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Mike Bennett writesFriday iPod/MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday Wesley Willis Edition
Today, let’s pay tribute to a local legend, the late Wesley Willis. When I moved into the city from the ‘burbs in the early ‘90s, he was a ubiquitous presence. Wesley was a big dude who you’d see at shows or in the middle of the street, hawking his ink pen drawings of cityscapes and other things. He’d greet many folks with a head butt. Wesley was schizophrenic, and in addition to his visual art, he bought a cheap Casio keyboard and began composing and recording brief songs, often depicting shows he’d seen, with direct, narrative lyrics, ending almost every song with “Rock over London/rock on Chicago” followed by some advertising catch phrase, like “Cadillac – it’s got style.” He later fronted the hard rock Wesley Willis Fiasco. As with other outsider art (ex. – Daniel Johnston), the question was always whether Wesley was being exploited, and that can be debated. All I can say is that he was a memorable part of the Chicago music scene and he sure seemed to enjoy being a part of it. In honor of Wesley, 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 05/31 to Thursday 06/06
(Do you have corrections or updates for this list? Send us an e-mail.)
Friday May 31
Okapi
Abbey Pub 9pm, 21+
Mr. Blotto
Abbey Pub 9pm, 21+
Shiloh, More Gorgeous, Departures, The Flips
Beat Kitchen 9pm
Detroit Cobras, Pangea, The Statutes of Liberty
Double Door 9pm, 21+
The Hoyle Brothers
Empty Bottle 5:30pm, 21+
Mike Bennett writesFriday iPod/MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday Bob Dylan Edition
You may call him Bobby, or you may call him Zimmy – yep, it’s Bob Dylan’s birthday! I’m not sure if there’s any brief way to fully pay tribute to one of the major composers and performers of the ‘60s, whose influence changed rock and pop music about as much as anyone. Let’s just say, thanks to Bob Dylan, popular music could go in directions well beyond simple two and three minute ditties. And Dylan is still capable of putting out great music, even as his vocal capabilities diminish, as evidence by 2012's fine Tempest album. As the video from that album and his satellite radio prove, Dylan remains cool beyond all belief. In honor of Mr. Dylan, 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 05/24 to Thursday 05/30
(Do you have corrections or updates for this list? Send us an e-mail.)
Friday May 24
Project Pitchfork, Ayria, V1rtual D3scent
Abbey Pub 8pm, 21+
Sean Shiel
Abbey Pub 9pm 21+
Fatbook, Cole Degenova & The People's Republic
Beat Kitchen 9pm, 21+
Guilty Simpson, Rita J, Cysion, Impolite Society, Cutz on Cuts
Double Door 9pm, 21+
The Hoyle Brothers
Empty Bottle 5:30pm, 21+
Jason Crock writesSaturday Looks Good to Me at Schubas on May 23!
CHIRP welcomes Saturday Looks Good to Me to their show at Schubas on Thursday, May 23. Since beginning as a basement recording project in 2000, the band has merged 1960s pop sounds with a range of styles and influences over four proper albums and various singles, compilations, and tour-only releases. Though the lineup of their live band has often changed, the constant remains songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Fred Thomas, the mastermind of the group through its many incarnations. The indie-pop band is returning from a four-year hiatus to tour behind a brand-new new album, One Kiss Ends it All, out on Polyvinyl Records this month.
The 21-and-over show begins at 9 PM, with Chicago’s own Like Pioneers (former Bound Stems) and Mister Suit as openers. Visit Schubas or CHIRP Events for more info.