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More Lounge Ax Memories

Gapers Block has published a sentimental but even-handed reminiscence of my favorite rock club. For those of you who didn't make it before the flying monkeys showed up to carry it away, the writing here comes as close as words are able to capturing the feel of the place.

It was a dump, but it was our dump. I use the possessive here not as a former employee, horrible band member, or boyfriend/husband of owner, but to elucidate a sense that many of us had, and hopefully still have, when we're aware enough to look around and inside of us and realize that we are part of something larger than ourselves.

Caitlin's Top Ten of 2009

In 2008, I had a heck of a time trying to come up w/ 10 albums that I truly enjoyed. This year - I had a hard time scaling down my list. Behold - my top how ever many of 2009! After much debate - there is a new subcategory on my list. Two albums on my list were actually produced decades ago- but they were never before released until this year. Is it a new release or is it a reissue? Technically, neither. So that explains the "never before released until this year" category:

• Thee Oh Sees - Help! (In the Red)
• Bowerbirds - Upper Air (Dead Oceans)
• Fresh & Onlys - Debut (Castle Face)
• Woods - Songs of Shame (Woodsist)
• Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest (Warp)
• Bill Callahan - Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle (Drag City)
• Fiery Furnaces - I'm Going Away (Thrill Jockey)
• Smith Westerns - 1st Album (Hozac)
• Sonny & the Sunsets - Tomorrow Is All right (Soft Abuse)
• Dutchess & The Duke - Sunrise/Sunset (Hardly Art)
• Bitter Tears - Jam Tarts in the Jake House (Carrot Top)
• Stricken City - Songs About People I Know (Kora)

Never Before Released until 2009:

• Pisces - A Lovely Sight (Numero)
• Death - ...For The Whole World to See (Drag City)

Fave Reissues -

• Serge Gainsbourg - Histoire De Melody Nelson (Light in the Attic)
• Monks - Black Monk Time (LITA)
• Raincoats - S/T (Kill Rock Stars)
• Vaselines - Way of the Vaselines (Sub Pop)

Reasons to Be Cheerful, Part IV

A recent study from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences at the National Institute of Health, snappily titled Human Pathogens Abundant in the Bacterial Metagenome of Cigarettes, tested Marlboro Reds, Camels, Lucky Strikes and Kools, and discovered:

Fifteen different classes of bacteria and a broad range of potentially pathogenic organisms were detected in all cigarette samples. Most notably, we detected Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Burkholderia, Clostridium, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia in ≥ 90% of all cigarette samples. Other pathogenic bacteria detected included Campylobacter, Enterococcus, Proteus, and Staphylococcus. No significant variability in bacterial diversity was observed across the four different cigarette brands.

Who would knowingly and willingly light a stick of bacterially infected toxins and then inhale the results? Sometimes reframing a compulsion and bringing its reality out into the light is enough to vanquish it. So when you light up your next cigarette, think about their exciting conclusion:

Previous studies have shown that smoking is associated with colonization by pathogenic bacteria and an increased risk of lung infections. However, this is the first study to show that cigarettes themselves could be the direct source of exposure to a wide array of potentially pathogenic microbes among smokers and other people exposed to secondhand smoke.

And since it is the holiday season, I'll end here on a happier note, but hopefully not happy enough to blunt the horror that you, the smoker, should be feeling right about now.

Ed's Top Ten of 2009

1. Marked Men - Ghosts (Dirtnap)

2. Death - ...For The Whole World To See (Thrill Jockey)

3. Obits - I Blame You (Sub Pop)

4. Vee Dee - Public Mental Health System (Criminal IQ)

5. Personal & The Pizzas/Bobby Ubangi - Split 7"

6. Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears - Tell 'Em What Your Name Is (Lost Highway)

7. V/A - Rocky Mountain Low: The Colorado Musical Underground of The Late 70s (Hyperpycnal)

8. Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds - Dracula Boots (In The Red)

9. Double Dagger - More (Thrill Jockey)

10. Times New Viking - Born Again Revisited (Matador)

kanYe West : Blog : FREDRIK "VINTERBARN"

kanYe West : Blog : FREDRIK "VINTERBARN"

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Hollows w/ Paper Mice @ Mopery Dec. 18

I've been enjoying the Hollows' self-titled full-length debut and after seeing them do an in-store performance at Permanent records about a month ago I've been hoping to see them play again soon. As it turns out, they're playing this Friday night at the Mopery in Logan Square (10pm @ 2734 N. Milwaukee) The best part is it's a FREE show. 

Hollows on Myspace

Paper Mice on Myspace

Hollows interviewed by the Chicago Reader

Hollows - S/T (Addenda Records)

Julianna Barwick - Sunlight, Heaven

Sunlight, Heaven: Julianna Barwick from Ray Concepcioñ on Vimeo.

Julianna Barwick's "Florine" is available now on saki

Glenn Jones & Jack Rose - The Things That We Used to Do

While we mourn the loss of Jack Rose, a glimmer of excitement can not be helped as we see a preview photo from the upcoming Glenn Jones & Jack Rose DVD to be released March 2010 by Strange Attractors Audio House. The label describes it best:

"The DVD was always meant to celebrate the two titans of the new steel string movement, almost as a mini-documentary.  It will remain a celebration, and will honor Jack, simply because his playing is astounding throughout (he nails all of them in one take save one, which he got in the second).  It shows the comparisons and contrasts between two artists, collaborators, friends.  Jack’s playing is so MUSCULAR, while Glenn is delicate in comparison.
 
You will love the half hour interview/conversation with Byron Coley.  I learned a lot from it.  Glenn has so many great stories about Basho and Fahey…it just comes off as three pals shooting the breeze, very cool." -Chris Scofield (Strange Attractors Audio House)

photo by Sam Erickson/44 Pictures

Not New Music

Typically I write something absurd in this space, and I get ridiculed behind my back by the goats and the weasels who meet in the river. This time, though, I want simply to reference some actual music for those of you who are lovers of that stuff.

I have recently been listening to a record called "My First 79 Years" which compiles music featuring a violinist by the name of Isaac Stern. Mr. Stern's violin playing has truly knocked my socks off and as I search for where they may have landed, I suggest that you find a way to give it a listen.

Eye Candy From Fredrik

Fredrik - Vinterbarn from The Kora Records on Vimeo.

The Bitter Tears @ Subterranean

The Bitter Tears will be performing THIS Thursday, 12/17 at Subterranean. For the $8 ticket, you are sure to be awed by a wildly unruly and certainly entertaining bunch of talented musicians.

Doors at 8:00 PM, 21+
Shows begin at 8:30 PM

Performing with: Begin By Gathering Supplies, The Columbines & Bully Pulpit

Mountain Dewds

You may recognize this fine gentleman as the man who serves you your beers when you're enjoying a good show at the Empty Bottle....Check out Willy Dunks & Co in this homemade 12-second Mountain Dew commercial they made for a contest. EXCELLENT.

http://12seconds.tv/v/Y5UAC

A Tough Row To Hoe - Detroit Cobras @ Double Door 12/19/09

Being a cover band can't be easy. There is an inherent stigma attached to playing nothing but other people's songs; "If you guys are so damn good, why don't you write your own freakin' songs?!?" While there is something to that argument, there are also bands that manage to skirt it. Case in point, The Detroit Cobras (performing 12/19/09 at the Double Door). If there is no other reason to give these vintage r&b and garage connoisseurs any credit, it is because most people haven't heard the original versions of at least half the songs they perform and (re)record. Kind of makes them an educational resource if you ask me. 

Here is a personal favorite that they fuzzed-up for a 1996 single on Human Fly, now available on their Original Recordings: 1995-1997 compilation. The fantastic Doo-wop Top 40 that inspired them is here as well.

Nathaniel Mayer & The Fabulous Twilights - Village Of Love (o.g. 1962)

2009, Well do ya?

2009, a year for the ages, a year for the record books, a year to remember, a year to forget….mainly forget. Sure, highs and lows abounded in 2009, but let’s not fly that helicopter Stevie Ray Vaughn style into the side of a mountain just yet. There are great and awesome things in the world, such as the absolute whirlwind that is The Jesus Lizard and the tour-de-force of distros, Carrot Top. Don’t believe me? You will, you will. (Shameless plug #1: You can order all of The Jesus Lizard reissue titles on Touch and Go Records from your friends at Carrot Top).

Why would any band want to hit the road knowing that our heroes The Jesus Lizard have reunited to show/tell you a thing-or-two-about-a-thing-or-two? Just ask Built To Spill, but we’ll get to that in a moment.

Nashville, July 14th at The Exit/Inn

It had been 11 years since I last saw The Jesus Lizard, yet there was an unspoken assurance in the air once I got to Nashville. Would they pull it off? Would they “recapture the spark of their glory years?” No one dared ask these questions. Why? Because we all KNEW that this band, out of the myriad of bands in the world, would be just as good, if not better than we remembered. It’s like the moon – always in the sky at night. Same with The Jesus Lizard – even their worst shows are better than any other bands best ever show. It’s scientific and shit. The Exit/Inn is fairly small (350 capacity) and by the end of the first song (the inimitable “Puss”), David Yow floated - atop an audience that sang along with every song, sometimes louder than Yow - all the way back to the sound board. And the band, killed that night. Absolutely killed. This was when I realized the unbelievable dance moves of one Duane Denison (I’ll call it the “silver shuffle”). It was also here that Yow told an awesome joke (what’s the difference between Farah Fawcett and Michael Jackson? ‘Bout 5 hours).

Later that evening, Larry Damore of Pegboy dived from the stage during The Lizard’s set into the crowd. The crowd did not catch him. Yes his shirt was pulled over his head. Yes, he did this himself, just before jumping. Coincidentally (see how this works? Shameless plug #2), you can order Pegboy’s Quarterstick Records catalog from Carrot Top as well. Imagine that, Christmas shopper.

Chicago, July 17th at Pitchfork Music Festival

Ever been to a music festival where a band (2nd of 3 in a 3 band lineup), held to rigid performance time schedules, are sent back out for an encore? Well, it happened at Pitchfork. Sure, there are those who will say “The Flaming Lips show was better than The Lizard’s show at Pitchfork”, but let me remind you: Wayne Coyne – travels crowd in giant plastic bubble. David Yow - travels crowd with no bubble. The Lizard need no plastic to blow your lovin’ mind. Just ask Built To Spill who had the unfortunate luck of following The Jesus Lizard with what was likely the worst show of their career. Sorry guys, happens eventually. Watching the band from backstage, I was both happy and sad. Happy to see Yow leap ferociously into the crowd mere seconds into the first song. Sad to see friends in the front row being crushed against the barrier to the stage (hey, it happens when people get REALLY excited about seeing a band). As the crowd realized the encore was actually happening, there was a stampede of humans racing back to the stage, Beatles-A Hard Day’s Night style. I’m sure someone got trampled….but not our friend Howard Greynolds who runs Overcoat Recordings!

All Overcoat releases, including the stellar “In The Reins” collaboration between Calexico and Iron & Wine and Oscar winners Glen Hansard/Marketa Irglova’s “Swell Season” recording (yep, that was shameless plug #3. Good eye, kid).


San Diego, October 14th at Casbah

If you’ve never been to The Casbah in San Diego, I am convinced it is the best venue ever in the history of ever. As airplanes fly 9/11 style overhead (the SD airport is only a few blocks from the club), I felt a bit nervous as I approached the Casbah’s door. Why? This club only holds 200 people, and that’s painfully packed! Of course, our heroes demolished, destroyed, and devastated the crowd. Mac McNeilly played a drum solo. If you’ve ever seen a drum solo performance at a concert, they usually suck horrendously. Not Mac’s. I think if Mac and John Bonham ever faced off, Mac would slug Bonham in the gut, and tell him to eat a hoagie. The audience at this show was star studded, too! Mario Rubalcaba (Earthless, Rocket From The Crypt, Hot Snakes), Juan Monasterio (Brainiac), Pall Jenkins (The Black Heart Procession, Three Mile Pilot), Henry Owings (Chunklet Magazine), Andy Roubilliard (Gogogoairheart), Matt Resovich (The Album Leaf, The Black Heart Procession), Rob Crow (Pinback, Goblin Cock, Heavy Vegetable) – all in attendance, all foaming at the mouth for The Lizard. And the band did not disappoint. Only the douchebag photographers, who jumped on stage to snap pics of Yow hovering atop the audience, disappointed. Thank you David Wm. Sims for literally kicking several photographers off of the stage. Natch, this is a prime spot for shameless plug #4 because you can order Earthless, Brainiac, GoGoGoAirheart, Album Leaf, Pinback, Three Mile Pilot, The Black Heart Procession and Goblin Cock titles, and Chunklet Magazine all from the loving hands here at Carrot Top.

Chicago, November 27th/28th at The Metro

Ahh, the Metro. A familiar stomping ground for The Jesus Lizard, this was the show to see in Chicago this year, with no doubt. The band was on their game as always, and Yow was in the crowd almost the entire show. Actually, he was dropped at the end of their 2nd encore (thanks, ladies), and fell 7 feet to the floor, badly bruising his ribs…as in nearly breaking them. Even the paramedics showed up and rushed him to the hospital. If you’ve never broken or bruised a rib, let me assure you – that shit HURTS dog, and hurts for MONTHS. Did that stop Yow the next night? ‘Course not. He appeared as the band took the stage, sitting center stage on a barstool. He jumped in the crowd during the first song. Making you reconsider the awesomeness of Wayne Coyne and that plastic bubble, huh?

Shameless plug #5 = get off the couch, get thee out from behind the trappings of the interweb, put on some adult clothes and contact Carrot Top to purchase the one thing you truly need: more awesome music (you soon-to-be-Christmas-shopper, you).

I’ll post something after the New Years Eve show with The Jesus Lizard and Disappears (who just signed to Chicago label, Kranky….distributed by Carrot Top). It will be better than your New Years Eve, I can promise you that.

Rest now, my liege,
Adam Reach
Touch and Go Records

Top 10 Releases of 2009

10. Trentemøller - Harbour Boat Trips 01 One of the best mixes I've heard in a long time...no set genre theme, just a great listen

9. The Field - Yesterday & Today Worth it for the excellent Korgis cover alone. Still at the head of the tech-house pack

Idaho - Stare at the Sky

Idaho - Stare at the Sky - Live @ The Knitting Factory, '96

Jack Rose by Windy Weber

A lovely article about Jack Rose composed by our beloved Windy Weber: click here

The Life and Times of Today

Today I ate a banana. After the banana, I walked a short distance somewhere. When that was done I sat in a place for a short time, then stood in a different part of that same place for a little more time. All in all, it was enjoyable, but nothing about which I would write home. Fortunately, the internet is is not bothered when people post things that they would not write home about, but nonetheless feel a need to divulge.

I hope my story makes a difference in your day; it has not done so in mine as much as it has actually been my day.

In some ways this is useless and inappropriate: Zing

Lincoln Hall

Tonight I am going to check out Schubas' new venue, Lincoln Hall. Performances by two of my favorite people, Rachele Eve and Matthew Santos begin at 10PM.

Curl up and brace for the cold..

Hideout Annual Christmas Panto

Any excuse to see Langford and company dress up in pirate regalia in ever-increasingly less credible environments is OK by me! Throw in Christmas, zeppelins, booze, and what I assume is a tip of the cap to my favorite WKRP episode, and you've got a sure fire winner!

Thursday 12/17 7:00 & 10:00

Friday 12/18 7:00 & 10:00

The Hideout Players present

The Third Annual Hideout Christmas Panto

Ho Ho Ho; the Humanity 

Prior to his career as a purveyor of gifts, Santa Claus was a zeppelin pirate

Fancy dress encouraged

*** early family friendly show ***

*** late 21+ less friendly show ***

Letters to Santa

Hello Santa's Helper!

The holiday season is just around the corner and we are hoping that you will once again help a child in need through the Chicago Sun-Times Season of Sharing program. We plan to serve more than 16,000 Chicago area children this year through "Letters to Santa" and we need generous Santas like you to make holiday wishes come true.

With your help, the Letters to Santa program provided holiday gifts to 19,660 low-income children from 117 schools, shelters and other nonprofit organizations throughout the Chicago area last year. Cash donations to the Empty Stocking Fund enabled us to provide $87,860 to schools and organizations to purchase holiday gifts for 4,393 kids.

Just like last year, we ask that you spend about $25 to fulfill a child's holiday wishes. Please go to www.suntimes.com/santa  to request a child's "Letter to Santa" or to make a donation to the Empty Stocking Fund. If you have any questions, send us an e-mail at elves@suntimes.com or call us at (773) 890-7373.

Thank you for all you do and have a very happy holiday season!!

Warm regards,
Amy Cornell
Season of Sharing Coordinator