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Features
Twenty Years of Red Scare
Last Friday, Red Scare released a 17-song compilation titled 20 Years of Dreaming and Scheming, which of course commemorates the record label’s 20th anniversary. In addition to the compilation, they’re also marking the event with release shows this month in Chicago, Wisconsin, Portland, Seattle and Las Vegas. We recently spoke with label cofounder Toby Jeg… Click here to view. -
Features
Car Con Carne
In 2014, James VanOsdol started the Car Con Carne Podcast with his friend Mike Bratton. The initial concept was to record a podcast inside various barbeque restaurants, but the pair quickly realized that due to the background noise that’s often present in such locations, this idea wouldn’t be possible. With Bratton being a professional voiceover… Click here to view. -
Features
Riot Fest, 2016
Photos by Katie Hovland The first day of Riot Fest began somewhat ominously, with cloudy skies and forecasted showers, but after a brief spell of light rain from 1:00 – 2:00 PM, the skies cleared and sunshine remained for the duration of the festival. This was a huge change from the previous two years, where… Click here to view. -
Features
The Brokedowns – “Life Is a Breeze”
Elgin’s favorite sons, The Brokedowns, recorded a live performance last month at Live! from The Rock Room. This is the first video to be released from the session, and features the band performing their song “Life Is a Breeze,” the title track from their most recent album. We recently caught up with the man behind… Click here to view. -
Features
Riot Fest, 2015
For its inaugural year in Douglas Park, Riot Fest continued to grow and expand, while still retaining its formula of legacy acts mixed with eclectic and emerging artists. Despite the change of location, Riot Fest felt right at home in its new digs, taking advantage of an open layout that made for easy navigation from… Click here to view. -
Features
Ground Control Restaurant
Several months ago, Ground Control opened on the western edge of Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. It’s owned by the husband and wife duo of Dan Hanaway and Carrie Haase, and fans of Chicago’s punk rock community may recall Hanaway as a member of bands such as; Slapstick, The Broadways, The Honor System, Ratasucia and more.… Click here to view. -
Features
Township
Township is a new music venue/restaurant that’s owned by Brian Peterson of MP Productions and Tamiz Haiderali, former chef/owner of Treat Restaurant. The two acquired the space at 2200 N. California Ave., which was once occupied by Pancho’s, after the previous owner decided to retire. The partnering of Peterson and Haiderali in this business venture… Click here to view. -
Features
The Fest
At the end of this month The Fest will celebrate its tenth anniversary. The event began in 2002 and was founded by No Idea Records publicist Tony Weinbender. Weinbender was inspired by MACRoCk, (The Mid-Atlantic College Radio Conference) and upon receiving encouragement from some friends, decided to start a music festival in Gainesville, FL. Over… Click here to view. -
Features
The Black Sheep
The Black Sheep is the culmination of chef/owner James Toland’s life’s work. For over 23 years he’s labored as a chef, gaining the knowledge and expertise needed to create his ideal restaurant. Best described as progressive American cuisine, The Black Sheep aims to take fine dining and make it available to the masses. In true… Click here to view. -
Features
Asian Man Records
For the last 15 years, Asian Man Records has been synonymous with do-it-yourself ethics and a fan-friendly approach. Such methods have earned the label a sizable and devoted fan base, as well as a reputation for prioritizing its ideals over any kind of business plans. Owner Mike Park founded Asian Man in 1996, after parting… Click here to view. -
Features
Vinyl Collective
Vinyl Collective was founded in 2007 by Suburban Home Records owner Virgil Dickerson. His involvement with vinyl dates back to 1995, when he started Suburban Home and initially released several seven-inch records. By 1999, Dickerson’s focus shifted to CDs as vinyl’s popularity declined, though he never lost his fondness for the format. Approximately four years… Click here to view. -
Features
Bucket O’ Blood
Bucket O’ Blood is a book and record store that’s located in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. Opened in early June of 2010, the store sells both new and used items, and specializes in science fiction, fantasy and horror novels. CDs and vinyl are offered as well, mostly consisting of genres like punk, metal and indie… Click here to view. -
Features
Underground Communiqué
Underground Communiqué is a local record label that was formed in 2004 and to date has issued over 50 releases. UCR, as it’s commonly referred to, was started by Justin Schwier, an avid independent music enthusiast. His motivations for founding a label stem from a simple desire to give something back, in addition to the… Click here to view. -
Features
Riot Fest
Just over six years ago, the notion of Riot Fest was little more than a passing thought in the mind of founder Mike Petryshyn. While bored at work, Petryshyn surmised that it might be fun to try and have his favorite bands play a show together. Having previously booked only a few small shows in… Click here to view. -
Features
Atlas Studios
Growing up in a musical family from Rockford, Illinois, Matt Allison began his path to becoming a producer while playing guitar and bass in various high school bands. He later moved to Champaign, Illinois to pursue an English degree, yet his passion for music remained. Allison continued playing in bands, but also took interest in… Click here to view.
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