managed to do just that. Watching these multi-instrumentalists prance around the stage was like watching a mad dash for the last remaining chair once the music has stopped. Their performance exhausted me so I can't even imagine how they felt. Definately a highlight of weekend!


The Go! Team

And (again) back to the AMD stage for Oh No! Oh My! and more great indie pop.


Oh No! Oh My!

Then I rushed over to see Built To Spill, but missed the start of their set so I was a 1/4 mile from the stage.


Built To Spill

As with any large festival, they are perfect for people with ADHD. For a little while (at least) I seemed to be more doing more running around than watching bands. Just for my brother I caught a few songs from Coheed and Cambria and have to say he wasn't missing much. The Aussies in Wolfmother were up next and I watched them just long enough to see 3 people get pulled out from the front and taken for medical attention. It was crazy. Then I caught a little Lyrics Born and also Calexico as I headed over to see Sonic Youth. They were (as I had expected them to be) great.


Sonic Youth

Then 8 blocks back to the other end of the festival to have a few beers with Ryan and watch Gnarls Barkley sound exactly like their album. Lip synch anyone?

Then came the reformed Smoking Popes. They played a bunch of old favorites and even two great new tunes that Josh said would be on the "next Smoking Popes album." Singing along to "Writing A Letter" and "Pretty Pathetic" brought back the memories.


Smoking Popes

Then my camera died.

So when I was done being rocked by the Popes, I booked it back to the other end of the stage for The Flaming Lips. All I can say is holy shit. Aliens, Santa Clauses, balloons, confetti, and streamers were just eye candy to go along with their ear candy. Totally phenomenal. Wayne & company were in top form and were urging the crowd to sing loud enough to stop traffic on Lake Shore Drive as they closed their set with "She Don't Use Jelly."

The New Pornographers, Kanye West, blah, blah, blah... I was (at this point) totally out of energy and headed off onto the brown line and over to my sister's place for pizza and beer.

What a great freakin' day.

It's finally over, and what a weekend it was! Lollapalooza 2006 was the biggest festival I've ever been near, and I have to give a big thumbs up to the organizers for putting on one hell of a well-organized event with tons of fantastic music to boot! Even after missing most of the early performers on Friday afternoon, I managed to still catch all of part (at least 4 songs) of 32 different bands/artists.

Needless to say, I'm beat. Saturday and Sunday were both great (more soon) and it was great to meet the likes of Dodge, Scott, Ryan, and Frank. All of them are great people and you should check their sites for awesome pictures from all three days. I (unfortunately) had some camera issues and didn't take as many as I'd hoped to.

Anyhow, much fun was had by all that were there (I hope) but I'm glad to get back to my wife and my daughter. After them being in Wisconsin for a good portion of the previous week without me and my being downtown at Lollapalooza all weekend, it seems like we've spent so little time together. It is time for my little daughter to remember who her daddy is. After all (for those that wondered) she is the smiling face in my new header. My official recap will be coming soon. Cheers.

Okay. I'm not a huge fan of outdoor festivals, but the lineup at this year's Lollapalooza was just too good to pass up. I got downtown to Grant Park via the train a little late yesterday because of work obligations (gotta feed the kid) but no matter. The weather was perfect and I managed to catch all or part of sets by Lady Sovereign, The Secret Machines, Iron & Wine, My Morning Jacket, Sleater Kinney (on what is said to be their last tour), and Death Cab For Cutie.

By my estimation the festival grounds at Lolla are about 8 blocks from end to end. That's a lot of walking going on! The weather was (and hopefully will continue to be) totally perfect. I was floored (even in such a big setting) by how incredible My Morning Jacket was. Their blending of southern-tinged jam rock with 3 minute blast of poppy indie rock isn't something that you hear a lot. The setting sun over the Chicago skyline made their performance all the more memorable.

Death Cab was solid, but watching them with 40,000 other people just didn't do it for me. Just my opinion though...

So today I plan on seeing Be Your Own Pet, Cold War Kids, The Go! Team, Built To Spill, Wolfmother, Sonic Youth, The Smoking Popes, The Flaming Lips, The New Pornographers, and Manu Chao or Kanye (haven't decided on that yet). I'll give a full festival recap on Monday complete with photos. I gotta go catch another train. Stay tuned...

My attempt to post an MP3 by every band/artist from Lollapalooza (excluding those on the kids stage) has finally come to an end. Hooray! At this point, I think I got almost everyone except Sa Ra, Manishevitz, The Burden Brothers, Moses Mayfield, Assassins, and Makeshifte. I did post a few by nands that cancelled from the orignial lineup so hopefully you can all forgive me.

Posts will be infrequent over the weekend as I take in the sights and sounds of Lollapalooza and a full wrap-up will follow next week.

MP3 | The Raconteurs - Steady As She Goes Broken Boy Soldier
MP3 | Lady Sovereign - Hoodie (Spank Rock Remix) Chocolate Swim
MP3 | Wilco - Is That The Thanks I Get? Late Night With Conan O'Brien
MP3 | Eels - Sweet Lil Thing Blinking Lights...
MP3 | Jeremy Enigk - Return Of The Frog Queen ROTFQ
MP3 | The New Amsterdams - Watch The World Cave In Killed Or Cured
MP3 | The Disco Biscuits - Home Again They Missed The Perfume
MP3 | Rainer Maria - Catastrophe Catastrophe Keeps Us Together
MP3 | Peeping Tom - 077 S/T
MP3 | St. James - Years 8 Hours EP

Thunderstorms have been rolling through the Chicagoland area since yesterday evening, so hopefully the weather will cool down a little for Lollapalooza this weekend. That would be a very good thing after more than a week of 95+ degree days. I'd like to know which of you out there are actually going to Lollapalooza? I know that MOKB Dodge will be there, but what about you? Let me know and I'll see you there. Oh yeah, check out Blues Traveler's interesting cover of The Clash. Hmmm....

MP3 | Blue October - Hate Me Foiled
MP3 | Iron And Wine - Woman King Woman King
MP3 | Blues Traveler - Should I Stay Or Should I Go Live In Utica, NY 1997
MP3 | 30 Seconds To Mars - Attack A Beautiful Lie
MP3 | Matisyahu - King Without A Crown Youth
MP3 | Pepper - Give It Up Kona Town
MP3 | Ghostland Observatory - Sad Sad City Paparazzi Lightning
MP3 | The Redwalls - Robinson Crusoe De Nova
MP3 | The M's - Plan Of The Man Future Women
MP3 | Mucca Pazza - Dirge Previously Unreleased

Although their latest album Cum Laude has only been out for a week, it is fast becoming one of my favorites of 2006. The aforementioned band is California's The Velvet Teen. I blame (in part) my newfound infatuation with their album on Bethanne from CTASLS and her chatter about them.

Musically the band brings a lot to the table. Cum Laude is essentially a pop record that has been fucked with and twisted around. Howling guitars stand along side broken electronics. Keys and synths mingle with furious pounding drums and crackling distortion. And somewhere in there are singer Judah Nagler's soaring vocals. I like them, my wife not so much.

I'm not terribly familiar with their earlier material, but very soon I will be. This record (however) is a mess of sound that is catchy and noisy, but downright beautiful. It is equal parts of The Smiths, Parts & Labor, Squarepusher, Sunny Day Real Estate, and Rogue Wave. The cacophony that is Cum Laude is out now on Slowdance Records.

MP3 | The Velvet Teen - In A Steadman Spray Cum Laude
MP3 | The Velvet Teen - Tokyoto Cum Laude

More Lollapalooza goodness for you right here. Everyone seems to be talking about which after party shows they are attending, but I will be attending none of the officially recognized shows. Nope. Instead, Amy and I will (babysitter permitting) be heading out to Schubas on Sunday night for Jonah Matranga, Attention, and The City On Film. Not to be missed. I've also heard that Cold War Kids and What Made Milwaukee Famous both tear it up live, so I'm excited to catch their sets over the weekend as well. NOTE: (According to a reader) Hard-Fi has cancelled and has been replaced by Mike Patton's new project, Peeping Tom.

MP3 | New Pornographers - The Slow Descent Into Alcoholism (Live) Live In Boston 2006
MP3 | Oh No Oh My! - Walk In The Park S/T
MP3 | Gnarls Barkley - Gone Daddy Gone St. Elsewhere
MP3 | Violent Femmes - Gone Daddy Gone Greatest Hits
MP3 | What Made Milwaukee Famous - Sweet Lady Trying To Never Catch Up
MP3 | Deadboy And The Elephantmen - How Long The Night Was 13 Songs
MP3 | Manchester Orchestra - Alice And Interiors You Brainstorm..
MP3 | Theivery Corporation - Revolution Solution The Cosmic Game
MP3 | Particle - Mind Over Matter (Live) Spring Tour '06 Sampler
MP3 | Ben Kweller - Lollipop Stubbs The Zombie OST