… with wealthy, musical, regional roots from an F+ Psychologically, Depressed, City in an F- Corrupt & Bankrupt State.  Hell yeah, Northern Illinois’s finest;  get some of this, America.

{Excellent 2010 regional releases by Joie de Vivre, Lizard Skynard, Staasuhnator Rex, Crankupmadonna, Cameron McGill & What Army}

{NOTE: Review Excerpts included from Sock Monkey Sounds 2010 Halfway Reviews}
By Andrew Whorehall & Dave DeCastris

There’s been a string of (in)credible releases by Rockford, IL, area artists (with ties to Chicago/Austin/Vancouver) in 2010 that are on par with some of the best records being released by independent artists anywhere you may call home. We already covered The Pimps extensively here at SMS earlier this year, celebrating their  record release & career.  Many more have been released,  the great Rockford rash, 2010.  Something is in the air around the Rock River- whatever the musicians are drinking, don’t share, the rest of the state doesn’t deserve the formula.  These records deserve an individual shout out before the Federal Government changes the name of my hometown to, “Cheap Trick, IL” to help repair the local psychology and economy.  The irony is in the name change but in this state, it could happen;  you know it’s still legal to adopt monkeys in Illinois too?

Despite demographic despair and obvious economic-cum-mental depression, the music coming out of this tiny little area near the Wisconsin border is as vital and positive as I can remember in my lifetime.  There’s that general thought that with any kind of depression comes a possibility of great art;  I argue you won’t find five better independent releases like this from one little tiny area of the world that’s been ignored & choked of many federal opportunities to prevail as much as Rockford, IL.

Shall we?

Joie De Vivre
“The North End”
Young, intelligent, college kids playing off of punk emotion, setting the pace slow, early and exploding;  midwestern mood rock a decade later.  Spring love, Summer arguments, Fall heartbreak, Winter recovery,  The midwest for many of our youth growing up here.  That is “The North End.”  Joie is completely out of step with today’s youth rock, they’re too smart for any scene anywhere– and all for the better.  Sit through one listen and you’ll know right away that seeing them live will be no different than putting on their record.  No pretending.  “The North End” secretly implies they have no aspirations to entertain you with a light show or fancy new outfits from Hot Topic–  just empty cans of beer.   Honest brooding, rock n’ roll high on emotion and slow, steady delivery.  “The North End” owes as much respect to other regional indie acts that inspired their teen listening years, The Braves, as it does to other regional & national acts that has defined the midwest underground, Mike Kinsella projects (Joan of Arc/American Football/Owen).   ‘North End’ serves as a soundtrack for trying to live through your early 20s in the midwest with limited opportunities and personal heartbreak.  It’s a solid declaration from a young band that is only going to get louder, funnier, darker, softer and wiser with each new letdown & recording to follow.  Here’s hoping they keep it together long enough before becoming sick of each other.

Lizard Skynard
Self-Titled
Lizard Skynard, despite having a perfect frontman (Lizardman) for the kids are a monstrous rock band.  Imagine part Rollins/ part Deftones / meets Kevin Shields with the boys from Kyuss in a train station to make space metal.  The Skynard boys (Chicago/Austin/Vancouver) feed off of lead guitarist, Jason “Mossy” Vaughn’s wall of guitar nob turning and pedal shifting theatrics.  Vaughn’s playing is mesmerizing, turning speed metal riffs into reverb, delays, morphing into small, well-intended melodies– no different than a Shostakovich film production gone wild, chaos amidst the darkness and then drifting into melody.  With or without Lizardman reciting monologues on top of the band, this is the sound of life on earth coming to a loud, water-washed, horrific & beautiful end.

Produced by Greg Norman @ Electrical Audio in Chicago over the course of 1 week this past winter, this self-titled debut by a band that started as a ‘what-if’ idea in the back of a Jägermeister bus between Mossy & Lizardman is anything but a ‘what-if’ idea.  Every member plays as if their lives, and that of  Planet Earth’s, depends on these 30 minutes put to record for a listener’s lifetime.

Staasuhnator Rex
62 (V1: Tracks 1-8 E.P.)
Staasuhnator Rex “62″ is the brilliant, brainchild debut E.P. / song project by Zach Staas (Joie De Vivre, Donkey Boy (USA)); a young songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, engineer. 62 songs are planned for release non-ironically;  8 at a time (yes, he knows there’s a math problem, it’s been discussed and nothing is changing the count from 62 to 64).  All songs are planned to be recorded under a minute and a half if possible. Each song featured here is an appetizer for bizarro pop perfection- genius.

Staas manages most of the instruments himself mixing in domestic observations that are beautifully sung, tongue in cheek and still managing to be awfully heartbreaking & brilliant– in a span of seconds.  “Pound that pussy good, just like you should,” sticks out as a key line on the 56 second long song, “Meownepaws.”  When lines just appear to be lewd, Staas’s delivery reminds you they’re anything but.  The cats in the alley are keeping him awake as he imagines what he wishes he could do to end their midnight whining.  It’s the way the line is sung at the :31 to :36 mark that seals the deal on short moments will make you laugh and cry.

Staas’s vocal inflections rise when they need to perfectly to remind you he is dead serious.  Songs end when you think there’s going to be more.  Nope;  just a few seconds of what could be, cut, next.  ”Please Pay By”  is the peak of this, the first 8 songs of an amazing song project he’s started.  Starting with electric guitar and slowly introducing various keys on top of a subtle amp buzzing while singing about his bills to pay.  The most complete song of the 8 hints slightly at what Rex could be live.  Imagine Jason Lytle or Neil Young jumping off the cliff of creativity looking for something else, John Cale leading the way- and you got Staasuhnator Rex.  A monster of a miniature 1st e.p. from one of Rockford, IL’s most promising young songwriter / multi-instrumentalist & composer.  I await the next 54 songs with excitement.  Download the 1st E.P. of “62″ containing tracks 1-8 for FREE, here, limited time only.
aW

Crankupmadonna
“Hit The Sound”
Shawn Ross, singer-songwriter/guitarist, has spent most of his life playing bass for local area band, The Braves- a very respected, midwestern, indie 4-piece.  After years of supporting Joe Reina & Kevin Schwitter’s songs, Ross takes the helm on his own project bringing along with him 2 former Braves (Jesse Carmona & Phil Goudreau) plus newbie, Christoper Johnson, to take over on bass duties for him.  “Hit the Sound” was recorded by veteran Chicago engineer, Mike Hagler (Wilco, Neko Case, The Redwalls, Mekons, Jon Langford) who helped tap Ross’s manic pop-punk song style into a personal sound oweing tribute to the likes of great 90s bands like Dinosaur Jr., Tommy Stinson’s ‘Perfect’ phase and the Foo Fighter’s first 2 records.  Every song is perfectly crafted and performed by the band, owing as much respect to Ross’s musical roots but also to the road traveled to get to this point, running his own ship.  “Not This Town” wails and splashes between vocals, drums and guitar feedback. “Anyone Can Die” and “Burn this Scene” fist the air for attention;  awesome pop-punk meets classic rock choruses are scattered throughout the record.  Key track defining Ross’s new direction with this band in tow happens on “Golden Hands;”  the guitar build outro, bass, drums, all kick in for a band in the studio moment that pays dues to everything that has made 90s American indie rock so influential.  It also defines Ross as a writer now, guitarist and band leader.   A defining midwestern debut record by 4 guys from Rockford who sound like they’re from anywhere else but here;  full of life and miles to burn.
dD  |  aW

Cameron McGill & What Army
“Derserters.” EP
Let’s keep this one short:  Billy Ocean wrote a tune and in that tune he said, “Simply awesome.”  He was talking about McGill’s Army preview for 2011′s “Is A Beast” which is a 5-song teaser properly titled, “Deserters.”  Two new songs from ‘Beast’ start off “Deserters,” giving ya that awful feeling you gotta hear more and you can’t wait.  “Dead Rose” is nasty;  bassline so nasty, guitar tones so nasty, McGill’s voice unlike previous recorded outputs, nasty awesome not simply awesome.  “I Don’t Believe in Magic (But All My Friends Just Disappeared” is as simply awesome as the title implies.  Billy Ocean would be proud too.  Pop perfection, Chicago intuitions, guests and all Army.  Standout performances by Rockford, IL’s own, Daniel J. McMahon, all over the E.P.  Garvey & Palma (Drums/Bass) form one nasty backbone on record and Justin Perkins’ production hints greatly at what’s to come.  The last 3 tracks are b-sides but should not be ignored- especially “Loose Tooth.  “Deserters” E.P. is a nasty, awesome, 5-song teaser hinting at what may become 2011′s finest midwestern offering to a majority of undeserving & misunderstanding humans who tend to crave crap in this day and age.  Here’s hoping otherwise.

dD  | aW

Matt Hopper, The Devil Whale, Cameron McGill & What Army:  Live @ Kryptonite, Rockford, IL  |  08.25.2010

by Andrew Whorehall

Matt Hopper (& The Roman Candles) is a singer-songwriter from Hatcher Pass, Alaska (at least that’s what he’ll tell ya).  He’s lived everywhere it seems in the last 10 years, documenting his tales, characters from places he’s been to, places he’s from and places he’s going to next.  He’s released a few records on his own, as well as under the band name, The Roman Candles earlier in the last 10 years.

Brinton Jones is the lead singer songwriter of The Devil Whale; home base, Salt Lake City, Utah.  The band has self released a full length and their newest e.p. while opening for the likes of respectable artists like;  Cold War Kids, the Autumn Defense, Glen Phillips, Richard Buckner, Damien Jurado, the Band of Annuals, Mike Doughty, Rocky Votolato, Richard Swift, David Dondero and many more.

They recently passed through Rockford, IL, on, August 25th, a Wednesday night.  Usually a ‘staying in night’ for most, they arrived opening for a few of their midwestern friends;  Chicago’s, Cameron McGill & What Army.  3 great bands from all over the U.S. on one night, in Rockford, IL.  The amount of talent in the room may have been the most overwhelming aspect of the night for an informed witness/listener.

The Devil Whale opened first, convincing a small crowd unaware of their music to turn to their friends and ask, “Who are these guys?  They’re great.”  The Devil Whale played songs off their newest e.p. “Young Wives” and a few selections off their full length, “Like Paraders.” Rock, folk, harmonies slippin’ in and under classic pop arrangements with the right amount of feedback when needed, Kryptonite via Salt Lake City.  Jones’ songs, the band, on record are subdued, well crafted and produced- live, they explode.  The band supports Jones’ lead like a rock machine should.  There’s something going on in Utah;  there would be no surprise to see the ‘Whale’ sign with a respective indie label in the near future and accidentally open for the likes of indie giants while forging their own path to headline.  Catch them now;  an amazing, live band, great players in control of beautiful pop-folk arrangements that explode with color.

Hopper joined the Whale for the 2nd set performing his own set of tunes rooted in ‘Crazy Horse’ delivery and Americana stories of the road, people.  The first thing you’ll notice is Hopper’s voice, a commanding wail from a tiny frame that can hit some bar room falsettos and yelps from deep below.  A great story teller / band leader took control of the room with his own catalogue of songs, many from his recently released beauty of a record, “Jersey Finger.”  The  Devil Whale served as his, ‘Roman Candles,’  following Hopper’s emotional delivery and dressing up standard rock songs with Americana inflections and punk instincts.

Cameron McGill & What Army had to close the night after all that;  and they did mightily.  The Army this time around featured Adam Plamann (The Wandering Sons / Miles Nielsen) on keys and sax, and newly hired touring bassist / songwriter, Miles Nielsen (Harmony Riley / The Wandering Sons / Miles Nielsen & The Rusted Hearts).

What’s most ironic about this night of  great talent is that it could have been billed as “Cameron McGill & The Wandering Sons.”  Luckily the midwest irony only went as deep as the eye would allow incestuous, midwest, musical thoughts & connections.  Cam’s songs are musically monstrous regardless of presentation, trampling such thoughts.  The Army and their Rookies took the bar that Hopper and the Whale raised and dismantled it, playing songs from their newest, e.p., “Deserters” and previewing songs from their  finished full-length, record, “Is A Beast” (Due in 2011).

Older cuts from “Hold on Beauty” and “Warm Songs for Cold Shoulders” fleshed out a majority, electric set.  Cameron’s voice was in majestic, vicious form and the Army with their newbies in toll proved why they are one of the midwest’s finest going right now;  giving character and weight to McGill’s fragile, honest, emotional songs while playing their own hearts out.  The band is oiling up for a fall tour with Margot & The Nuclear So & So’s where McGill will be doing double duties, keys and what nots for Margot’s gang and then leading his own mates through the east coast and back.  Do what you can to catch this band.

The amount of talent in that room that night has left a mark on me for days. Each band brought their A+ game to an F+ city in the middle of nowhere.  Just another night in Rockford, IL, that I, and many others who were lucky enough to be there to listen, won’t forget soon.

Thank you to Chris & Kryptonite for another great, irregular night of music by 3 of  America’s great bands in one spot.

aw  |  andywhorehall.com

By Alex Danger Stewart

So I was reading this Cracked article (because: shut up. that’s why) and it helped me realize two things.

1. That Ke$ha lady does have actual lyrics

2. She is completely lacking even a glimmer of an understanding of how similes work.

Take the line that everyone knows, “Wake up in the mornin feelin like P Diddy”

What the hell does that mean?  What feeling is P Diddy indicative of?  He’s a complicated dude.  I imagine he wakes up feeling ambitious.  Maybe she has woken up feeling like a man with 7 or 8 children. Possibly feeling like someone who has had multiple friends/associates murdered in hip hop feuds.   Is she just trying to say that she’s woken up feeling like a person who is so rich that they have their own vodka brand?  Then why not follow that line of reasoning through the end of the song? That would make an awesome song. Plus Diddy barely records anymore so he probably hasn’t worn out references to the awesomeness of his own life.

Still, what’s another word used to describe a rapper who is rich and glamorous that everyone already knows the meaning of?  A pimp!

“Wake up in the morning feeling like a pimp.”

I just made the object of the sentence make more sense without changing the flow. We can even change the 2nd line from, “”Got my glasses, I’m out the door gonna hit this city.” to something that still rhymes with the end of the first (because Diddy and city totally rhyme).  “Wake up in the morning feeling like a pimp.  Tripping over last night, stumbling like a gimp.”  The whole song is about getting super drunk.  As an alcoholic, Ke$ha would clearly be a bit hung over until she brushed her teeth with Jack and started feeling normal again.  Did the author of Tik Tok write a 2nd draft?

Let’s say they intentionally sat down and thought, “I’d like to make a reference to an actual person in the first line.”  If one is going to do that, one would have to expand on the thought and show WHY the speaker is feeling like that person.

For example: “Wake up in the morning feeling like Wilt Chamberlain.  Good at basketball, and fucking, and being really tall, man.”

See. I made a reference to a famous person and then illustrated why one might be feeling like that person using three well-known facts about him.  Wilt Chamberlain is famous for being one of the most dominant players in NBA history; having allegedly slept with over 20,000 women in his lifetime, and standing 7’1″ tall. That’s how it works!

I ought to be getting paid for this stuff.

The annual summer vacation trip to the south of Illinois. Featuring a road trip playlist and a photo gallery of the sights. This year’s trip includes a virgin visit to the Illinois State Fair.

By Andrew Whorehall

Every year I venture the roads 3-5 hours south from Rockford, IL to a place I call a poor man’s paradise.  Southern Illinois.  It’s affordable and the sights are glorious between northern, central and southern IL.  Stop by Peoria, IL, for a buffet meal at Big Al’s, located downtown.  Don’t stay too long, you’ll contract something & end up with a drawl somehow.  Journeying through Illinois listening to dialects is a national past time for me like fishing is for others.  Where some people prefer to catch a fish and practically choke it to death as they pose for a picture to then throw it back, I prefer to take in the sounds that humans make when they talk. Illinois has the best dialects of everywhere.  You’ll ask yourself, “Where am I again?  How did this happen?”  Accents, drawls and twangs, are developed naturally and then exported to places like Mississippi and Texas for ‘Made in America’ authenticity.  Some of these traits show up in every small town in America but the special twangs are created from the middle of everywhere & nowhere known as Illinois.  ”My twang?  Made in Illinois, Exported to America.”

Once you’ve had enough of Peoria’s hedonistic pleasures;  strip bars, the gambling boat, great eateries, you’ll realize that downtown Peoria could have been a model for Rockford, IL, to follow decades ago to save itself from economic despair, oh well.  Onwards, as far south as we will go and then head north, summer vacation, 2010.

Have you ever felt goosebumps approaching St. Louis from the distance?  It’s magical and free.  Seeing the St. Louis arch from the distance reminds me that there is a God that has a sense of humor.  For miles and hours you’re surrounded by nothing but gas stations and a slightly tan-brown/sometimes green earth begging for rain.  Out of nowhere there’s this giant piece of steel called art, plopped down in the middle of nowhere announcing you are arriving to the middle of nowhere.  It’s best appreciated from afar.  Reggie “Railroad” Reynolds, my childhood friend, says to our other friend, Ray, “Look Rayray, there’s half of Ray Kroc’s dream.”  Once you make it to downtown St. Louis, venture towards the Mississipp River and stand under the Arch.  Remind yourself you’re looking up at ‘art.’  They call that art, half of Ray Kroc’s dream.

Once you’re there I suggest making some swift decisions;  choose the Missouri side of St. Louis.  The beaches along the mighty Ole Miss’ are best taken in around dawn, when soft scents from the west meet the stench from the south.  Survive the beaches along the Mississippi River for a night and head back into town for a night of rap-country music.  It’s one of the few cities in America that can lay claim to ghetto-billie music where gangster rap and pop country hook up for hits.  One of St. Louis’s finest ghetto-billie rappers is Nelly.  He claims to be a St. Louis native but he was actually born in Austin, Texas.  He dueted with Tim McGraw once on a hit song called, “Over & Over.”  If you stay a night or two in St. Louis, you begin to understand how these sorts of awful creations end up becoming hits throughout the country.

We hit the road, there’s no point in going any more south from St. Louis unless you’re looking for the Gulf.  We (Reggie, Ray, Sheila-Shantina & I) head back north through the shores of Southern Illinois to Farmerville, IL.  We stopped there to take a jog around the town, pay our dues to old memories.  One weekend in 1993, I slow danced for the first and last time to Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight.”  My bird at the time was the reigning Montgomery County Queen winner, who by default, had to be there.  She ended up sleeping with a minor league baseball coach from Springfield, IL that summer and told me weeks after the county fair I drove 4 hours to attend.  We didn’t last beyond school starting up again but luckily, “Wonderful Tonight” was still very wonderful.  She has been divorced 3 times since.  ”Southern girls got nothing to lose,” Sheila wakes to sing to us from the backseat while I recount my time in Farmersville with the guys, heading to the finest early lunch joint in town, Subway.

After enjoying Farmersville, IL’s finest sandwich and chips shop, a foot-long Italian sub with Doritoes, we make the trek to Springfield, IL, the state’s capital.  This is our first trip to what we find out by locals downtown is “the first capital city that had a house the governor didn’t live in.” No matter where you go in Illinois, there appears to be a feeling that none of us belong where we’re at.  Some blame Rod Blagojevich, others blame ‘Maw & Paws egg-anne-sparm.’

Springfield appears at first to be a fine, functioning, city with a surviving downtown, supported by government employees and independent businesses, but it is just another city abused by federal government, often controlled by Chicago styled politics.  The streets are as bad as Rockford, IL’s.  (Large unexplained potholes and half foot like cracks in the streets everywhere.)   The recession & an ex-governor’s trail of questionable legislation seems to have affected the Springfield’s 120K population’s psyche more so than the overall unemployment rate, which is much lower than a larger city near Chicago, like Rockford;  8.2% vs. the generous reported rate of 14.8%.  Being this is our first trip to the nation’s capital we decide to focus on new experiences since it appears the downtown is a pretty busy place unlike other downtowns left to hang in Illinois.

This trip has goals besides enjoying the sounds and scents that only come from a place like Southern Illinois in the summer.  We’re here for our first “horseshoe” meal and a VIP visit to the State Fair.  The ‘horseshoe’ we find easily- they’re everywhere in Springfield, IL but word is, they’re not always authentic.  We find an a great menu at “Darcy’s” that serves many variations of “horseshoes.”  I enjoy a plate that is layered from the bottom up with texas toast, roast beef, fries piled on top and a delicious homemmade cheese sauce covering the whole thing.  Word is the buffalo chicken horseshoe that the other 3 ate was to die for.  The special cheese sauce came with part ranch dressing and part bleu cheese mixed in with something unknown on top of the texas toast and fries, and chicken.  Instant nap or heart attack- whichever your body can handle you will have to decide for yourself.

The first night in Springfield is spent getting drunk at an art show downtown conveniently located above a bar named “NorbAndy’s.”  We eventually move over to a local bar, “Brewhaus,” for an amazing beer list and free popcorn.  Earlier in the night we end up buying a $10 print of aliens destroying Chicago that is currently sitting on the dresser in the house of friends we crashed at.  We were the only bad vibes delivered from the northern IL area that night.

It’s so nice to go somewhere where no one knows who you are and you can get drunk and pretend your name is Jim, Rodger (Roger, or Radjhah) with fake accents that oppose or match the locals’ drawls and twangs.  Reggie decides he’s going to be an asian ad firm owning mob boss named Mister Meerasaki.  We laugh, Reggie is obviously not Asian, nor does he own an ad firm.  So we drink, eat free popcorn, enjoy a late night meal at “La Bambas” and pass out.  Springfield is heaven on Earth!

Day two in Springfield, IL is the highlight of the year as well as the peak- conclusion to our Southern IL Summer Vacation, 2010.  The four of us take it easy til early afternoon nursing a hangover and prepping our first State Fair visit.  After all the phones were charged and batteries loaded into our cameras, we hit the State Fair grounds. There’s lots of walking to begin and many people do look at you as if you are from another planet.  Eventually when you find the hot spots (food stands & barn stalls), you’ll notice nothing but children screaming or begging for attention in all directions from their parents to go on rides, milk a cow, play a game, eat ice cream.  Springfield may be heaven so far but the Illinois State Fair is hell.  I felt like I belonged there with the animals, caged or tied in their stalls, facing directions opposite that of the humans staring at them. My northern accent felt alone next to everyone else’s.  My friends tend to blend in easier, speaking with their fake accents for kicks.  I felt horrible for the animals, I hope they felt bad for me.

We lived our whole year for this Summer Vacation moment, the Illinois State Fair.  It surpassed any premeditated visions or assumptions I may have made about what it could be like at the State Fair amongst the state of Illinois’s finest humans and animals in one spot.  Words can not do justice for what we saw and what we ate.  The food was amazing… the animals were depressed… and the humans there were were out of this world.   Few pictures survived because Sheila lost her camera, Ray lost his wallet and Reggie lost his mind.

Neither of us made more than a few words worth remembering on our drive home to Rockford, IL, until Reggie, gazing out the window towards a field of wind powered turbines, quietly muttered, “This must be what it feels like to be a Rockford Refugee.”

Southern Illinois, thank you, we will see you again next summer.

aW  |  andywhorehall.com

_________________________________________________

by Lindsey Bakker

The best part of Warped Tour is that it’s a choose your own adventure concert. Usually, I buy my tickets months in advance and spend my time planning out what bands I will be seeing. This year, however, I put off buying my ticket for a long time. There were several bands that I sort of wanted to see, but would have the opportunity to see in smaller venues later in the year. Also, several of the bands on the tour that I would have loved to see (e.g. Bouncing Souls, Motion City Soundtrack) were not playing at the dates that I could attend. While most of the younger crowd gravitated toward hardcore bands such as Bring Me the Horizon and Suicide Silence, I chose the older punk/ska holdouts of the tour: Pennywise, Face to Face, Reel Big Fish, Alkaline Trio.

The most cruicial band for me to see this year was Face to Face. Formed in 1991, they officially broke up in 2004. In 2008, the band started playing random live shows again, but I never caught one of them. Because of their influence in almost everything I listen to, it’s really embarrassing for me to admit this: before this year, I had never heard one Face to Face song. At least not one that I remember. It became more embarrassing for me once they started playing. I didn’t know a single song, but man, they were unbelieavably good (describe what made them so good). It’s a shame that none of the younger crowd where there (Set Your Goals was playing at the same time) to witness this example of what Warped Tour used to be. Meanwhile, I stood there and wondered where this band had been all my life. During their set, Face to Face announced that they’re planning a fall tour in support of their album Laugh Now, Laugh Later due out this fall. I will not be missing that show.

One of the most solid performances I saw that day had to be Alkaline Trio’s set. Thirty to forty minutes long, it was loaded with old favorites. The band did not play any songs from their 2008 release, Agony and Irony. That kind of disappointed me, but just because that’s the album I’m most familiar with. They played a single song, “Dine, Dine, My Darling” off their current release, dedicated to their friends in Every Time I Dine (Every Time I Die). It was a cheap joke, but it amused the crowd. For me, the highlight of the set was “Continental” (from 2003’s Good Mourning). Matt Skiba dedicated this song to those of us in the crowd who had lost a friend and the friends we had lost. Although the song never resonated to me before, it was a touching moment and it’s added extra meaning to the song for me now. The band played crowd fravorites “My Friend Peter” and “She Took Him to That Lake Over There (She Took Him to the Lake).” Again, it was a smaller crowd than I expected, especially for such a wildly popular Chicago band. When they played Warped Tour just two years ago the crowd was twice the size. I wonder if fewer of the old fans are going to Warped Tour because of lineup choices and changes in the general atmosphere.

Of the several Chicago bands on the tour this year, Deals Gone Bad was highly recommended to me by several friends. Their laid-back reggae-ska sound was ideal for the perfect summer day. The younger crowd missed out on this band by wandering by without stopping, or going to see larger bands on other stages. I was tempted to grab some of them and drag them over to say, “See this? You should be listening to THIS, not THAT.” Deals Gone Bad (Myspace) will be playing September 18 at Mary’s Place in Rockford. If, for some reason, you miss that show you should check them out October 22 at the Beat Kitchen in Chicago.

Andrew WK is something that you have to see to believe. He was the only band that I saw that day that had a true intro to the set (and a backup singer in a gold leotard, for some reason). Unfortunately I was only able to catch 3 songs, but I thoroughly enjoyed what I did see. All of it just made me giggle. It was pure spectacle, but well-performed spectacle. Anyone who’s heard one Andrew WK song has heard them all. Simple lyrics, mixed with subtle changes in tempo. I think it would have worn thin if I had stayed the whole time. I also don’t think that I will ever want to catch a headlining date for him. I’d get sick of songs about partying hard after about 3 songs. That’s my limit.

Pennywise has been on my list of bands to see for just about forever, and they are one of the reasons I chose to attend Warped Tour this year. When I got to the stage, the audience was packed and the band was in full swing. The band was ready to judge the performance harshly. The original singer of the band, Jim Lindberg, left the band in 2009, and was replace by Zoli Teglas, but once the band started to play, it just didn’t matter. For a band I wanted to see so badly I didn’t know any of the songs they played. They won me over with their sound and raw intensity. They are a band that made me want to be lost in the pit just fucking rocking out. Unfortunately, I had a backpack with me, and the pit area was full so I couldn’t just jump right in. However, I’ll have my chance in October at Riot Fest in Chicago.

Reel Big Fish consistently puts on a good show but I was worried about seeing them at Warped because they tend to talk too much. That can be a set-killer for Warped Tour’s 30 minute time limits (Sidenote: Never, EVER, see NOFX at Warped. They will play 3 songs and talk for 20 minutes.) Thankfully, today Reel Big Fish was consistently funny, cutting off their jokes before they wore out. They played their first song, left the stage, and berated latecomers upon returning for missing their set. This was repeated maybe 3 times, until I was rolling my eyes then they stopped messing with the audience and launched into quite possibly the best Reel Big Fish set I’ve ever seen. They stuck to mainly old songs. The majority REALLY old songs, like from when I was in high school and Turn The Radio Off. The girls from Tip The Van joined to add the female vocals for “She Has a Girlfiend Now.” They played crowd favorite “S.R.” This is usually my least favorite part of a RBF set. They always play this song, and then repeat it a dozen musical styles (e.g. emo, country, screamo, latin, etc). It just keeps going and going and I hate it. Today, they kept it to just 3 variations and moved on. A Metallica cover rounded out the set, as did “Another F.U. Song” from Monkey’s for Nothing, Chimps for Free. That made me a bit uncomfortable, as there was a 7 year old in front of me, and they kept swearing. RBF left the stage, and returned for an encore of “Beer,” quite possibly the best RBF song ever.

Sum41 never ceases to amaze me. I love this band. They had several hits in 2000-2001 off Half Hour of Power and their first full-length album All Killer, No Filler but seem to have fizzled out since then, at least in popular radio play. Apparently no one told this to the band. If Pennywise won me over with their intensity, Sum41 delivered this one hundred times over. They are raw intensity, power, and passion. Make no mistake, this is a FUCKING PUNK ROCK BAND that got lucky and had a few hits on TRL. They are like a high school garage band trying to be Green Day and rocking it. It works for them and they are so fantastic. Deryck Whibley looks young, contributing to thinking they’re a younger band than they are, although he’s my age. He runs and jumps all over the stage in true punk rock fashion. The set consisted of the popular singles, a new song, and a Metallica cover. They also covered the Rolling Stone’s “Paint it Black.” I got to the set late, but stood in the back jumping and screaming along the whole time. This was my last band of the day and I almost bought a ticket to see Warped in Chicago just so I could see Sum41 again. They are that good.

What struck me about this Warped Tour adventure that I haven’t seen in previous years was the camaraderie between all the bands bands. Every band I saw shouted out to other bands that I had either seen that day or planned on seeing. They encouraged the crowd to check out their friends sets. Although I didn’t catch his set, I saw Reverend Peyton wandering the crowd checking out acts before joining Pennywise on stage. To me, this is a huge part of what not only Warped Tour is to me, but what the punk scene should be. We are all in this together, not just the bands, but the crowd as well.

Always the case with Warped Tour, there are bands that don’t fit into your schedule and/or bands that you didn’t expect to see (and enjoy) and do. I wasn’t able to catch Chicago’s AM Taxi. My only consolation was that I’d be able to see them at the end of August in a small venue. I also missed one of the oldest bands on the tour, The Casualities, as well as Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band. As I said, I saw the Reverend walking around and he looked cool as hell so I’m a little upset that I missed that. Instead I got two wonderful surprises: Poema and American Sixgun.

I have to preface my review of Poema’s set to describe how I came to see them. I had a while before my first band and I was wandering around the giant merch tent (more on that later). Poema’s dadager (dad + manager) was manning the Tooth & Nail tent. He was making deals with anyone who would pause in front of the tent to buy the cd and see their acoustic set later in the day. It was clear that he loves his family very much, which was touching, but he took it to a level that was nearly creepy. I also saw him throughout the day circulating through the crowd, talking to anyone who would listen to him about Poema, and hawking the CD. This seemed pretty inappropriate. He targeted girls at the show, which was probably because that would be the audience for the band. However, he’s a middle aged man, and many of these girls were teens. You get the picture? It was creepy and a little much. I felt for the girls, who are in their late teens and early twenties. They must have been mortified if he did this in every city. I did score their EP plus an Atticus sampler for only $5 though, which is a good deal.

Poema (that’s “poem” with an “a” on the end, as explained by Elle during the set) is Elle (18) and Shaeleen (20) with their younger brother on drums. While other reviews have compared them to Taylor Swift and the Jonas Brothers, these comparisons don’t do them justice. Their sound is neither groundbreaking nor unique but they are talented musicians and have a knack for writing clever lyrics. Their dadager told me that Elle has a talent for working with words to create witty lyrics. I didn’t hear any witty wordplay, but their lyrics are surprisingly sophisticated for songs about awkward dates and meeting the right boy. The best song of the set, “Boys & Bugs,” came at the request of the crowd. Sweet and sophisticated, I scoured the internet for a way to download it. This is high praise coming from me, who usually hate female singers with a passion. The girls embody teenage awkwardness with their between-song banter, but shine once they start playing. Elle is particularly charming as only a soon-to-be-adult can be. Her entire face lights up as she plays, and you can see her love for music radiate through her. It’s inspiring, and that is what will keep me coming back to this band. Poema is definitely not something I would choose for myself, but their EP has been on repeat on my iPod since their performance.

While on my way to see Sum41, I caught American Sixgun’s last song. As excited as I was for Sum41, I had to stop and listen. After that, I was lucky enough to snag copies of the 2 albums they were throwing after the show. They were a little more rock’n’roll than I expect from Warped Tour (think Bon Jovi, but cool) but they snagged a small crowd of mostly older fans. I have to think that some of these were parents waiting to pick up their kids.

Warped Tour is always a mix of the good and the bad. There was a fairly strong musical lineup this year. Even if it is the main focus, Warped is not all about the music. Ten years ago, you could go to tour to see skateboarding and BMX exhibitions. That’s no longer the case, and this year the display was tucked at the back of the grounds where almost no one could find it. It’s disappointing, but reflects the changing interests of the kids going to the Tour. Skateboarding is not as mainstream as it was back when I was in college and started going to Warped.

Warped Tour has switched the focus to community awareness. This year, it featured a large non-profit area where groups such as To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA for the hip teenager), Truth, and Keep aBreast. PETA is a constant presence as well. It’s an honorable move to get the next generation involved, but I really feel like a jackass when I pass right by the tents. I just don’t need to be on another mailing list. Usually I stop and get free stuff from Truth. Even if I don’t agree with the group, they give out great t-shirts. This year I was informed that I was too old to get free stuff, as the organization really want teenagers to see their peers sporting the Truth gear. It was my own fault, for being stupid enough to admit to being too old.

I made another stupid mistake that day. Amethyst Jeans joined Warped Tour last year to promote themselves by giving out free jeans. Any girl would be skeptical about getting jeans without a chance to try them on but these are the best. I don’t mean to sound like an advertisement, I just love my jeans that much. Therefore, I was excited to get another free pair this year. That is, I was excited until I learned that several people got in line multiple times to get up to three pairs of free jeans. Again, I was naïve (or stupid) enough not to even think of playing the system. Dumbass.

There is also a huge “Merch Tent” with other tents scattered about the grounds. I love that, in Milwaukee at least, most of the bands are consolidated into one area. It may seem like shameless commericialism to some, but it doesn’t offend me. It does piss me off that, in recent years, labels have stopped giving out free samplers of their bands. Now they charge $5, but I wouldn’t pay that much for a load of bands that I’ve never heard. Also obnoxious are the multitude of bands both in the grounds and waiting outside that stick a huge pair of earphones on you to try to market their band. I get that they need to market somehow. They just don’t need to be so damn pushy.

One final thought on the crowd. I met some nice people and, for the most part, Warped patrons were teenagers. I got the impression that very few of the younger crowd was exposed to anything new or unexpected. Where are the older brothers (or parents) saying, “Hey, you like that band? Why don’t you check out this band?” This wasn’t completely nonexistent at Warped: during Reel Big Fish, I saw a young mother teaching her 7-year old to skank. Still, few kids happened upon Deals Gone Bad although they had to walk right by the band to get to the main stage. It makes me angry and sad that this generation shuts themselves off from something that could be life-changing.

Overall, I was satisfied with my experience. I came away having seen several bands that I’d always wanted to see. I bought more CDs than I needed but didn’t spend nearly as much money as in previous years. The only part I had to complain about was the very painful sunburn, and that went away in a few days.

LB

by Alex Danger Stewart

Joie De Vivre-You Ruined Everything that was Ever Good

With You Ruined Everything that was Ever Good, the titular track of their 2010 tour EP, Joie De Vivre brought something so far unseen to the table: Swagger.

Prior to this song, the band’s lyrical aesthetic could best be described as, “Earnest Apathy“.  That is to say any number of songs in their catalog can be summed up by a scruffy young man yelping, “I feel bad about these things, but I don’t know how to change them.”  One could easily imagine a girl breaking up with JDV’s lyrical persona.  Upon hearing the news, the persona slumps down in his chair and says, “Oh ok.” Then the persona drives home and feels bad about himself until his friends come over with a 24 pack of beer and some old Alkaline Trio albums (incidentally it would look like this).

That’s what makes this song so different.  Maybe it’s because of the hilarious origins (see their recent appearance on our podcast), but You Ruined Everything that was Ever Good has none of that reluctance or longing usually present in a Joie De Vivre track.  Lunging forward at a pace that veers shockingly close to up tempo, the guitars bite instead of chime.  One can actually move their hips to this thing.  Singer  Brandon Lutmer’s usually propensity for stretching words out to bar length is replaced by what amounts to urgency; gnawing at the bit to get all of his words out (relatively speaking).

“Staying out all night/ to follow you home convinced me that I was right/ in letting you go.  I couldn’t wait to tell you/that things are fine,” he sings to an unnamed party.  Basically telling her, “It’s cool. I’m better now anyway.”  Then the barbs get more venomous, plainly stating, “You weren’t missed by anyone,” repeating it before ending the song with the chanted, “You ruined/everything that was ever good.  You ruined/everything that was ever good.”  Ouch.  As far as emo bands go, it’s basically a Ludacris song.  Everything is delivered with confidence and a smirk.  It almost makes you want to strut.

I’m sure that we’ll all go back to Charlie Brown moments soon enough, but it’s nice to have a rallying cry for moving on.  Give it six months. This song will be a sing along song.

Visit Joie De Vivre’s myspace page to hear the song: http://www.myspace.com/joiedevivreband

The Halfway Point: A 2010 Music Review
Songs, records, cds, downloads, whatever.
National, International, Regional, Rewinds & Letdowns

By SMS Editorial & Contributing Writers:
Chip Copeland (cC)  |  Alex Danger Stewart (aDs)   |  Dave DeCastris (dD)  |  Andrew Whorehall (aW)

We apologize for being a bit late with this, it’s been in the works for 2 months. It’s our rookie attempt to cover the first half of 2010. Below is a brief list of what Sock Monkey Sound has been listening to and recommends at the 2010 halfway point. With so little time and money, we’re sure we’ve missed a bunch so leave your comments at the bottom of this very long, hopefully informative, blog post.

Cheers.
SMS > cC  |  aDs  |  dD  |  aW
08.07.2010

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cC suggests:

NATIONAL RELEASES

Admiral Radley "I Heart California"

Admiral Radley - I Heart California 1/2 Grandaddy + 1/2 Earlimart = Pure Awesomeness!

Broken Social Scene – Forgiveness Rock Record Always liked Broken Social scene in the past but this record is tighter and more efficient in delivering the goods and the promise of this band. This is the kind of cohesiveness I wish Sonic Youth was still able to muster these days.

Stars – The Five Ghosts: Waaaayyy better than their last record, In Our Bedroom After the War, almost hitting the same knd of highs that were evident on Set Yourself on Fire.

Family Band – Miller Path I’ve really been wrapping myself up in this moody and exquisite album that is spooky and drenched in atmosphere in much the same way as The Nationals latest. Imagine a darker and more haunting version of Mazzy Star and you’re on the right track.

Field Music – Measure Proggy and yet still remaining very song oriented. Reminiscent at times of The Sea and Cake, an evenly enjoyable listen.

Honorable mentions:
Teenage Fanclub - Shadows

REGIONAL / INDIE / LOCAL RELEASES
Because of Sock Monkey Sound I’ve discovered more local indie artists than ever before. So most of what I’ve been listening to is lesser known bands from around here or elsewhere.

The Braves – The Leaves are Black / Quiet Hushed Animals: I make no apologies that I love this band, I know these guys and have been equally amazed at how good they all are at their craft as evidenced by their solo projects and new bands that they have gone onto form. The fucking shame about this record is that unless you know someone in Rockford, IL that knows one of the guys in the band YOU”LL NEVER HEAR THIS RECORD.

I fault the band for not being more proactive in making these songs available via Bandcamp.com or on a website. They don’t have to charge anything if they don’t want to but I think there is an audience that is willing to fork over $5-$8 bucks for an 18 song download.

Until then, folks can buy their last official release Love and Mercy on iTunes for $8.91 or Emusic and after you listen to that email thebravestheband@hotmail.com and demand that they make ALL OF their music available for download online. 30 years from now The Braves will be remembered as one of those great unsung regional acts that never found an audience in their day but influenced a slew of younger acts from Rockford.

Ex Norwegian – Sketch This Florida based band continues to craft tight yet creative power pop that reminds me of Badfinger, Big Star, and that other power pop band from Rockford that everybody talks about excessively. Can’t wait to see them at the first Sock Monkey Sound showcase show September 1st at Kryptonite Bar.

Geronimo! – Fuzzy Dreams Man, is it still 1993 or what. I wish I still owned flannel so I could sport it at the next Geronimo! show. These guys are tight but the intros at the beginning of these songs work better in a live setting than on record. A solid effort by some nice dudes.

The Felix Culpa – Sever Your Roots It’s not often that a band with no money, no label, and a 3 year gap in between albums is able to record a record as intricate as Sever Your Roots. While not a perfect record it is certainly impressive that a regional at is able reach a level of this quality, much like The Braves did on Quiet Hushed Animals. I’m interested in seeing them release something again- hopefully in a timelier manner.

The Projection People – Self Titled Once again here’s another band from the region, Madison , Wisconsin to be precise, that is making very precise and expressive music without major label support. Great arrangements and musicianship abounds on this record and if you get a chance be sure to see them live. Fans of Minus the Bear are sure to enjoy this group. See also: Jane by The Cemetery Improvement Society which features some of the members of TPP.

REWIND
Sun Kil Moon – Ghosts of the Great Highway The first line of Carry Me Ohio says it all:
sorry that
i could never love you back
i could never care enough
in these last days

LETDOWN LISTEN
Prince – 20Ten Once a great artist that has fallen prey to the trap that comes with the seclusion of being a massive star: losing touch with what’s out in the real world. The internet”s dead? F*ck you Prince. F*ck you in your stupid little ass-less pants you short little prima-donna. After you complain about not getting paid and advance for putting your stuff on iTunes how about you consider all the artists that are really struggling to make a name for themselves while making music that still matters. At least you get royalties off all the songs that continue to get played on the radio. Which won’t happen for most other musicians because major corporations like Clear Channel have a monopoly over terrestrial radio; a system that you strive so hard to fight against yet you try to perpetuate the old system of dying record labels. No amount of “genius” or “talent” can change the fact that you’re probably just an A$$hole.

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aDs suggests:

The National "High Violet"

NATIONAL RELEASES
The National-High Violet:  I’ve said it a couple of times but I’ll justifiably say it again.  This album is tearing me apart.  It’s like a soundtrack to social anxiety.  Over thrumming guitars Matt Berninger sings, “Venom radio and venom television.  I’m afraid of everyone, I’m afraid of everyone. They’re the young blue bodies/with the old red bodies.”  Walking through the city on my way to class, I nod along as the whole world collapses around my headphones.  “I’m afraid of everyone,” he continues, “I’m afraid of everyone.  I don’t have the drugs to sort it out.  Sort it out.”  You and I both, dude.  You and I both.  This isn’t an album for feeling alone in a crowded room.  This is an album for feeling alone on a jam packed sidewalk, keeping an eye on the sky; waiting for a hunk of building to crumble off and come crashing down on your skull. It’s sonic self medication.  It rips open old scars and sticks a finger in the wound, just to see you squirm a bit before stitching it back up again.  Yeah, this album sticks with you.

INTERNATIONAL RELEASES
Male Bonding-Nothing Hurts Male Bonding is a band from Bristol. That’s in England, innit? I’m not quite sure what exactly this band promises but it delivers on that promise.  Simply put, this band is loud, fast, and dirty.  The tones are skuzzy and the songs are short.  This band and I share a clear love of 1990 Sub Pop.  I sing along, when I can, and shake my hair when I can’t.

REGIONAL
Geronimo-Fuzzy Dreams: There’s no two ways about it.  Geronimo will make you hurt.  They will squish your brain and punch you in the diaphragm.  Halfway through the opening song, “Thunderbattles,” one thing becomes clear: this is a band that is not afraid to write songs with riffs.  Sometimes this band likes to play fast, and sometimes they like to be atmospheric.  Though they are not always entirely sure footed, they constantly move forward with a jittery energy and another pounding of the snare.  The songs on this album make shit move.  That is, until the last song.  “Judgment Day” comes as a kiss-off disguised as a hug.  It acts as a campfire sing-along and a palette cleanser.  To say it sounds like Dust era Screaming Trees is the greatest praise I can give.

REWIND
Jim O’Rourke- Eureka I’ve always been somewhat of a fan of Mr. O’Rourke.  The albums that he worked on with Wilco and Sonic Youth number among my favorite for each band and his reputation as a Chicago composer and experimental musician is most stellar.  I spun the hell out of his 1997 album “Bad Timing,” last year.  Why then, did it take me so long to pick up more of his albums?  I don’t rightly know but 1999’s “Eureka,” has been pulling me back again and again.   As a work, it stands apart from many of O’Rourke’s albums in that it finds him molding his usual compositional elements into the form of Bacharach-esque pop songs (including covers of songs by Bacharach and Ivor Cutler).  Even within such forms, O’Rourke’s signature style shines through.  Each song beginning with an intricate finger style guitar passage, a minimal percussive rattle, or a slight buzz of synthesizer, and building from there.  There are never random moves.  Each is deliberate and gradual.  Like the cinematography in a Rossellini film, you find yourself so focused on the current image that you barely notice the change until two minutes later when it has molded itself into an entirely different song.  Then you smile.

LETDOWN LISTEN
Sleigh Bells-Treats Everything I read in the ramp up for this album described it as noise pop.  “Perfect,” I thought, imagining way too fuzzy guitars and fun, crooked harmonies to match, “I love noise and pop.”   Pitchfork said it, “…felt like rides at an amusement park, and I’d get a feeling in my stomach when the first notes kicked in: Here we go.” They used words like, “jackhammer riffs,” “beats from hip-hop and electro,” and, “supremely catchy sing-song melodies.”  Yes!  I thought I had found my summer party album.   No.  This duo sounds like all of the things that are wrong with M.I.A.’s new album (which is to say most of it).  When Indie groups use the word pop it’s supposed to mean old pop.  Not that Lil Wayne guitar album that everyone has agreed to forget.  The aesthetic of simulated stereo destruction works sometimes.  Sometimes Not when it’s used for the entirety of every song!  Clearly there is some disconnect between what was described and what exists.  One can hardly blame the band for that.  What I can blame them for is making an album that fails the only requirement of party jams.  It’s not danceable (unless the only dance move in your arsenal is the stutter step).  It doesn’t make me want to get down, or fuck, or chill, or drink.  It makes me want to hide.  This album isn’t fun.  That’s unforgivable.

______________________

dD suggests:

Spoon "Transference"

NATIONAL RELEASES
Spoon-Transference: Minimal, dark, droning, mechanically rhythmic,pop songs that build on each other, exploding into little moments. Perfect imperfections.  A fully realized production that honors their lo-fi past & recent ventures with equal amounts of focus and abandonment.  This record stands at an artistic cross roads for them. On first listen, as the cover photo suggests, “I’m bored, what are we gonna do next?”  A brilliant orange lamp siting next to the bored individual on the cover serves as a metaphor for focus and inspiration, just look at what’s around you in a different light.  “Transference” pushes their artistic ceiling slightly higher.  Their artistic foundation, Daniel & Eno, sound stronger than ever while digging deeper, continuing to search for new sounds, patterns and rhythms together unlike most veteran indie bands and musical partnerships.

ALSO:
The National – High Violet
The Mynabirds –  What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood

INTERNATIONAL
The Radio Dept.- Clinging to a Scheme Sweet, sweet, sweet sugary pop songs from Sweden that recall the finer moments of the Pet Shop Boys with a darker edge.

REGIONAL RELEASES
Joie De Vivre – The North End Young, intelligent, college kids playing off of punk emotion, setting the pace and exploding;  midwestern mood rock a decade later.  Spring love, Summer arguments, Fall heartbreak, Winter recovery,  The midwest for many of our youth growing up here. That is “The North End.”  Joie is completely out of step with today’s youth rock, they’re too smart for any scene anywhere in America right now– and all for the better.  Sit through one listen and you’ll know right away that seeing them live will be no different than putting on their record.  Like Neil and Crazy Horse, this is what ya get live too- no pretending.  “The North End” secretly implies they have no aspirations to entertain you with a light show or fancy new outfits from Hot Topic,  just empty cans of beer.   Honest brooding, rock n’ roll high on emotion and slow, steady delivery.  “The North End” owes as much respect to other regional indie acts that inspired them in their teens, The Braves, as it does to other regional & national acts that has defined the midwest underground, Mike Kinsella inspired projects (Joan of Arc/American Football/Owen).   ‘North End’ serves as a soundtrack for trying to live through your early 20s in Northern Illinois through a recession, limited opportunities, and heartbreak.  It’s a solid declaration from a young band that is only going to get louder, funnier, darker, softer and wiser with each new letdown & recording to follow.  Here’s hoping they keep it together long enough before becoming sick of each other.

Lizard Skynard – Self-Titled Lizard Skynard, despite having a perfect frontman (Lizardman) for the kids are a monstrous rock band.  Imagine Henry Rollins/ Part Deftones meets Kevin Shields and the boys from Kyuss in a train station to make space metal.  The Skynard boys (Chicago/Austin/Vancouver) feed off of lead guitarist, Jason “Mossy” Vaughn’s (Machesney Park/Rockford), wall of guitar nob turning and pedal shifting theatrics.  Vaughn’s playing is mesmerizing, turning speed metal riffs into reverb, delays, morphing into small, well-intended melodies– no different than a classical Dmitri Shostakovich film production, chaos amidst the darkness drifting into melody.  With or without Lizardman reciting monologues on top of the band, it’s a complete sound of life on earth coming to a loud, water washed horrific & beautiful end.  Produced by Greg Norman @ Electrical Audio in Chicago over the course of 1 week this past winter, this self-titled debut by a band that started as a ‘what-if’ idea in the back of a Jägermeister bus (driven around the country for 4 years to festivals and arenas by Mossy & his wife, Dana) is anything but a ‘what-if’ idea.  Every member plays as if their lives, and that of  Planet Earth’s, depends on these 30 minutes put to record for a listener’s lifetime.

REWIND LISTENS
Neil Young – American Stars N’ Bars Released in 1978, it’s often discarded as a hodge podge collection of Uncle Neil’s throwaway gems that bounce between his country rock/folk stylings and manic garage rock epic.  Often cited for featuring the magnificent, “Like a Hurricane,” a song probably more responsible for Wilco’s post Jay Bennet guitar freakouts.  Especially on their Neil inspired, “Spiders (Kidsmoke).”  Before you even get to  ‘Hurricane’ there’s country flavored ear candy in “This Old Country Waltz,” “Hey Babe,” “Hold Back The Tears,” and “Star of Bethlehem.”  After spending most of my life living in “Zuma,”  my personal Uncle Neil desert island pick, “American Stars N’ Bars” has consumed my car CD player with a few more mentioned above for the early half of 2010.

Big Star- Keep Your Eye on The Sky (Box Set) There’s a line from a famous Replacements song on “Pleased to Meet Me” named in honor for the late “Alex Chilton” (who passed away earlier this year) that goes;  “I never travel far without a little Big Star.”  I don’t think I’ve gone one year in existence since my first exposure in college to Big Star’s 1974 classic song, “September Gurls,” by a fellow classmate.  It changed the way I spell and now type, ‘gurls.’ IT inspired many songs in shoeboxes stored away trying to write any song worth having a “Gurl” in it.  It has appeared on every other cassette, cd mix I’ve made for so many people over the years.  The tragedy in sharing that one song to anyone unaware of Big Star’s brief recorded 1970s magic is that every Big Star song is worth sharing.  Every single f*cking song.  This box set, like their 3 formal studio recordings is always within an arms length for playing.

LETDOWN LISTENS
Teenage Fanclub – Shadows I expect too much out of my favorite artists I’ve grown up with.  The Fanclub’s latest is just….  a complacent listen.  They sound older, beaten… maybe that’s natural.  I’m not ready to accept this record yet.  I will return to it one day.

Broken Bells- Self-Titled I love Brian Burton’s production, his playing, everything he does as ‘Danger Mouse.’  I’ve become fond of James Mercer’s writing over the years for The Shins but not always his choice in song production or arrangements after the home made debut.  The best song he’s written is “Good For Good” on “Chutes Too Narrow.”  He’s never come close to that song’s simplicity since, lyrically or musically.   It’s a shame to these ears to want more out of the guy.  The template is there, obviously, for something more within himself.  Hearing about this project in advance had me excited thinking, “Mercer, you’ve befriended Brian Burton, you sneaky bastard.”  This is just a boring sit-through listen by 2 respectable young artists seeking mutual ground and settling for safe, electro-pop.  I can’t help but think ‘Danger Mouse’ had to take a step down to Mercer’s musical shortcomings to make this work.  Which, again, another reason I think Brian Burton is an amazing artist.  I look forward to another release by this combo but this one is the sound of 2 great talents trying to figure each other out still.  Yawn.

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aW suggests:

LCD Soundsystem "This is Happening"

NATIONAL RELEASES
LCD Soundsystem – This is Happening If I were a woman and I had to give birth to a child because someone planted an evil, gifted seed inside me, I’d want James Murphy to provide the juice.  What a brilliant artist, performer, engineer, producer.  This record tops off a 10-year run of 3 very important modern day recordings that focus on punk, disco, classic rock, pop, glam, indie, folk, funk and electronic arrangements set to Murphy’s urban, personal, lyrical observations.  Not a great vocalist at all, but this is a great artist at his peak.  His playful instincts and ability to take his own influences to meld into wonderful, weird American records that calm and explode with ideas is never short of amazing.  See the synth freak out on the Bowie-Heroes inspired “All I Want” for an example that makes every musician, or anyone that can feel, think with goosebumps, ‘sweet Lord, punch me in the face, that’s awesome.”

ALSO:
Peter Wolf-  Midnight Souvenirs
Damien Jurado- Saint Bartlett

INTERNATIONAL RELEASES

Gorillaz - Plastic Beach Blur frontman, Damon Albarn can do no wrong.  Who else could put out a fake cartoon band doing a political record about our planet’s future demise featuring Lou Reed and Snoop D-O-Double G?  Brilliant record, brilliant pop, brilliant social commentary.  If a record could ever win a Pulitzer based on intelligence, craft, spiritual and political messages- this has the best chance.  One of those rare records you can dance to, f*ck to, eat to, work to– plus sit and think about it after it’s ended.  Repeat.

REGIONAL RELEASES
The Pimps - Fuck this shit, we’re outta here Veteran local punks, a joyous love letter of sorts to our despicable city, country, music industry and capitalism.  The Pimps tap into the same great punk, rock n’ roll, hillbilly glam spirit other legendary bands from the Midwest tapped into for shorter amounts of time.  Difference is, The Pimps haven’t changed for anyone 9 records in.  Indifference, contemplation, F words and aging rarely sounds this joyous.  Read More about the record here.

Judah The Lyrical Rev- “Rockford Files” Midwestern hip hop artist I want to here more from based on just one little song passed to me on the internets that I can’t stop listening to this year.  I believe it was written awhile ago but it should be a city anthem, a national cry for federal help.  The power in the song’s lyrics, Judah’s smooth delivery is equal parts proud, educative, angry, sad and desperate.  Like many people, like me, living in Rockford, IL

REWIND LISTENS

The Flaming Groovies- Shake Some Action One of the 70s great critically respected, but commercially unsuccessful, American rock bands.  After spending years emulating a hybrid of The Stones and Velvet Underground on great releases like “Teenage Head” and “Flamingo,”  the Groovies signed with major label, Sire, to release a late 70s power pop rock canon of songs tight on harmonies and classic pop arrangements.  Think Buddy Holly fronting the 1963 Beatles and converging in the late 70s for a record together.

Sparklehorse- Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot I remember the day I bought this at Val Halla’s in Oak Park, IL.  The kid, who shall remain nameless for now, running the counter suggested it.  He also passed me tapes of Golden Smog and Wilco practice sessions in Chicago that previous summer.  He advised me to buy this record based on a secret love for Cracker / David Lowery at that time.  Lowery produced this Sparkle thing I hadn’t heard of and I Wasn’t too happy with major label releases around this time, dipping deeper into the Chicago releases.  However, the kid with strange music connections always passing me tapes and DAT sessions I, nor anyone should have had, sold me.  Those first few Mark Linkous (who is Sparklehorse) compositions destroyed me driving in my green buick, playing it from a portable cd player rigged to a tape deck adapter driving to an awful job in Oak Brook from Oak Park the next morning.  Brittle, angry garage/glam rock balanced out by some of the most fragile cosmic folk songs I’d ever heard at that time.  What would be Side B on any vinyl copy, the amazing run of songs 7-12 plow my soul.  Hammering the Cramps/ The Most Beautiful Widow in Town / Heart of Darkness into Someday I Will Treat You Good ending with Sad & Beautiful World into Gasoline Horseys… Jesus Christ, cmon.  I get goosebumps just thinking about these songs.  Mark Linkous, I doubt you knew you’d be missed by so many strangers sharing the same feelings as you.

LETDOWN LISTENS

WZOK / 97.5 Rockford About 90% of what they play offends my ears and then my brain freaks out and quivers, I get dizzy.

WXRX/ 104.9 Rockford About 91% of what they play causes diarrea at home or epileptic reactions while driving.

Could local radio get any worse than those 2 pay to play garbage dumps?  Yes.  They’re everywhere and they are a sickness.  An awful aural disease infecting millions of Americans with poor music tastes.  It’d be one thing if the music played were just bad, but the commercials and the DJS are as horrendous to listen bable on about pop culture nothings.  Rockford radio is so bad they make the kids from MTV’s Jersey Shore sound brilliant.

A little taste of Pre-Yankee Chicago.

August 28th marks the 10 year anniversary of one of Drag City Record’s most peculiar and beautiful E.P.’s. Featuring 4 original songs by label owner, Rian Murphy, and mastermind songwriter, Will Oldham, along with many prominent Chicago musicians. {Archer Prewitt, Bill Callahan, Kelly Hogan, Edith Frost, Fred Lonberg-Holm, Jim O’ Rourke, even Albini assists– and many more.}

by Dave DeCastris |  August 2010

With regards to the E.P. format and artists who still release them, they tend to come and go, a transistion piece for many bands and artists.  Rarely do they leave a listener in awe as “All Most Heaven” did 10 years ago and now.  Produced by Drag City label owner, Rian Murphy, with many from the Chicago indie underground helping out, this e.p, turns 10 years old this month. Aging, memories and survival has become marked by my favorite recordings;  this being one.

Four classically arranged pop songs, burst with color and group sing alongs to bizarro childish lyrics.  Some of the words being sung aren’t even words.  ”I am the bmal bahl” and “da da d hail the ga” make random appearances in the opening sing-along song, “Fall Again.”  Bill Callahan or Jim O’Rourke’s identifiable vocals (or are they Rian’s?) opens the record to be met by Will’s, who carries the rest of the E.P.  I’ve never figured this out about the E.P., who really is doing what? I don’t want to.  The joy in listening to this E.P. repeatedly is trying to identify the Chicago area musicians on it.   The joy is felt in every one of their performances.  Rarely does an E.P. with many collaborators sound so joyful and well-rehearsed. By the end of “Fall Again,” you’ll be singing along like a child, giddy, or a pirate, drunk.

Rarely does nonsense feel this religious, rejoiceful and absurd.  Is this listening experience kinda like falling in love with a crazy person?  Or  maybe to some it’s like believing in a random idea put forth by one of the many crazy religious organizations out there involving their money making myths about the Lord, God, Creation? Sure and sure.

I’ve never figured out the lyrics to any of the songs on this E.P., I don’t want to.  The way they sit, sung so passionately by Oldham on top of classical pop arrangements and major melodies are mesmerizing.  Chords and vocals are performed so smooth for anyone’s ears.  Your elders can cook afternoon soup to this and hum like many do to Andrea Bocelli records on Saturday and Sunday late afternoons. Rian Murphy, Archer Prewitt, Jim O’ Rourke and God knows who else must have been a joy to watch in the studio.  This is one of the finest collaborations ever caught on tape.  For years I’ve had this theory that Stephen Malkmus of Pavement makes an unlisted, vocal guest appearance behind Oldham during the 2:30 mark on track 2.  I doubt it but this is the myth I’ve created for myself listening to this E.P. for 10 years.  Take a listen and then create your own.  That is what it means to love music.

Track 2, “Fall and Raise It On,” contains these random lines;  ”sell me a peach o’ the ba ho… ate for the sake of all… waig an as’ a tode…”  Phonetically absurd, Oldham taps into what I’ve always assumed is a sailor’s heartbreak on tracks 2 & 3, companion pieces based on subtle references to boating or being a sailor?  Maybe just being drunk in love?  Strings, horns and backup singers weave ooos and ahhhs below and above the ocean’s moans.  ”Song of Most” recalls John Cale’s, “Paris 1919.”  Bouncing strings and congos rise to pass through a pointless chorus eventually joining subtle back up singers giving way to an amazing line that goes;  ”ah ee stood ape-hole.”  The song continues to rise, the strings magnificent, the background ‘ahhs’ louder, washboard and timpani join in.

Just when you’re accepting this E.P. may contain the most beautiful 3 songs you’ve ever heard that mean nothing and feel everything, the last cut takes shape, “Song Of All.”  It’s a slow reward for a closer requiring about 1:50 till the rest of the gang joins in briefly for what remains of this 4 song masterpiece.  It ends and you want to repeat track 1, “Fall Again.”

Featuring 2 of indie rock’s most prominent influences in Chicago area label owner, Rian Murphy (Drag City), and a critically acclaimed songwriter, Will Oldham (Bonnie Prince Billie/Palace Brothers), nothing defines the beutiful strange midwestern/Chicago music scene pre-Yankee Hotel Foxtrot so well as this does.  This E.P. is a reminder that there was beautiful, colorful, sounds bursting from the Chicago underground before Wilco exposed some of it’s seeds to the world.  10 years have passed, hipsters & developers moved in to take over the neighborhoods and some of these brilliant musicians moved west, east and out.   Some of you just missed it, this E.P.’s a reminder as to how great the ’90s Chicago underground indie scene was.

“All Most Heaven” is a little fertile musical reminder of a Pre-Yankee Chicago.

dD |  sMs

Local Local is a series of interviews and feature articles on local Rockford businesses. Why, you might ask? Cuz the economy here sucks and we want to help promote the small business owners, the little man if you will, that truly power local economic stability. Wal-mart sucks! KEEP IT LOCAL!

In our first installment we took the time to interview Jarrod Hennis, founder of Boreded Up Productions and Pirate Ninja Print Shop | Interview by Chip

Chip:

Ok, let’s begin!

Jarrod Hennis:

OK…. here we go.

C:

Are you a Rockford native? Tell us a bit about your history- the behind the music of Jarrod if you will.

JH:

I spent my younger years in Byron, Illinois… then have been in good ole Rockford the past 5-ish years.

We started off as Boreded Up Productions… and after a lot of work and building up the name we decided to Turn B.U.P. into an LLC and give our screen printing its own identity. Pirate Ninja Print shop was born in 2010…. our aim is fun. We like to make crazy designs for people and give the best customer service we can. Currently we are only a 2 person team. My lady friend does all the graphic design and I do all the sweat shop work and PR.

Our ultimate goal is to take over the world with Pirate/Ninjas. Not like a pirate and a ninja but a Pirate-Ninja.

C:

So the Pirate-Ninja is some sort of half-breed mutant.

JH:

Half-breed mutant…. I like that. In a round about way I suppose that could be true.

C:

That’s cool, I can dig it. Did you intentionally set up shop in downtown Rockford for a specific reason?

JH:

My shop has been in the same location for the past 5 years. We first moved into the basement of the building we’re in now and moved our way up. We didn’t intentionally set up shop downtown, but we’re glad we located there now.

C:

So, what do you think it will take to turn downtown Rockford into a “go to” destination for residents in the area; can we make it into something on par with say… State St. in Madison, WI? Does it need to be similar to that or can we develop a unique blend of commerce and culture that is our own brand?

JH:

A “go to” destination in and around downtown Rockford is a ways away… but I feel we are headed in the right direction. There needs to be a good retail presence downtown for foot traffic to increase; but there are so many negative issues with certain bars in the area. Sure, there are some great establishments that bring bring tons of business downtown, but it’s the bad apples in the bunch that tend to leave a bad taste in the mouths of both current and future small business owners and also residents.

I think we have to develop our own culture and feel. Don’t get me wrong. If I could walk down the street, sit outside and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee and a muffin, then go pick up a new t-shirt from a local boutique and some new art for my walls… I would be stoked. But unfortunately that’s not the case right now.

In my personal opinion, there are too many buildings in the area that are owned and yet remain vacant. Somebody bought it and they aren’t fixing it up to make it usable or even attractive from the outside. To a new Rockford resident or visitor its just an empty shell, left from the snail of a former resident. When I go to visit a robust “art” driven downtown community like say a Madison, or Milwaukee, I make an attempt to walk through their downtown area and check out their shops, grab a bite to eat; enjoy the new surroundings. Do you think people do that in Rockford? Just some food for thought!

C:

Yeah, I can’t say that many folks come downtown to do any of the things you’re talking about, but we know some who do right? LOL, right now it’s a pretty short trip from Kortman’s Gallery to Octane, that’s for sure. I agree that while bars and eateries are an important part of commerce in the area, it seems to me that there needs to be some retail shop owners willing to take a chance on the downtown area. I wonder how many of those vacant buildings sit empty because the owner wants a tax write off…

JH:

Totally agreed. And I believe most of them are tax write offs, with the owners waiting for the downtown to take off. But instead of actually helping to build the area up they just let the buildings rot. If some day downtown does take off, then they can turn around and sell it at an inflated cost.

C:

Well we’re not gonna solve that problem here so… onto the questions! Do you offer any special packages to bands looking for some quality merch?

JH:

We do offer packages, I’m just trying to put some new ones together. For example… Shirts + Posters + Buttons for a smashing deal… Just working on the numbers.

C:

What do you rock out to while you’re doing a run of T-shirts or screen printed posters?

JH:

The music of Jarrod huh… Well mostly my music consists of running a rubber squeegee over the fine mesh of a screen. It makes a nice Whooossssh sound. I rock out to tons of stuff while printing depending on design or mood… Ranging from Paramore, Mozart, The Moment, Dave Mathews, 30 Seconds from Mars…etc…etc…etc… Very open to new stuff…

C:

And of course Sock Monkey Sound episodes as well…

JH:

Of course Sock Monkey Sound episodes… It was an interview test! You passed!

C:

Haha! What is it about screen printing that steered you towards this line of work? Was it the art of it; the skill involved?

JH:

The challenge of recreating or creating something on a wearable piece of medium is very exciting. The best part of it is seeing shirts you have printed years ago, and somebody is still wearing it around. The skill involved has taken a while to perfect. I’m still learning new ways and new techniques. Have to keep on top of the new stuff.

C:

Who’s the bigger hack: Andy Warhol or Roy Lichtenstein?

JH:

Who is a bigger hack? Hhhmmm… well, they both had similar styles… with the Pop art. But it’s hard to call either a hack… Roy used other peoples work to create his own. A lot of artists do similar things! I enjoy both their work so I cant call either out as a hack.

C:

What can customers expect of Pirate Ninja Print Shop, do you have a storefront? If not, is that something planned for the future?

JH:

PNPS is planning a store front. Just waiting to find the right building to set up in. For right now we will continue the monthly events, and selling shirts at those events. Possibly getting shirts into some of the other local business to push the name. A lot is on the way from us. We also do events the First Friday of every month… we have two under our belt so far. We have a poster printing posse called Wearefatherless. Still getting everything planned for August 14 Green Light Nights show downtown.

C:

Headlined by Sophie B. Hawkins I might add. Cool, well how can people find Pirate Ninja Print Shop online or contact you guys so you can make stuff for them and they can give you money for it?

JH:

We like money… Gold Coins.. Rum…etc..etc. You can go to our website www.pirateninjaprintshop.com and it has all of our info floating around on it. Even if you’re not from Rockford you can still get a hold of us for all you screen printing needs!

C:

Awesome, thanks man!

JH:

Thank you!

A delicate topic for many with family, friends, co-workers is ex-Illinois, Governor, Rod Blagojevich.

I see nothing wrong with what Blago has done.
At all.

By Andrew Whorehall

He’s an entertainer.
Why are we blaming him?
Blame the people who voted him into office to begin with, blame them.

Imprisoning him for implying corruption will mean nothing to us, the citizens of IL. Why?  I’m a state employee and Rod is not to blame for a top to bottom problem.

I joined a higher education system in the middle of a national recession after Rod was forced out. The system is upside down, the numbers do not lie when it comes to Illinois’s money problems. It’s worse than what you read about in the papers or hear about in the news.  In the last year I became a Post-Blago-Ryan (Bush-Clinton) State Budget Band-Aid.

For minimum wage I was hired to help students, ‘stock stuff”, assist ’18′ other staff members (all women- imagine that, some equal opportunity system if that’s even a concern anymore) with departmental tasks;  in other words, I’m a recession recovery act idiot who has to tuck in a shirt and look proper for minimum wage.  Note: this position required a worthless Bachelor’s degree and a test to take before being considered for employment.  While in the midst of state cuts and hiring freezes, they figured out I know how to manage an entire IT’s Dept. worth of work;  wiring, setup, installation and what nots.  Many things I was not hired to do.  There is an IT department.  After further thinking, I believe they knew exactly what they were doing when they hired me.  They saw the writing on their walls.   They know I know too much and now they’re draining me of every reason possible to consider working within a federal government organization ever again with my remaining time on earth.  I’m half dead, so says science.

I’ve become a State Budget Band-Aid which means I’m a f*cking awesome deal after taxes. The loudest red flag came courtesy of my boss, “You know, we don’t work here to make money.”  Huh? I only work to make money to pay my f*cking bills like everyone else- what f*cking planet are you from? The best that can happen as I see it now until 2012 is to get fired.

Hopefully this article is the bait that does such. I want exactly what every other single mom with 2 bratty kids in this city (and probably the state) has- a linq card. I want to go to Stop-N-Go on your tax dollars and buy some chocolate bars for dinner like I’ve witnessed many mothers do there.  I need a handout too working for a corrupt federal system that has figured out I can do 25 employees’ tasks for the cost of 1/5 to 1/6th of 1 Full time employee.  The system has become comfortable with mistreating hard working people vs. rewarding them. Wear them out, force them out- this is the new modern American way that began with cuts in auto & general manufacturing.  F*ck or be f*cked, and get used in due time is the writing on the wall I see.  The view from the bottom of the state totem pole is hilarious, mind boggling even.

We’re slowly getting to Blago, this is a long-winded setup… The allegation that Rod’s wife spent thousands of dollars on suits and closet apparel is nothing compared to the amount of time state of Illinois employees waste wondering if a 5-foot or a 10-foot ethernet cable is necessary for a new computer they don’t know how to unbox or wire.  Requesting a backup  drive from an IT staff member is like asking for $1,000.   The answer I was given was,   “Talk to your department head, see if they can cover the cost of that, it’ll only be $20 or so.  We can’t lend that to you.”  What a joke.

The system, top to bottom, is backwards and ridiculous.  However, I love it, it’s awesome for many creative reasons.  It’s been great research, the students are amazing and I’ve had decent conversations with people who have no idea they just said the most brilliant thing I’ll restate as if I came up with it when I leave my shifts.  It’s creative fuel, a very good minimum waged career choice for creative inspiration.  State workers recite the darnedest things.  In return, I try to do the same.  People live for these kinds of jobs, to wander unnoticed and paid within a very corrupt system that has only gotten worse.  The newspapers rarely get inside the truth;  they cover clouds, not the rain within.

I will not blame Rod– I will blame all of you idiots that voted for other idiots like Rod, George Jr., George Sr., Richard Cheney.  Remember Dan Quayle? Jesus, even Ronald Reagen became president in my lifetime– an actor became president, ahahahah– that’s insane.  Clinton & Gore are looking more and more like geniuses as the years pass, you’re all to be blamed for the people you put in power.  Thanks.  Rod is just another anti-hero. He is no different than the previous governors of Illinois aside from the hair style and last name.  Had he been born a Smith, Wilson, Anderson, Williams, Ryan, I doubt anyone would care.

Why do we expect our political leaders to be pure? Especially in Illinois. Why is the media so infatuated with Rod? His hair? Do they not know it’s a credential to be corrupt to be governor of Illinois? This is the same country that allowed 20 years of a Bush involved regime to exist. George Sr. had 12 total, and Jr. had 8.  It’s all math, we’re all doomed, and Illinois is just a puppet for larger problems inside the system.  Democracy does not exist, nothing is free and Blago’s just a poster boy for them to pin a tail to, to remind us the whole system is garbage.

I hope he walks away laughing, just like OJ.  They should put George Jr. and F*ckhead Cheney on trial for 8 long years of blind sighted corruption that I nor any American with a healthy thought process will ever forget.

Gov. Rod is an American Anti-hero, a new age comedian.
He has pulled off a great heist.
He implied corruption, yet never got caught pulling it off- correct?
He talked about it freely as if he knew he was being tapped by another corrupt system, the FBI, CIA, whoever.

Do you think anyone would care had his last name ended in anything other than a “-vich?”  Doubt it.  There’s deep rooted, socially flawed, good ol boy issues occurring that no one likes to talk about without fear of being called a racist.  Whites can be racist of other whites especially if their last names don’t culturally concur with those of the Wilsons, Andersons, Smiths, Hancocks, Williams, Johnsons and Bushs.  Johnson & Bush.

Our judicial system actually let OJ walk away scott free for actions we all know he committed, not implied.  We also let George and Dick walk away after 8 years without being judged in a court system legally for many lies and decisions that resulted in actions performed on mankind for land control…. oil.  Hell, we impeached Clinton for a blow job and we can’t touch the son of George Sr.?  Yet we’ll threaten to send the ex-governor of Illinois to the slammer for “talking” openly about political bargaining? Ahahahah, America, punchline.

Rod may not be the smartest or best lookin’ politician, but he undeniably has the best head of hair in the world!   He’s my long-shot favorite to walk away a free man from a system that has been corrupt for a long time. I hope deep down he gets a haircut when it’s said and done, turns to the camera and flips us all off, then takes the next year to grow it all back and repeat.  What a great Johnny Cash moment that would be.

Remember this when judging the ugliest;  We are America, we the people (not I) put the Bush family in power for 20 total years, that’s the only math you need for blind judgement. Punishing Blago, nor judging him, does not matter. We’re already screwed.

LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy wrote a great song, “New York, I love you, but you’re bringing me down.” Illinois doesn’t come close to deserving such a sentimental song after the estimated, half-lifetime I’ve spent here hoping it’ll get better. It won’t. Our decline from the inside is no different than Rome’s;  screwy leaders and slightly different hair styles.

aW  |  andy whorehall