Artist: The Subterraneans

Hollows first made waves in Chicago with their bopping, sometimes spooky garage rock that garnered comparison to The Shangri-Las and Ronnie Spector. Those comparisons were fair and fine seeing as their tunes had a proclivity to lean on classic girl group vibes (FWIW, the drummer is a dude). But their latest track "V Is For Vulture," from their new record Vulture , finds the band in a more reflective mood that even features a near chamber-pop bridge that's downright heavenly. Unlike some of their more poplar contemporaries, one thing that's undeniable about Hollows is that their [...]

coffin pricks In a world filled with dubstep DJs and party rock anthems, Chicago punks Coffin Pricks are standing tall under the banner of "unchill wave." Coffin Pricks take a page or two from bands like Mission of Burma and Husker Du by displaying speed and agility while maintaining a minimalist punk approach. Because of this, the lead track on the group's recent EP, "Group Home Haircut," isn't overly intimidating. There's enough melody and catchy guitar parts to compel listeners to dance while the back beats crackle at [...]

On their latest release, A Natural Thing (Unnatural To Me) , The Gorilla Press fully embrace their alt-rock influences and deliver a beautiful sounding record that alternates between urgent and collected. Album opener, "On Fire," is fun and melodic indie rock romp that concludes with an epic choral call to arms, while "Everything That Can Be Done" is a fiery, grungy shapeshifter that explodes into arena rock solos. The Gorilla Press also flex their dark and synths muscles on the slow burner, "When I Care." It's one thing when [...]

There's nothing wrong with a friendly rivalry, especially when it compels one to attend what would have been a regular, old-fashioned rock show. Anyway, the tiff between Gabe Liebowitz of Dastardly and Donnie Biggins of The Shams Band erupted in mid-April over comments made about Shams Bands' efforts to clean up Logan Square. Shams Band made the video below, which Liebowitz followed up with this disturbing response . Who will have the last laugh at tonight's gig? Judging by this photo of Subterranean's marquee , I'd [...]

Squish May the fourth be with you! Seriously though, it's Friday and and Chicago's finally getting warm. It's pretty great. That's all the more reason to cool down inside a venue to check out one of the numerous rad local shows happening this weekend. Yep, we're talking Squish's opening slot at The Burlington tonight, Local H's Cinco De Mayo celebration at the Double Door on Saturday and Videotape at Subterranean on Sunday. Dig it... FRIDAY [...]

Archie Powell and the Exports It's the last weekend in April and we can't just let you go on your merry way without making a few suggestions on how best to live it up and rock it out. Grab your hippest rain poncho and brace yourselves because we're talking Archie Powell and the Exports' record release show at Subterranean, Panda Riot's gig at Bottom Lounge and Rabid Rabbit's takeover of the Empty Bottle. Up and Atom! FRIDAY [...]

absolutely not Three "absolutely hell yes" reasons to get to Subterranean tonight... 1. Chicago's glamtastic garage rockers Absolutely Not impress with their spastic punk rhythms, scratchy vocals and highly-charged new-wave synth play. The band's 2012 album Extended pumps up the danceable grooves while breaking out plenty of tasty guitar riffs. Don't be surprised if Absolutely Not causes everyone to break out into uncontrollable fits of dancing. LISTEN: " I Don't Want To get Married on a JumboTron " [...]

OK Go eat your heart out. Chicago power poppers Archie Powell and the Exports have released another high-energy video to go with its equally rambunctious new jam "Crazy Pills," off its upcoming third album Great Ideas in Action , due out May 1. The quartet slowly go berserk while locked away in a harshly-lit room, opting to glide across the floor and ride a coach down a hallway. You know, the usual. The tune is pretty infectious, filled with sweet poptastic hooks and bad-ass guitar solos. What more could you ask for? RJ [...]

Here's three reasons why you should get to know The Avantist as soon as possible: 1) They're a rockin' quartet of brothers from Chicago, 2) They're going to set Subterranean ablaze tonight and 3) They're just dropped an uber-catchy new single, "Nomad." Those familiar with the band already know that these siblings indeed know their chops as their brand of rock straddles the wild prog-jams of early Mars Volta and the tight, riff-pop of The Strokes. "Nomad" definitely finds the band [...]

Happy weekend, guys and dolls! I know it's cold and gloomy outside, but you can't celebrate the fourth annual Windy City Winter Ball without a little snow/sleet/freezing rain. And you definitely couldn't ask for better weather for when Scotland's the Twilight Sad ride a wave of depression into town. Hike up those snow boots and let's get going. FRIDAY THE TWILIGHT SAD You'll be hard-pressed to find a [...]

On again Off Again Three reasons to go-folk-yourself tonight at Subterranean... 1. Chicago quartet On Again Off Again mesh folk pop and groovy jazz funk together to create the smoky jams found on its debut full-length Acres . And the band is celebrating the album's release tonight. On Again Off Again has grown considerably since its last EP (Re)Cycles , which saw the group showcasing its quirky indie rock leanings. Adulthood looks good on them. LISTEN: " Gemini " [...]

Change. It's the central conflict and inspiration for Chicago indie rock band Young Jesus' first full-length album, Home . Encompassing a wide variety of sounds—from the airy acoustic, folk beginning of "News" to the gritty, '90s garage rock of "The Greater Boulders" — Young Jesus' musical diversity accentuates singer/guitarist John Rossiter's impressive narrative thread. The opening track, "Family and Friends," embraces the listener with the gentle tempo of its acoustic guitar, but frantically builds to an aggressive and energetic climax. The singing [...]

Photo by Analú Maria López Three "hey, you, get off of my cloud" reasons to ride Falkor over to Subterranean tonight... 1. Chicago dream poppers Panda Riot were one of our bands to watch last year and even though 2011 has come and gone, we're still pretty interested in them. The group plays sparkling, spacey pop jams that envelope you in a heady mix of fuzzy guitars and siren-like melodies. The group is on the verge of releasing its follow-up to its 2010 [...]

We're mere hours away from starting the weekend, and with the season finale of football over, we'll actually have to go outside. Luckily, there are tons of great shows, and many fundraising for a good cause, over the next few days. Let's get to it. FRIDAY SOFT SPEAKER The Brit pop-inspired Chicago outfit come out swinging with plenty of lingering guitar licks, hazy psychedelic rhythms and even some [...]

Bombbone Three reasons to get reacquainted with your old friend, fun, tonight at Subterranean... 1. It's impossible to resist a musical group that describes itself as band of "gypsy punks and Balkan pimps." The description is not entirely inaccurate. BomBBone 's lead singer Roni Bombboni is a native of Sarajevo who truly becomes the Bosian Elvis, with suit to match, when he jumps on stage. BomBBone can play hard and fast punk with funny lyrics about not wanting to kill Fabio now that the author bought a Casio, [...]

CLICK PICTURE TO VIEW FLYER Quel & Maker - A Little Something Word? Rhymefest is BACK , and he's going to be sharing the stage with one of my favorite emcees Quel & Maker (among many other heads) at the Subterranean next month! The city of Chicago has absolutely NO reason for missing this show! Opening acts are Ang 13 , Robust (w/ Old Irving ), Cojack , Longshot , Number 2 & White Jesus , w/DJs Rude [...]

Yeah, it might be pretty, um, snowy outside. But, like, there's some totally awesome shows going this weekend. We're talking Psych Fest at the Hideout, The Runnies at Ultra Lounge, Gaberdine at Subterranean and more! Let's go... FRIDAY THIRD EYE VISIONS: CHICAGO PSYCH FEST 3 The best of Chicago psych, kraut and rock that implements sonic elements that are on the fringe of the aforementioned [...]

photo by ishootrockstars.com Three reasons not to put a bird on it and head down to Subterranean tonight... 1. Can you feel the anticipation? Chicago's very own proggy psych-rockers Stephen Paul Smoker are set to release its debut LP, Ripe Fruit , in mid-March. We previewed the first single, " Green City ," off the album earlier this week and the spacey, heavy thudding rhythms contained within are hopefully a great sign of what is to come on the full-length. To bide your time until the release [...]

Pilsen psych-rockers Stephen Paul Smoker are gearing up for a big spring. The are band is set to release their debut LP, Ripe Fruit , on Tuesday, March 20 via Chicago psychedelic and experimental imprint Kilo Records . Ripe Fruit 's first single, "Green City," recently hit the next in all its dark and groovy glory. The track is mostly uptempo affair that features warped rhythms, a meaty bassline, whirring guitars and drone-y vocals. Listen to "Green City" below: [...]

Magic Milk It's Friday the 13th! The first one of the year. Spooky. Don't stay home paralyzed by fear of the impending zombie apocalypse. Go live it up with some rad Chicago shows. Up and Atom ! FRIDAY MAGIC MILK Fasten your dancing snow boots because when garage rockers Magic Milk hit the stage there's going to be a whole lot [...]