Congratulations are in order for Flesh Panthers. Those scuzz-rock fiends are the only band to from last year's third round to make the trip again this year. They're joined by seven newcomers from across Chicago's music scene, including a boatload of fellow DIY firebrands (Lil Tits, Ego, Swimsuit Addition), some radio-ready power-poppers (The Kickback), a cerebral hip-hop assassin (Psalm One), and Chicago's greatest living soul singer (Mavis Staples).
Only half of these would-be titans can become this year's Last Four. Which ones, you ask? Well, that's all up to you. Voting for Round Three closes on Sunday, April 17 at 6 p.m. You know what to do; now do it.
The Wilco Regional
#5 Seed:The Kickback Third Round Song: "White Lodge" Sport Figure We Think of When We Hear Their Music: The mighty South Dakota Coyotes.
#6 Seed:Psalm One Third Round Song: "Voyeuristic" Sport Figure We Think of When We Hear Their Music: Florence Griffith Joyner. Get it, because she can flow? FloJo? I'll see myself out.
The Kanye Regional
#8 Seed:Lil Tits Third Round Song: "Were Werm" Sport Figure We Think of When We Hear Their Music: Ronda Rousey, but less good-natured.
#6 Seed:Flesh Panthers Third Round Song: "Elevator Girls" Sport Figure We Think of When We Hear Their Music: The living embodiment of the crowd at Disco Demolition Night.
The Chance Regional
#5 Seed:Ego Third Round Song: pick one. Sport Figure We Think of When We Hear Their Music: That squirrely kid in the jean shorts who hangs out at the one neighborhood basketball court in your hometown that still has a chainlink net.
#3 Seed:Tortoise Third Round Song: "Prepare Your Coffin" Sport Figure We Think of When We Hear Their Music: Fellow esoteric oldster Phil Jackson.
The Mavis Regional
#1 Seed:Mavis Staples Third Round Song: "You Are Not Alone" Sport Figure We Think of When We Hear Their Music: Fellow Chicago institution Ernie Banks.
#6 Seed:Swimsuit Addition Third Round Song: "I Turn To Art" Sport Figure We Think of When We Hear Their Music: A murderous gang of Baseball Furies from The Warriors.