Yeah, can you believe it? This month marks Chicagoist's fifth year of keeping you abreast of the happenings in Chicago. In blog years that makes us, what? Ten? Fifteen? more ›

Excuse our limited posting schedule today. Chicagoist has one hell of a hangover! Huge thanks to everyone who came out to Double Door last night and made Ctrl-Alt-Rock v2.0 a success!! We were afraid that the subzero temperatures would tempt you to stay home, but it's amazing what some free 312 will make people do. The Reptoids, The Ladies And Gentlemen, Farewell Captain, and The Passerines played an awesome show. We had such a fantastic time and hope you did too. And it's always great to get out and meet our readers. Without you, we wouldn't even have a site. Hugs! more ›

Oh wow. This is going to be so much fun. The first CTRL-ALT-ROCK was a huge success so version 2 had to be bigger and better, naturally. But we think we've outdone ourselves. Chicagoist has profiled all four of the bands performing, to bring you up to speed: more ›

"MCA Entryway" via eqx1979. more ›

We were talking to a friend yesterday and they began to bemoan the fact that there were no “classic” rock bands anymore. We didn’t totally agree, since we believe there are MANY bands that “rock” out there, but we understood what they were getting at: It’s hard to find a band in the classic rock vein that plays with heart and familiarity while avoiding cliché. more ›

We know that at Double Door tomorrow night you're excited to see The Reptoids, The Ladies and Gentlemen, Farewell Captain, and The Passerines. And that you'd like to meet some of the Chicagoist writers (please don't punch anyone for saying your favorite bar sucks) and that you'd like to get your mitts on some Chicagoist shirts and pins and stickers, but we're also not going to let you fool us. You've been waiting to hear... more ›

Skid Marks from The Ladies and Gentlemen more ›

Walking in Sylvie’s Lounge from the brisk and breezy night was like arriving home after a long day at work. Greeted with smiles by the few faces in the front room, we wondered for whom the three bands we came to see would be playing. Most notably, the Passerines, a band hailing from Hyde Park who will take the stage at Chicagoist’s own Ctrl-Alt-Rock v. 2.0 on Thursday, February 8. more ›

We are only seven days away from CTRL-ALT-ROCK v2.0, and we feel the anticipation building by the minute. Okay, maybe we don't have a clock in the upper left-hand side of our screen counting down the days, minutes, and seconds, but that doesn't mean we're any less excited. more ›

"Bears Fan Bears Van" via panagrapher. more ›

Our resident jaunter had to up and leave town suddenly this weekend, but we will try our best to fill you in on happenings for today. Despite the January blahs, there's quite a bit of stuff going on. Fox & Obel, they of upscale food market fame, are holding a free chocolate tasting from 1-5 p.m. The chocolate in question is Schokinag, of which drinking chocolate will also be available (mm!). Strap on the feedbag... more ›

Note: This is the first in a series of features about the bands playing Chicagoist's Ctrl - Alt - Rock v. 2.0 show. more ›

We’re less than a month away from Ctrl – Alt –Rock, version 2.0 (February 8 at Double Door) and we’re now convinced that we’ve assembled a lineup so powerful that all other rock bands have fled for the hills. more ›

We teased you earlier this week about our next Ctrl – Alt – Rock show. While we’re not quite ready to totally give it up, we’re going to let you cop a cheap feel with news on our lineup! more ›

Remember that little thing we did last year with the bands, and the rocking and the Sparks? more ›

Chicagoist has lots of friends (we pay them), but few of them are as able to turn our frowns upside down like former Ctrl-Alt-Rock popsters May or May Not, who put the wraps on a week of CD release shenanigans tomorrow night at Hideout. Chicagoist was a big fan of the band’s debut, and though we realize it sounds like an insult to say that MOMN provides more of the same on their Bike EP,... more ›

Big thanks to everyone who came out to Schuba's last night and made our first big music event a huge success!! We were afraid the shit weather would make you want to sit home and watch a movie, but you guys are troopers! Awesome. We had such a great time. Alphabet, May or May Not and The Assembly played an awesome show. And, as always, we met a ton of new people. It's always... more ›

We’ve been talking about it for weeks now and it’s finally here. Tonight is our first ever Ctrl-Alt-Rock show and we’re as excited as a puppy you’ve brought home from the pet store (though we’ve managed to not pee on the floor…so far). Three of our favorite bands will rock Schuba’s tonight: The Assembly, May Or May Not and Alphabet. To get you ready for tonight, we're posting a mix of tracks from each of... more ›

Maybe it's your first time visiting Chicagoist. Maybe you've been asleep. Maybe you've been on a month long bender. But perhaps you haven't heard about this little thing we're doing called Ctrl-Alt-Rock. Really. Look to the left of your screen here. There's some information. It's happening this Thursday. At Schubas. We're excited. Well, one of the bands that is going to bring the music, May or May Not, has a variety of talents. Including whipping... more ›

We recommend live music every night of the week, but to keep the hangover at bay after the great time sure to be had by all at Chicagoist's Ctrl-Alt-Rock concert, we suggest the 2006 HAWK Winter Music Festival. It's a celebration of Chicago's music scene and who doesn't love that? We sure have it going on here in the Windy City and The League of Chicago Music Venues is presenting 3 days of music,... more ›

The Assembly more ›

In order to get you all pumped up for the upcoming Ctrl-Alt-Rock concert, we've been going around chatting with the stars of the show. Last week, we chatted with Travis Chandler - one of the fellows behind the band Alphabet: Chicagoist: Can you explain the name of your band - Alphabet? Travis Chandler: Our favorite thing to do musically is to express somewhat complicated ideas in simple ways. Chicagoist: What are the things that you... more ›

Word’s starting to get around about Chicagoist’s Ctrl – Alt – Rock show. We even got picked up by a Todd Rundgren news blog. And why not? We’ve got a great bill together with The Assembly, May Or May Not and Alphabet. We’ve also got more giveaways to announce. The lovely people at addVice have dropped a quasi-Valentine’s Day package of CDs on us including Annie’s "Heartbeat" remix single, Death From Above’s Romance Bloody Romance... more ›

May Or May Not, Ctrl-Alt-Rock band more ›

The details are falling into place for Chicagoist’s first live rock show, Ctrl – Alt – Rock. For those of you who will still be nursing broken hearts after Valentine’s Day, Chicagoist invites you to Schubas on February 16th for an evening with three of Chicago’s best local bands: The Assembly, May Or May Not, and Alphabet. They will warm both the cockles and sub-cockular regions of your cold, black heart. Just in case you... more ›

Chicagoist spends a lot of time acting as observer, critic and theorizer on Chicago’s local music scene. But for a few months now, we’ve been thinking about spending less time posting and more time doing. Specifically, we wanted to put on a great live show with local bands that we love. And so in that spirit: Chicagoist presents: Ctrl – Alt – Rock With: The Assembly May Or May Not Alphabet When: Thursday, February 16th... more ›