Radio Free Chicago

Straight outta N-P-R...

Straight outta N-P-R...

Scanning the dial...

As much as I love to hate NPR, I have to admit that if I need a break from music, I do occasionally turn the dial over to 91.5 to hear who the guest is on Fresh Air with Terry Gross. I don't listen on a regular basis, but every once in a while Gross pulls out some great interviews with cult favorites of mine like Stephen Colbert (The Daily Show), Robert Smigel (Triumph the Insult Comic Dog) and Jim Jarmusch (Down By Law, Coffee & Cigarettes, etc.). For a woman in her 50's, she seems to have a really hip sense of humor and culture.

This week, I've got to give Terry even more mad props for her "hip-hop week" feature on Fresh Air. Every day this week she is playing back interviews she's had over the years with some of the top names in biz, with a seeming emphasis on the genre's founders and innovators. So far, she's featured such icons as Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, Russell Simons, Chuck D, Ice-T and Ice Cube. Not surprisingly, there are a few unintentionally humourous moments as an older white woman from public radio talks scholarly about hip-hop with the likes of a Kool Herc, but overall Gross holds her own and the interviews are quite interesting. Above all, you've got to applaud her for interviewing such a wide range of artists over the years and for taking an entire week to highlight the important artistic contributions that hip-hop has made to our culture. Perhaps most importantly, Gross has brought some much needed flava to the stuffy NPR line-up.

Fresh Air is heard locally on WBEZ-FM 91.5 every weekday at 11am

New Releases Tuesday (8/30)

Kanye West - Late Registration (Def Jam) Recent Time magazine cover boy who helped put Chicago hip-hop back on the map returns with the follow-up to his smash debut, The College Drop-Out. Features appearances by Common, Nas, Jay-Z and Cam'ron...plus production by Jon Brion!?! Yes, that's right, the man behind the mellow sounds of Fiona Apple, Aimee Mann and the Eternal Sunshine soundtrack is responsible for helping produce one the hottest soundsystem bangers of the year, "Gold Digger." I've always thought Brion was a brilliant producer, but who knew he could do hip-hop??

By all accounts, "sophomore slump" doesn't appear to be in West's vocabulary (9.5 in the 'Fork...oh, snap!) and this album looks to only catapult his career even further...hopefully bringing even more attention to the oft-neglected Chicago hip-hop scene.

OK Go - Oh No (Capitol)
Chicago is representin' the major labels today! This is another sophomore release and is the follow-up to the local quartet's self-titled debut that spawned the hit, "Get Over It." Expect even more power-pop crunch this time around thanks to Swedish-bred production from Tore Johansson, who has worked with Franz Ferdinand and The Cardigans.

Death Cab for Cutie - Plans (Atlantic)
Veteran indie-popsters have...(gasp!) signed to a major label! I'm guessing they'll be shunned by a few of their hardcore fans who've followed them from their humble Barsuk beginnings, but this shouldn't affect their new core audience of O.C. fans. More importantly, now that they're labelmates with Led Zeppelin, can we now officially stop referring to Death Cab as "indie-rock??" Call them "pop" or "emo" or perhaps something new like "(i)Pod-rock" or "O.C. rock," but please, let's drop the indie.

Various Artists - Austin City Limits Festival 2004 (Rhino)
16 track live collection from last year's festival...includes The Pixies, Franz Ferdinand, Calexico, My Morning Jacket, Broken Social Scene, Shelby Lynne and the Blind Boys of Alabama.

WHPK host takes show to the HotHouse

One of my favorite shows on WHPK, News from the Service Entrance, is heading out of the friendly confines of the Reynolds Club in Hyde Park this week for a live broadcast at the HotHouse Tuesday night. Celebrating the 4th year of his news, music and public affairs show, host Mario will be bringing his unique humor and insight to a live audience at 31 East Balbo and to a worldwide audience via a special simulcast on Live365.com. Guests scheduled to appear include former Vibe magazine editor Cheo Coker, Scoop Jackson from ESPN.com, vocalist Maggie Brown and Jeremy Adragna, who should be reprising his role as the show's resident newsman. There will also be performances by Kevin Coval (Def Poetry Jam), Triple Blak (Def Poetry Jam), Mr. Greenweedz, Ascendant, Motep and Ugochi.

The live broadcast starts at 9:30pm, admission is $5, must be 21+. The HotHouse is located in the South Loop at 31 East Balbo. News From the Service Entrance is normally heard every Thursday afternoon on the South Side from 2:30 to 4pm on WHPK-FM 88.5.

Ween listening party Tuesday night

Here's another event courtesy of the fine people at The Onion:

The Onion and Tonic Room present: WEEN - Shinola Vol. 1 Listening Party
Date: Tuesday, August 30 Time: 8:00 PM
Where: Tonic Room (2447 N Halsted) Chicago, IL

If you're not versed in all things Boognish, Shinola Vol. 1 is a new collection of previously unreleased rarities from deep in the vaults of Dean and Gene Ween. No previous b-sides or random soundtrack cuts here, just 12 different tracks being released for the first time anywhere. Besides checking out this latest Ween release, you can also sign up to win an autographed copy of Shinola Vol. 1 and (here's the best part), immeditately following the listening party there will be a performance by The Pod, a Ween tribute band. Not sure if they take requests, but if so, I'm totally asking them to play "Where'd the Cheese Go?"

Jake Austen rocks Quimby's

Tonight at Quimby's, Roctober magazine author and Chic-A-Go-Go founder Jake Austen will be hosting a release party for his new book, TV-A-G0-Go, which chronicles the history of rock performances on television "from American Bandstand to American Idol." Along with readings from the book, Austen will also be screening some classic rock moments in TV history including Bo Diddley’s groundbreaking 1955 performance on The Ed Sullivan Show, James Brown on Shindig, early 1970s Soul Train footage and the infamous 1981 “punk rock riot” episode of Saturday Night Live, featuring the band Fear.

The release party starts at 8pm, Quimby's is located at 1854 W. North Avenue.

Meiotic Celebrates 3 Year Anniversary at Sound-Bar

Friday night, local electronic music promoter Meiotic is celebrating its 3rd anniversary with a party at Sound-Bar. Headlining the night will be microhouse master Akufen and fellow glitchy techno-file John Tejada. While he's been cutting 12" records for the likes of Perlon and Force Inc. since 1999, this will actually be Akufen's live debut in Chicago. Tejada is a staple of the Plug Research label and, while based in L.A., is frequently grouped in with the Detroit techno scene.

Speaking of the 'D,' also on the bill is SV4 vs. Todd Osbourne, a tag-team performance from two artists on Ann Arbor's Ghostly International label. In fact, not only is SV4 (aka Sam Valenti) a member of the Ghostly roster, he is actually the founder and leader of the indie-electronic stalwart.

Party starts at 9pm with members of the Meiotic crew opening the night on the decks. Cover is $15 at the door, though they "highly recommend" securing tickets ahead of time. Not only will you save yourself some hastle at the door, (Sound-Bar is notorious for its long lines to get in) you'll also save yourself a few bucks in the process. However, even if there is a bit of a wait, you will get your money's worth once inside...as the party lasts to 4a.

Sound-Bar is located downtown at 226 W. Ontario, as you may have guessed, this is a 21+ show

VOID viewing party tonight at Delilah's

The Onion is presenting another Flaming Lips viewing party tonight at Delilah's. Fresh off the release of the band documentary The Fearless Freaks, the Lips are back with another DVD titled VOID (Video Overview In Deceleration), a collection their music videos from 1992 to 2005. In addition to including their latest single/video, "Mr. Ambulance Driver," they've also went back and remixed all of the old videos in Doby 5.1 Surround Sound for your optimum listening pleasure. Not sure if Delilah's is wired for Dolby Surround, but I'm sure the Wayne Coyne-produced "She Don't Use Jelly" will look and sound just as good you remember it from its days as an MTV "Buzz Clip." (although, I wonder why they didn't include their classic performance from 90210?? C'mon, even Steve Sanders enjoyed it..."You know, I've never been a big fan of alternative music, but these guys rocked the house!")

The VOID viewing party starts at 7pm...Delilah's is located at 2771 N. Lincoln (just below Diversey). The Onion says that an RSVP is recommended, but I'm sure the bar staff will still let you in the door if you show up thirsty for some whiskey and American brand beer in a can.

BRMC, playing Metro 9/20

BRMC, playing Metro 9/20

New Releases Tuesday (8/22)

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Howl (Warner Bros.) You may have already heard that they decided to go acoustic for this record, but this is anything but just an unplugged rehash of their last two records. This is a really diverse album that spans genres from psychedelic folk to blues to gospel spirituals. I've been a fan of the band for a while, but even I'm a bit surprised at how well they pulled this off. One of the best overall records I've heard this year, probably second only to the latest Gorillaz record. With this release, I think BRMC should finally be able to shed their nickname, Black Rebel Mary Chain. Check out the video to the lead single "Ain't No Easy Way Out" here.

The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema (Matador) Looks like the critics love it and the fans are stoked.

T. Raumschmiere - Blitzkrieg Pop (Mute)
Latest full-length from hard-driving German techno mastermind and Shitkatapult co-founder Marco Haas. Don't miss his upcoming performance at the Empty Bottle on Sept. 26.

Also...

Bjork - Drawing Restraint 9 (One Little Indian)
Broken Spindles - Inside/Absent (Saddle Creek)
Noam Chomsky - Imperial Presidency (G-7)
Orenda Fink - Invisible Ones (Saddle Creek)
Gabin - Mr. Freedom (Astralwerks)
I Am Kloot - Gods and Monsters (Echo)
Portastatic - Bright Ideas (Merge)
Rogue Wave - 10:1[ep] (Sub Pop)
John Vanderslice - Pixel Revolt (Barsuk)
Laura Veirs - Year of Meteors (Nonesuch)
The Warlocks - Surgery (Mute)

DVDs...

Various Artists - Burn to Shine 2: Chicago 9.13.04 (Trixie)
The Flaming Lips - VOID [music video collection] (Warner Bros.)
Various Artists - Spend an Evening with Saddle Creek (Saddle Creek)

New Pornographers Midnight Sale at Hideout

Tonight at The Hideout, Reckless and Matador Records will be presenting a CD release party for the latest release from The New Pornographers, the indie-rock supergroup featuring Carl "A.C." Newman and Neko Case. Titled Twin Cinema, Brett from Reckless says "the qualities of the previous two releases are there, ingrained and exuded from the old fashioned guitar pop mayhem that I and herds of people like me who roller skated to The Cars and E.L.O. know on an intimate level."

The party starts at 10pm with "correctly tuned drinks for you to listen to the record with." However, you won't want to blow all your wad on beer and shots, as the fine folks at Reckless will have specially priced copies of Twin Cinema available for your purchasing pleasure starting at midnight. Don't wait until Tuesday, be the envy of your neighborhood by being the first on your block to have this new release.

Steven Drozd to play Sonotheque!

This weekend, I inadvertently found this advert for September's Biz 3 party at Sonotheque. On one hand, Steven from The Flaming Lips is an amazing choice. While lead singer Wayne Coyne (a genius in his own right), gets most of the attention and accolades, Drozd is the real musical genius behind The Lips. Should be real interesting to see what jams he pulls out of his DJ bag. (although The Flaming Lips' recent contribution to the Late Night Tales series probably provides a few clues). Whatever he decides to spin, Drozd is a great unexpected twist to celebrate the one year anniversary of these great DJ parties at Sonotheque.

On the other hand...who the hell is Fred Armisen?? Should I know who this guy is???

Weekend Music Outlook

It's attack of the RFC Interview Bands... Another band recently profiled on these pages, 7 Inch Wave, is playing tonight at the Beat Kitchen. Also on the bill are local bands Tenki, Hanalei and This is Cinema. Show starts at 9pm, 18+...$8 cover. Click here to check out 7 Inch Wave's RFC interview from last May.

On Sunday, RFC Chief Image Coordinator Nicole recommends checking out the rockumentary, Burn to Shine 2, at the Music Box. Playing as a part of the Chicago Underground Film Fest, this is the second installment of a series where local bands are filmed playing live in an empty house that is about to be demolished. After completing the first Burn to Shine in D.C., the filmakers (led by Fugazi drummer Brendan Canty) decided to head to Chicago next, gathering an all-star cast of locals including Wilco, Tortoise, the Ponys, Pit er Pat, Shellac and the Lonesome Organist. The screening is at 10pm Sunday night at the Music Box Theater, 3733 N. Southport Ave. If you don't feel like going out late on a Sunday, Burn to Shine 2 also hits store shelves next Tuesday (8/23) on DVD.

Free Show Tonight in Liquor Park

Local synth-rockers (via the 'Natti) Coltrane Motion are playing a free show tonight at Pontiac Cafe. RFC did an interview with them in June, but unfortunately I think the piece got buried by the big Double Door court settlement story...so if you happened to miss it the first time, click here.

The FREE show starts at 8p, Mistakes and Teratoma open. The Pontiac is located at 1531 N. Damen...must be 21+

Scanning the dial...

The latest issue of the locally produced bi-monthly rag Punk Planet has a great cover feature about "The End of Radio" (as we know it). The magazine investigates how recent advances in microbroadcasting, low-power FM and Podcasting are making great strides in giving the voice of the airwaves back to individuals, rather than corporations. And, as a wonderful by-product, how these DIY broadcasters are making radio an interesting and artistically viable medium again.

Punk Planet is available locally at Quimby's, Reckless and most other independent book and record stores throughout the city. You can also check out an excerpt of one the features, an interview with the founders of the "other NPR," via their website here.