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T1 Fest 2019
The inaugural T1 Fest will take place on Friday, November 8th and Saturday, November 9th at The Forge in Joliet, IL. All proceeds from the shows will go to the JDRF, (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) to assist in their fight against type 1 diabetes. Organizer Jim Costanzo felt compelled to establish the event after his family was affected by the disease. He explained, “My nephew Joey was diagnosed at the age of three and like so many others, we had no understanding of it, but we quickly learned that this is a very serious illness.” He continued, “Working with the JDRF to learn what lied ahead for him, we saw so many families that were not able to handle the financial burden of providing care for their child. We have since made it a goal to raise as much money as possible to assist the JDRF in their mission to raise awareness and find a cure for type 1 diabetes.”
Costanzo cited his experiences growing up in Chicago’s punk scene as motivation for coordinating this fest. When reflecting on those times, he said “What we found was a community, a scene where even as teenagers we could make a difference. Whether it was playing shows against racism or gathering coats for the homeless, we saw that through music change was possible. One day we were discussing ideas on how we could do our part and we thought it would be great to put on a benefit show like back in the day.”
After setting his idea in motion, Costanzo was able to assemble a lineup that features numerous noteworthy acts. Friday night is headlined by Flatfoot 56 with support from Brendan Kelly, (The Lawrence Arms/Wandering Birds) The Brokedowns, and Andrew Thomas. Saturday’s festivities begin at 3:30 PM, with the following bands playing: The Smoking Popes, The Lillingtons, 88 Fingers Louie, Dan Vapid & The Cheats, Vandoliers, Kali Masi, The Reaganomics, and Cap Gun Heroes. Tickets for each individual night are available, as well as weekend passes, and can be purchased here.
Follow T1 Fest on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and RSVP on Facebook
The Lawrence Arms – We Are the Champions of the World
Fat Wreck Chords – Release Date: 3/30/18
The Lawrence Arms (TLA) need no introduction. Rather, I’d like to emphasize that the band has evolved with an impressive consistency since 1999; including writing and musicianship, down to its primary engineer through the years: Matt Allison of Atlas Studios. A steady captain behind the scenes gives the recording quality and process a consistency of its own. The trio comprised of bassist/vocalist Brendan Kelly, guitarist/vocalist Chris McCaughan and drummer Neil Hennessy hand-picked 29 songs to showcase on its new best-of collection titled, We Are the Champions of the World.
Of the 29 tracks, 24 were culled from the band’s prolific discography – an evenly distributed retrospective spread, providing existing fans with the ultimate TLA mixtape, while simultaneously creating a perfect pool of songs for those just jumping in. The biggest perk of this release are the five previously unreleased tracks featured on this collection, all taken from the 2006 Oh! Calcutta! sessions, recorded at Atlas Studios in Chicago.
The tracks were scrapped because they “just didn’t fit in the structure of that album, which ended up being very focused and thematic,” Kelly said. “I hadn’t heard these songs in over 10 years,” McCaughan said. “I’d basically forgotten they existed at all, so listening back to a few of them was initially like stepping into some strange portal.”
“The Rabbit and the Rooster” was featured as an iTunes bonus track to O!C! It’s an anthemic, triumphant song that almost-comically borrows its bridge from Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time.” It’s an unapologetically upbeat tune about living for today, with plenty of nods to drinking and paying no mind to regret.
“Catalog” is short and fast, over before the 1:30 mark. Kelly and McCaughan trade vocal duties on this one. Interestingly, this was the first song Kelly wrote for the O!C! sessions. For a demo, the quality is superb.
McCaughan’s “Black Snow” is perhaps the most dynamic of the unreleased tracks. Backing vocals were never added, and it was abandoned about halfway through its completion. It captures much of what McCaughan felt in 2005 in Chicago. Thematically and sonically, it’s restless and echoes a Holden Caulfield-esque perspective. “I need a better way, another day, a different time/This liquor sheen smiles in my eyes/I’m searching for an anchor in this empty night/Walking home on the same street/it never used to look like this/the skeletons are secretly living in all these condominiums.”
“Laugh Out Loud” was another one of the earlier songs written for the O!C! sessions by McCaughan and exists now only as a demo. “It’s so easy to be jaded,” he sings. “Warped Summer Extravaganza (Turbo Excellent)” is a much faster take of the song that made the cut on O!C! This perhaps is the fastest song TLA has in its catalog, and it’s a perfectly succinct track to end the retrospective on, bringing it full circle in a way.
– Jason Duarte
The Lawrence Arms’ 3rd Annual War on Xmas
This December, The Lawrence Arms will once again host three consecutive evenings of rousing, booze-filled festivities. This year, the revelry starts on Thursday, 12/14 at Cobra Lounge, with support from The Ridgelands and Fuck You, Idiot. On Friday, 12/15 the party moves to Bottom Lounge and features openers Teenage Bottlerocket and Blood People. The event concludes on Sunday, 12/16 again at Bottom Lounge, this time with Nothington and Sass Dragons joining the fun. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10:00 AM and the Cobra Lounge show can be purchased here, while the Bottom Lounge shows can be obtained here and here.
The Falcon
Cover photo by Katie Hovland and Layout by David Holtz
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…
Turnspit – “Lamplighters”
Chicago’s Turnspit formed in 2014 and features singer/guitarist Jason Douglass Swearingen, (Love & Squalor) singer/guitarist Gillian McGhee, bassist Jason Duarte and drummer Dan Tinkler, (Dog & Wolf). Despite only having played a handful of shows, the band is set to open for The Lawrence Arms at Double Door on Friday, December 11th. The night will also serve as a record release show for Turnspit’s debut EP, I Wonder If They’re Happy. It was recorded by their drummer at both Atlas Studios and in his home. Check out a song from the EP below called “Lamplighters” and for those attending the sold-out show on 12/11, plan on getting there early to catch this new and emerging act.
[audio:http://www.jadedinchicago.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/03-Lamplighters.mp3|titles= “Lamplighters”]
The Lawrence Arms @ Metro, 6/07/14
This Saturday, The Lawrence Arms are playing Metro with The Copyrights, Sam Russo and Dog & Wolf. The show starts at 6:00 PM, is all-ages and tickets can be purchased here. The Lawrence Arms are touring in support of their latest album and Epitaph debut, Metropole, while The Copyrights just announced that they’ll be releasing a new 7” on Fat Wreck Chords this summer called No Knocks. Also, Sam Russo released a split EP on Red Scare last month with TLA singer/bassist Brendan Kelly and it can be ordered here. Check out the above photos of The Lawrence Arms that were taken by JIC’s own Katie Hovland. They’re from the band’s practice space and were shot just before their recent show at the Concord Music Hall.
The Lawrence Arms
Photo by Katie Hovland
The Lawrence Arms recently released their first album in nearly eight years, entitled Metropole. It marks their debut for Epitaph Records and maintains the standard that they’ve set with previous full-lengths in that it’s considerably different from its predecessor. Longtime fans can rest assured though, as this record delivers an abundance of memorable moments, along with meticulous songwriting from start to finish. We spoke with singer/bassist Brendan Kelly and talked about how the album came together, as well as what inspired some of its central themes. We also discussed how it was recorded, the band’s upcoming tour and more. Continue Reading…
Sundowner
Photo by Katie Hovland
For Sundowner’s new album, Neon Fiction, Lawrence Arms singer/guitarist Chris McCaughan opted to take his side project in more of a full band direction. Longtime collaborator and fellow member of The Lawrence Arms, Neil Hennessy, is once again onboard and this time his bass and percussion duties play a more prominent role. The outcome is a layered record with creative lyrics that focus on storytelling. McCaughan’s words are augmented by the detailed arrangements, resulting in what is undoubtedly the most complete Sundowner album to date. We spoke with McCaughan before the recent Sundowner show at Beat Kitchen. We discussed how the new record was written, its style and what recording was like. We also talked about the meaning of some of the songs, touring and more. Also, be sure to check out the lyric video for “Life in the Embers” after the interview. Continue Reading…
Slapstick
Photo of Brendan Kelly by Katie Hovland
Slapstick was one of the definitive ska/punk bands of the ‘90s. They were together from ’93 to ’96, and after disbanding its members went on to either play in or form bands such as; Alkaline Trio, The Lawrence Arms, The Honor System, Tuesday, The Broadways and more. They reunited briefly in ’97 for a pair of benefit shows, but didn’t perform again until the summer of 2011, when they headlined the opening night of Asian Man Records’ 15th Anniversary Festival in San Francisco. Last month, the band played Riot Fest in Chicago and we spoke with singer Brendan Kelly a week or so later. We discussed Slapstick’s recent reunions, their relationship with Asian Man, future plans and more. The band’s lineup is completed by guitarist Matt Stamps, bassist Dan Andriano, drummer Rob Kellenberger, trumpet player Dan Hanaway and trombone player Peter Anna.
Brendan Kelly & The Wandering Birds
Photo by Katie Hovland
Brendan Kelly & The Wandering Birds unveiled their debut full-length a short time ago, entitled I’d Rather Die Than Live Forever. It marks Brendan’s latest musical project and sounds distinctly different from his primary band, The Lawrence Arms. We spoke with Mr. Kelly about the album’s unique style, what inspired some of its lyrics, the manner in which it was recorded and more. Pictured above with Brendan is Nick Martin, who played a variety of instruments on the album. Continue Reading…
The Treasure Fleet
Photo by Katie Hovland
The Treasure Fleet is a new Chicago band that consists of Isaac Thotz and Dave Merriman of The Arrivals, Neil Hennessy of The Lawrence Arms and Smoking Popes, Eli Caterer of Smoking Popes and Mike Oberlin of Sass Dragons. We spoke with Isaac and Neil and talked in detail about how the band formed, their unique sound, their upcoming album for Recess Records and more. Continue Reading…
The Lawrence Arms @ Congress Theater
Photos by Katie Hovland
Brendan Kelly & Joe McMahon – Wasted Potential Split
Red Scare – Release Date: 3/16/10
Punk rock front-men vacationing from their bands and taking the solo, folk/acoustic route is all the rage these days. In many ways, it’s not unlike the ska/punk craze of the mid-‘90s in that everybody’s doing it, there’s not a lot of originality and its lifespan is destine to be brief. However, just like quality ska/punk, when the punk singer/songwriter thing is done well it’s damn good. Such is the case on this split record, entitled Wasted Potential. Sharing the limelight on this release are Lawrence Arms singer/bassist Brendan Kelly and Smoke or Fire singer/guitarist Joe McMahon. Brendan’s songs are up first and they primarily consist of stripped-down, lo-fi versions Lawrence Arms classis, such as “Like a Record Player” and “Quincentuple Your Money”. He also covers what is arguably Jawbreaker’s best song, “Kiss the Bottle”, providing more of a somber mood than the original and doing so with ample success. His half was recorded by Justin Yates, with the intent of achieving a raw and uncut kind of feel, which serves to magnify the true heart and guts of each song. It’s a unique and effective approach, and quite representative of what a lot of Brendan’s recent solo shows have been like. Joe’s contributions though are slightly more produced and offer a bit more passion and gruffness in the vocal department. Highlights included renditions of Smoke or Fire hits like “Filter” and “Little Bohemia”, yet the real gem is “What Separates Us All”. It decries America’s widening economic divide with heart-wrenching authenticity and surefire hooks. Fans of either The Lawrence Arms or Smoke or Fire should try this out to gain a new and appealing perspective on songs they’ve grown to love from the aforementioned bands. Followers of the folk/punk movement ought to sample it as well, because it’s one of the best examples of this hip and fashionable format.
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