Stars has a new video out via Pitchfork TV

The final Harry Potter trailer is out. This looks badass!

Grizzly Bear’s Chris Taylor has a new solo album under the moniker CANT dropping September 13 on his Terrible Records. Here’s a track listing:

• Too Late, Too Far
• Believe
• The Edge
• BANG
• (brokencollar)
• She’s Found a Way Out
• Answer
• Dreams Come True
• Rises Silent
• Bericht

This years Green Light Nights concert is happening Saturday in Rockford right n Front of Kryptonite on Main St

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by Andrew Whorehall

Matt Hopper & The Devil Whale | Kryptonite, Rockford, IL 08.25.2010 | Photo provided by Chris Wachowiak at Krypto

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.

"Young Wives" E.P. – The Devil Whale

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 | Kryptonite, Rockford, IL 08.25.2010 | Photo provided by Chris Wachowiak at Krypto

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).

"Deserters." E.P. – Cameron McGill & What Army

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

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Sophie B. Hawkins

Sophie B Hawkins is a grammy nominated singer & songwriter whose hits include Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover and As I Lay Me Down. 100% of the proceeds from her new single ‘The Land, The Sea, and The Sky’ are being donated to the Waterkeepers Alliance. Sophie will be coming August 14 th to Rockford, Illinois for the Green Light Nights street festival. Sponsored by The Element and Kryptonite Bar.

Buy your tickets online at GreenLightRockford.com

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Live @ Krypto, Rockford, IL
07.01.2010

By Andrew Whorehall

Lizard Skynard performed their first live performance as a 5- piece band before a crowded room of wannabe music nerds in Rockford, IL the first of July, 2010.  The Austin, TX, via Chicago to Rockford, IL electrometal band brought all reasons to NOT doubt them to the table.  A tattooed, physically manipulated frontman matched by a monstrous rhythm section pushed this listener / viewer’s experience to a level of appreciation once reserved for bands accidently caught live in larger cities in long ago times.   Imagine the Deftones with Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine as dead serious as you can be in a band on your own in America, 2010.

“There is no treatment, there is no cure” as Lizardman scientifically professes live from, “Bell & Syndrome”, is as close as you’ll get to a marriage between 1980s speed metal, mid 90s angst and 2010 space metal.  The wash of feedback is massive, the drum rolls are jah-retarded (in a good way if it matters) and the bass is the hammer to the nail in the head that crashes on in, slow and deep.

Lizardman, the perfect frontman / performance artist / poet is hard to take your eyes off of, often staring down and gazing over  the crowd with an uncomfortable smile as the band tries to fool you into thinking they’re the backdrop to this act– while failing.  Perfectly failing.

Lizard Skynard is a ferocious band with or without the Lizardman, often providing the perfect score to an unaired live documentary.  If further proof needs validation, hearing “Space Eels” live off of their recently, self-titled, debut that night – proved no validation was needed.  A spaghetti western-sci-fi metal anthem destined to be. Hearing this live rattled any doubts I had thinking this was Lizardman’s band.   This is a band of 5 guys creating very serious, well orchestrated noise as if their lives depended on each second put out, from here on out.

Sure, this is a band with a Lizardman (it’s a foil, he’s a smart-ass, well-educated, sweetheart underneath it all and too smart for this f*cking planet- it’s obvious)- that’s the catch and he’s a wonder to watch and listen to, however;  this is a poet and entertainer, with a ferocious, well-oiled and classically trained, punk band ready to rip your f*cking brain outta your skull.

Do not miss Lizard Skynard live.

dD   |  andywhorehall.com

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It’s just the Sock Monkey Sound Crew this episode bcuz our scheduled guest decided to have a baby. Pat bares his soul to our audience and cries. More RAMI talk (hopefully the last for a while), X-treme drinking games, and ourselves. Jim Hanke also makes an appearance via voice mail. Make sure you listen at the end of the episode for our extreme commercial.

Featured music by:

Big Science
Strange Arrangement
Robbers
Mike Droho
Son Of Rams
Elections

Intro by Nirvana

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Sock Monkey Sound

Dan McMahon, guitarist extraordinaire for Miles Neilson and Cameron McGill & What Army, joins us for a loose talk about his history in the Rockford and midwest music scene.

Music for this episode by:
Death Cab For Cutie
The Klaus & Truitt Trust
3 Piston Asshammer
American Football
Cameron McGill & What Army
Hanalei

Intro by James Brown

This episode is sponsored by:
Kryptonite Bar

Visit Dan’s website at getmcmahon.com

Check out Miles Nielsen and Dan McMahon at Daytrotter.com

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