Radio Free Chicago

New Releases Tuesday - 6/19

Just when you thought you were reasonably caught up on new music releases, Tuesday has turned up like a bad penny and, well, you're way fucking behind on everything yet again. Here's a sampling of what's out in stores across this great nation today.

Amiina - Kurr

Bumps - S/T (new Tortise side project)

Art Brut - It's a Bit Complicated

Chromeo - Fancy Footwork

Dizzee Rascal - Maths & English

Bryan Ferry - Dylanesque

Mooney Suzuki - Have Mercy

Polyphonic Spree - Fragile Army

Savath & Savalas - Golden Pollen

Two Gallants - The Scenery of Farewell

White Stripes - Icky Thump

Fred Anderson @ Velvet Lounge 06/13/07

“I’m back.”

These words, which the septuagenarian uttered to the crowd with a tomcat grin on his face between pieces, summarized what seemed to be in everyone’s heart at the Velvet Lounge last Wednesday night. Saxophonist Fred Anderson—who Downbeat magazine often refers to as Chicago’s patriarchal “Out Cat”—took the stage at the Velvet Lounge after a stint in the hospital, and reminded everyone in the audience why it is, indeed, his Velvet Lounge.

The Veils @ The Empty Bottle 6/17/07

I’ve been looking forward to seeing the five piece known as The Veils ever since 2004’s Runaway Found was released. Led by the charming vocals of Finn Andrews, this show marked the first Veils show in Chicago and it was great to see there was a good turnout for them, who appreciated their songs and clapped feverishly for an encore.

Download: The Veils - "Not Yet" 

Two Gallants @ The Vic Theater 6/9/07

My metal was truly put to the test on this weekend. I decided some time ago to never miss a performance by San Francisco's Two Gallants regardless of day or venue, even if that meant an spot opening for Les Claypool?!

Download: Two Gallants - "Seems like home to me"

Download: Two Gallants - "Steady Rollin"

Johann's Face News and Notes

Chicago's own Johann's Face Records, responsible for the Smoking Popes and Alkaline Trio, have several upcoming releases. They will be doing a split release with Let's Pretend Records for the Sass Dragons upcoming full length. Bread and Bottle will be releasing their debut 7in. entitled Four Chords and Seven Beers Ago through Johann's Face and Lucky Gator Records. Das Kapital, whose members Marc Ruvolo and Davey Houle run the label, will be releasing their sophomore effort Died True on CD and limited edition robin's egg blue vinyl.

On top of all this they currently have a buy one get one free sale and are helping with Chicago's new punk venue the Lucky Gator Loft.

The Avett Brothers @ House of Blues 5/30/07

Striking three part harmonies are shattered by screams posing as back up vocals. The audience brought to a halt by a heartfelt song of lament that slowy builds to a near frantic finish. Songs that seemingly begin in the tradition of bluegrass but then detour into unfamiliar waters. No one familiar with the band seems the least bit surprised by any of the antics displayed on stage. It is just another Avett Brothers concert. 

Download: The Avett Brothers - "Die Die Die"

Happy 10th B-Day to OK Computer

Holy shit! This weekend marks the 10th anniversary of the release of Radiohead's OK Computer. I was reminded of this thanks to the good folks at BB6 who are doing a feature today about the music of 1997, a year which they felt marked "The Death of Brit Pop."

Live Pics: Mary Timony Band @ Schubas 6/8/07

Click here for the complete photoset

Get on the List: The Veils @ Empty Bottle 6/17

Finn Andrews is back on the road with a new album (Nux Vomica) and a new Veils line-up and this weekend their bus will be rolling up Western Ave Sunday night for a headlining gig at The Empty Bottle with The Comas and The Saturday Nights. Want to check it out? Drop us a line at radiofreechicago(at)gmail.com with the answer to this quick trivia question: Finn Andrews of the son of what former English rocker?  One winner of a guest list slot (+1) for the show plus a copy of the new Veils record will be drawn at random from the field of correct responses by end of day Friday. Good luck!

Download: The Veils - "Advice for Young Mothers to Be"

Maccabees @ Schubas 6/9/07

To help launch the spectacular night of British music with Noisettes as the headliner, the five piece Maccabees whose home lies in Brighton opened with an incredibly catchy set that jangled more in the realm of Brit rock than Brit pop. The first opener, local Chicago band Reds and Blue were also great as usual and helped excite the crowd with their complicated keyboard melodies and bassoon playing.

Download: The Maccabees - "X-Ray"

Future Perfect Radio Gets All Interactive On Your Ass

It's still just a Beta-test version at this point, but Future Perfect Radio has received a very interesting make-over that has morphed the on-line indie radio station into a sort of Pandora-meets-Last.fm hybrid. To start, you pick 12 albums from a list of new releases and then from there the FPR robot DJs create a custom playlist mixing the artists along others they think you'd enjoy. Sounds good so far, but if it catches on, will they have the money to hire enough robot DJs?

Noisettes @ Schubas 6/9/07

Wow! The three piece band The Noisettes from London played like I imagine them playing back in their home country on Saturday: as if they were playing to thousands. Everything was perfectly tight to match each chord perfectly on their album What’s the Time, Mr. Wolf? Drummer Jamie Morrison didn’t miss a beat and Dan Smith complimented some of those harder edged bass riffs (played by Shingai Shoniwa herself) but make no mistake…it was Shingai who was the real attraction up there and what truly made the band worth watching and hearing.

Download: The Noisettes - "Bridge to Canada"

New Releases Tuesday - 6/12

If you didn’t notice already, it’s hella Tuesday already. (Editor's Note: Regular use of the term "hella" on this site is intended purely in the most post post-ironic sense.) So, here’s a look at some of the new CD releases in stores across the country this week:

Era Vulgaris by Queens of the Stone Age

The Lost Tracks of Danzig by Glenn Danzig

Lullaby for the Passersby by Frankel

The Traveling Wilburys Collection by The Traveling Wilburys

Real Life by Joan As Police Woman

Theology by Sinead O'Connor

God Is A Bullet by The Mission U.K.

A Year In The Wilderness by John Doe

Datarock Datarock by Datarock

Version by Mark Ronson

The National @ Metro 06/07/07

Brooklyn based quintet The National has grown considerably since their 2001 self-titled debut and more recently with their masterful 2005 Alligator record. The first time I saw Matt Berninger and the two sets of brothers was at Schubas in November of 2005 in support of Alligator. Back then, they opened for Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, but less than two years later, they are headlining a sold out show at the roomier Metro.

Download: The National - "Slow Show"

Lolla Schedule Released

Start your logistical planning now...

Day 1

Day 2

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