Album Review: The Peekaboos- Help Stop Decay

Posted on September 15, 2016 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Album Reviews, Music, Reviews and tagged album-review, areview, Chicago, Chicago music, Cole's, Help Stop Decay, listen live and local, local music, punk music, review, rock music, The Peekaboos.

Three summers after their debut release, The Peekaboos have graced audiences with their sophomore album Help Stop Decay. Like any great rock compilation, listeners’ ears are filled with a mix of anti-authoritative lyrics, colorful guitar riffs, punching drums and driving bass lines. Although the album will not officially be released until Saturday, September 17th via DZ Records and Dark Circles Records, it can be heard in its entirety via the bands’ Bandcamp page. Luckily for our readers, Listen Live and Local already took the liberty of listening to The Peekaboos’ latest endeavor and are happy to report the following:

Sit back and get ready to embrace life through a fool’s eyes. Our journey in Help Stop Decay begins with a minute-long piece of dissonance and gongs before bleeding into “Microcosm”, a melodically uplifting tune about, well, microcosms (sharing characteristics or being a part of something larger). It’s annoyingly catchy with lyrics reminding listeners how they’ll “never find the answer, and death will find [them] anyway” so you might as well go out and do shit.

Q&A: The Avantist

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Music, Q&As and tagged alternative, Chicago, Chicago music, DZ Records, listen live and local, live music, local music, Martyrs', metal, music, q&a, rock, The Avantist.

Fernando, Erick, David and Luis Arias of The Avantist gather in their parent’s Hickory Hills’ basement which doubles as a rehearsal space. Erick, Luis and David set up behind their instruments as Fernando teases them for always running to their security blankets. The eldest brother sits in a folding chair and chipperly points out how he doesn’t need to hide behind an instrument.

Without missing a beat, each brother sends out a rebuttal concluding that Fernando isn’t behind an instrument because he doesn’t know how to play one. Bickering and insults continue to pass back and forth. It’s brutal and ruthless, but as any sibling knows, it’s all meant with love. Within seconds the room erupts with laughter as they prepare to share their journey on what brought them to these “security blankets” and how they’ve used them to grow with each other.

Profile: Even Thieves

Posted on August 17, 2016 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Music, Profile Features and tagged alternative, Chicago, Chicago music, Even Thieves, listen live and local, live and local, live music, local artists, local music, music, pop, profile, rock, Subterranean.

The lights are lowered in a back room of Music Garage with only a faint glow projecting from the back wall to illuminate the faces of Chicago’s alternative pop-rock group, Even Thieves. Vocalist Adrian Day removes his cap and pulls on the hood of this gray sleeveless hoodie, walking from wall to wall, microphone in hand, as the rest of the band prepares for rehearsal. Slowly, each member falls behind their instruments; Vincent DePierro on guitar, Jeremy Atwood on keys, Tyler Leninger on drums and Joseph Paul Chouinard on bass. A spot among the members remains open for guitarist Olivia Garza, who was unable to make rehearsal.

Each member silently acknowledges one another, signaling their readiness before the room erupts with sound and commotion. This may be only a rehearsal, but to an outsider, the performance is as riveting as any legitimate concert.

Live Review: Golden Boys/ Genome/ Bifunkal (8/3) @ Emporium Arcade Bar

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Live Reviews, Music, Reviews and tagged Bifunkal, Chicago, Chicago artists, Chicago bands, Chicago music, Emporium, funk, funk music, Genome, Golden Boys, listen live and local, live and local, live music, live review, local bands, local music, lreview, Wicker Park.

Wander the streets of Chicago on any given night and it’s never hard to find inspiring live music, especially sounds falling along the spectrum of funk, jazz and blues. This past Wednesday, August 3rd was no exception as three Chicago-based bands took the stage for an exhilarating night of funk at Emporium Arcade Bar in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood.

The night’s festivities opened with Bifunkal, a two-piece group made up of drummer Hershyl Edwards and guitarist/vocalist Jesse Cryderman. The two played a solid mix of lyrical and instrumental tunes. While the vocals were decent, it was Cryderman’s catchy guitar riffs along with the impressive vox bass lines from Edwards that stole the set. For only two musicians, the band was able to project a full sound which was later emphasized by accompanying brass during a handful of tunes.

Q&A: Sexy Fights

Posted on June 20, 2016 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Music, Q&As and tagged Bending Light, Bryan Hart, Chicago, Chicago music, Drift, Drunken Piano PR, Jordan Rose Brzezinski, Kildare Studios, listen live and local, live music, local music, Logan Square studios, music, Noisey, Phillip Shoemaker, q&a, Russell Augustine, Sexy Fights.

Resting on the corner of Schubert and Kildare stands Kildare Studios; a 35,000 square foot warehouse and rehearsal home to artists across Chicago’s west side. Outside, on this particular day, stands Sexy Fights‘ synth player Phillip Shoemaker, our guide through the studio’s maze of endlessly winding hallways. With a few hundred twists and turns, Shoemaker enters a room to join bandmates drummer Bryan Hart, guitarist Russell Augustine and vocalist Jordan Rose Brzezinski.

After perfecting their sound and releasing their debut album, Too Far Out, the synth-driven psychedelic rock band is ready to draw in their much-deserved attention. In preparation for their upcoming show on June 23rd at Beat Kitchen, Listen Live and Local sat with the group to discuss their music, possible touring plans, smoke machines and glitter.

Profile: Vinyl For A Cause

Posted on April 20, 2016 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Music, Profile Features and tagged Chicago, Chicago music, Coed Pageant, IndigoSun, Jesse W. Johnson, listen live and local, live music, local music, music, profile, Railway Gamblers, The Heard, The Leadfoot Band, Vinyl For A Cause.

A few years ago, two friends and avid music lovers, Charlie Greengoss and Adam Victorn, sat in a basement spinning vinyl while watching YouTube videos. What started as an average night turned into a business venture after viewing a performance of Brand New’s lead singer Jesse Lacey covering Modest Mouse’s “Trailer Trash”.

Prior to playing, Lacey spoke of his admiration for Isaac Brock and Modest Mouse; what it meant for him to cover the song and how honored he would be if given the opportunity to collaborate with the band in some fashion. In awe of the admiration for a fellow musician, Greengoss and Victorn discussed how they could bring local artists the opportunity to collaborate with other bands.

This insight was the spark that ignited Vinyl For A Cause; a record label focused on raising money for charity by releasing limited edition vinyl of bands and musicians covering each other’s music. The next day, Greengoss and Victorn started on a business plan and three years later, they’re now ready to record and release their first records.

Live Review: Doug Shotwell & The Right Hand Band/ Sweet Mary/ Walsher Clemons (2/12) @ Martyrs’

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Live Reviews, Music, Reviews and tagged Chicago music, Doug Shotwell and the Righthand Band, Frank Ocean, funk music, jam bands, jazz music, listen live and local, live music, live review, local music, lreview, Martyrs', music, Sweet Mary, Walsher Clemons.

One of the best things about the Chicago music scene is it isn’t dominated by a single genre. On any given night one can hear the soulful groan of a blues band, the twang of an Americana banjo or the pulse of a hi-hat in a modern jazz tune. And sometimes, one can even hear all those things on the same stage. This was the case (though a different representation of genres) on Friday, February 12th at Martyrs’; a night featuring three local bands with three different sounds.

The night started with some progressive folk rock provided by Doug Shotwell & The Right Hand Band. While Shotwell is a Virginia native his “right hand” men are mainly made up of Chicago jazz, blues and rock musicians. Together the group crafted a sound rooted in soul with smooth slide guitar lines and a constant steady push from the rhythm section. On the surface, the songs felt simple, giving them a laid back, easy-to-listen-to vibe. But underneath there were layers of complexity which helped differentiate the songs from one another. It also helped keep the music from sounding too run-of-the-mill or twangy.

Show Preview: Dunn Dunn Fest (2/18-2/20)

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Music, Show Previews and tagged American Grizzly, Beat Kitchen, BoneLang, Calliope Musicals, Chicago music, Dunn Dunn Fest 2016, Falcor Friends, funk, Harmonica Dunn, jam bands, jazz, Lincoln Hall, listen live and local, live music, local music, Low Spark, music, OBY, Schubas, show preview, Sidewalk Chalk, soul, Spare Parts, Strange Americans, Subterranean, The Hideout, Tonic Room, Woo Park.

This week Chicago promoter Harmonica Dunn will be hosting Dunn Dunn Fest; a three night, six venue showcase featuring a number of local (and non local) bands. The fest will run from Thursday, February 18th to Saturday, February 20th with performances at Beat Kitchen, Subterranean, Tonic Room, Lincoln Hall, Schubas and The Hideout.

With so many great local bands at some of Chicago’s top venues, you really can’t go wrong with any show. Nonetheless, here’s who we’re excited to see:

Q&A: Woo Park

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Music, Q&As and tagged Calliope Musicals, Chicago, Chicago music, Dunn Dunn Fest 2016, listen live and local, live music, local music, Low Spark, neo-soul, q&a, Subterranean, Woo Park.

A little bit funk, a little bit soul, a little bit rock and roll; Woo Park embodies everything that makes Chicago’s music scene great. The talented band composed of vocalist Emily Nichols, bassist Parker Grogan, keyboardist Christian Zwit, drummer Luke Sangerman, and guitarist Brian Sanborn can be described as nothing other than a choir of rhythmic chaos. Their sound is undeniably composed of practice, passion and true musicianship. An eccentric ascetic combined with undeniable chemistry, it’s no surprise Woo Park has become beloved to so many dedicated fans.

With their last show (for the time being) right around the corner (Feb 20th @ Subterranean) Listen Live and Local spoke with Nichols for the low down on their drive, their passion and what their futures hold.

Profile: The Pact

Posted on January 26, 2016 by Jessica Braun Gervais in Music, Profile Features and tagged alternative, alternative pop, Beat Kitchen, Chicago music, House of Blues, indie music, listen live and local, live music, local music, music, profile, The Karma Killers, The Pact, Tribe Society.

What happens when a few metal heads, an R&B singer, an indie god and a closet Paramore fanatic join forces and start a band?

No worries, this isn’t the start to a bad hipster joke. Actually, it’s the foundation of Chicago-based band, The Pact. It may have taken nearly four years of reformations and sound searching, but the alternative pop group has finally established themselves with the perfect blend of unlike genre gurus.

With less than a year behind their current formation, The Pact has already played a number of icon Chicago venues (House of Blues, Bottom Lounge) and shared the stage with national touring acts (HalfNoise, Spirit Animal). Combine this with the success of a recent EP release and an upcoming January 28th show with Tribe Society and The Karma Killers, and one might think The Pact has had a pretty easy ride.

But with any great story of success, there must first be failure.