Radio Free Chicago

RFC Reviews: Victorian Halls' "Charlatan"

Since I finally have a reliable computer and have settled into my new apartment, it seems like it's a pretty good time for me to start writing about music and stuff again!  Now, I know what you're probably thinking: "Man, I really wish I had some Reese's Peanut Butter Cups right about now".  As awesome as that would be, it is completely irrelevant to anything I just said.  Moving on.  Recently, via email, a Chicago based band by the name of Victorian Halls was brought to my attention.  I feel like I've probably heard of these guys before, but who really knows.  I've heard of a lot of bands.  The point is that I've heard of them now and you definitely should too!

Victorian Halls has a very unique sound somewhat reminiscent of bands like Foxy Shazam and The Stiletto Formal.  However, lead singer, Sean Lennart, has some of the most intensely original vocals that they could not possibly be mistaken for anyone else.  The band's newest album, Charlatan, dropped on August 16th via Victory Records and, let me tell you, it is more than worth your time.

The albums first single, "A Crush Is A Crush" is a powerful pop anthem that could make even the least coordinated person get up and start dancing.  That being said, you probably want to listen to this song at parties.  Although the entire song is fantastic overall, it's not until the first chourus, I feel, that Lennart's vocals really shine.  At this point, the listener is able to realize his full potential.  Lennart hits the rest of the track hard, hitting notes that most vocalists probably didn't even know existed.  It's pretty impressive.

If you're looking for another reason to put on your dancin' shoes, look no further than "Girls Kiss Girls".  This song makes me want to jump around in circles waving my arms like an idiot.  That's really the best way for me to describe it.  I think what makes this particular song really stand out to me is the use of the keyboard.  I really like piano in general; however, this track would not be nearly as good as it is were it not for the keys.

 "Lucky 16" is a song that, at first, I sort of hated.  However, it's really grown on me now.  To some, it might sound like the band is just yelling about various things like "needing a new girl".  While that is possibly true, the track is different and really helps to break up the album.

Basically, what I'm trying to say, is that I still haven't gotten any Reeses, and that is terribly unfortunate.  I had the opportunity to get some, but I decided not to take it.  It might be my one regret in life.  Anyway, what I'm also trying to say, is that I fully endorse the idea of you listening to Victorian Halls.  Their upbeat sound and charismatic vocals make them not only fun to dance to, but also fun to listen to!

The Dear Hunter Rocks DeKalb's House Cafe on 7/23

Who has two thumbs and finally has a reliable computer again?! This girl, that's who. You know what that means? It means that I am finally going to tell you all about The Dear Hunter's show in DeKalb on July 23rd! This show was an amazing experience for me. It was part of TDH's first headlining tour and I'm so beyond thrilled that I was able to be there to hear some of the most beautiful music I've ever listened to performed live.

While The Dear Hunter was obviously my reasoning for being at The House Cafe that particular night, they were not the only band that wowed me. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to catch The Felix Culpa or much of O'Brother but I do know that both bands are more than worth checking into. However, it was a Seattle based group by the name of Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground that completely blew my mind. These guys played some of the most amazing music I have had the pleasure of hearing in a long time. Their use of unconventional instruments, such as the tuba, violin, and something that might have been some kind of electric harmonica, made this beautiful ambient music so much more enjoyable than I could have ever expected. It definitely also helped that lead singer, Kirk Huffman, provides vocals that are not only easy on the ears, but also very controlled and unique.

After Kay Kay had left the stage, it took a minute or two for my mind to pull itself back together. However, I did not have much time to waste as The Dear Hunter was only minutes away from opening their set. When they were finally all set up, they began the set with "Never Forgive, Never Forget" from the recently released Black EP. While I expected them to open with a song from Black; however, I did not expect this one. Not that I'm complaing, that is. It was a pleasant surprise is all.

From Black, TDH went immediately to the Red EP with "We've Got A Score To Settle"; one of my favorite songs on the entire Color Spectrum. This song was performed so beautifully that it literally took my breath away. It was as though I was listening to it straight off of the album. Casey's flawless vocals never disappoint and this performance was no exception.

After performing The Orange EP's "Echo", they switched up the order a little bit and went right into another one of my personal favorites, "Mr. Malum" from the Violet EP. Hearing this song live for the first time was almost overwhelming. This track is definitely in my Top 5 favorite songs on the entire Color Spectrum, and let me tell you, that's a pretty difficult list for me to make.

After playing a couple more songs from various color EPs, the band segwayed into some music from the Acts. While I expected that they would play some music from previous albums, I did not expect to hear "She Said She Had A Story" from Act III: Life and Death. As soon as the drum beat began, I knew exactly what song it was. The track was performed just as beautifully as I could have expected and I was absolutely thrilled to hear it live.

As the set continued, I noticed that there was a lot more banter between the band and the audience then there was at the last TDH show I attended. At one point, Casey legitimately pointed out the select douchebags that were in attendance. It was great to be able to see a side of Casey that I, personally, was not used to seeing.

After about 10 or so minutes of listening to drunk people yell things at the stage and Casey completely tear down everything that anyone said, the set continued with another song from my Top 5 list, "Filth and Squalor". From the Black EP, this track is amazing in every way possible. The lyrics are, in my opinion, some of the best TDH has to offer and the music itself is indescribable.

It was then that the set came to an end. The band closed with "Red Hands", a track off of their first full length album, Act II: The Meaning of and All Things Regarding Ms. Leading. At first, I was surprised that they chose this song to close with. However, I quickly realized that this is the perfect way to end a TDH set. Not only did everyone in the audience know every word to this song, but toward the end of the performance, every person in that room was screaming "Oh my God what have I done? Now, my Darling, put your clothes back on". And as rapey as that last sentece sounded, I can assure you, it was a beautiful thing to witness.

It was at this point when all of the band members, with the exception of Casey, left the stage. It wasn't long before someone yelled out the lyrics to "Oracles on the Delphi Express". Although it was not what he had originally intended to play, Casey ended up performing this song. Oracles was the first TDH song I had ever heard, so it holds a special place in my heart. After the most amazing set I could have possibly asked for, Casey finally closed it out with "Black Sandy Beaches". Even though this was not the song I was hoping to hear, (one of these days I WILL hear "What It Means To Be Alone"), it was still a perfect way to end a beautiful performance.

 

HARD Fest at the Congress Theater

Friday night the Congress Theater is going to bring the dance party. HARD Fest will take over and with the beats, the lights, the smoke will bring sweaty, writhing bodies. Digitalism, Jack Beats, Destructo and Alex Zelenka are guaranteed to not only keep you moving and grooving, but to blow your mind. This is the second year HARD Fest graces Chicago with it's electronic and spellbinding music. With a plethora of drum and bass, electro-pop and hard core dance music, the Congress Theater will be all wobbles friday night. If you were lucky enough to purchase a VIP 21+ ticket for $65, congratulations because they are sold out. There are still general admission tickets available for purchase for $20. General admission is 17+. Doors are at 8PM and the dance party starts immediately. 

 

  

Hailey & Sean's Epic Adventure, pt. 1: Alkaline Trio

Since the release of Damnesia, Alkaline Trio's eighth studio release, I anxiously awaited the 15^th anniversary tour to hit Chicago. When the day of the show finally arrived, my friend Sean (front man of local favorites Egon's Unicat) and I hit the road not entirely sure of what we were in for..

The ride up was about as exciting as any other trip involving those particular stretches of I-80 and I-55, traffic wasn't too terrible until we hit Lake shore Drive. By this point it was at least seven o'clock and at the point where rush hour shouldn't have been a concern, and yet the closer we got to the Metro the worse the traffic became. Sean thought ahead and checked to make sure there wasn't a Cubs game going on, so we had no idea why traffic was so bad on a Monday night. That is, until we saw posters of his face hung in the windows of the shops lining the streets. The face of the man causing hysteria to sweep northern Chicago.. At this point we knew we could blame none other than Paul McCartney. That's right ladies and gents, Paul McCartney was in town. Shit.

After having to park a considerable distance away from the venue and attempting to jog there in skinny jeans, resulting in near death from the humidity, we made it inside just in time to catch our hometown heroes' spectacular performance. (A sincere apology to The Smoking Popes, we really tried to make it for you guys). After fighting my way through the crowd and being literally lifted over the guard rail by security and placed into the photo pit, I had just enough time to get my camera set before a deafening roar of applause erupted from the crowd as the evening's main act took the stage.

This weekend get two chances for Atmosphere

 

With Lollapalooza taking over the city of Chicago for the annual 3 day music festival there are multiple times to see your favorite artists perform. Several artists playing the festival are also playing after-party shows and meet and greets. For hip-hop fans you are in luck. The Minneapolis hip-hop group and Rhymesayers artists, Atmosphere will be performing at The Metro along with making an appearance at Lollapalooza on Saturday.

It's been three years since Atmosphere put out their album, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold. The highly anticipated album, The Family Sign was released earlier this year and the group has been on tour non-stop in support of it.

If you are lucky enough to have one of tickets to Friday's sold-out show you are in for a night of special guests. Along with Atmosphere, Evidence, Blueprint and DJ Babu and Prof will also be performing. Don't worry you festival attendees, the doors don't open until 10 PM. There is plenty of time to get to The Metro from Grant Park. Expect these hip-hop performers for kick it late into the night.

If you aren't one of the lucky ones to have a ticket to the sold-out show at The Metro, have no fear. Saturday at 4 PM Atmosphere will be at Lollapalooza. You can meet them at the F.Y.E. Autograph Tent. If you're a hip-hop fan these two events are not to missed, if you can help it. 

 

Better Late Than Never!: RFC Reviews Van's Warped Tour 2011

For the past six or so years, the Vans Warped Tour has been one of the most highly anticipated events of my entire summer.  It is one of few events where fans of metal, ska, pop, and even hip-hop can all come together and form a group with a passion for music that is not readily seen in many other places.  Although each person attends Warped Tour to see different bands, we are all united there for the same reason; to spend an entire day outside in the blistering heat listening to some of the worlds most talented musicians play their hearts out.

Warped Tour 2011 was one of the best I have ever attended.  After enjoying a hearty breakfast of biscuits and groovy at the Cracker Barrel that I am ashamed to be employed by, my partner, Hailey Williams, and I made our way to The First Midwest Bank Amphitheater in Tinley Park, Illinois.  It took us a while to figure out exactly where we were supposed to go, but once we figured it out it was all uphill from there.  I honestly have no idea how I want to write this article.  So this should be interesting for all of us!

 

Once Hailey and I got our schedules set for the day, we parted ways.  We didn’t meet up again until about 3pm when DRUGS was about to take over the Teggart Stage.  This was the first performance of
the day that I actually made it a point to stop and listen to and, as usual, I was not disappointed.  I always find myself amazed by this band’s uncanny ability to completely control an entire crowd of fans.  They have such a natural stage presence that it’s easy to see how passionate they are about what they’re doing. The band opened with one of my personal favorites, “The Only Thing You Talk About”.  From the very beginning of their set until the very end, every person in the crowd belted out every last word.  I was able to speak briefly with guitarist Matt Good regarding the tour as well as which of the Power Rangers was his favorite.

 

RFC: How do you feel the set’s have been going thus far?

Matt Good: Super good.  Way better than I even thought.  I had, not high expectations, but, you know. 

RFC:  How has the tour in general been?

Matt Good:  It’s a dream come true, you know?  To get a second chance and actually have it turn out good?  That’s really rare.  I think that we all feel extremely appreciative and humble and just really gracious.  Every day is a blessing.  I wake up and I think “Wow, I’m here, I’m doing this again”.  It’s weird, in a way.  I remember doing all of this like, five years ago and having the same feelings where you‘re like “Woah! Look at this huge crowd we‘re playing!”.  To come back and have it happen all over again with the new band it’s almost like, “How is this real?!”  It’s amazing.

RFC:  How many years have you been on Warped Tour?

Matt Good:  This is my 5^th Warped Tour. 

RFC:  Are there any other bands on the tour that you make it a point to stop and watch?

Matt Good:  Uhm, no, not specifically.  There’s a lot of bands that I’m friends with that are on the tour and if I notice that they’re playing I’ll definitely go watch them.  Most of the bands on the tour are bands I’ve toured with.  The first day we were here I watched We Came As Romans and I sang with them on their last song.  I like to watch Asking Alexandria and Black Veil Brides because they’re all really good friends of mine.

RFC:  What is the most interesting thing to happen on tour thus far?

Matt Good:  Well, last night, I don’t remember this happening cause everything was fine, and we went out to the bar, and it was fun.  Then we got back to the bus and I don’t remember anything that happened on the bus.  Apparently, I threw my phone at the ceiling of the bus and it hit me in the face and I have a bump on my forehead now.

RFC:  Who was your favorite Power Ranger?

Matt Good:  Tommy, the White Ranger.  You know why?  He makes no sense.  He can beat everyone up at once so why even have the other guys there?