Stuff the Ballot Box for Local Bands

By Julene McCoy in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 11, 2007 1:00PM

The big dilemma of the week is just which ironic T-shirt to wear to Pitchfork, but some Chicago bands have their dreams set on attending a different upcoming music festival. The voting for the third round of the Lollapalooza Last Band Standing Contest only lasts two weeks, and the Top 5 vote-getters will compete live at the Double Door on August 1.

Out of the 20 artists still left in the running, six claim Chicago as their hometown. That’s not too shabby. The band on the bubble is Red Line District (as of this writing, only 64 votes out of 5th place ... ack, now it’s 65 ... 66). Take a listen to their debut single “No One Likes Superman Anymore,” and give 'em a nod if it tickles your ear.

The rest of the Chicago contingent — Shock Stars, Helicopters, Animate Objects, The Dirty Rooks, and NORTHPILOT — are begging for votes, too. Only one vote per email per day is allowed, which doesn’t really allow for the Chicago "vote early, vote often" reputation, but we can figure out something to stack the odds in these bands' favor and have an all-Chicago rock-off. Lollapalooza made Chicago their home for a reason; we think it’s the great local music scene. Well, that and the humidity.