CHIRP is building an Associate Board for young professionals 35 & under. Interested? Please fill out this form.
The CHIRP Blog
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+
Mike Bennett writesFriday iPod/MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday Bill Monroe Edition
This week, let’s celebrate the birthday of the King of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe. The Kentucky born Monroe got started in music in 1929 and had a number of hit records with his brother in the ‘30s. After World War II, Monroe assembled a legendary group of musicians for his Blue Grass Boys, and really began to spread the style of music around the world. Monroe’s band included the future duo of Flatt & Scruggs. Over two years, they recorded classic after classic, including Monroe’s theme song, “Blue Moon Over Kentucky”. Great musicians would come and go in his band, which rode high until the latter part of the ‘50s. The folk revival revived Monroe, who kept recording for years, and played his final show in 1996. His influence on American music is towering. In honor of Bill Monroe, 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 09/13 to Thursday 09/19
(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 13
Lonesome Tony, The Goofs
Abbey Pub 9pm, 21+
Dr. Manhattan, Queen Kwong, Darling
Beat Kitchen 9pm
Johnny Kilroy, The WHOevers, Justin Ruff, Jon Content, Erthe St. James
Bottom Lounge 8pm
Andrew W.K.
Double Door 11pm, 21+
Johnny Azari, Amith Bokka
Elbo Room 9pm 21+
The Hoyle Brothers
Empty Bottle 5:30pm, 21+