“A List of Artists Which Could Revive the Spirit of Tinley Park”
I’m not sure what existential forces are at work here but we’ve now come to the age of the “Credit Union 1 Center,” an ampitheatre in the Chicago suburb of Tinley Park operating under the tenuous premise of providing meaningful experiences to anyone. It’s no big deal — it’s just the main venue I grew … Read more“A List of Artists Which Could Revive the Spirit of Tinley Park”
“Nirvana Was a Pop Band. Stop Calling Them ‘Punk.’”
It seems like every year, there’s a whole new rash of simpletons mesmerized by the shiny object known as Nirvana’s music, them thereupon proceeding to act like they’re the only ones who truly “get” the band, and obsess over the infallible messiah known as Kurt Cobain and every available online picture of him. This is … Read more“Nirvana Was a Pop Band. Stop Calling Them ‘Punk.’”
“Apollo 19”
The south side drag has two bars on it, neither of which gets live music and both of which play the juke box shmear at like 200 decibels, usually something pertaining to a girl’s “booty.” I drive north on Ironwood, considering going to one of the Mishawaka dives. At the Phoenix one time I tried … Read more“Apollo 19”
“Police at the Donna Lewis Manor”
“Wow, are there a lot of flowers in this garden. And I’ve never seen so many ladybug-spotted umbrellas on picnic tables in my life. What pop star’s house was this again?” “Donna Lewis.” “Oh, jeez. I’m getting nervous.” “Hehe. It’s just another job. Nothing to get worked up about.” “She did that song ‘I Love … Read more“Police at the Donna Lewis Manor”
“Speed Post: Lady Gaga”
I’ll admit, this post is cursorily at best about music. I’m writing it really fast because I have to go to work in five minutes. When I moved back to Indiana from Colorado in 2010 I had only a vague idea of who the fu** Lady Gaga was. Everyone would always talk about her, like … Read more“Speed Post: Lady Gaga”
“Why is Phish Playing So Many Indoor Shows This Summer?”
I suppose, in part, I’m writing to the millennials here, or the newer generation which seems to hold this staunchly utilitarian attitude to everything, being apparently completely oblivious to all right-brain satisfaction in life. This type would likely opine that it doesn’t matter whether you see a concert indoors or outdoors — the experience is … Read more“Why is Phish Playing So Many Indoor Shows This Summer?”
“Wouldn’t it Be Spooky if Holy Smokes Future Jokes Ended up Being Blitzen Trapper’s Swan Song?”
It all happened pretty fast, you’ve gotta admit. I remember the Pitchfork “Best New Music” placement for Wild Mountain Nation (2007), an album I could never seem to wrap my mind fully around. I recall how this energy bled into the succinct, near-perfect Furr (2008), and its killer energetic yin/yang of “Black River Killer” and … Read more“Wouldn’t it Be Spooky if Holy Smokes Future Jokes Ended up Being Blitzen Trapper’s Swan Song?”