Weekend Jams: Grammar, REGO, and Gin Blossoms
By Marcus Gilmer in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 9, 2009 5:40PM
It's a short week so we're already focusing on the weekend. And, for us, the weekend starts tomorrow. Sure, you're likely to catch us at the Bloodshot Beer-B-Q, but there's plenty of other music to catch this weekend, including some great local bands and a nostalgia act we're still suckers for after all of these years.
Grammar, Clip Art
Sure, we're a bit biased. After all, Grammar features Chicagoist music writer Lizz Kannenberg. But here's the thing: even if we lived in a horrible, alternate universe where we didn't know Miss Lizz, we'd still love Grammar. Why? Because their bright indie pop hits the sweet spot time and time again. The band has been performing in its current form for less than a year and gets better each time out, from their epic multi-part harmonies on "Pluto" to the bouncy rock of new single "The End." Now's as good a time as any to catch these kids as they play one of our favorite venues, The Hideout. Adding to the fun is opener Clip Art, the new solo project from Andy Rosenstein (Bumpus, Terrible Spaceship). We could spend time trying to draw comparisons between Clip Art's eclectic style and other artists, but the infectious pop of songs like "Dead Letters" stands on it own and makes for a great pairing with the night's headliners. It's a hell of a local double-dip so be sure to grab your tickets ahead of time.
Grammar, with Clip Art, Thursday, September 10, 9 p.m., 21+, The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, $8 via Ticketweb
REGO (Record Release)
An equally entertaining - and equally affordable - show of local bands is also happening this weekend at Beat Kitchen. Local chanteuse Rebecca Rego - who's already released a pretty damn good EP on her own - has surrounded herself with a fantastic supporting band and is now set to release a new LP, From the Royal Arcade, under the band name REGO. This Friday's show also doubles as a record release party for the LP (which will be available elsewhere September 15 in case you miss the show). Rego's voice has been described as "sultry" and that certainly holds true. At times, such as on the excellent album opener "Astronauts," Rego even sounds reminiscent of singers like Jolie Holland. But make no mistake: no matter the similarities, Rebecca and her band, like the bands we mention above, make the music their own. Supporting bands include Elsinor, Julia Klee, GO, and DJ iRon.
REGO Record Release party, with Elsinor, Julia Klee, GO and DJ iRon, Friday, September 11, 9 p.m., 17+, Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, $10 via Ticketweb
Gin Blossoms
Fact: The Gin Blossoms' early-90's pop successes will always be overshadowed by the popularity and explosion of grunge. Fact: The Gin Blossoms are considered a nostalgia act now even though they're still putting out LPs, 2006's Major Lodge Victory being the last. Fact: No matter what anyone says, New Miserable Experience is one of the best pure pop records of the 90's and "Hey Jealousy" one of the best pure pop songs of said decade. Fact: You can catch the band performing their new songs in between drunken shouts for "Allison Road" and "Found Out About You" this weekend at the Old Town Wine Crush, Music, and Comedy Festival.
Gin Blossoms, Saturday, September 12, 8 p.m., All ages, Old Town Wine Crush, Music, and Comedy Festival, N. Wells St. between North Ave. and Schiller, $7 suggested donation