Chicago Music Guide: December 2009

Friday, December 18, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Owl City Announces Spring 2010 US Headlining Tour;

Winter 2010 US Headlining Tour Sold Out

Ocean Eyes Certified Gold & Fireflies Goes Double Platinum!

New York, NY Owl City announces a Spring headlining tour of the US kicking off on March 30^th in Boise, ID and hitting every major US market including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco, Denver, DC and more before ending on May 2^nd in Milwaukee. The tour will come on the heels of a headlining tour of Europe and the UK as well as a tour of Australia where theyll be joining up with Cobra Starship. In addition, the Spring headlining tour will be Owl Citys second Stateside headlining tour in 2010 as the band is heading out on a sold out Winter tour in January.

As the band gears up for a busy 2010, Owl City can reflect on what has been an unbelievably successful 2009. Ocean Eyes was recently certified gold in the US and the first single Fireflies has sold more than 2 million copies making it double platinum. Fireflies also hit the #1 position on Billboards Hot 100 chart twice and went #1 on iTunes in the US, Canada, Denmark, Holland and New Zealand. In addition, the video for Fireflies found fans at MTV, FUSE and VH1 where it is currently the #1 Most Played video on the channel and the band established themselves as a viable live act thanks to sold out headlining tours of the US, China and Japan making this small town artist an international phenomenon.

Additionally, Owl City earned numerous accolades from the media over the past six months. He was featured inRolling Stone who said Ocean Eyes is filled with appealing dreamy electro-pop, USA Today who wrote Young belongs to a grand pop-music tradition the bedroom musical savant, and Entertainment Weekly who said Youngs album Ocean Eyes contains quite a few catchy tunes, so were betting radio programmers wont be leaving Owl City soon and post Owl Citys NYC show in September Rob Harvilla at the Village Voice wrote Owl Citygets a more intense reaction from a Bowery Ballroom crowd than even Nine Inch Nails didtoo infectious to resist. Hes also graced the covers of HITS andPollstar and was featured in the New York Times, NME, and Billboard who have been incredible supportive since the beginning.

Confirmed Spring headlining US tour dates are listed below and for a complete list of Owl City tour dates please visitwww.owlcitymusic.com.

March 30^th Knitting Factory Boise, ID

31^st Knitting Factory Spokane, WA

April 1^st Paramount Theater Seattle, WA

3^rd Roseland Theater Portland, OR

5^th Fillmore San Francisco, CA

6^th Fillmore San Francisco, CA

7^th Fox Theater Pomona, CA

8^th Soma San Diego, CA

9^th Club Nokia Los Angeles, CA

10^th Marquee Phoenix, AZ

12^th Salt Air Salt Lake City, UT

13^th Ogden Denver, CO

15^th Stubbs Austin, TX

17^th Nokia Theater Dallas, TX

19^th War Memorial Nashville, TN

20^th Tabernacle Atlanta, GA

22^nd DAR Hall Washington, D.C.

23^rd House of Blues Boston, MA

24^th Terminal 5 New York, NY

25^th Electric Factory Philadelphia, PA

28^th House of Blues Cleveland, OH

29^th Royal Oak Detroit, MI

30^th Riviera Theatre Chicago, IL

May 1^st State Theater Minneapolis, MN

2^nd Eagle Ballroom Milwaukee, WI

posted by Chicago Music Guide # 11:59 AM 0 Comments

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Due to the recent bus crash involving Rivers Cuomo, and per doctor's orders the following WEEZER shows are cancelled:

12/7/2009 -- Agganis Arena -- Boston, MA

12/9/2009 -- Patriot Center -- Baltimore, MD

12/10/2009 -- Susquehanna Center -- Camden, NJ

1/9/2010 -- Bill Graham Civic Auditorium -- San Francisco, CA

1/11/2010 -- UCI Bren Events Center -- Irvine, CA

1/13/2010 -- RIMAC Arena -- La Jolla, CA

1/15/2010 -- Dodge Theatre -- Phoenix, AZ

Refunds will be given at point of purchase.

posted by Chicago Music Guide # 5:03 PM 0 Comments

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 15, 2009

THE ACADEMY IS… ANNOUNCE HOMETOWN SHOW;

CHICAGO ROCKERS CELEBRATE 5-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF

“ALMOST HERE,” WITH EXCLUSIVE CLUB DATE

Decaydance/Fueled By Ramen recording group The Academy Is…have unveiled details for a special hometown performance. The show, set to take place at Metro in Chicago, IL on February 6^th , will commemorate the 5-year anniversary of their breakthrough debut “Almost Here.” TAI will be joined by friends Sing It Loud, as well as other special guests for the celebration. Tickets for the event will go on sale at 12:00PM on December 19^th and some members of TAI will be at Metro’s box office to kick everything off and collect canned food donations for the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Formed in the Chicago suburb of Hoffman Estates back in 2002, TAI captured attention right from the start with their inventive, electrifying take on expressive punk-inspired rock ‘n’ roll. Released in February 2005, the band’s debut album, “Almost Here,” earned unanimous critical acclaim, with Alternative Press declaring it a “bona-fide punk-pop masterpiece.”

In 2006, TAI was honored with a trio of mtvU Woodie Awards nominations for “Almost Here,” including the prestigious “Woodie of the Year.” The also received two “Streaming Woodie” nods – presented to the year’s Most Downloaded Videos – for “Checkmarks” and “Slow Down.”

TAI recently wrapped-up a nationwide stint as co-headliners on Alternative Press’ infamous “AP Tour.” The tour heralded the release of their new EP, “LOST IN PACIFIC TIME” which gathers five brand-new TAI tracks including “I’m Yours Tonight.” The EP is currently available at all DSPs as well as the Fueled By Ramen webstore (located at store.fueledbyramen.com).

For up-to-the-minute information, please visit www.theacademyis.com and www.myspace.com/theacademyis. Additional news and info can be accessed atwww.fueledbyramen.com

posted by Chicago Music Guide # 3:34 PM 0 Comments

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

METRO ANNOUNCES 2009 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS CONCERT SERIES

Calling all college students, former Chicagoans, and visitors! Metro welcomes you back to Chicago with Metro’s Home For the Holidays Concert Series. Featuring six special concerts showcasing the city’s most promising bands, there’s no better way to celebrate the holidays than with some great music. Low ticket prices make the series a great gift or holiday outing with family and friends, and there will also be a food drive, giving patrons an opportunity to give back to those in need this holiday season. Meet up with old friends, expose your relatives to new music, or just come check out what’s new in the Chicago music scene, at Metro’s Home For The Holidays Concert Series on December 18, 19, 20, 26 and January 2, 8 and 9. The Chicago Independent Radio Project will also host a food drive on December 18, 19, and 20 to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository – donors will be entered into a raffle for a Metro prize package!

First up, on Friday December 18, Rise Against kicks off the Home For The Holidays series. It’s been 10 years since Rise Against came on the scene and to celebrate they will be playing only songs from their first two records – “The Unraveling” and “Revolutions Per Minute” at a very special show. “Songs from the Fat Years” will take place December 18th at Metro and will feature fellow Chicago punk band The Bollweevils as well as Noise By Numbers. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to Chicago’s Intonation Music Workshop (IMW), a music education program that provides access to instruments, instruction, and performance opportunities for Chicago youth aged 6-17 in under-served neighborhoods. IMW provides a safe and positive environment in which young people can learn to express themselves musically, at the same time developing life skills and values such as cooperation, practice, risk taking, and setting and meeting goals. Bring canned goods to the Chicago Independent Radio Project table in the Metro Store for your chance to win a Metro prize package.

On Saturday, December 19, Kill Hannah headlines the second night of the series. For Chicago natives Kill Hannah, it was a bitter break-up that brought the guys together. Formed in 1993 by singer-songwriter Mat Devine, the band took its name from Devine’s ex-girlfriend. The band’s first two albums, The Beauty in Sinking Ships and Here Are the Young Moderns in 1998 were both self-released. It was in 1999 with Kill Hannah’s album, American Jet Set, released on Brat Pack Records, that the band was thrust into the forefront of the Chicago rock scene. In 2006, the Chicago quartet released their first major label record, For Never & Ever. While the album was primarily a re-recording of past songs that were live favorites, the breath of fresh air into their hard-hitting melodic masterpieces was a success. From there, the band went on to tour nationally and internationally with such artists as: Dashboard Confessional, 30 Seconds to Mars, AFI, The All-American Rejects, and The Sounds. In support of their newest album, Wake Up the Sleepers, Kill Hannah will be coming home for the holidays to play a show at the Metro on December 19 as part of Metro’s Home For The Holidays concert series. Bring canned goods to the Chicago Independent Radio Project table in the Metro Store for your chance to win a Metro prize package.

Also on Saturday December 19, UR Chicago Online, Untitled, We Are The Weekend and Metro welcome The Official Kill Hannah After Party and December Edition of One Night Stand, with Dark Wave Disco DJs, Willy Joy, Kid Color, Team Bayside High and Midnight Conspiracy. A monthly 18 & over dance party that’s quickly become the talk of the town, One Night Stand is the place to be on Saturday night, and a great place to kick off your holiday week festivities and continue the Kill Hannah party!

Sunday, December 20, it’s Super Band Sunday with Lasers and Fast and Shit (and friends), Old Fake, Call Me Lightning and Driftless Pony Club. Lasers and Fast and Shit are quickly becoming one of Chicago’s most talked about bands, with their penchant for showmanship and live performances bordering on insanity. Not only does their music – which features a seemingly incongruous blend of raucous rock, punk, stoner and melodious sounds that somehow works for them – capture the attention of audiences, the band also plays on instruments and gear they largely build themselves. From their unparalleled light show, controlled by the band on stage, to their use of toys and non-instruments in their performances, this band will hold your attention from the first note to the last. They’ll be joined at this show by some surprise guests. Old Fake, Call Me Lightning and Driftless Pony Club will also play. Bring canned goods to the Chicago Independent Radio Project table in the Metro Store for your chance to win a Metro prize package.

After Christmas, Home For The Holidays picks up again on Saturday December 26. Keep your holiday festivities going and celebrate Chicago bands with Lucky Boys Confusion’s annual Songs From A Scene show! Together since 1997, suburban Chicagoans Lucky Boys Confusion quickly gained the attention of fans with their mixture of punk, ska and pop sounds. After self-releasing their first album, the band was signed to Elektra and released Throwing the Game in 2001 and Commitment in 2003, achieving mainstream success that built upon their loyal indie following. Several self-released EPs and a live album followed, but it wasn’t until this summer that LBC released their first full-length album in several years, Closing Arguments, to the delight of fans. An annual Metro tradition since 2000, the Songs From A Scene show features local bands hand selected by Lucky Boys Confusion, and is always a wonderful celebration of the talent of the Chicago music scene. This year, the band will be joined by The Fold, The Action Blast and The Attraction. Tickets are $18.50 in advance and $20 day of show. The show is all ages and starts at 6pm.

Saturday, January 2, Kid, You’ll Move Mountains headlines Metro’s first concert of 2010. Picture Books, Venn and Crayolala will also play. Kid, You’ll Move Mountains is looking to start the New Year off right, playing Metro’s first show of 2010. Shotgun drumming, ambient, effect-laden guitars, jitterbug bass lines and vocal interplay between male and female singers are the trademarks of Kid, You’ll Move Mountains. Live, this indie pop band can best be described as sounding like a hybrid of Death Cab for Cutie and The Hush Sound, with their mellow tunes with an occasional upbeat twist and collaboration of male-female vocals. The band has joined with openers Picture Books, Venna and Crayolala to declare it to be the Greatest Show Ever, and all four bands are offering free MP3s for download on the website http://www.greatestshowever.com.

The final weekend of the Home For The Holidays concert series is a last hurrah before classes start up again. Friday January 8, Decal Productions welcomes Skank, Loosing Scarlet, Inn Cinema, Seven Day Sonnet and Westbury. Bringing it from the blue-collar brutality of Chicago, Skank plays heavycore music with catchy hooks and rhythmic grooves. A down and dirty sound, chunky, greasy riffs and horny bull bellowing round out the sound of the suburban Chicago band. Could Skank be the next heavy band you’ll fall in love with? Find out live on January 8. Loosing Scarlet, Inn Cinema, Seven Day Sonnet and Westbury also play.

The series wraps up on Saturday, January 9 with Treaty of Paris, AM Taxi, The Insecurities, Last Fast Action and The Victory Gins. Treaty of Paris hit the ground running four years ago and hasn’t stopped since. Their love affair with anthemic, poppy songs and compact arrangements has won them fans across the country, and their full-length debut, Sweet Dreams, Sucker, released last year, was a turbine-powered album that introduced Treaty Of Paris as a band that pens smart, taut arrangements catchy enough to make even the most tone-deaf sing along. With a dedication to their energetic live performance, Treaty of Paris is a band that doesn’t disappoint. The band has supported major tours across the United States and Canada with such acts as Jack’s Mannequin, Spill Canvas, Yellowcard, Secondhand Serenade, Fun, Eric Hutchinson, Augustana, and Meg and Dia. They were part of Warped Tour in 2008 and played the last two years of Bamboozle, New Jersey’s annual spring music festival. Treaty of Paris has also received accolades and features from music magazines Alternative Press and Guitar World. Following the success of their last album, the band dedicated the entire last year to writing and recording the follow up EP Currents. Currents is set for national digital release in January 2010. The band will kick-off the EP release with the concert at Metro that night. With a dedication to their energetic live performance, Treaty of Paris is a band that doesn’t disappoint.

Come join Metro and some of Chicago’s best and brightest bands for the 2009 Home For The Holidays Concert Series!

Friday, December 18: SOLD OUT!

Home For The Holidays Welcomes...

Songs From “The Fat Years”...Ten Year Anniversary Show...

RISE AGAINST * THE BOLLWEEVILS * NOISE BY NUMBERS

$26 / All Ages / Doors: 6PM / Show: 6:30PM

Proceeds from tickets will go to the Chicago’s Intonation Music Workshop

Saturday, December 19:

Home For The Holidays Welcomes...

KILL HANNAH * HEY CHAMP * 1997

$20 - $50 VIP Tickets / All Ages / Doors: 6PM / Show: 6:30PM

$50 VIP ticket details will be available at metrochicago.com

Saturday, December 19:

UR Chicago Online, Untitled, We Are The Weekend & Home For The Holidays Welcome...

The Official Kill Hannah/NHFXM7 After Party...

ONE NIGHT STAND with

DARK WAVE DISCO DJs * WILLY JOY * KID COLOR * TEAM BAYSIDE HIGH * MIDNIGHT CONSPIRACY

Visuals by HEY! CLICHÉ! VIDEO CLUB

$6 / 18 & Over / Doors: 11:30PM / Show: 11:30PM

First 250 receive FREE admission

Sunday, December 20:

Home For The Holidays Welcomes...

Super Band Sunday...

LASERS AND FAST AND SHIT (and friends) * OLD FAKE * CALL ME LIGHTNING * DRIFTLESS PONY CLUB

$9 / 18 & over/ Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm

Saturday, December 26:

Home For The Holidays Welcomes...

Songs From A Scene...

LUCKY BOYS CONFUSION * THE FOLD * THE ACTION BLAST * THE ATTRACTION

$18.50 adv. - $20 day of / All Ages / Doors: 5:30PM / Show: 6:00PM

Saturday, January 2:

KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS * PICTURE BOOKS * VENNA * CRAYOLALA

$9 / 18 & Over / Doors: 8PM / Show: 9PM

Friday, January 8:

Decal Productions Welcomes...

SKANK * LOSING SCARLET * INN CINEMA * SEVEN DAY SONNET * WESTBURY

$11 / All Ages / Doors: 5:30PM / Show: 6PM

Saturday, January 9:

TREATY OF PARIS (CURRENTS EP RELEASE PARTY) * AM TAXI * THE INSECURITIES * LAST FAST ACTION * THE VICTORY GINS

$11 adv. - $13 day of / All Ages / Doors 5:30PM / Show: 6PM

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT:

Metro Box Office

Internet sales at www.metrochicago.com

About Metro

Metro is one of the country’s most renowned independent concert venues. Established in July 1982, Metro has become a playground for new and developing local artists as well as showcasing the best cutting edge bands from around the globe for twenty-five years. For more information, visit www.metrochicago.com

About The Chicago Independent Radio Project

The Chicago Independent Radio Project, or CHIRP, was formed to bring a truly independent music- and arts-focused community radio station to Chicago. CHIRP is launching its new service on the web at CHIRPradio.org in the fall of 2009. In addition, they are working to change the law so they can eventually apply for a low power FM broadcast license. Learn more at http://chicagoindieradio.org

posted by Chicago Music Guide # 12:54 PM 0 Comments

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Wesley Willis's Joy Rides Comes To DVD on December 8,

Free Premiere in Chicago

A portrait of the self proclaimed rock ‘n’ roll star and “Chicago City Artist”, Wesley Willis

CHICAGO - Sunday, December 6th at 7pm - FREE!

The Empty Bottle

1035 N Western Avenue

Chicago, IL 60622

www.emptybottle.com

With music following the screening

Eyeosaur and MVD Visual are proud to announce the DVD release of Wesley Willis's Joy Rides on December 8, 2009.

An underground rock icon and revered artist, the late, great Wesley Willis attracted and offended people the world over. Wesley Willis’s Joy Rides follows the life of the prolific and controversial artist on his journey from obscurity to fame.

A Chicago native, Wesley Willis became an underground rock icon, revered artist and hero to many before his untimely death in 2003. Termed by some as an “outsider artist” due to his schizophrenia, the film examines Wesley’s ability to draw people in despite his intimidating facade.

Through his force of personality and his artistic talents, Wesley’s music and art attracted people from all walks of life. Greeting people with a headbutt and a request to say “rah” and “roh”, Wesley quickly stood out in a crowd. Through interviews with friends and footage from the last four years of Wesley’s life, a portrait emerges of a man whose day-to-day existence was wrought with pain and joy. Although his life was troubled, Wesley never stopped creating. He continued to draw pictures and write songs up until his death.

Wesley Willis’s Joy Rides won the Gold Hugo for the Chicago Award at the 2008 Chicago International Film Festival. It premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival in January 2008, and has since been shown at Noise Pop Film Festival, Hot Docs,SXSW, and The Starz Denver Film Festival.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0xkqOvZCMA

posted by Chicago Music Guide # 3:41 PM 0 Comments

Friday, December 18, 2009

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Archives