Living Things Archives » Chicago Innerview

Constantines, Ezra Furman & The Harpoons, Federico Aubele, Langhorne Slim, Living Things, Moneypenny, The Delta Spirit, The Low Anthem

CONSTANTINES
If you’re looking for authentic alternative rock with gritty guitar, gruff vocals and just enough feedback to add a nice edge, check out Constantines. Established in 1999, the Canadian quintet keeps it classically simple with keyboards, drums, guitar and bass. Their sound first resonated with the campus radio scene early on and their live performances have solidified their place in fans’ hearts. They are known for shining on stage as they amp up their sound to 11. (Saturday, 1-1:45, Citi Stage) –text: Jen Fischer

EZRA FURMAN AND THE HARPOONS
For those seeking a bit of local flavor (albeit the kind that has since moved east to become Massholes) amongst the myriad of national acts, Ezra Furman and The Harpoons should satisfy any roots-rock and/or alt-country cravings. Singer Ezra Furman’s highly verbose, Dan Bejar-esque delivery may seem like overkill, but it’s anchored nicely by the harmonica-tinged, jangly bar-rock of The Harpoons. The trio’s most recent release is Inside The Human Body. (Saturday, 11:45-12:30, PlayStation Stage) –text: Jon Graef–photo: Doug Seymour

FEDERICO AUBELE
With his Latin influences, thick vocals and boyish visage, Buenos Aires native Federico Aubele will help bring sexy back to the festival this year. It would be easy to dismiss Aubele’s relaxed flamenco guitar and soothing voice as turning Lollapalooza into Lollapa-snooza, but synths and a drum machine keep the energy going. In truth this artist would probably be better suited for an intimate club rather than an outdoor festival, so bring a pillow just in case. (Saturday, 1:30-2:30, PlayStation Stage) –text: Caroline Evans–photo: Isaak Oboka

LANGHORNE SLIM
His alias stemming from hometown Langhorne, Pennsylvania, the alternative folk singer/songwriter Langhorne Slim (a.k.a. Sean Scolnick) began his career touring with the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players before gaining the attention of Rolling Stone and the media cognoscenti. Since leaving independent label Narnack Records for V2 Records in 2006, the self-described sardonic artist has gone back to the indie route with his latest 2008 LP Langhorne Slim, released on NYC indie Kemado Records. (Saturday, 1:45-2:30, BMI Stage) –text: Jyn Radakovits

LIVING THINGS
If anything is alive today, it certainly is glam rock…which makes Living Things so apropos. With the St. Louis ensemble’s third LP Habeas Corpus only a few months old, brothers Lillian, Eve and Bosh Berlin are certainly no strangers to the glam scene. And neither is their full-on throwback sound recalling the era of big hair, guys in platform boots and boas — and the definition of a genre that just won’t die. (Saturday, 12:45-1:30, Chicago 2016 Stage) –text: Derek Wright

MONEYPENNY
Want some pussy? Try Moneypenny, consisting of Chess Hubbard (DJ Mother Hubbard) and Jessica Gonyea (DJ A-Cup), also known as Rocktapussy. These “sexy singles” have graced the insides of a number of rock magazines and Chicago clubs — and behind the decks they even make Britney Spears sound good (not the good Britney, but rather the bad “titty-fuck me” Britney.) So if you’re in the mood to move or to rock, or if you’re just into getting aroused in public, don’t miss Moneypenny’s set. (Saturday, 12:30-1:30, Perry’s) –text: Alexis Nido-Russo–photo: Clayton Hauck

THE DELTA SPIRIT
Despite all their appearances on late-night television, San Diego outfit The Delta Spirit have managed to fly below the radar since their album Ode To Sunshine debuted last year. As a traveling band, they often play in the shadows of groups such as Cold War Kids and The Shins. This is a pity since The Delta Spirit is flat-out the best folk/soul band this side of Josh Ritter or Elvis Perkins. (Saturday, 12:30-1:30, Budweiser Stage) –text: Caroline Evans

THE LOW ANTHEM
Whisper-soft vocals, gently plucked guitars and hymn-like melodies make up the sweet sounds of The Low Anthem, a folk trio from (prophetically) Providence, Rhode Island. Between jangly pub tunes and understated anthems, they preach the gospel of a lonesome Midwestern America like the second-coming of Iron & Wine’s Sam Beam. And they preach from the Bible of a hand silk-screened album titled Oh My God Charlie Darwin. (Saturday, 12-12:45, Vitaminwater Stage) –text: Caroline Evans–photo: Dan Miller

Be Your Own Pet, Matt Costa, Last Band Standing Winner, Living Things, Musical Outfits, Nada Surf, Rainer Maria, Sa-Ra

BE YOUR OWN PET
This punk band’s back-story could have been a skateboarder’s daydream. Four Nashville teens with parents in the biz catch fire in England, get signed by Thurston Moore’s label, and spit out a self-titled, 33-minute verbal beatdown. Singer Jemina Pearl has a wonderful potty mouth with a Karen O pitch and a Joan Jett snarl. With lines like “My brain is on fire so piss in my ear”, she’s the kind of girl that handles premature ejaculation with a knee to the nuts. (Saturday, 12:00-12:30, Q101 Stage) –text: Sean Foran–photo: Frank Ockenfels

MATT COSTA
Fate smiled on music lovers when Matt Costa shattered his leg in a skateboarding accident and took up the guitar during his 18-month recovery. Three years later, Costa’s solo debut, Songs We Sing, captivates with a collection of beautiful songs that defies categorization. This 23 year-old Californian’s ’60s U.K. influences shine through, as does his clearly well-rounded musical self-education. Costa’s lyrics are genuine poetry delivered via heartfelt vocals and masterful guitar playing. (Saturday, 11:45-12:30, Adidas-Champs Stage) –text: Jen Fischer

LAST BAND STANDING WINNER
This slot will be awarded to the winner of Lollapalooza’s “Last Band Standing” battle of the bands competition, which began May 26 with a slate of the top 100 vote-getting acts who submitted music online. As of press time, the 4 finalists were: L.A. pop rockers Everybody Else, Virginia singer/songwriter Kate Starr, Kansas indie rockers The Appleseed Cast and NYC’s old school hip-hopper Tonedeff. The four will compete at Double Door Aug. 2, at which time the winner and runner-up will be announced. (Saturday, 11:15-11:45, Q101 Stage) –text: Jay Gentile–photo: Jody Warner

LIVING THINGS
They began their musical career playing carnivals in a kiddy-rock band …actually, playing in the parking lots adjoining the traveling carnival their father worked for. Living Things, which began as a trio of brothers, would practice their instruments to avoid beating up one another. Now while touring in support of their freshmen release, Ahead Of The Lions, these guys take out their aggression on President Bush whilst still managing to perform a few angst-riddled songs. (Saturday, 12:30-1:30, AT&T Stage) –text: Melanie Falina–photo: Floria Sigismondi

MUSICAL OUTFITS
Hometown heroes Musical Outfits should feel very comfortable playing against the backdrop of Chicago’s skyline at Lollapalooza. The four-piece has played almost every venue in the city, including a lengthy stint as the house band at Wise Fools Pub. Their latest album Left Here, released in 2005, was produced by Chris Steinmetz of Madonna, Kiss, and Ben Harper fame. Thankfully, their power pop tunes are catchy without becoming saccharine copies of everything else played on the radio. (Saturday, 11:15-12:00, BMI Stage) –text: Janine Schaults

NADA SURF
Nada Surf’s 1996 song “Popular” was inventive, jabbing the high school elite using excerpts from a ’50s home economics book. It may have been a bit cliché, but it captured the attention of Ric Ocasek who produced their 1996 debut, High/Low. The trio flourished in Europe, eventually returning to the States on the Barsuk label. Their 2005 LP, The Weight is a Gift, is a bit mellow and chock full of emo hooks, but Nada Surf may just surprise us yet. (Saturday, 12:30-1:30, Bud Light Stage) –text: Gina Pantone

RAINER MARIA
Rainer Maria masters the art of smiling while crying. The trio sounds poppy and cheerful, but Caitlin De Marrais’ striking voice is leaking some serious skin-shedding lyrics. Let’s be honest: Since the band did steal their name from German poet Rilke, Rainer Maria is borderline emo. Despite graduating from Polyvinyl to Grunion, one can’t help but note that the band keeps getting older as their fans get younger — while their music just stays the same. (Saturday, 12:00-12:30, AMD Stage) –text: Sharyn Goldyn–photo: Danielle St. Laurent

SA-RA
Sa-Ra’s 2005 full-length, The Second Time Around (Ubiquity), gave this previously behind-the-scenes production trio the opportunity to unabashedly usher their music philosophy — experimental, futuristic music with a black-centric lilt — to center stage. Sure, it sounds a bit like Kool and the Gang, Prince and Parliament are blasting off in a spaceship laden with ‘70s synths and electric guitars, but what’s wrong with that? (Saturday, 12:00-12:30, PlayStation Stage) –text: Stacey Dugan–photo: Mark Anthony

Constantines, Ezra Furman & The Harpoons, Federico Aubele, Langhorne Slim, Living Things, Moneypenny, The Delta Spirit, The Low Anthem

Be Your Own Pet, Matt Costa, Last Band Standing Winner, Living Things, Musical Outfits, Nada Surf, Rainer Maria, Sa-Ra

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