Next month, The Falcon is set to release its first album in nearly a decade. We met up with singer/guitarist Brendan Kelly at the GMan Tavern to discuss the record in detail. We talked about the band’s new guitarist, Dave Hause, and how his contributions helped to shape the album’s sound. Original members Dan Andriano, (Alkaline Trio) and Neil Hennessy, (The Lawrence Arms) are of course still onboard for the ride. We also spoke about how the record was written, what it was like recording with Dan Tinkler at Atlas Studios and how the album’s cover came to be. Additionally, we conversed about the record’s dark lyrical content and how it mirrors the style of the music. Longtime fans will be eager to find the band exploring new sounds, but at the same time retaining the characteristics that they’re best known for. By all accounts, Gather Up The Chaps finds The Falcon sounding very much revitalized and ready for take-off. Continue Reading…
This fall, Meat Wave released their second album and first for Side One Dummy, entitled Delusion Moon. We recently spoke with singer/guitarist Chris Sutter and talked about what writing and recording the record was like, as well as what some of its songs are about. We also discussed the album’s cover art, some of the band’s recent tours and their plans for next year. Don’t forget to check out Meat Wave when they play Ian’s Party on Sunday, January 3rd at Double Door. Continue Reading…
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 one stage to another. There was a little rain and a fair amount of mud, but those that weren’t deterred by the elements were treated to a surplus of memorable sets from a genuinely diverse collection of bands. We recapped some of our favorite moments and observations from what was an eventful, action-packed weekend. Written by Jamie Ludwig, (JL) and Bill Denker, (BD). Photos by Katie Hovland.
Back in December, The Brokedowns released their second album for Red Scare Industries, entitled Life Is a Breeze. Containing 16 songs in total, the record is not only comprehensive, but also a good representation of the band’s best characteristics. There are influences of Dillinger Four and Hot Snakes to be found, but those are overshadowed by The Brokedowns’ unique take on Midwestern punk and the sheer amount of aggression they generate in their songwriting. This Sunday, 3/01, they’re playing Beat Kitchen, along with Meat Wave, Canadian Rifle and Foul Tip. The show starts at 8:00 PM, is 17+ and costs $8. Check out a track from Life Is a Breeze below, called “Born on the Bayou Too.”
[audio:http://www.jadedinchicago.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/06-Born-On-The-Bayou-Too.mp3|titles= “Born on the Bayou Too”]Last month, Alkaline Trio drummer Derek Grant released his debut solo album via Red Scare Industries, called Breakdown. We caught up with Grant just before his recent show at Beat Kitchen to discuss the details of the record. We talked about what inspired him to start writing songs, the personal nature of his lyrics and the various musical influences found on the album. We also spoke about how Breakdown was recorded, the fact that Grant played all the instruments on the recording, his partnership with Red Scare and more. What’s apparent after listening to the LP is that Grant is not only an especially talented musician, but also an engaging lyricist who just began a very promising solo career. Continue Reading…
This Friday, February 13th, Little Dave Merriman, (Arrivals, Treasure Fleet, Textbook Committee) will play a release show for his solo album at the Rock Island Public House. The record is called Odd Bird and is coming out on Hewhocorrupts Inc. Featuring a variety of influences, including pop, folk and gospel, the album is a distinct departure from the styles of Merriman’s other projects. At Friday’s show, 50 copies of Odd Bird will be available on limited-edition purple cassettes with digital download cards. The standard yellow cassettes will also be for sale. A portion of the proceeds from the record’s sales will benefit the Dwight D. Eisenhower music program, which is where Merriman was taught by choir director Lynette “Miss K.” Mulder. Odd Bird is dedicated to her, as well as to Merriman’s grandmother, who passed away during the making of the album. Merriman will perform on Friday with his newest group, The Pantomimed Suicides, and plans to play the record in its entirety. Opening the show is an acoustic band called Al Scorch, and Ditches, which features members of Canadian Rifle and Sweet Cobra. Take a listen to a song from Odd Bird below, called “Line It in Chalk.”
[audio:http://www.jadedinchicago.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/04-Line-It-In-Chalk.mp3|titles= “Line It In Chalk”]Treasure Fleet just released its third full-length LP, entitled The Sun Machine, via Recess Records. We talked with bassist/singer Neil Hennessy about how the album was written, its recording process and more. The record also serves as the soundtrack to a sci-fi film of the same name, which the band created as well. We discussed with Hennessy about the inspiration for these projects and how they managed to combine the two to form a unified vision. Without question, The Sun Machine is Treasure Fleet’s most ambitious and accomplished project to date. Its influences range from power pop and progressive rock to old Twilight Zone episodes and beyond, resulting in a truly unique endeavor. Check out a song from The Sun Machine after the interview, called “The View from Mt. Olympus.” Continue Reading…
This fall, Great Apes will release their debut full-length, entitled Thread, via Asian Man Records and Side With Us Records. The band plays a straightforward style of melodic punk, that’s highlighted by earnest vocals and skilled musicianship. For a relatively new band, they display a surprising amount of versatility and confidence. In short, Thread is one hell of an introductory album that’s not to be overlooked. We recently met with singer/guitarist Brian Moss and talked about the writing and recording of their record. We also discussed their summer tour with All Eyes West, why they’re eager to work with Asian Man, and more. Lastly, be sure to check out an exclusive stream of the song “The Edge of the Western World” at the end of the interview. Continue Reading…
Restorations are a band that defies classification. They combine elements of post-hardcore, indie rock and punk, together with thoughtful and accomplished songwriting, to generate a sound that’s both unique and engaging. Their songs cans be intricate and complex at times, but they also know when to just go for it and rock out with immense energy. In short, Restorations have crafted in LP2 what is arguably one of the most refreshing and impressive records of 2013. We caught up with the band before their recent show at Subterranean and talked with singer/guitarist Jon Loudon. We discussed their new album for Side One Dummy, their summer tour, future plans and more. Also, be sure to check out Restorations’ video for the song “D” after the interview.
On December 11th, Dead Ending will release its second EP, the aptly titled DE II. It was recorded at Million Yen Studios in Chicago, contains a total of five songs and will be available through Alternative Tentacles. The band’s lineup of course consists of singer Vic Bondi, (Articles of Faith) guitarist Jeff Dean, (The Bomb, Noise By Numbers, All Eyes West) bassist Joe Principe, (Rise Against) and drummer Derek Grant, (Alkaline Trio). We’re excited to present an exclusive stream of one of the EP’s songs, called “Ayn Rand Chicken Sandwich.” When asked about the song’s meaning, Bondi said “I was beside myself at the stupidity of the Chick-fil-A nonsense. As though the highest expression of your ‘moral values’ was to buy a chicken sandwich. But it’s always like that with that crowd, dumb on dumb, undergirded by crazed homophobic panic. So the song kind of wrote itself, in about five minutes.” Check out the song below and be sure to catch Dead Ending on the road in 2013.
[audio:http://www.jadedinchicago.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/4-Ayn-Rand-Chicken-Sandwich.mp3|titles=Ayn Rand Chicken Sandwich]