If concerts were assigned a "physical exertion" index for the audience, most of us would agree to something like: intimate singer-songwriter folk jam < power pop indie rock < punk and metal freak-outs. Polite applause versus tooth-loosening mosh pits. Mild mustiness versus sweat and blood. A performance by Guitar Wolf, the self-described "jet rock n roll" trio from Japan, surely ranks in that red-zone level of intensity. They're tests of endurance; a Jack LaLanne-esque "feat of strength" for the concert-going contingent. more ›

With less than a day before Record Store Day 2011 kicks off, this year, the buzz surrounding the annual celebration seems stronger than ever. So does the criticism. Chicago is home to some of the best record stores in the country, and with a music scene that's both vibrant and diverse, the interest in RSD gets particularly intense. more ›

Eyes and ears may be fixed squarely on the bigger-than-ever Lollapalooza this weekend, but if you’re taking a pass on the enormous crowds and steep ticket prices, Northalsted Market Days offer a fun (and far more wallet-friendly) alternative for music, food and summer festival people-watching. more ›

Way back before she became Avrilized, Chicago musician Liz Phair wowed the indie music scene with her stunning full-length debut, Exile in Guyville, an alleged song-for-song response to the Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street. Fifteen years after Exile on Guyville's release, Phair finds herself listed as one of the greatest female guitarists by Venus Zine. The Chicago-based "leading source for coverage of women in music, art, film, fashion, and DIY culture" recently released a list of their top female guitarists of all time, itself a response to Rolling Stone's 2003 list of the top 100 guitarists of all time, a list that only included two females (Joni Mitchell and Joan Jett). more ›

Last night we didn’t get the chance to see how sexy is making a comeback, but we did see what confidence and a sense of fun will get you, in an energetic set by France’s Prototypes. We never thought we’d hear this come out of our mouths, but it’s time to check out a band from France. more ›

After a week jam-packed with shows, we're not surprised that this weekend finds us wishing that payday hadn't been so long ago. Did you know Morrissey is making his only 2006 appearance in North America here in Chicago? We feel like it’s all we’ve heard about all week. But it’s true. Except for when he played SXSW back in March. So, not as special now. But still: Morrissey! Still spelling cranky as s-u-a-v-e after all... more ›

As Rocktober draws to a close, it does so with a helluva bang. Sure, there are still a few days left to this beast next week, but for all intents and purposes this is the last hurrah before the chill of November settles in, and holiday festivities begin to drain the attendance levels at local shows. Here are a few that we suggest you check out this week. Tomorrow night, the wrath of The Venom... more ›

This weekend, we were in one of Chicago’s many fine drinking establishments, arguing with one of our friends about music. In the midst of a second glass of Maker’s, we lamented that the number of “crap” years in Rod Stewart’s career had now outpaced any cred he’d achieved thanks to Every Picture Tells A Story and his work with The Faces. Our friend – citing “the Stevie Wonder question from High Fidelity” – argued that Rod (and other rockers of his advanced age) had earned the right to “take it easy”, and it was perhaps asking too much for him to get his Celtic United-loving ass off his yacht to make some relevant music. more ›

As a result of connections we made through our day of schmoozing and taking bribes like we were George Ryan, Chicagoist was invited to attend yet another exclusive Lexus event last night at Reserve.
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Outside of iPods in the gym, it’s rare that physical fitness and rock and roll intersect. Frankly, Chicagoist prefers it this way, as the results can be a bit dicey. Sure there’s punk rock aerobics, but there’s also sweatin’ to the oldies. more ›