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Mike Bennett writesFriday iPod/MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday Don Cornelius Edition
He was a journalist who came up with one of the most popular syndicated music programs ever, bringing soul, funk and hip hop stars to larger audiences. There had been tons of record hop shows on television, but none geared so specifically towards black music until Cornelius started up Soul Train here in Chicago, on WCIU-TV, Channel 26, in 1970. The show was an instant sensation, and within a year, Cornelius moved it to L.A. as it went national. He hosted the show until 1993, closing every show by saying "... and you can bet your last money, it's all gonna be a stone gas, honey! I'm Don Cornelius, and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and soul!" Soul Train broke out beyond the African American community and became a trendsetting show, as everyone watched the Soul Train dancers (who included, briefly, future Chicago Bears great Walter Payton), the Soul Train Scramble Board and a lengthy list of great performers. Cornelius was the epitome of laid back cool, emphasizing a positive message and adding legitimacy to great music and a culture that wasn’t seen before on national TV. Let’s salute Don Cornelius by grabbing your iPod or MP3 player, hitting shuffle, and sharing the first 10 songs that come up.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesWeekly Voyages: Friday 09/27 to Thursday 10/03
(Weekly Voyages is CHIRP Radio's listing of concerts in Chicago at select venues. Information about tickets can be obtained from the venues' Web sites. (Do you have corrections or updates for this list? Send us an e-mail.)
Friday September 27
Meghan Saletta
Abbey Pub 9pm, 21+
Radical Something
Bottom Lounge 6pm,
Gold Fields, Rush Midnight
Double Door 8:30pm 21+
Feeling October's, Cavalier, Tigernite
Elbo Room 8pm 21+
The Hoyle Brothers
Empty Bottle 5:30pm, 21+
Meat Puppets, Enemy Planes, Vamos!
Empty Bottle 9pm, 21+
Snowmine, K. Serra, Taught Abroad
Hideout 01pm, 21+
Papadosio, EarthCry
House of Blues Chicago
Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, David Ramirez
Lincoln Hall 9pm, 18+
Prong, Iron Lung Corp, 16 Volt, Skrew, Hate Dept., Evil Mothers, Plague Bringer
Metro 6pm 18+
Balkano & Ethnic Dance Chicago
The Old Town School of Folk Music 8:30pm
Alli Klein: Family of Noise writesMy Riot Fest 2013 Weekend
By Alli Klein, CHIRP DJ
Once again swaddled in the serene greenery of Humboldt Park, Riot Fest 2013 happened this past weekend. Part of the problem with covering an entire festival where many of your favorite artists are playing is that you have to make some difficult choices. This happened to me quite a bit this year, moreso than last year. There were a few repeats on the list from last year, such as GWAR and Andrew WK, which are both definitely spectacles to see at least once. And my ‘once’ was last year, so this year I was able to focus my attention on some acts I’ve never seen before, and let me tell you, there was a lot of can't miss artists this year. You can view my photos from last year's Riot Fest, which includes Andrew WK and GWAR here.
Friday, I attended the fest with my fiancé and his brother, and after getting our bearings and navigating the 5 (not 4 like last year) stages, I was happy to see many local bands on the bill this year. What better way to start my weekend than with the Smoking Popes. The Popes formed in 1991 in the far north suburbs of Chicago by the Caterer brothers: Matt, Eli, and Josh. They broke up around ’99, but reformed in 2005 and since 2008 have had Neil Hennessey, of the Lawrence Arms, playing drums. This was my first time seeing The Smoking Popes, and I was thoroughly impressed. They closed with “I Know You Love Me,” which seemed so fitting to be singing to this particular crowd.
Mike Bennett writesFriday iPod/MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday Patrick Pentland Edition
Sloan has been one of the most consistent bands of the past 20 years. This is due in part to the fact that all four members of the band are talented songwriters. Sloan’s lead guitarist Patrick Pentland celebrates his birthday today, and while he has not been as prolific as other members, he has written (and sung) some of their most beloved songs. Pentland’s first band was a heavy metal outfit called Prosecutor, which they intended to call Persecutor. Perhaps in this ill-fated act, Pentland developed his love for the big riff, which he has used to great effect on Sloan classics like “Money City Maniacs” and “If It Feels Good Do It”. He’s not all about the rock, as he has written great pop tunes like “Everything You’ve Done Is Wrong” and “Losing California”. And next year, Pentland will get one album side for his own tunes, as the upcoming Sloan album will give each member one side for their tunes. In honor of Pentland, please grab your iPod or MP3 player, hit shuffle, and share the first 10 songs that come up.
Clarence Ewing: The Million Year Trip writesWeekly Voyages: Friday 09/20 to Thursday 09/26
(Weekly Voyages is CHIRP Radio's listing of concerts in Chicago at select venues. Information about tickets can be obtained from the venues' Web sites. (Do you have corrections or updates for this list? Send us an e-mail.)
Friday September 20
Jan King and Medicine Ball, Wild Torching Spree, Gold Web
Abbey Pub 9pm, 21+
Grails, Wrekmeister Harmonies, Lilacs & Champagne
Beat Kitchen 9pm
This Must Be the Band, Sons of the Silent Age
Bottom Lounge 8pm
Youngblood Brass Band
Double Door 9pm, 21+
Sean Magwire
Elbo Room 9pm 21+
Disappears, Weekend, Outside World, DJ Bud Sweet
Empty Bottle 9:30pm, 21+
Dustin Wong, CAVE
Hideout 10pm, 21+