FIDLAR @ the Vic, June 2012 (more by Sarah Frankie Linder)

FIDLAR and The Orwells are just beginning to announce a fall North American tour. That tour kicks off in late-September, and includes a performance at Subterranean on Halloween (October 31). Tickets for what begs to be a barn-burner go on sale this Friday (5/17) at 10AM CST. All dates are listed at the bottom of this post.

As discussed, The Orwells' new EP, Other Voices, is slated to arrive on June 25 via East End/Canvasback. Though it's title track was produced by Dave Sitek, the band have now revealed a self-produced version. It's a little less slick, which is a good thing, and you can check it out along with FIDLAR's full tour schedule below...

Continue reading "FIDLAR & The Orwells teaming up for tour, playing Subterranean on Halloween"

Deafheaven @ Public Assembly in March of 2012 (more by Greg Cristman)

Deafheaven are set to release their second album, Sunbather, on June 11 via Deathwish Inc.. So far, they've allowed the excellent "Dreamhouse" to slip out of the gates, which is equal parts punishing and atmospheric. You can stream the single at the bottom of this post. Preorder Sunbather via Deathwish's webstore.

In support of Sunbather, Deafheaven will embark on a summer U.S. tour with Marriages. That tour includes a performance at Subterranean on July 6. Tickets for the Chicago show go on sale this Saturday (5/18) at 10AM CST.

All known Deafheaven tour dates and a stream of "Dreamhouse" are below...

Continue reading "Deafheaven & Marriages playing Subterranean on summer tour"

Marijuana Deathsquads @ Austin, TX's Mohawk, February 2012 (more by Tim Griffin)

As seen on BrooklynVegan, Minneapolis "supergroup" Marijuana Deathsquads will be touring throughout the U.S. this summer. That tour includes a performance at Subterranean on June 18 with tourmates Solid Gold. Tickets for the Chicago show are on sale now.

Marijuana Deathsquads have remixed fellow Minneapolitan POS' entire 2012 LP We Dont' Even Live Here. Their version, dubbed POS WDELH MDS RMX, is due out in June as a free download via Rhymesayers. You can take a listen to "Piano Hits" from the project at the bottom of this post.

All Marijuana Deathsquads tour dates and a stream of "Piano Hits" are below...

Continue reading "Marijuana Deathsquads playing Subterranean on summer tour"

Chicago's Minor Characters have been touring throughout the Midwest in short spurts this spring. Last weekend in Indianapolis, they filmed a take away performance of "Sun Trials" from this year's Heal Me, Healing Times EP. While frontman Andrew Pelletier takes this one solo by a river, each member does appear in the clip. The "Sun Trials" session was filmed and edited by guitarist Shelby Pollard, and you can check it out at the bottom of this post.

Minor Characters have a few upcoming shows, including a hometown performance. They'll headline Subterranean on May 10 with support from Champaign's Elsinore, and Brother George. Advance tickets for the Chicago show are still available.

All known Minor Characters tour dates and that take away performance are below...

Continue reading "Minor Characters filmed a live session (watch it here), playing Subterranean next week with Elsinore & Brother George"

As seen on BrooklynVegan, Northampton, MA's Speedy Ortiz have inked a deal with Carpark Records (Cloud Nothings, Toro y Moi, TEEN). The label will release their debut album, titled Major Arcana, on July 9 (congratulations, guys!). You can check out the LP's cover art and tracklisting at the bottom of this post. The group will also be welcoming a new 7" - "Ka-Prow!" b/w "Hexxy" - next week via Inflated Records. Like their forthcoming debut, the single was recorded at Easthampton's Sonelab by Justin Pizzoferrato (Dinosaur Jr., Chelsea Light Moving). Preorder a copy of the 7", and check out the music video for "Ka-Prow!" below.

Speedy Ortiz are currently on tour throughout the U.S.. They'll hit Chicago this Wednesday (4/24) for a performance at Subterranean with Geronimo!, Kangaroo, and Henry Joseph. Advance tickets are still available.

All Speedy Ortiz tour dates, their video for "Ka-Prow!," and Major Arcana's cover art // tracklisting are below...

Continue reading "Speedy Ortiz sign to Carpark, playing Sub-t this Wednesday"

photos by Milos Markicevic

Wavves at Subterranean on 4.01.2013

On Monday night (4/1), Wavves brought their tour with FIDLAR and Cheatahs in support of their solid new album, Afraid of Heights, through Chicago for a sold-out performance at Subterranean. Nathan Williams and co. put on a great, rowdy show, as did openers FIDLAR and Cheatahs. Were you there? If so, what did you think?

We've got pictures of their headlining performance (none of the openers, sorry!) in this post. More of them can be found below, along with their full setlist...

Continue reading "Wavves, FIDLAR & Cheatahs played Sub-t (pics, setlist)"

Ted Leo @ Park West, November 2012 (more by Kirstie Shanley)

Ted Leo and The Pharmacists have announced that they'll be playing a small number of U.S. dates in late-July. One of those dates is a performance at Subterranean on July 27. Tickets for the Chicago show go on sale this Saturday (4/13) at 10AM CST. Their latest album, The Brutalist Bricks, hit stores in March of 2010 via Matador, and we're looking forward to whatever comes next.

Lately, Ted's been busy touring with Aimee Mann and working on their collaborative project #BOTH. There's no word on an official release from their pair, but they'll be showcasing their new material on an East Coast tour later this month.

All known TL/Rx tour dates and their music video for "Bottled In Cork" are below...

Continue reading "Ted Leo and The Pharmacists playing Subterranean in July"

Floor @ Brooklyn's Saint Vitus earlier on tour (more by Lukas Hodge)

As seen on BrooklynVegan, after reuniting in 2010, Floor can once again be considered an active project. They're currently on tour throughout the U.S. and will be tagging Chicago for a performance at Subterranean on April 8 with Thrones and Bongripper. Advance tickets for the Chicago show are still available. When their tour comes to a close, Thrones will be settling into the studio to record a new album for release via Season of Mist. We're looking forward to hearing some of their new material live next week.

All Floor dates and a video from their recent Brooklyn show are below...

Continue reading "Floor playing Subterranean next week, working on new LP"

The Menzingers @ Riot Fest Brooklyn in 2012 (more by Gretchen Robinette)

Scranton, PA's The Menzingers did a bunch of touring last year in support of their most recent album, On The Impossible Past, and they're set to hit the road in the U.S. again this summer. The Menzingers will be joined by Fake Problems, Restorations, and Captain, We're Sinking for a run that kicks off in late-May. That run includes a performance at Subterranean on June 1. Tickets for the Chicago show go on sale this Saturday (4/6) at 10AM CST.

As seen on BrooklynVegan, The Menzingers are also offering a premium ticket package for every show on the tour. That package includes a ticket, a 6-song digital EP that features live and acoustic cuts of previous material, a 15% off coupon for their online store, a koozie, and a tour poster (pictured after the jump). Premium ticket packages are on sale now.

All Menzingers tour dates, that tour poster, and a couple of song streams are below...

Continue reading "The Menzingers playing Subterranean on summer U.S. tour"

The Front Bottoms @ NYC's Mercury Lounge, February 2011 (more by Chris La Putt)

New Jersey's The Front Bottoms are set to release the follow-up to their 2011 debut, self-titled LP, called Talon of the Hawk, on May 21 via Bar/None Records. Earlier this week, they revealed the album's lead single "Twin Size Mattress" in the form of a tour-footage-centric music video. Frontman Brian Sella's great, nasally voice is featured prominently in the track, inviting comparisons to mewithoutYou's Aaron Weiss, The Weakerthans' John K. Samson, and Frightened Rabbit's Scott Hutchison. Sella's got some great lyrics too, like "This is for the snakes and the people they bite, for the friends I've made, for the sleepless nights," and he manages to cram a ton of them into "Twin Size Mattress." You can check out the video for the track at the bottom of this post.

The Front Bottoms will be embarking on a summer U.S. tour in support of their new album. That tour includes a performance at Subterranean on June 27 with A Great Big Pile of Leaves. Tickets the Chicago show go on sale this coming Thursday (4/4) at noon CST.

All Front Bottoms tour dates and their new video for "Twin Size Mattress" are below...

Continue reading "The Front Bottoms playing Subterranean, prepping new LP (song stream)"

Philly punks Bad Side are currently smack in the middle of a brief U.S. run. They'll hit Chicago TONIGHT (Tuesday, March 26) for a show at Albion House with Scoundrel, Bed Sores, and Medicine Man. They'll also be sharing another bill with Scoundrel, at Subterranean this Wednesday (3/27) along with Torture Love, Glish, and UNUR. Advance tickets for the Sub-t show are still available, and admission for tonight's will be donation-based.

Much like fellow Pennsylvania residents Pissed Jeans, Bad Side are heavily rooted in '80s hardcore punk. Their 2012 demo tape packs quite a punch, and on it, these dudes managed to rip through six-songs in five-minutes. Not bad, not bad at all. You can stream the tape in full at the bottom of this post.

Bad Side's pair of Chicago shows will both be with local garage rockers Scoundrel. The four-piece craft hooky, fuzzed-out anthems and their debut album, Freak Flag, is chock-full of them. They really know how to bring it live too; we've caught them at various DIY spots with Merchandise, Johnny Foreigner, and others. A complete stream of Freak Flag is also available below.

All Badside // Scoundrel tour dates and those album streams are below...

Continue reading "Philly's Bad Side playing Albion House & Subterranean with Scoundrel this week"

Tera Melos @ Metro, October 2011 (more by Grant MacAllister)

California spazz-rockers Tera Melos are set to release their third album, X'ed Out, on April 16 via Sargent House. The trio dropped the LP's lead single, "Tropic Lame," earlier this winter, which you can take a listen to at the bottom of this post. It's a little more relaxed than the material on 2010's Patagonian Rats, but is by no means easygoing. In their case, that's a good thing, and I bet there are at least a few scorchers on the album.

Tera Melos will be embarking on a spring North American tour in support of their forthcoming LP with labelmates This Town Needs Guns. That tour includes a performance at Subterranean on April 26. Tickets for the Chicago show go on sale this Friday (2/15) at noon CST.

All Tera Melos tour dates and a stream of "Tropic Lame" are below...

Continue reading "Tera Melos playing Sub-t, releasing new LP (song stream)"

DOWNLOAD: Screaming Females - "Poison Arrow" (MP3)

Screaming Females @ LA's Palladium, October 2012 (more by Wei Shi)

It's been quite a while since New Brunswick, NJ's Screaming Females have played a Chicago club show. (Maybe you caught them at Riot Fest or Wicker Park Fest last year?) That'll change when they headline Subterranean on April 11. Tickets for the Chicago show go on sale this Saturday (2/16) at 10AM CST. As of this post, the Sub-t show is their only upcoming tour date.

Screamles just recently welcomed their new bare-bones EP, Chalk Tape, via Don Giovanni. You can grab the album track "Poison Arrow" at the top of this post. Order a copy of the EP via the label's webstore.

A stream of "Poison Arrow" and a couple of Screamales videos are below...

Continue reading "Screaming Females playing Subterranean in April"

Delicate Steve @ 4Knots Fest 2012 (more by Chris La Putt)

As seen on BrooklynVegan, Delicate Steve will be embarking on a spring U.S. tour. That tour includes a stop at South by Southwest in Austin, TX, and will tag Chicago for a performance at Subterranean on March 25. Like Pioneers will open the show, and advance tickets are on sale now.

All Delicate Steve dates and the music video for "Redeemer" from 2012's Positive Force are below...

Continue reading "Delicate Steve playing Subterranean on tour"

JEFF the Brotherhood @ Subterranean, August 2012 (more by Sara Pieper)

Nashville-based road warriors JEFF the Brotherhood are bad at taking it easy (and that's a good thing). They've been touring hard since their latest album, Hypnotic Nights, hit stores back in July via Warner Brothers. The sibling duo only have a handful of upcoming shows, one of which is a performance at Subterranean on April 3. Tickets for the Chicago show go on sale this Saturday (2/09) at 10AM CST.

All known JEFF the Brotherhood tour dates and some videos are below...

Continue reading "JEFF the Brotherhood playing Subterranean in April"

Bleached @ 4Knots Festival, July 2012 (more by Amanda Hatfield)

LA's Bleached are set to release their debut album, Ride Your Heart, on April 2 via Dead Oceans. Take a listen to the LP's super catchy lead single "Next Stop" at the bottom of this post. Ride Your Heart's cover art and tracklisting are also below.

Jennifer and Jessie Clavin, and company will be heading out on a spring North American tour in support of their forthcoming album. That tour features support from Hunters on most dates, including their Chicago show at Subterranean on April 27. Ex Cops are also on the bill, and tickets go on sale this Saturday (2/02) at 10AM CST.

All tour dates, album info. for Ride Your Heart, and a stream of "Next Stop" are below...

Continue reading "Bleached playing Subterranean with Hunters & Ex Cops"

Wavves @ Logan Square Auditorium, Sept. 2011 (more by Carmleo Espanola)

Wavves are gearing up for the release of their new album, Afraid of Heights, which is due to hit stores on March 26 via Mom + Pop. As seen on BrooklynVegan, the album features guest drumming from The Bronx's Jorma Vik and guest vocals from Jenny Lewis. You can check out the album tracks "Demon to Lean On" and "Sail to the Sun," and Afraid of Heights' cover art // tracklisting at the bottom of this post.

Wavves will be heading out on a spring North American tour in support of the LP after SXSW, with fellow LA outfit FIDLAR and UK group Cheatahs. That tour includes a performance at Subterranean on April 1. Tickets for the Chicago show go on sale this Saturday (2/02) at 10AM CST.

All Wavves tour dates, streams of "Demon to Lean On" and "Sail to the Sun," and Afraid of Heights' cover art // tracklisting are below...

Continue reading "Wavves releasing 'Afraid of Heights,' playing Sub-t on tour with FIDLAR & Cheatahs"

We've been talking New Year's Eve for quite some time, and since the world didn't end last week, all the great shows and parties we told you about are still happening.

Refresh your memory below...

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"The Screaming Eagle of Soul" himself, Charles Bradley, will be visiting Chicago for a two-night stand at Lincoln Hall on December 30 & 31. Advance tickets are still available for both shows, and though his New Year's Eve performance will cost you twice as much as the 30th, you'll receive complimentary drink tickets, appetizers, and a Daptone Records drop card for a free digital sampler.

Speaking of Lincoln Hall, their sister venue Schubas will be hosting Maps & Atlases on December 30 & 31. Gypsyblood will act as main support on the 30th, Santah will open the show on New Year's Eve, and advance tickets for both shows are still available. There's also a two-show pass for sale.

Screeching Weasel are celebrating their 27th anniversary with a two-night run at Reggie's on December 30th & 31st. Though Night 1 (with The Queers, The Manges, and Vatican Junkies) is sold out, advance tickets for Night 2 (with The Queers, The Manges, and They Stay Dead) are still available.

Local H are playing the Beat Kitchen on December 30 (with State & Madison) & 31 (with All Eyes West). Their NYE show is sold out, but tickets are still available for their 12/30 performance.

Tilly and the Wall are yet another act that will be playing two Chicago shows during New Year's Eve weekend. You'll be able to find them at Subterranean on December 30 (with California Wives) & 31 (with My Gold Mask and DJ CC Rider). Advance tickets for both shows are still available.

Butch Walker and Dick Prall are also playing two nights in Chicago. They'll appear at the Double Door on December 30 and at the Bottom Lounge on December 31. Both shows are sold out.

The Eternals will be performing "the Espiritu Zombi Suite," a piece written for a larger group-version of the band, at the Hideout on New Year's Eve. As discussed, core members Damon Locks, Wayne Montana, and Areif Sless-Kitain will be joined by six additional musicians on vibes, coronet, flute, saxophone, and more. Chandeliers will act as main support and will also play a DJ set around midnight. Advance tickets are still available.

"The Queen of Rockabilly," Wanda Jackson, will be headlining the Double Door on New Year's Eve. JD Wilkes and the Dirt Daubers, Burlesque le' Moustache, and Soul Summit DJs will open the show. Advance tickets are still available.

Alejandro Escovedo and his band The Sensitive Boys are set to play SPACE in Evanston, IL on New Year's Eve. Nicholas Tremulis will open the show, and advance tickets are still available.

Naked Raygun and The Dwarves are playing the Cobra Lounge on New Year's Eve. Though advance tickets are sold out, there may be a small amount available for purchase at the door.

Denton, TX's The Marked Men are playing the Empty Bottle on December 31 with Bad Sports and Terrible Twos (tickets). As discussed, Marked Men side project Mind Spiders are playing the Bottle on December 29 with The Novice and Dumpster Babies (tickets).

Speaking of the Empty Bottle, they're also presenting Mucca Pazza, White Mystery, and Jon Drake & the Shakes at the Logan Square Auditorium on New Year's Eve (tickets). They're also doing "New Year's Eve: Two Thousand Turnteen" with The Hood Internet, Moon Boots, Only Children, and DJ Esquire at Beauty Bar (tickets).

JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound are set to play the final show of 2012 at Mayne Stage on December 31. Advance tickets for that show are still available.

The Airborne Toxic Event and On An On play Metro on New Year's Eve. Tickets are still available, and don't forget: Neurosis, Bloodiest, and The Atlas Moth play the venue on December 30 (tickets).

Magic Milk, Rabble Rabble, Vamos, Kodiak Farm Boys, The Electric Dollhouse Groove Buggy, Don't Forget Your Dinosaur, and The Sueves are ALL set to play Quenchers on New Year's Eve. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door.

Outer Minds, The Hello Hello, and Absolutely Not will be performing at The Burlington on December 31.

South Loop dive bar Cal's are closing on New Year's Day. They'll be throwing a farewell // New Year's Eve show, featuring performances by Mercy Mercy, Demerits, and Larroquettes.

Hannibal Buress is playing three shows at Zanies on New Year's Eve. Advance tickets for his three NYE shows in Chicago are sold out, but the Zanies box office might be holding onto some.

Perhaps you're looking for something a bit more electronic? Porter Robinson is coming to Chicago for a two-night stand at the Congress on December 30 & 31. Hardwell and Deniz Koyu will act as main support on the 30th, and Mat Zo and The M Machine will open the show on the 31. Advance tickets for both nights are still available. Paul Oakenfold is also playing Castle Nightclub (tickets).

ALSO: You'll be able to ride the CTA from 10PM - 4AM on New Year's Eve for 1¢. For more information on how that works visit the CTA's website.

What did we miss?

Heading to Austin or New York? We also have a list of shows that are happening in both of those cities.

Happy (almost) New Year!

Chicago hip hop collective Impolite Society have built up an impressive catalog this year. Over the past few months the five-MCs have kept us listening to a steady stream of singles, with features from ShowYouSuck, Netherfriends, ProbCause, and more. Their new joint, "Wackass Artwork," arrives today and it's no less a banger than the rest of their output. The track was produced by Chvrch Music's Von Vuai, who incorporates a slick Sade sample into a roving synth bass line. On this track, rappers ELEE X and Sidewalk Kal attack the current state of the game with lines like, "What blogs you on? Who makes your clothes? Who co-signs your stuff?" Well, it's not like you need it guys, but here's is our co-sign. Stream "Wackass Artwork" and a few other songs at the bottom of this post.

You can catch Impolite Society at Subterranean on December 25. Details on that show are forthcoming, but check Subterranean's website for updates.

Some song streams and a video are below...

Continue reading "meet Impolite Society (song streams, live dates)"

The Jealous Sound @ Hotel Vegan (BV-SXSW 2012) (more by Amanda Hatfield)

As seen on BrooklynVegan, The Jealous Sound are going on a winter US tour with Balance and Composure and Daylight. That tour kicks off in Cleveland, OH on January 31 and will reach Chicago on February 2 for a performance at Subterranean. Tickets go on sale this Saturday (11/17) at 10AM CST.

The Jealous Sound have been on the road a lot this year in support of A Gentle Reminder, their first full-length album since 2003's Kill Them With Kindness. You can stream their comeback album and check out their full 2013 tour schedule below...

Continue reading "The Jealous Sound playing Subterranean on 2013 tour"

UK outfit Johnny Foreigner are currently touring throughout North America. They recently inked a deal with Swerp Records in the US and will hit Chicago later this month for a pair of label showcases. They'll headline Subterranean on November 15 with support from labelmates Water House, Nervous Passanger, and My Dad. Advance tickets are on sale. The UK group will also be playing Swerp Mansion on November 17 with Nervous Passanger, Noumenon, Scoundrel, and Our Lady. Admission to Swerp is a suggested donation of $5.

Johnny Foreigner also welcomed a new EP, titled NAMES, on November 1 via Swerp/Alcopop (UK). You can purchase a copy via Swerp's webstore. Stream the EP via JF's bandcamp.

All Johnny Foreigner tour dates and a couple of videos are below...

Continue reading "Johnny Foreigner playing Sub-t & Swerp Mansion this month"

Many Places @ The Whistler in October (photo by Megan Frestedt)

Since quietly releasing their great debut LP, Another Oath, back in May via Tandem Shop, Chicago's Many Places have been gigging around town. You can catch them at Subterranean on December 4 as part of a Tandem Shop showcase with support from Project Film. Advance tickets are on sale now. They also play Township this Friday (11/9) with Scott Lucas & the Married Men and Black Jake & the Carnies. Advance tickets for that show are still available. Singer-songwriter Kevin Rieg wrote and recorded Another Oath by his lonesome, but these days, he's joined live by a three-piece backing band.

Check out a couple of live videos and Many Places' 2012 tour schedule below...

Continue reading "Many Places playing Sub-t with Project Film in December"

Tilly and the Wall @ NYC's Bowery Ballroom in October (more by Amanda Hatfield)

Tilly and the Wall welcomed new first new album in four years, titled Heavy Mood, last month via Team Love. They're currently on tour in support of the LP and visited Chicago on October 7 for a performance at Lincoln Hall. Were you in attendance? If you missed them that time around or if you'd just like to see them again, the group will be headlining Subterranean on December 30 & 31 (NYE). Tickets for both shows go on sale this Saturday (11/3) at 10AM CST.

All Tilly and the Wall dates, a stream of Heavy Mood, and some videos are below...

Continue reading "Tilly and the Wall playing NYE and the night before at Sub-t"

Last month (on 9/11), as you may remember, the Alabama Shakes played an intimate, free 'Dream Show' at Subterranean, courtesy of American Family Insurance. The show, curated by the Alabama band (their "dream" lineup), was with fellow Alabama-based groups The Pollies and Doc Dailey. Did you get in? If so, how early did you get in line to receive a wristband? Either way, you already saw some pictures from that show. Now we've got a few videos as well.

The first one sees the band driving into Chicago, unloading their gear, and performing "I Ain't the Same." In a brief interview before they play the song, frontwoman Brittany Howard speaks about how hard it is for an Alabama band to make it out of the area, and how grateful she is that they've been able to do it. She goes on to say that the catalyst for their success was when the Drive-By Truckers' Patterson Hood invited the Shakes to tour with them.

AmFam® | Alabama Shakes - "I Ain't the Same"

There's also footage of the song "Be Mine," and two short interview clips. Watch the others below...

Continue reading "watch pro footage from the ALABAMA SHAKES 'Dream Show' (interviews, Doc Dailey & the Pollies too)"

DOWNLOAD: Paul Banks - "The Base" (MP3)

Paul Banks @ FYF Fest 2012 (more by Debi Del Grande)

Interpol's Paul Banks, who has released music under the moniker Julian Plenti in the past, is set to welcome his first solo album under his own name, titled simply Banks, on October 23 via Matador. You can download the album's lead single "The Base" at the top of this post and/or stream it via a widget below. Preorder the LP via Matador.

Paul is set to head out on a 2012 // 2013 tour in support of Banks next month. That tour includes a Chicago show at Subterranean on November 7 with The Neighbourhood. Tickets go on sale this Saturday (10/13) at 10AM CST.

In related news, Interpol recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of their debut LP, Turn on the Bright Lights. Matador are putting out a deluxe anniversary edition of the album on November 19, and the package is up for preorder now.

All Paul Banks dates, a stream of "The Base," and a mini-documentary are below...

Continue reading "Paul Banks releasing new LP, touring, playing Subterranean"