Rock/Art at the MCA

By Sarah Dahnke in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 6, 2007 7:20PM

Intonation is back! And they’ve partnered with the MCA to put on a big ‘ole party as part of the museum’s 40-year celebration. Even better? The whole show is as free as air. Intonation’s Rock/Art kicks off on tomorrow at 1 p.m. with a whole slew of local bands, representing some of the most notable sounds to come out of Chicago in the recent past. When you get there, check out the new Sympathy for the Devil exhibit, which includes art that embraces the intersection between rock music and visual art. (We’re really, really straining to not include the overused lyrical phrase “modern art makes [us] want to rock out.”)

Here’s a look at the lineup:

1 p.m. Headache City: We’ve already raved about this band and their Pixies-esque sound and infectious energy. We suggest getting to the show early to make sure you don’t miss this set.

1:40 p.m. Poster Children: We're happy to see the Poster Children are back in the game. We've kept tabs on Rick and Rose through their sporadic but hilarious Radio Zero podcast, but that hasn't kept us from pining for the band's boisterous and charging live shows. They are the perfect distillation of what we, way back in 1992, would have called the Champaign-Urbana sound; poppy hooks, walls of guitar, and drums that skitter from Bun E. Carlos precision into odd accents and tribal beats. Welcome back, Kids.

2:30 p.m. The 1900s: Local psychedelic pop outfit that has been hyped for its latest album, Cold & Kind, which was just released this week. The kids are in performance mode, as they begin touring after next Friday’s record release show at the Empty Bottle, so their set is likely to bring the fun and make you bounce.

3:20 p.m. Califone: Take a little break from the rock and kick back with the bluesy, mellow sounds of Tim Rutili. Last time we saw a Califone set, some guy leaned over and said it reminded him of NPR. We’re still not sure what that means.

4:15 p.m. The Eternals: Experimental indie rock backed by complicated drum patterns is what this three piece is all about. It’s hard to predict what their set will entail, sometimes leaning a little toward the hip-hop side and sometimes bordering on world beat, making the title of their newest album, Heavy International, very appropriate.

5 p.m. Flosstradamus/Cool Kids: Unless you’ve been living under a rock in the past year, you’re probably well aware of Flosstradamus’ ability to rock a party and how their Chicago appearances have become fewer as the due has made a name for themselves on the national scene. They’re joined by friends The Cool Kids, who have been working hard to bring back the old skool “rock my Adidas” hip-hop. Expect one big sweaty hipster clusterfuck/dance party to cap off the afternoon.

All of that before 6 p.m.? Can you handle it?

Intonation’s Rock/Art starts at 1 p.m. tomorrow at the MCA, and entry is free.

Poster Children preview by Tankboy
Flosstradamus photo via Myspace.