The Party and The Archive

The party was a blast and if you weren't able to make it, we think you missed something very special that certainly won't happen again any time soon.

A big surprise came when The Coctails announced that they'd organized a compilation CD with a new track by almost every band who's ever been on CTR, each with a Sweet 16 theme! It's been two days and I'm still blown away by the enormous difficulty of that task—all the while managing to keep it a secret from (almost) all of us at work for the last four months. Wow.

To make it even better, we raised a big chunk of cash that still needs a full accounting. We'll post some pics, dollar figures, thanks, and thoughts after a good night's sleep.

In the meantime...

A nice short film (7.5 mins) about Record-Rama in Pittsburgh, the world's largest record collection—currently on the block and yours for only $3 million.

If you think that's high, watch the 7.5 minute video!

The Archive from Sean Dunne on Vimeo.

Sweet 16 Press Links

Chicago Tribune by Greg Kot

The Weekend's Best Shows (Recommended)
Show of the Day: Carrot Top Records Sweet 16 Party
One of the city’s finest indie labels throws itself a birthday celebration with eight bands spread over two nights of music, including a reunion by avant-lounge pioneers the Coctails; guitar-monster Tara Key with her excellent trio, Antietam; and hardcore roots duo the Handsome Family, Friday-Saturday at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, $15; ticketweb.com.

Daily Herald (KatJonBand + Sweet 16)

As expected, a mature pulse of antiwar sentiment and relevant social concern courses throughout the diverse proceedings. Smart, sinewy, spiky and occasionally sonorous, "KatJonBand" is evidence that even while forging their own paths, sometimes punks should listen to their elders.-Jeff Pizek

KatJonBand performs with The Coctails, Antietam and The Bitter Tears as part of Carrot Top Records' Sweet 16 Party at 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave., Chicago. $15; proceeds benefit the Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis. (773) 227-4433.

Chicago Reader (Critic's Choice and Recommended)

Coctails, Antietam, KatJonBand, Bitter Tears
When: Fri., Sept. 26, 9 p.m.
Phone: 773-227-4433 or 866-468-3401
Price: $15

-There isn’t much new to say about Chicago’s beloved Coctails. Dressed in their trademark skinny suits, the quartet spent the late 80s and early 90s paying goofy, endearing tribute to every type of evening-out music, from jazz, exotica, and Rat Pack crooning to British Invasion pop. After the band’s 1995 farewell show at the Lounge Ax, John Upchurch, Barry Phipps, Mark Greenberg, and Archer Prewitt all went on to other things, but they’ve remained on call. Since their first reunion show in 2000—a joyous, generous, tightly executed set to bid the Lounge Ax adieu—they’ve been sporadically coming back together, as though at the flash of some indie Bat Signal, and each time they’ve created another were-you-there scene milestone. Today the Coctails headline the first night of Carrot Top Records’ Sweet 16 Party, one of the year’s best unsung festivals; former Chicagoans the Handsome Family headline tomorrow. Proceeds go to the Accelerated Cure Project, a multiple-sclerosis research organization. —Monica Kendrick

Chicago Sun-Times Blog by Jim DeRogatis

--Carrot Top Records, one of Chicago's least-hyped but most consistently excellent independent labels, celebrates its Sweet 16 birthday this weekend with two shows to benefit the Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia. Friday's lineup includes the Coctails, Antietam, the katjonband (with Jon Langford Katerina Ex of the Ex) and the Bitter Tears, while Saturday's features the Handsome Family, Megan Reilly, Speck Mountain and Lys Guillorn. Both shows start at 9 p.m., and tickets are $15.00 per night via www.Ticketweb.com.

Time Out Chicago

--Low-key local indie label Carrot Top celebrates its 16th anniversary in style with a bevy of its favorite players. Idiosyncratic lounge act the Coctails reunite for a rare one-off, while indie mainstay Tara Key unleashes her inner guitar goddess with the revered trio Antietam. Longtime friends Jon Langford and Katherina Ex of—you guessed it—the Ex open as the KatJonBand following a set by the Bitter Tears. Profits from tonight's show will be donated to the Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis.

CTR Sweet 16 Filled with Presents for YOU!!

In order to raise a HUGE amount of money for the Accelerated Cure Project at Carrot Top Records' Sweet 16 Party this weekend at The Hideout, we have gathered an amazing, never-ending group of generous donations from our favorite people and places. Tickets to the bash are still available here.

Come celebrate with us and you can come home with one, or MORE of these fabulous prizes...

• Wine tasting for you and all your friends @ Cellar Rat Wine
• The Coctails - 12 inch action figure set courtesy of PRESSPOP Inc. in Japan
  
• 6 tickets and private opera box for Lucinda Williams @ Riviera 10/14 courtesy of Jam Productions
• 2 Signed Wilco posters
• A Thrill Jockey gift set of books, limited edition ELPEES and rare posters
  
• Gift certificates to: Vella, Uncle Dan's and Ruff Haus
• Tshirts from the infamous Chicago venue, Lounge Ax
• Summersweet garden consultation
• 10 tickets to Roller Derby bout at UIC on 10/25 thanks to WCR
• Beginning Pilates Package from Balance Health & Wellness
• Artwork and Dog Book from Emily Flake
• The Coctails gift set including: "Let's Enjoy..." 10" EP, Book of Images and tote bag
• A special gift package from Second City
• Bloodshot Records gift set including a signed Andre Williams poster, CDs, tshirts and a DVD
• Pairs of concert ticket for upcoming shows at Epiphany, The Hideout, Metro, Lake Shore Theater and Schuba's

Intrigued yet?!

Thank you to all of our generous sponsors for their contributions!
We hope to see you this weekend.

Who said: “Bullying and intimidation are not acceptable ways to conduct foreign policy in the 21st century.”

This was said by our fearless leader and directed at the Russians after they invaded the Republic of Georgia.

From the LA Times:

President Bush delivered yet one more tough warning to Russia today over the crisis in Georgia: "Bullying and intimidation are not acceptable ways to conduct foreign policy in the 21st century."

He spoke in the Rose Garden in a hastily-announced appearance just before heading off on what is scheduled to be a two-week holiday at his home in Crawford, Texas.

With little leverage available to him — and only modest steps to match his angry words — Bush has taken to the White House bully pulpit as a means of trying to exert pressure on the Kremlin.

and was delivered as the door hit him on the ass on the way to Crawford for another vacation. The full quote did not include "Stop it! I'm serious!", "I'll tell mom!" or make note of any footstamping or breath holding.

Vote tally: Bush-3, Obama-2, Angus Young-1.
Thanks for playing.