The guys from Geronimo! originally hail from Rockford, and it shows. The now Chicago-based trio creates the type of skuzzy rock hazed over with a layer of gritty distortion that sounds like it came from Illinois’ grittiest city. But this isn’t a bad thing, and though their sound is grungy, they balance it nicely by infusing melodic pop and psychedelic rock. more ›

Some years before making a cameo appearance in The Break-Up, the Fireside was the kind of place that Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston wouldn't have been caught dead in. Or actually, maybe they would have. Ultra-late hours and ultra-loud bands were the two prime ingredients in Brian Peterson's makeover of the vintage bowling alley. If you were under thirty, with lots of time on your hands but little money in your pockets, the Fireside was the ne plus ultra of Chicago nighttime adventure. more ›

Remember how WLUW, one of our favorite radio stations, is being taken back by Loyola and will no longer be an independent, community radio station? And do you remember that program director Shawn Campbell turned lemons into lemonade by creating the Chciago Indie Radio Project? To jog your memory, CHIRP is working to bring low-power FM stations to Chicago and allow community radio to thrive, without the threat of being taken back by larger owners.... more ›

South Side Irish rocker Tony Duggins more ›

Tim Nordwind; Bassist, OK Go more ›

When Chicagoist first learned about the concept of eminent domain—when the government requires you to sell your privately-owned land to them to make way for new roads or other projects—we thought it was a sucky idea. But since the government helps you get a new house, we figured we’d be OK with it if the government helped you buy a mansion or something (we were 12 at the time so logic was not our strong suit). But a mansion is not going to help the folks at the Bottom Lounge, which has been scheduled for demolition under eminent domain as part of the CTA’s Brown Line Expansion Project. more ›

» An IL court tells Demon Dogs that they have to pay up on 14 years of electricity bills that the CTA paid more ›

Following the trend set yesterday by Fireside Bowl, Big Wig on Division St. will be closing its doors in September after 7 years of operation. Except they won't be staying open for bowling. (Watch out for their site, it's nasty and plays loud music.) more ›

The Fireside Bowl housed its last show Saturday night; it will now be a bowling-only venue. The announcement came as a surprise to many—even though patrons knew Fireside was going to stop having shows, few knew it was going to be this soon. The official announcement was made during a concert Saturday night, after which people kinda went monkeybutt and threw beer everywhere. Ah, the Fireside. more ›