Street Beatz

They not only brought the music but the party too! Last Thursday, hardcore fans packed Matryrs’ for an extra special, one night only Boombox performance. Yet don’t think it’s just an ordinary performance with a DJ and a guy on a guitar. Oh no, dear reader, it’s more than that. Boombox’s shows are like an all-night underground rave complete with dazzling lights and smoke machine effects. Russ (DJ) and Zion (vocals and guitars), the musical wizards known as Boombox, recently granted Street Beatz intimate access into their world.

Street Beatz: The last time Boombox was here in Chicago, you were on tour. Are you currently on tour?

Boombox: We’re traveling most of the time even though we’re home for a short time. Next week, we’ll be in Aspen, Co for the Jazz Aspen performing a pre and after show at Crystal Palace. The best thing about traveling is we meet so many cool people. We are thinking about traveling to Europe and Japan despite knowing it would be expensive. Plus we have special specifications needed for show set-up. However we’re waiting for the right person for sponsorship.

Street Beatz: When not touring, what’s down time like for Boombox or do you keep yourselves constantly busy?

Boombox: Just this – relaxing and working on gear to catching up with loved ones and family. Also working on new tracks. There’s a period after touring in which we have to take things into the fix-it shop. It’s very tough to accomplish anything in a short time.

Street Beatz: Has anything new happened since your last Chicago performance?

Boombox: We have new tracks and new music. Also, we have a new synthesizer as well as adding new toys for our new sound.

Street Beatz: In your opinion, what is the one factor do you attribute to the popularity of Boombox and its shows among fans?

Boombox: The music isn’t about us. We’re not trying to impress the people. We hope to see our shows as more of an interaction between music and fans. It’s about the people and getting things going with them. When we go out on stage, we’re assessing the crowd and go from there. We’re not trying to force our music on anyone. It’s the people’s music. Also we don’t write three minute pop songs. It’s their party and we’re honored to be chosen in performing cool music for their party.

Street Beatz: Could you tell me briefly, what’s going to be in the new album compared to your last one?

Boombox: Hopefully new material and new songs people never heard of before. It might contain recording of our Best Of shows.

Street Beatz: I also notice you’re giving the fans a chance to hear the new album before the media and radio stations. Care to explain the motive behind that move?

Boombox: Bottom line is you cannot force music on people. If it’s good, then it’s good.

Street Beatz: How would you describe Boombox and the music to someone who hasn’t seen your shows?

Boombox: It’s hard to describe. You could say it’s real and alive. The first time we performed, everyone had this puzzled look wondering if they should or not take us seriously. We’re doing our own thing regardless. People can take it or leave it. It’s like what Jerry Garcia (of The Grateful Dead) once said it’s not enough to be the best at what you do but being the only one at what you do. However our goal tonight is to make it hard for you not to write.

Street Beatz: Your performances take me back to the early days of underground/house music. Is that what Boombox trying to bring to its audience and fans?

Boombox: (Zion answering) Something to that effect. I grew up in San Francisco where the house music was lighter and basslines moved around. Chicago, the birthplace of underground and house, is where it’s at. It has a bigger beats and rolling basslines. House music in Chicago is still alive. You just have to know where to find it.

Street Beatz: In your opinion, what makes your music/songs stand out from the rest?

Boombox: We’re the only ones who do what we do.

Street Beatz: Is there a central message within Boombox’s songs?

Boombox: We think it would be: we can have that too …it’s still not done …the party’s not over. It’s a real movement going on.

Street Beatz: Is Boombox finding it difficult or easy in getting music heard on the radio?

Boombox: Like any other band, it’s kinda hard. The main thing is we’re playing live and touring. As we mentioned before, if the music is good, it’ll get noticed by word of mouth.

Street Beatz: During your last Chicago performance, I noticed an artist on stage with you. Do you have other artists like her during your other performances?

Boombox: That’s our friend Molly who was here last time. For local events or other tour shows, we have just her painting.

Street Beatz: What’s your opinion about websites such as Myspace? Do you think it’s a good jumping point for any musician/band in getting their music out there?

Boombox: Thank God for sites like Myspace because it opened up sharing info with other music lovers around the world. Sites like that are putting the power back into the people’s hands instead of the big labels telling them what they should be listening to. It also gives them the ability to buy music as well as musicians to share and be heard.

Street Beatz: Is there anything you’re doing differently for tonight’s performance?

Boombox: We have our new toy which allows Z (Zion) to get his fix and both of us to step into the DJ world. We think of ourselves as producers first. As the band develops more, people will understand the complete objective of Boombox.

Street Beatz: Is there one particular song and/or moment in which you can tell people are enjoying your shows?

Boombox: It depends but we don’t think there’s one particular song. People know our tracks. It’s all about playing the right track at the right time for us.

Street Beatz: What more can fans expect form Boombox in the near future?

Boomox: They can expect us to keep on changing and growing. They can expect to see us again. We’re not going away anytime soon.

I can honestly admit – Boombox did achieve its goal that night. This show, better than the first time I saw them, kept me partying most of the night alongwith many others who packed Martyrs’. Though it was a Thursday night, it felt like a Friday night and everyone was ready to start the weekend with some fun. As soon as Russ (at the DJ table) and Zion (on vocals and guitar) were on stage, everyone was shouting their favorite songs at the duo. When opening sequences for The World began to play, not one inch of that venue was standing still. The party was on! Their neverending range of music and songs kept the party until early morning even though it could have gone on forever. Never once did Boombox lose that energetic vibe felt from their fans throughout their set.

I believe it’s their music which truly had something to do with it. It’s the type music which old school house and underground fans would appreciate knowing that it’s still alive and well with this duo. With their funky combination of bassline beats and the electric guitar, Boombox recreated a scene once thought dead. However with Zion’s new synthesizer added to the mix, the sound took on a whole different element for their music. I enjoyed that splash of techno/electronica in a couple of their songs. During one song, it felt like everyone was taking a psychedelic trip through the Boombox universe. As the song continued, the sound switch to a sci-fi effect and feel. It was truly one magical journey of beats and solitary electric riffs before crashing landing back to reality. Yet their range of music didn’t stop there. I also enjoyed how they sampled “classics” like Michael Jackson’s Billy Jean that really liven up the party. The crowd was getting all funktified to the mixed beats during this long instrumental track.

Performing songs like Midnight On The Run and Wanted, I liked the extended club version of my favorite song, Mr Boogeyman. It had a funkier electric guitar “chat” (if you could call it that) with Russ at the beginning of the song. Like many, I also prefer Boombox’s long instrumentals woven strategically within their songs. It gave the hardcore and new fans a chance to not only hear but feel the music while partying. Lyrics were rarely needed to get this crowd moving since the majority was already buzzed with dance fever. Sometimes you could hear them singing along to their personal favorites. Yet the most requested song of the night was the fan favorite, Stereo. One enthusiastic fan who screamed for all night long finally got his wish towards the end of the set. For a nearly three and half hour performance, I’m willing to say it didn’t feel like it. Too busy dancing and having fun, it felt like their show was still in its beginning stages when they performed the final song. All night long, you could tell Boombox love what they’re doing for their fans. And I know the fans cannot wait until the next time they bring the party back to Martyrs’.

I encourage everyone to catch Boombox while they’re traveling around the country and scratch that party itch. I guarantee you’ll have a funky good time. Visit their website at www.thisisboomox.com or myspace at www.myspace.com/thisisboombox.com for more information about the band and where they’ll be appearing next.

Performing hits off his debut album, Aliens & Rainbows, Ferras had a very good afternoon set for the Lolla fans. Though majority of it was with his band, I preferred the semi-acoustic performance of his song, Everybody Bleeds the Same. Compared to the recorded version, the acoustic version for Lollapalooza brought out the emotions and passion in his vocals. That moving performance simply wowed the crowd to tears. Other songs during his set included Something About You, a simple rock song than his other pop alternative tunes, and Liberation Day, a tentative title to his upcoming sophomoric album. Despite many enjoyed his set in the cool shade instead of under the hot sun, many responded warmly to his performance. They did however were fired up upon hearing his hit, Hollywood's Not America as Ferras closed out the set. For more information about Ferras, check out his myspace page at www.myspace.com/ferrasmusic or his website at www.ferrasmusic.com.

Later that afternoon, I checked out another show in which my new friend, Brad, called this artist a cross between Stevie Wonder's R&B and Jamiroquai 's funk/soul. This combination certainly fired up this enthusiastic crowd during Jamie Lidell's Lollapalooza performance. It was fun set of music that had everyone dancing to the beat. No one at the Myspace stage was standing still. Jamie's songs included some scat, freebase rap and hip hop sounds. Almost looking like Buddy Holly on stage, I enjoyed how this artist crossed different genres and sounds within his music. For example during one song's conclusion he created a cross between clubDJ/rave mix and another featured some classic 50s do-wop sound. The crowd went absolutely wild during a dual saxophone solo and instrumental. I liked the enegetic show so much was quite disappointed that it had to end so soon. Ending with fan favorite, Multiply, Jamie and the band opened the song with an acappella beginning before rocking out the crowd. I highly suggest catching this artist when he returns to the Metro in October. To find out more information about Jamie Lidell, visit his myspace page at www.myspace.com/jamielidell or www.jamielidell.com.

Hollywood glitz and glamour came to the heart of Chicago’s northwest side for one sunny afternoon. Vampires everywhere came to the historic Portage Park Theatre for the world premiere of David Schmickel’s The Blind and The Dead. Movie buffs and fans crowded outside for an opportunity to see red carpet arrivals of Blanca Dandy and Claire “Fluff” Dandy. Inside, Master Ron Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald’s Realm entertained everyone with two amazing feats of magical illusion. Also, he served as the premiere’s Master of Ceremony. Local Goth/industrial band, Grigori3, rocked the stage with a rare daytime performance before movie was shown.

The Blind and The Dead is about a vampire, Julia (played by Claire “Fluff” Ryan), who still laments over her conversion and the death of her sister. Her haunting dreams aren’t the only things chasing her. She has to evade the demanding vamp co-horts, Angelique and Ilona (Yvonne Nieves and Ellen Fliesler), after promising to find the invisibility stone for their mistress, Mistress Sorina (Daniela Valkanova). Julia’s journey takes her away from the cavernous coven to Isabelle (Blanca Dandy), a blind woman who spends time in a special room conversing with a skeleton she named Matilda. The name coincidentally does mean something to Julia because it’s the name of her dead sister. Despite objections from her sisters and friend, Isabelle allows Julia to stay in the house.

Both characters are drawn to each other as the movie progresses. Yet it’s more of a bi-sexual love connection that attracts the two women. I noticed the subtle hints of dominance (on Julia’s part) and willing submissiveness (from Isabelle) the more these two shared screen time. This attraction does lead to Julia converting the innocent Isabelle into a vampire. Meanwhile, Angelique and Ilona are hot on Julia’s tail demanding that she find that stone or face Sorina’s wrath. There’s a reason behind Julia’s hesitation in the finding the stone and part of it has something to do with Isabelle. Isabelle, on the other hand, has problems of her own as well. A nosy neighbor who believes she should be placed in a mental institution and sisters who resent her special relationship with the seductive vampire.

Even though the scene jumping was somewhat confusing and a bit distorted, there are a couple of scenes in which Julia does exhibit her seductive side on two victims within the movie. Isabelle had the best kill shot when she takes down the nosy neighbor in the woods thus receiving her sight back. Revenge never tasted so sweet for Isabelle however it doesn’t last long. Sorry no movie spoilers will be posted here but this does set up the ending. The Blind and The Dead’s conclusion does leave a lot of room for a sequel due to the many unresolved questions and plot sequences left unanswered.

The Blind and The Dead was visually absorbing movie that the average viewer may need repeat viewings to grasp the director’s vision. I liked David Schmickel’s idea of using the natural scenery of Kenosha, WI to the in-your-face close-ups during the character dialog. However, sometimes the arguments did seem faked and unbelievable to this reviewer especially from an all female cast. Even I could think of something better to say than “bitch” when very angry. Women do have a larger vocabulary to voice their anger and frustration towards another woman. More could have been done to enhance Mistress Sorina’s screen time too. If introduced earlier instead of later, perhaps her time on screen wouldn’t appear so lackluster. The character that I did find interesting was the skeleton Matilda. She does play a pivotal role despite being an inanimate object for majority of the movie. It was very interesting how the director used that role during one crucial point to haunt Angelique inside the historic Kenosha Theatre. Even the creepy version of Greensleeves playing throughout the movie did send chills down my spine. Never knew that a simple melody could be so creepy when used in a horror movie.

Overall, this reviewer suggests indie movie buffs checking out David Paul Schmickel’s The Blind and The Dead for the symbolism and scenic imagery. For more info on the movie, production and DVD purchasing information, visit www.jezebethfilms.com or www.myspace.com/lenora_blandy.

Mindsight - a hot rock band on the rise making fast waves within the local music scene. They made themselves a household name by opening for such big named acts like Lacuna Coil and Staind. Now sponsored by Jagermeister and Revolver Clothing, they’re defying all laws of musical physics in pushing the bar further. When it comes to performing their distinctive sound, Mindsight makes sure everyone in the audience’s having a great time. Today, it was no different as they prepared to take the stage premiering their latest CD release, Five Minutes Later. This sophomoric album is the follow-up to their Hurry Up and Wait CD which was also premiered before a huge crowd at the Metro. Comparing the new album to the old one, there’s more hard-hitting rock and keyboard rhythms and less percussion ensemble. Observing how their fans reacted to the new Mindsight sound, it’s a perfect fit for band. Street Beatz was extremely lucky to sit with members, Aaron (on vocals and guitar), Tony (percussion and keyboard), Brian (drums), Q (bass) and Danni (guitar) before performing in front of a sell-out crowd.

And what a show did Mindsight have! This reporter noticed the grittiness and hardcore rock sound in their songs that had the audience screaming for more. Though missing Mindsight’s famous ambient percussion rhythms, I enjoyed the energy felt in the new music. I do recommend snagging a copy of Five Minutes Later for your CD collection however it’s best seeing Mindsight live for the full rock experience. The band is performing an 18+ show at The Abbey on Aug 15th as well as dates in September. For more information, go to www.mindsightmusic.com or www.myspace.com/mindsight