September 2009 » Chicago Innerview

Amusement Parks on Fire, Deer Tick, French Horn Rebellion, Happy Mondays

AMUSEMENT PARKS ON FIRE
You know what to listen to when you’re sad. But what do you listen to when you’re happy? If you’re not sure, give Amusement Parks on Fire 30 minutes on stage and watch as they take over the “Top 25 Most Played” playlist on your iTunes. While many people don’t hesitate to group the band as shoegaze, perhaps they’re a bit closer to some of the bands that gave shoegaze its hand-me-downs. Think Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, and Husker Dü — but don’t necessarily think you’re going to some anachronistic grungefest either. As a band, APoF employs what worked in grunge (like distorted-as-all-hell, feedback-heavy guitars) and reconsiders what didn’t work (like not taking showers). And while their lyrics might be hard to understand, it makes these five dudes from the U.K. all the more mysterious. (Appearing with The Psychedelic Furs and Happy Mondays at The Vic on September 8) –text: Zak Stawski–photo: Martin Cohen / martincohenphotography.co.uk

DEER TICK
Deer Tick. Full of blood. Rhode Island blood. This Ocean State foursome, now based in Brooklyn in order to better blend in with their hipster brethren, are bringing their New England notes to the big breezy Midwest staple. But first, some background on the origin of the tick. It started as a guitar and drums duo. It went on a hiking trip, whereupon lead singer/songwriter John McCauley III was gifted with one of nature’s most reviled bastards: a deer tick to the scalp. The band name was born, the tick was removed, and then one day you look up and Brian Williams from NBC has a hankering for the indie/folk quartet (Deer Tick was the first band to be profiled on BriTunes, the online music interview program hosted by Williams). Come see this rapidly emerging act this month and get snockered alongside Brian Williams’ impeccable hair and indie music sensibilities. (Appearing with Jonny Corndawg at Bottom Lounge on September 10) –text: Benjamin Smithson–photo: Matthew Blodgett

FRENCH HORN REBELLION
What do rebellious youth of the 21st century look like? Apparently their weapons of choice are synthed-out Nintendo blips and French horn. Yes, the French horn is making a comeback in the form of electro rock duo French Horn Rebellion. Consisting of two brothers, Robert and David Perlick Molinari, they view their music as a “quest for some kind of truth.” In between making music and seeking answers to life’s deep questions, they also produced the debut EP for fellow Brooklyn electro/psych duo MGMT. The video for French Horn’s “Up All Night” is at first kind of simplistically questionable, but grows on you to the point where eventually you’ve seen it five times already and a sly smile grows on your face every time it comes on. They are touring most of September with Database and their Beaches and Friends EP dropped on August 11. (Appearing with Database at Sonotheque on September 2) –text: Anthony Spina

HAPPY MONDAYS
It’s difficult to comprehend how certain musicians are still alive. Somehow Keith Richards keeps chugging out guitar riffs. Somehow The Vines’ Craig Nicholls hasn’t fallen to his demise amidst reckless on-stage flailing. And somehow Shaun Ryder — the Happy Mondays’ drug-riddled vocalist and hard-partying leader — has managed to stay alive long enough to keep kicking on stage. It’s a feat in itself that the off-key, lyrically challenged singer could front one of the quintessential dance ensembles of the ’80s. But it’s even more perplexing that the Manchester, England, musician revived his career almost two decades after the downfall of the storied Hacienda venue and Factory Records, both of which came to define the ecstasy-fueled rave culture of that era. Almost 20 years after touring the world as part of his substance-abusing caravan, Ryder still commands the main stages of modern-day high-profile gigs such as the Coachella Music Festival. Some guys have all the luck. (Appearing with Psychedelic Furs and Amusement Parks on Fire at The Vic on September 8) –text: Derek Wright

Cave Singers, CocoRosie, Junior Brown, The Minus Five

CAVE SINGERS
Not to kiss too much ass, but Matador knows what’s up. Sharing a label with Cat Power, Sonic Youth, Mogwai, New Pornographers and Yo La Tengo, Cave Singers has been one of the newer bands to actually impress me lately with their dangerously catchy single “Dancing On Our Graves”. The Seattle trio are experienced musicians, having risen from the ashes of their former bands (including Pretty Girls Make Graves) to create a surprising breed of quirky folk. Strangely dark beats and war marches give backbone to a tick-tick-ticking sound made with percussion-like tambourine, clapping, and brushed drums as well as vocals that give off the air of a higher-pitched Ryan Adams. Announced as their favorite bands, Fleetwood Mac, The Replacements, and The Pixies serve as apparent influences. Throw some Townes Van Zandt in there and you’ve got yourself a couple of dudes singing in a cave. (Appearing with Lightning Dust and Bailiff at Schubas on September 12) –text: Katie Bordner

COCOROSIE
It seems that even CocoRosie themselves cannot describe their music. Their MySpace page labels them as “a capella Chinese pop”, but their sound is neither a capella nor Chinese, seeing as it is made by two American sisters living in France with the various synthesizers and children’s toys they employ for accompaniment. Their music and lyrics seem to come from a child’s imagination — and the childhood that Bianca Leilani and Sierra Rose shared was one that undoubtedly created some fascinating personalities. Their Native American shaman father and patchwork home lives gave way to songs and albums that recount aimless, fantastic stories sung in Bianca’s extraordinarily innocent-sounding voice. Her voice, occasionally computerized and backed by a drum machine, is hypnotic in its vague repetitions akin to a chant or mantra. CocoRosie attempts to create a totally one-of-a-kind spiritual experience, but it’s up to you to decide whether or not they’re successful. (Appearing with Katie Stelmanis at Logan Square Auditorium on September 11) –text: Diana Novak–photo: Brian Buchard

JUNIOR BROWN
If Junior Brown weren’t such a breezy hound, he’d probably take one glimpse at today’s country music industry and spray fecal matter in disgust throughout his undergarments. (Jesus Cross-Hanging Christ: sequin shirts and designer leather pants? Really?) As Brown’s idol and mentor Ernest Tubbs might put it, “Keep in country son.” Junior Brown sprouted and has let his steel guitar seed flow with the breeze since his days of playing solely Austin, Texas, shows in his town of birth. After the luck of broad success here in the States struck, the lap-steel king of tolerable country took his act across ye olde glorious pond and caught on there in a major way as well. Brown was also fortunate enough to find the one he loved by doing what he loved. While he was teaching guitar, one of Brown’s students, “the lovely miss Tanya Rae,” became his wife — and the two have since set up shop in Austin to carry out the rest of their musically enchanted lives. (Appearing at FitzGerald’s on September 12) –text: Benjamin Smithson

THE MINUS FIVE
Scott McCaughey has maintained an enduring musical living for himself by creating Frankenstein after Frankenstein under the name of The Minus Five. Let’s see, here we go: McCaughey’s most frequent bandmate is one Peter Buck of R.E.M. He’s also worked with Ken Auer and Ken Stringfellow of The Posies. He’s worked with Wilco. He’s collaborated with The Young Fresh Fellows, Mark Eitzel, Robyn Hitchcock, Tuatara, Kelly Hogan, and Colin Meloy of The Decemberists. There are many more, but there are also word count guillotines dangling overhead. Nowadays, The Minus Five are only four. McCaughey, Buck, Bill Rieflen, and John Ramberg bring their no-bullshit rock grooves (one would have to expect wonderful grooves given song titles like “The Town That Lost Its Groove” and “Groove Supply”) to Chicago on, watch out, 9/11 — for a night of uniquely American rock & roll. (Appearing with The Baseball Project and Steve Wynn IV at Martyrs’ on September 11) –text: Benjamin Smithson–photo: Chloe Johnson

Alejandro Escovedo, Alice In Chains, Bobby Bare Jr., Pet Shop Boys

ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDOY
If you like music — real music, not the pop fluff that fills the airwaves and tops the charts — take off your purple Wayfarers and watch Alejandro Escovedo wield his guitar with the lust for life of a man back from the dead. After all, Escovedo literally is back from the dead. After collapsing following a show in 2003 from undiagnosed Hepatitis C, Escovedo is reincarnated with an earnest and acoustically complex sound. Opening for The Sex Pistols’ final show in 1978 as a member of the punk Nuns, Escovedo played an integral role in a number of bands before going on to start his solo career. After recently releasing his ninth solo album, Real Animal, it’s clear that this veteran singer, guitarist and songwriter understands the effort and range of experience that translates into excellent, honest music. So perhaps you ought to put those sunglasses back on after all, hipster: you might not be ready for something this real. (Appearing with The Waco Brothers, Bobby Bare Jr., Scotland Yard Gospel Choir and others as part of Bloodshot Records’ 15th Anniversary Beer-B-Q at The Hideout on September 12) –text: Diana Novak–photo: Mick Rock

ALICE IN CHAINS
Iconic Seattle grunge/metal heroes Alice In Chains are back despite the death of lead singer Layne Staley, who lost his battle with drug addiction in 2002. Surviving members Jerry Cantrell (guitar/vocals), Mike Inez (bass), and Sean Kinney (drums) reunited in 2005 for a tsunami relief benefit show and added Atlanta’s William DuVall on lead vocals. Despite the hiatus and lineup change, they have maintained their distinct ’90s-era metal/grunge/ heavy rock sound layered with harmonized melodic vocals that produced hit after hit in their heyday. AIC is currently touring to support the release of its first album in 14 years, Black Gives Way to Blue, named after a song on the album that pays tribute to Layne while featuring Elton John on piano. They will likely share the stage with many bands that have been influenced by the music of their successful 20-year career along the way. (Appearing at House of Blues on September 19) –text: Ariel Sundel

BOBBY BARE JR.
Don’t sneer at Bobby Bare Jr. and his country sound, city folks — this country isn’t like anything you might have caught coming from Carrie Underwood. The wild-looking Bare sings worldly, thoughtful lyrics (many composed with the help of his late friend Shel Silverstein) backed by rhythmic guitar more akin to Phish than Kenny Chesney. There’s no twangy sound to his music despite his deep Nashville roots. The twang is, however, replaced by an unmistakable marijuana sound. A beachy, psychedelic attitude and some straightforward guitar chords make Bare and his band The Young Criminals Starvation League a pretty damn original kind of country. With five records out over the past seven years, these guys have quite a serious repertoire on their hands. So lie to your uptight, judgmental friends about Bare’s genre of choice and take them to the show. We promise he won’t give you up. (Appearing with Alejandro Escovedo, Waco Brothers, The Blacks, Scotland Yard Gospel Choir and others as part of Bloodshot Records’ 15th Anniversary Beer-B-Q at The Hideout on September 12) –text: Diana Novak

PET SHOP BOYS
For those who seek out good electronic dance music, it’s hard to go wrong with famed U.K. duo Pet Shop Boys. Formed in the early ‘80s, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe rocketed to stardom with their highly successful 1986 debut, Please. The record went triple platinum and released hit singles “West End Girls” and “Love Comes Quickly”, the former of which became an ‘80s music staple with its brand of infectious glitch-pop suited for any night out in the club. Far more popular in the U.K. than in the U.S., Pet Shop Boys managed to rack up 22 “top 10″ hits throughout their 2-decade career — as well as a large gay following. The band also helped to define the early electronic sound of that era, influencing countless current electronic acts. Pet Shop Boys continued their prolific output throughout the ‘90s, but never reached the same level of success as their first couple of records. In 2009, Pet Shop Boys are at it again — having just released their tenth album, Yes. (Appearing at The Chicago Theatre on September 14) –text: Garin Pirnia

Cameron McGill & What Army, Eyedea & Abilities, Fruit Bats, Sondre Lerche

CAMERON MCGILL & WHAT ARMY
Imagine a young, tall, scruffy bearded man wearing a Woody Guthrie hat and a battered jacket, toting an acoustic guitar adorned with peeling stickers while wandering the brown, icy streets of Chicago. Then image that man escaping the brutal white skies by tracking snow and mud all over your house. At first you might be pissed, but it’s a pretty safe bet that the man’s piercing eyes and smooth croon will deter you from doing any scolding. I first saw Chicago’s Cameron McGill with his band, a unified engine of folk-pop/singer-songwriter rock, playing at Lollapalooza in 2006. Shortly afterward I discovered that McGill had been working at local café/venue Uncommon Ground as a host, but was taking a break to tour and record. Cameron McGill & What Army’s excellent new 10-song indie/folk eargasm, warm songs for cold shoulders, was released this April on Parasol Records. (Appearing at Space on September 24) –text: Katie Knaub

EYEDEA AND ABILITIES
Minneapolis duo Eyedea and Abilities is a hip-hop battle supergroup. MC Eyedea (born Michael Larsen) is known for freestyling skills that have won him rap battles from Scribble Jam to Blaze Battle, while battle scratcher DJ Abilities has DMC DJ victories under his belt. The two teamed up and released First Born on Minneapolis hip-hop label Rhymesayers Entertainment in 2001. Bridging the 5-year gap from their last album, E&A have been heavily involved with other musical projects. Larsen has released solo music under the moniker Oliver Hart, has played with freestyle/jazz group Face Candy, and even formed the alt-rock band Carbon Carousel (which is signed to Larsen’s own Crushkill Recordings). Gregory Keltgen (a.k.a. Abilities) also DJs in Semi.Official with another Twin Cities rapper, I Self Divine. Since reuniting, E&A have released By The Throat, which features complex turntable work, guitars and keyboard, as well as Larsen’s typically philosophical and science-themed narrative lyrics. (Appearing at Reggie’s Rock Club on September 23) –text: Ariel Sundel–photo: Darien Chin

FRUIT BATS
Even in our over-digitized, over-computerized, and technologically terrorized society, the nostalgia and simplicity of antiquated recording techniques have not entirely been forgotten. While old-school reel to reel recordings and 4-tracks may be stale and dusty, they still warm the heart of any track with their sepia-tinged, stripped-down sound. This is how Eric D. Johnson (and many other musicians) got their start: the 4-track. Johnson’s band Fruit Bats was formed during his stint in Califone, which acted as a creative catalyst that would later emerge and morph into his own project. Sub Pop’s Johnson-led folk-rock 5-piece Fruit Bats has been chugging out albums since 2005, morphing old and new sounds by combining a little bit of The Band and a little more of Vetiver. Rolling guitars and carefully crafted songs construct this underrated band’s recently released record, The Ruminent Band. (Appearing with Iran at Schubas on September 20 & 21) –text: Katie Knaub–photo: Annie Beedy

SONDRE LERCHE
It may be the start of fall, but that doesn’t mean we’ve tired of summery and cheery rock to carry on the happiness of the swimming pool season. Sondre Lerche is the king of chilled out, romantic and warm music — and he both looks and sings the part. Lerche looks young and kind of dorkily handsome in a romantic comedy kind of way, wears Converse Allstars and shakes his foot incessantly while straining into the microphone. Throughout it all, he seems hopelessly hopeful. His music is largely the same and is overlaid with mostly goofy, nonsensical lyrics that appear endlessly charming when matched with the simple acoustic strumming popularized by Jack Johnson. Lerche has certainly made this type of music work for him, as his latest outing in Chicago is to showcase his fifth studio album, Heartbeat Radio. (Appearing with JBM for two shows at Schubas on September 19) –text: Diana Novak

Amusement Parks on Fire, Deer Tick, French Horn Rebellion, Happy Mondays

Cave Singers, CocoRosie, Junior Brown, The Minus Five

Alejandro Escovedo, Alice In Chains, Bobby Bare Jr., Pet Shop Boys

Cameron McGill & What Army, Eyedea & Abilities, Fruit Bats, Sondre Lerche

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