KEN Mode @ the Invisible Oranges SXSW 2013 Showcase (more by Greg Cristman)

Winnipeg's KEN Mode aren't into staying off the road for too long. The trio will continue their never-ending lap of the U.S. by linking up with Torche in the beginning of May. That tour includes a performance at the Empty Bottle on May 31 with locals Tight Phantomz. Advance tickets for the Chicago show are still available. As discussed, Torche will also be playing at Do Division 2013 on May 31. And don't forget, KEN Mode will return to Chicago on July 20 to play the 2013 Pitchfork Music Festival (tickets).

All KEN Mode dates, a tour poster, a stream of this year's excellent Entrench, and their new video for "Counter Culture Complex" are below...

Continue reading "KEN Mode opening for Torche at the Empty Bottle"

Pitchfork Music Festival 2012 (more by James Richards IV)

As discussed, Pitchfork Music Festival 2013 is set to take place in Union Park from July 19-21. The festival's initial lineup featured R. Kelly, Björk, Belle & Sebastian, Joanna Newsom, the Breeders (playing Last Splash), Swans, Rustie, El-P, Chairlift, Killer Mike, TNGHT, Sky Ferreira, ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead, Mac DeMarco, Foxygen, Angel Olsen, Trash Talk, and Tree.

The remainder of the lineup has just been revealed, and includes M.I.A., Lil B, Solange, Wire, Yo La Tengo, Low, Savages, Toro Y Moi, Phosphorescent, Metz, Autre Ne Veut, Mikal Cronin, Parquet Courts, Merchandise, Woods, Julia Holter, Glass Candy, Andy Stott, Pissed Jeans, Frankie Rose, Ryan Hemsworth, Waxahatchee, Blood Orange, Daughn Gibson, Evian Christ, White Lung, KEN Mode, and DJ Rashad.

Three-day passes and single-day tickets are still available.

Check out the full lineup-by-day below...

Continue reading "Savages, Pissed Jeans, Wire, Waxahatchee, KEN Mode & more acts added to Pitchfork Festival 2013"

Today is the Day at Maryland Deathfest, May 2012 (more by Fred Pessaro // BBG)

As discussed on BrooklynVegan, Today is the Day will hit the road in March on a campaign toward SXSW alongside Black Tusk, KEN Mode, and Fight Amp. The influential noisecore misanthropes will crashland in Chicago in early April, hitting the Empty Bottle on 4/7. Advance tickets are on sale now.

All Today is the Day tour dates and a couple of videos are below...

Continue reading "Today is the Day add Empty Bottle show to 2013 tour"

KEN Mode at BV/PoTR SXSW 2012 (more by Greg Cristman)

Revocation, KEN Mode and A Life Once Lost are taking on North America as part of a tour this fall, hitting both coasts in the course of a month on the road. Look for the bands to hit the Windy City on October 22nd at Cobra Lounge. Ticketing info is forthcoming.

KEN Mode at BV/PoTR SXSW 2012 (more by Greg Cristman)

Revocation, KEN Mode and A Life Once Lost are taking on North America as part of a tour this fall, hitting both coasts in the course of a month on the road. Look for the bands to hit the Windy City on October 22nd at Cobra Lounge. Ticketing info is forthcoming.

Chord (featuring Trevor de Brauw)

Like Bruce Lamont, Chicago's own Trevor Shelley-de Brauw of Pelican and Chord (who played with Bruce Lamont at Empty Bottle last week) told us about his favorite albums of 2011. Check out his whole detailed list below and catch him live on 12/28 at The Burlington with Head of Skulls and Planetsexploder.

Trevor's list below...

Continue reading "Trevor de Brauw tells us his favorite albums of 2011, playing The Burlington before 2012"

photos by Carmelo Espanola, words by BBG

The Atlas Moth have completed their trek with the amazing KEN Mode, capping off a round of dates with a homecoming show at Ultra Lounge on Sunday (10/16). The show featured direct support from the not-often-seen Wolvhammer who, though scattered across the country but primarily located in Chicago, directly supported The Atlas Moth that night along with locals Jarrd Loose. Pictures from the show are are in this post.

Next up for The Atlas Moth broze (who we recently interviewed), is a tour with the ever-so-mighty Kowloon Walled City on the latter's home turf of the West Coast. The tour will intersect with NYC's Batillus, who play their last NYC show with Inter Arma & Belus on 10/26 at The Acheron in Brooklyn and will hit SubT Lounge on November 23rd with local favorites Yakuza and The Swan King. Tour dates for those odysseys are below, along with more photos from Ultra Lounge...

Continue reading "The Atlas Moth played Ultra Lounge w/ KEN Mode, Wolvhammer & Jarrd Loose (pics & more dates)"

by BBG

Wolvhammer 2011 (photo by Samantha Marble)

Recent Chicago transplant Heath Rave sat down with BrooklynVegan to discuss his band Wolvhammer, his alliance with fellow Chicago native and ex-Nachtmystium member jeff Wilson, and what he loves about the windy city. Here's a clip:

BV: How do you think your move to Chicago has changed your personal outlook, and possibly your view on Wolvhammer?

HR: Nothings really changed for Wolvhammer, if anything I'm getting more excited about it now. I'm a lot happier in Chicago, especially with my job and getting to spend more time with some of my best friends, I'm still just taking it all in but its been fucking awesome. Chicago is what you make of it, if you don't work hard there it will eat you alive, and I guess that's my favorite part about.

BV: Favorite Chicago haunts?

HR: I go to the Rocking Horse a lot since its so close to my house and they have some of the best chicken wings I've ever had. Occasionally I'll stop by Flatiron, its in the building I work in and some good friends work there. The Empty Bottle for shows.

BV: Favorite Chicago bands?

HR: The Atlas Moth, Indian, Lord Mantis, Nachtmystium, Bloodiest, Circle of Animals.

Catch Wolvhammer live when they share a bill with The Atlas Moth, Ken Mode, and Jar'd Loose at Ultra Lounge on 10/16. Tickets are still on sale.

The Atlas Moth at LPR in 2010 (more by Meghan McInnis)

Metal Monday (not a real thing) continues with this snippet of an interview we just posted at BrooklynVegan:

BV: One recurring theme I hear running through your releases are slower almost bluesy guitar riffs. How much do you think Chicago and in particular Chicago blues has influenced your sound?

The Atlas Moth: We are all born and raised here, so it would be silly to think it hasn't influenced us at all. There is definitely a don't-give-a-fuck attitude that comes along with being from Chicago. Chicago blues is also in your face constantly, from the specific blues clubs to Blues fest every year, you just can't escape it. I mean, a scene from The Blues Brothers was filmed a few blocks from my house, you just grow up with it ingrained in you.

BV: As a Chicago-an, what local band in particular inspired you the most in your formative years?

The Atlas Moth: I would say when i was younger it was without a doubt The Smashing Pumpkins. When they blew up i was 11 or 12 and it meant a lot to my friends and I that they were from here and a part of something so huge and representing Chicago. Although, i would say as i got older The Jesus Lizard would be the band I champion from here. Certainly not fuckin' Disturbed.