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The CHIRP Blog
Mike Bennett writesFriday MP3 Shuffle — Happy Birthday Mark E. Smith Edition
[originally published 2010]
Since the late ’70s, The Fall has been the crap that talks back. As the late, great John Peel so aptly put it, The Fall always sounds different, the Fall always sounds the same. This is because of the sole constant in the band, the man who seemingly says “unh” after every phrase in his hectoring Mancunian accent, Mark E. Smith. Whether it’s careening off-kilter rockabilly or heavily electronic music, Smith’s torrent of acidic observations and musical adaptability have made The Fall one of the greatest bands ever, whose influence is immeasurable. In honor of Mr. Smith, please grab your iPod or MP3 player, hit shuffle and share the first ten tunes:
Joy Merten (Into the Void) writesTacoma, Fugazi, and Avacado Smoothies: A Conversation With A.M. Stations
I met up with local band A.M. Stations to talk about their most recent release, Tacoma, how important improvisation is to the band’s sound, and how we all really love Fugazi.
E. Malcolm Martinez writesJoin Us for The Juliana Hatfield Three at Lincoln Hall on March 7th!
The Juliana Hatfield Three has reunited 22 years after their debut, Become What You Are (1993, Mammoth Records), to release their very long awaited and highly anticipated sophomore offering, Whatever, My Love (2015, American Laundromat Records). Hatfield, formerly of the Blake Babies, drummer Todd Phillips, and bassist Dean Fisher will be playing songs from both albums at Lincoln Hall (2424 N Lincoln Ave) on Saturday, March 7th.
Hailing from the Boston area, Hatfield has had a steady output of solo albums since the initial break up of the Blake Babies in 1991. Her sound has varied throughout the years from forceful rockers to melodic, acoustic and haunting lullabies with the constant being Hatfield’s almost child-like voice. But it was the release of Become What You Are that brought her greatest critical and commercial success. Songs such as “My Sister” and “Spin The Bottle” received heavy airplay on the then fledgling alternative music radio airwaves. The album is considered by many to be one of the defining soundtracks of the '90s, musically aggressive enough to elbow in along the reigning grunge sound that dominated the era with enough soft edges to hold wider appeal.
For more information on the new album go the singer’s website, www.julianahatfield.com.
Tyler Clark presents: Local Mythologies writesTop Five Paisley Underground Songs to Remind You Spring Exists
Meteorological spring began four days ago, but in Chicago, winter stubbornly remains. While we wait for the last holdouts of frost and snow to retreat, let's check out five songs from one of the sunniest subgenres of the past 40 years. Predominantly found in Los Angeles and select points north during the early 1980s, the Paisley Underground found bands revisiting the acid-streaked sounds of the late '60s with the brashness and insistence of the snottiest '70s punks. The result is a sound well-suited for this restless time of year, and the sunny days that will, eventually, follow.
Trix writesTake a Slow Ride Into Spring with a Benefit for West Town Bikes on March 6th
Learn about bike maintenance and enjoy some awesome live sets by OBNOX and Chicago soul ELCRO LEWIS GROUP, as well as DJ sets from CHIRP DJs, East of Edens Soul Express, and DJ Scrabblor! Proceeds from the event will benefit West Town Bikes, a bike shop and education space focusing on under-served populations and youth in the city of Chicago.
Presented by West Town Bikes, New Belgium Brewing & The Empty Bottle, the night starts out at 8pm with basic bike maintenance and winter bike revival and once the class is over, the music takes over!
This event is on March 6th and is 21 and over. Purchase tickets in advance for $10 or at the door.
