Radio Free Chicago

News and Notes: RS/Camel vs. Labels, Amos Ain't Nutin to Fuck Wit, Rainbowz Remixed

///Record labels with bands on the cartoonish pullout from the latest Rolling Stone are teaming together to demand an apology from the magazine. If you have not heard, the latest issue features a pullout featuring "the indie rock universe" amongst a large add for Camel cigarettes, which labels Camel as a supporter of independent music.

///NME has the hot gossip this morning of Tori Amos freaking out and telling fans to "get the fuck out" of her Wednesday night performance in San Diego. And of course, it wouldn't be news unless it was captured on video and posted on YouTube.

///Right before In Rainbows Part II starting hitting fans mailboxes this week, it was announced that there will also be an unauthorized remix album out in January featuring appearances by the likes of Too $hort, Del Tha Funkee Homosaipen and Zion.

Album Review: In Rainbows, Part 2.

Christmas came early for Radiohead fans. Well, I know that at least for me, it did. I came home to see it sitting there. The box. The dimensions of a record sleeve, but thicker. I gently peeled the packaging tape off, and removed the card-board wrapping.

In Rainbows, in the flesh. I took each part out. Inspected both records. Looked through the record’s accompanying booklet, and then on to the lyric book that splits the section where the two cd’s are located. I skipped the main disc, which is already well logged in my brain, and went to the coveted bonus disc.

Video Free Chicago: The Hermit - "It Was a Better Time"

News and Notes: Ike Turner RIP, Stephen Malkmus, Paper Arrows, Weekend Shows

///Ike Turner, whose band Kings of Rhythm is credited with one of the first rock 'n' roll songs, died yesterday at the age of 76. More recently Turner won a Grammy this year for the best blues album, for his album, Risin' With the Blues.

///Stephen Malkmus talks with the Pfork about the new Jicks album Real Emotional Trash. The album is due out on March 4th via Matador.

///Also coming up on March 4th is the debut album, Look Alive, from Chicago's Paper Arrows on the Chicago label Quell Records. Look for the release party at Schubas on March 2nd.

///If you don't have Shellac tickets there are some good back to back to back shows going on this weekend. Tonight Das Kapital plays at the Cobra Lounge, tomorrow Bread & Bottle and M.O.T.O. play at The Mutiny, and on Saturday Vacation Bible School plays at the Beat Kitchen. Of course there are probably others too. Where will you be?

John C. Reilly @ Cubby Bear 12/6/07

It’s always a little surreal to see the actors you’ve watched on screen standing two feet in front of you to begin with. John C. Reilly’s performance heightened this further as an over the top and frequently lewd escapade that left the audience guessing what he might say or do next. Coming off as a southern musician singing throughout the decades, Reilly performed in the character of Dewey Cox. The performance was a promotion for this new film (Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story) but Reilly took it to a level of wondering where reality ends and meets with something made up in show.

Introducing...The Flingco Sound System

During his 12 year stint at Chicago’s Kranky Records, co-founder Bruce Adams saw his micro label of avant-indie and outsider sounds blossom into one of the most critically revered independent record labels in the country. In 2005, however, Adams decided it was time for a change, so he sold his half of the label and joined forces with his wife to found Flingco.com, a new on-line art and merchandising venture. Now, after some much needed time off, Adams is back with a brand new label called Flingco Sound System (FSS). Tomorrow night, Adams is introducing three of his new artist signees at a label showcase at The Empty Bottle. RFC caught up with Adams last week via email to find out more about this new project.

Download: Wrnlrd - "Nighthole"

Download: Haptic - "YBO"

News and Notes: Wilco, Aiden Moffat, Sounds Familyre Christmas

///Wilco will be playing a five day residency at The Riv in February. They plan on playing songs from a variety of albums, with different set lists for each night. Tickets are $35 and Chicagoist has the run down on when you can start buying tickets where.

///Arab Strap singer Aiden Moffat has put together a collection of filthy poetry on top of sound collages for your listening pleasure. The disc is called I Can Hear Your Heart and is set to arrive February 5th on Chemikal Underground. [Thanks, Aversion]

///Sounds Familyre, home of Danielson, Sufjan Vinyl, and others, will be releasing a Christmas song each day for the next thirteen days.

Loaded with Xmas Cheer

This year we're having our official staff Christmas party at The Burlington and we're inviting all our adoring fans to come get embarassingly sloshed (office party-style) with us. We'll be taking over the DJ booth all night and downing mass quantities of PBRs. Come join us, drinks are cheap...and since we're starting at about 10, the timing is perfect if you're looking for a post-show drink after tonight's Aimee Mann holiday extravaganza.

Radio Free Chicago's office Xmas party
Tuesday, December 11th Tonight, 10pm
@
The Burlington
3425 W. Fullerton
$2 PBR, Schlitz and Old Style

No cover, Music by RFC DJs

News and Notes: Joe Strummer, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, JDub Records

///Joe Strummer's wife has found lyrics, recordings, drawings, and other Strummer rarities that she will be making available as a book/CD combination. What a great addition to a coffee table. [Thanks, Aversion]

///In the spirit of the holidays we are ambivalent to announce that a new Trans-Siberian Orchestra record will most likely be ready for your consumeristic hands in Summer of '08. [Thanks, Billboard]

///NPR reports on JDub Records who are giving listeners some new Hanukkah songs by bands like The LeeVees, Socalled, and Balkan Beat Box.

The Panda Band @ Subterranean 11/30/2007

After missing a show earlier this month due to van problems, The Panda Band finally made their return trip to Chicago at the Subterranean on Friday. These Aussie gentlemen offered up a heaping dose of inspired and warbling melodic pop to a warm response on a particularly chilly night!

Download: The Panda Band - "Musical Chairs"

News and Notes: Kidz in the Hall, Mike Patton, Dweezil, Stephen Malkmus

///New Jersey/Chicago hip-hop duo Kidz in the Hall have had their song "Work to Do" picked by the Obama Campaign to be the official Obama anthem/theme song. Clinton is using a Celine Dion song. [Thanks, Chicagoist]

///Mike Patton will be providing the voices for those "creatures" in the new Will Smith movie I am Legend. So, while Smith will be playing only one character, Patton will be voicing all of the post-apocalyptic-other-worldly creatures. [Thanks, PFork]

///PopMatters interviews Dweezil Zappa about playing Frank Zappa.

///Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks will be releasing their Real Emotional Trash on March 4th via Matador. No U.S. tour is officially scheduled yet, but it has been promised. Tracklist after the jump. [Thanks, PFork]

The Friday 8-Track: X-Mas Songs That Don't Suck!

Well, the holiday season is back, so we'd thought we'd reload the RFC X-Mas 8-track once again this year...hope these sound just as good in your iPod as they do in our Germlin sports wagon's stereo deck.

99.9% of Christmas songs are absolute crap. So, as a public service to get you in the holiday spirit to consume this month, RFC is bringing you some of that .1% that don't completely suck. Warm up the chestnuts, crank up the iPod and enjoy!

Live Pics: Prefuse 73 @ Empty Bottle 12/1/07

The abominable weather Saturday night seems like it would have been enough to keep anyone indoors but they still managed to pack them in to the Empty Bottle for Scott Herren, a.k.a. Prefuse 73 in support of his recent release Preparations.

Download: Prefuse 73 - "Class of 73 Bells" (featuring School of Seven Bells)

Video Free Chicago: Bangers & Cash - "B.O.O.T.A.Y."

 

Find more videos like this on RCRD LBL

News and Notes: Arks RIP, Radiohead, Punch Brothers New Years, Sledding

///Chicago's (and if I'm not mistaken, the Ukrainian Village's) Arks are playing their last show tonight at the Darkroom. Don't worry the split is amicable, "this evolution is mutually recognized and accepted within the band, the group's soft disintegration is executed with no ill-will." The first 100 people at the show will receive 2 free albums each from Highwheel Records. Bang! Bang! and Walking Bicycles will also be gracing the stage and all for $8.

///As of December 10th you will no longer be able to name your own price and download Radiohead's In Rainbows. But don't worry, if you miss out you will be able to actually purchase a physical copy of the album at the beginning of January. [Thanks, Aversion]

///If you are one of those to start planning your New Years early than consider the Old Town School of Folk's concert/party at both 7:30pm and 10:30pm featuring Chris Thile's (Nickel Creek) new group called Punch Brothers. Tickets are $28 for non-members, $26 for members, and $24 for seniors and kids.

///Anyone have a sled?