Category Archives: shows

Emily’s Weekend Pop Picks: November 20-22

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As you can see from the SBS Show Calendar, we’re officially moving into winter and the onslaught of awesome shows to try to shoehorn into your week has slowed a bit. Before you pull out the fuzzy blanket and Remembrance of Things Past (or whatever giant book you’ve been totally meaning to read) to settle in for the whole damn winter, stop and check out all the cool things that are still going down. Like the US Postal Service, neither snow nor sleet nor sold out shows will keep Store Brand Soda from sweating profusely in our parkas in a basement all winter long. I’ve got some show picks for the upcoming weekend here and Cupcake has an abbreviated list of must-see shows for the rest of 2015 over at Do312.

coles flyer

 

Friday, November 20

Mitski, Palehound, PWR BTTM
I’ve known about tonight’s STACKED lineup at Beat Kitchen forever. I wrote about Mitski at this year’s SXSW and Palehound was also a SXSW discovery a few years ago. But like the US Postal Service, sometimes I’m just super slow at getting to things, so I totally snoozed on tickets. Happily for these 3 kickass bands, the show is now sold out, but maybe you’ve already got tickets or have a friend who is bailing because of a few snowflakes. If you can get into this one, do it. And please have all the feelings for me.
Beat Kitchen, 2100 W Belmont Ave
8:30 pm / $12 adv / 17+ / SOLD OUT

Fuzz, Walter, Oozing Wound
If you read the above description and thought “the opposite of that” then you probably want to be at the show at Thalia Hall tonight. This was probably already on your radar, but just in case it wasn’t, here are some key words: Ty Segall, garage rock, hard rock, metal. Also sold out, but again it’s supposed to start snowing around 9 pm and you know your friends aren’t going to want to go all the way to Pilsen if there’s weather involved. Start tweeting about how you’ll take an extra ticket and just see what happens. No weak pits, okay?
Thalia Hall, 1807 S Allport St
9:00 pm / $15 / 17+ / SOLD OUT

Dumpster Babies, Fuck Knights, Fire Retarded, The Evictions
Speaking of no weak pits, Tall Pat Records dumb punks Dumpster Babies are headlining another stacked bill of local rock ‘n’ roll at The Empty Bottle. To make it even more killer, 3 of tonight’s bands are featured on the latest 4-Way Freakout cassette, celebrating its release at tonight’s show. Plus the Bottle’s got coat hooks so you can bundle as much as you need to heading to this one and still be comfortable and cool when you go to dance.
Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western Ave
9:00 pm (9:30? 10? The Bottle does what it wants) / $5 / 21+

Mauve, Principality, Star Tropics, Pale Spectre
I’ve written about Star Tropics before and they are still one of my favorite Chicago bands/pop bands/things existing in the universe right now. They’re also playing a free show at Cole’s with Mauve, who are doing a really nice psychedelic/electronic thing, and two Minneapolis bands, Principality and Pale Spectre. The song on Principality’s bandcamp is some straight up 80s goth jam so if you’re moping about missing out on Mitski tix, I think this might be your vibe. And it’s free. Hard to argue with free. I will be at this one so come say hi!
Cole’s Bar, 2338 N Milwaukee Ave
9:00 pm (lol probably 10) / Free / 21+

unicorn fest

Saturday, November 21

Beach Slang, Lithuania, Worriers
I’ve seen Worriers 3x this year and I’m not 100% sure we’ve mentioned them yet on Store Brand Soda. Maybe Cupcake fixed this mistake already, but I’ve definitely fucked up. So let there be no doubt: Worriers are awesome. Pop punk for people with feelings and politics and actual complicated lives and stuff. I know that everyone into sad punk is also all over Beach Slang, but Worriers are the band on this bill I am most enthusiastically evangelizing in 2015. Also sold out, so if you have tickets for this one, don’t be a dingus and just see the headliner.
Subterranean, 2011 W North Ave
8:00 pm / $12 adv / 17+ / SOLD OUT 

Peach Fuzz, The Peekaboos, The Landmarks, Electric Sheep, Nomar
There’s a pretty rad show happening over at Club Soda Saturday night with The Landmarks in town from Michigan and locals Peach Fuzz, The Peekaboos, Electric Sheep, and Nomar also on the bill. I have been into The Peekaboos since like 2011 though I haven’t yet seen them with the latest iteration of their lineup. Super fun sloppy shouty, hooky, garagey Chicago punk. I haven’t caught Peach Fuzz yet but lately they’ve been popping up on all kinds of bills I’m into. Based on their Bandcamp, they’re the kind of local rock band I want an infinite supply of. If you’re bummed you missed Friday’s Mitski show, come check these folks out.
Club Soda
7:30 pm (but probably hella punk time) / $5

Pinky Swear Return of the Unicorn Fest
Okay like I’ve been to Pinky Swear and I have literally no idea how seemingly every musician, artist, poet, and performer in the universe is going to fit into that basement, but I’m on board with the process. This all-day event kicks off with some low-key tea-sipping posi vibes and ambient music at 10 am, followed by an increasingly energetic celebration of the unicorn from 2:30-11 pm. Check out the Facebook page for more context. It sounds like an experience.
Pinky Swear
10:00 am / $5-10 

EGO, Jollys
Hey look another local rock show! EGO are newly back from tour and playing a free show at Cafe Mustache with Jollys.
Cafe Mustache, 2313 N Milwaukee Ave
9:00 pm / free / 21+

SYA773

Sunday, November 22

The Landmarks, Minor Wits
If you liked The Landmarks at Club Soda, you can catch them again at their Bric-a-Brac in-store with Minor Wits, a local power pop/pop punk group I’m just now hearing about but am kind of super into.
Bric-a-Brac, 3156 W Diversey Ave
5:00 pm / free / all ages / BYOB

Hibou, Bloom, Color Card, Jewel Case
I saw Hibou when he came through town a couple years ago and holy fucking shit. If you are into dreamy pop sounds, if you bought my recommendation of Star Tropics, if you have $12 to spend on a show, check out this band. Come early for this one because the supporting bands also rule.
Subterranean, 2011 W North Ave
9:00 pm / $12 / 21+

Outer Minds, Lil Tits, Strawberry Jacuzzi 
Do you like fun? Do you like supporting essential healthcare services? Then you want to be at the SYA773 Fundraiser for Planned Parenthood at The Empty Bottle Sunday night. All ticket sales from this fucking killer lineup of local bands will go to supporting Planned Parenthood, who you may recognize from their low-cost preventative care, birth control, and STI screening services or from some totally bullshit videos Republican lawmakers are obsessed with. Either way, come rock out and feel good about the work you’re supporting.
Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western Ave
9:00 pm / $8 / 21+ 

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Going to Shows Alone: A Roundtable on Living (And Partying) with Social Anxiety

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Lorena Cupcake (Editor of Store Brand Soda / Social Media at Do312): Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me today. Most of the people reading this probably know this, but my name is Cupcake, and I help run Store Brand Soda. I’ve been going to shows since my face got smushed against Courtney Love’s boob at age 11, and I also am diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Salvation Emily (Editor of Store Brand Soda): Hey I’m Salvation Emily. I got a late but enthusiastic start on going to shows in my early 20s and have been at it for the last 10 years!

Emily D (Art Director / Designer / Loner at shows): Hey I’m Emily, I’m an art director / designer with social anxiety and a love for live music. I also got a somewhat late start with going to shows (grew up in rural Kansas so not a lot of opportunity) but it’s one of my favorite things to do now.

Lorena Cupcake: I think there’s this common conception of people as either introverts or extroverts. Either you find being in public totally exhausting, or it revitalizes you and is really important to you. For me, I find it’s really a combination; it takes a lot out of me, but I also get a lot out of it.

Read More About Battling Negative Thoughts, Cool Books to Read at Shows, and The Best Corners to Stand In.

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Soddy Daisy “Trashtopia” Album Review & Release Show 9/18

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Listening to local band Soddy Daisy’s new album Trashtopia, it’s no surprise that they all have a hand in running legendary DIY partyplex Young Camelot, or that the album was partially recorded there. Regal and shambling, I’ve seen some of the stickiest bangers unspool in their cavernous space, all sticky with beer and humid with sweat.

YC is drunk conversations between girls in line for the bathroom, sloppy X’s on your hands, and two people almost fucking on a melting couch. It’s carpet fermented lager and a better populated smoking section than a septuagenarian’s favorite Las Vegas casino.

Trashtopia, from the name, to the cover art, to the sound evokes the bacchanalia and bad decisions, the adrenaline hype and the greyed-out nod-outs. It’s the perfect album to be born in Young Camelot’s messy womb, and I can’t imagine a better place to host the release show this Friday.

The third and forth songs on the album bring restrained lounge vibes and an bluesy growl of an intro, respectively, showing a willingness to experiment beyond the kind of partypunk oblivion I watch three different bands careen through on your average Wednesday night.

WEAK Radio uses the production trope of a scrambled scan through radio land to introduce a torchy doo wop addiction ballad that evokes blue-lit pimple-faced shuffling slow dances and a weary chanteuse draping herself across a Rhodes organ, eyelids slowly closing in resignation.

It’s an album of ambitious length for a self-recorded DIY band. The repetitive dirge When the High Subsides could have clocked in under four minutes (or found a more secure home on an album that promised less shambling and surf), but Soddy Daisy does rollicking lofi pop extraordinary well. I’m charmed with the couplet “Nothing else has ever changed, I’ve got an embryonic brain” on the sunny jammer “Water Cooler.”

Feel free to scream out the names of these songs I’ve described while they play at Young Camelot this Friday. It’s that kind of place, and that kind of band: messy, collaborative, and beautiful.

Evasive Backflip, Rat Hammer, Soddy Daisy, Not For You, Le Tour, Alex Rowney Piano Beast
Young Camelot
Fri, September 18 / $5 / not byob – bring $

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The 3 Best Drummers + Vocalists in the World

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A few nights ago, I found myself in a South Minneapolis DIY spot on a sticky, humid summer night. The basement venue, known as The Riverboat to the Twin Cities’ dread-skulleted punk denizens, was so hot we all dripped and drooped like melting candles.

“You know that scene in Mrs. Doubtfire, where they’re watching TV, and someone’s getting their face smooshed around like it’s clay and all the kids are grossed out? That’s what my face feels like right now,” I confided to Jen Lemasters, a record store owner and multi-media artist who, like me, had traveled all the way to Chicago just end up at the same dank basement.

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Photo of Make-Overs from Bric-a-Brac’s Instagram

She & partner, Nick, who own Bric-a-Brac Records, were criss-crossing the country with South-African drummer and guitarist Martinique Pelser and Andreas Schönfeldt, stopping at flea markets to hunt collectible toys and kitschy roadside attractions to pose with outré art installations. When they’re not touring together, Martinique and Andreas tour by Megabus.

Later, after a kind Riverboat resident sold me a $2 Hamm’s well into Minneapolis’ Blue Law Sunday Beer Blackout (then traded it out for one that didn’t have puke on it), Make-Overs took over their designated corner of the basement. They quickly sound checked their signature equipment; an array of pedals at Andreas’ feet, a microphone headset snaked around Martinique’s ear.

As the band tore through their layered, spacey and raw arrangements, the audience forgot the insufferable heat and slammed into each other in surging tides, smearing sweat on each other and pressing wallflowers into the crumbling basement bricks. They traded off vocal duties, Martinique more than holding her own despite the more physical nature of drumming, her powerful vocals ringing out, occasionally distorted by pedals into something psychedelic and alien.

I started thinking about all the drummers out there who excel at maintaining vocal intensity even as they exert themselves pounding away. I came up with my all time top drummers + vocalists, who are, in no particular order:

  • Bill Roe of Cococoma (and the record label Trouble in Mind)
  • Lamont “Bim” Thomas of Obnox, BLAXXX, The Puffy Areolas, etc
  • Martinique Pelser of Make-Overs (as well as many earlier projects discussed in this great interview)

And that got me thinking about how lucky we are that 2/3 of these artists have upcoming shows in Chicago. Cococoma, coaxed into reuniting and brushing up on their old songs when their longtime friends Janet and J.J. tied the knot last February, are hanging up the hat again when guitarist AJ Cozzi moves to California. TOMORROW, they’re playing their last official show at The Empty Bottle as an aftershow for the Beyond the Gate show in Bohemian National Cemetery.

Make-Overs are making the most of their stop in the USA, with at least two more shows upcoming in addition to their duties opening for Ty Segall last week.

Whether you agree or disagree with my top three ranking (make no mistake, I’d love to hear about it in the comments), you should see these bands while you can.

Cococoma, Ultimate Painting
The Empty Bottle, 1035 North Western Avenue
Thu, September 10, 9pm / 21+ / $10

Make-Overs, Wolf Pac
The Whistler, 2421 N Milwaukee Ave
Sun, September 13, 9pm / 21+ / free

Pookie and the Poodles, Make-Overs
Bric-a-Brac Records & Collectibles, 3156 W Diversey Ave
Tue, September 22, 5:30pm / free / AA

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Vamos – Spiderbait LP Review (Record Release Show Tonight!)

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Vamos feel like a party that you might die at, woozy with bummer vibes and lousy with bad decisions. After years of purveying sleaze metal after midnight in slimy DIY spots (competing with the rhythmic screech of the train) and putting their music out on neon plastic cassette tapes, they’re finally releasing their very first LP. Local label Maximum Pelt mates Ego and Modern Convenience join them tonight for a
free show to celebrate their graduation to vinyl.

The new album Spiderbait manages to resurrect the party-flu-snot-dripping zombie of rockstar kitsch and cock rock excess of days gone by. The sludge psychedelia and spooky Ozzy vocals on Bad Hook didn’t work for me (though if those keywords excite you, click away!) but I’m super excited to see a high quality version of “Jaded,” a wicked and reeling banger Vamos has been performing live forever that always brings down my entire world.

[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=2062955756 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=e99708 track=2436339360]

It reminds me of the raw and addictive “Feelmonger,” a track previously released on their Midwaste tape, here newly recorded with a more deft and nuanced hand (I do recommend scuzz heads also check out the original recording). “Howl,” another favorite off Midwaste, here takes the form of a bitter boozy accusation and ends in the whole band pleading “All I want is you.” This record has greasy gleam and glamour, swaggering sexuality, and leaves a bad taste in my mouth that I can’t get enough of.

[bandcamp width=100% height=42 album=2062955756 size=small bgcol=ffffff linkcol=e99708 track=4084250403]

If you’re determined to see them tonight (which you should be), you’re in luck; not only is it free, but there’s an equally free early punk show at Bric-a-Brac if you want to pull a one-two punch and still have enough money for a few cheap beers. There’s also a show at Old Mt Happy; see flyer below.

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Vamos, EGO, Modern Convenience, Foul Tip
The Empty Bottle, 1035 North Western Avenue
9:00pm Mon, August 3 / 21+ / free

Moon Hag, Lil Tits
Bric-a-Brac Records & Collectibles, 3156 West Diversey Avenue
5:00 pm on Mon, August 3 / AA / BYOB

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Best of the Fests: Bitchfest, Chicago Summer Psych, and Black & Brown Punk Show

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We’re deep into festival season, struggling to keep our heads about an endless sea of body chains, matching crop-top-and-shorts-sets, sole-sucking fields of mud, blurry tattoos, overpriced beers, and nineteen year olds on molly. Over here at the old soda mines, we’re free to train our eye on some of the more unusual and underground festivals that are taking place this summer.

Bitchfest

bfest

Bitchfest aims to celebrate women and their work, but is inclusive of “all Chicago’s brilliant and resilient artists, musicians and writers who tirelessly use creative mediums to express what it means to live in this beautifully fucked-up world.” More than just a stacked bill of not-all-dudes bands, DIY space Young Camelot aims to offer a film program, live screenprinting, zines, murals, and art. Daily schedules have not yet been finalized, so keep an eye on the Facebook event for more specifics.

Bitchfest
Yoko and the Oh No’s, The Iceberg, Strawberry Jacuzzi, She Speaks In Tongues, Bruiser Queen, Oshwa, Beat Drun Juel, Mr. Ma’am, Brenda, WAD, Not For You, BLOOM, Impulsive Hearts, DEADBEAT, The Baby Magic, Night & Gale
Friday August 7th – Saturday August 8th
Young Camelot (ask a punk)

Chicago Summer Psych Fest

CHIPSY

If you read enough of this website, you’ve probably gleaned that I have a weakness for good ole three-chords-and-two-toms rock’n’roll. This is because I am dumb and I have bad taste. However, perhaps you have more sophisticated tastes: a palate that can accommodate gauzy shoegaze guitar, krauty synths, and meandering prog. If that’s the case, my dear, you’re in luck: for the seventh year running, the Hideout is bringing you Chicago Summer Psych Fest, with some superstars and heavy hitters in the line-up.

Chicago Summer Psych Fest – Friday
Djin Aquarian with Plastic Crimewave Syndicate, Vyto B, Shah Jahan, Hands Of Hydra, DJ Psychedalex
9pm on Friday August 14th
The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave
21+ / $10 advance tickets / $18 at the door

Chicago Summer Psych Fest – Saturday
Psychedelic Supersession with special guests, Chicago Triangle, VCSR featuring Bil Vermette, Moss Folk, Carbonleak
9pm on Saturday August 15th
The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave
21+ / $10 advance tickets / $18 at the door

Black and Brown Punk Show

bandbpunk

Black and Brown Punk Show is an annual festival highlighting the black and brown, queer and trans DIY punk scene in Chicago. The collective wants to create a safer space to push back against oppression, bond over a shared sense of struggle, and celebrate the creativity of black and brown musicians, artists, and educators.

Black and Brown Punk Show – Friday
Black Bandits and the Stickups, Vagabon, Moor Mother Goddess, Yva Las Vegas, Bruised, Tigress, Crude Humor, TBA
6pm on Friday, August 28th
Location TBA

Black and Brown Punk Show – Saturday
Kris de la Rash, Aye Nako, L(a)kras, The Breathing Light, Ono, La Armada, Through and Through, The Kominas, Huasipungo, R-Tronika
5pm on Saturday, August 29th
ChiTown Futbol, 2255 South Throop Street

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Brisbane Noise Punks Sewers Play Last-Minute Show Tonight

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Antipodean punks Sewers have used the Coriolis effect to their advantage, swirling counter-clockwise down a filthy dive bar toilet and surfacing clockwise here in Chicago covered in grime, gore, and black blood. They lurched, Creature-from-the-Black-Lagoon style, into Permanent Records yesterday, completely obliterating the sparse crowd with their nasty swamp sludge.

Too tight for the skronky post-punks and too full of wild abandon for the math-rock nerds, Sewers is the evil, abrasive thudding squall you’ve been looking for to rip you away from your boring life and everything you hold dear and deposit you in the bowels of a waste treatment plant.

They were supposed to play last night at The Burlington, but apparently a local band they were going to play with dropped out and the show was cancelled. The whole thing seems pretty sus to me – do you know how hard getting 5 visas for traveling musicians is? – but thankfully Aaron Dexter, booker for The Owl and label head over at Automatic Recordings, pulled through and they were able to jump on the bill with Whitney (ex-Smith-Westerns) for tonight. Hopefully he doesn’t mind me telling you all who “the special guest” is a bit early. Go buy a record from him so he doesn’t get mad at me for blowing up his spot.

There’s other weird free noise rock shows tonight, which you know because you check our calendar every morning, but let’s be real, Toupee plays all the time. You’re lucky to get another chance to see Sewers; I suggest you take it.

Whitney, Sewers
The Owl, 2521 North Milwaukee Avenue
10pm / free / 21+

Ono, Hums + Haws, Toupee, Richard Album
The Empty Bottle, 1035 North Western Avenue
9pm / free / 21+

Wildhoney, Carbonleak, Population
Rancho Huevos
8pm / ask a punk / $6-$8

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Your Show Horoscope: June, July, & August 2015

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Your Show Horoscope is the time when I wrap a Stevie-Nicks-shawl around my shoulders, light some copal incense, and peer into a murky crystal ball to divine your future. Rather than the All-You-Can-Eat smorgasbord overload of our show calendar, it’s more like a tiny perfect sandwich made just for you, with the crusts cut off just how you like it, and a little thermos of tomato soup on the side.

FOR THE PIZZA LOVER

You were putting hot dogs in your pizza crust long before Pizza Hut; hell, they jacked that idea from you, and no one can convince you otherwise. You burn your mouth on the sauce everytime, because you just can’t wait for it to cool down enough to eat safely. You’re either on Team Bagel Bite or Team Pizza Roll, and you hate the opposing team with a vengeance. You have a pizza pentagram tattoo, and the local by-the-slice place recognizes you as the person who gets a cold slice to go so that you can warm it up fresh in your oven once you get to the proper level of stonedness.

Closet Burner, Sputter, The Disinherited, Tigress
This is a benefit show *tonight* for everyone’s favorite queercore fest, which I previously wrote about for xoJane. It’s free to get in, but please donate! Also, buy some pizza: $1 per slice sold between 8:30-10:30pm goes to Fed Up Fest!
Dimo’s Pizza, 1615 North Damen Avenue
Tuesday, June 23rd at 9pm / AA

Skip Church, Glyers
Swing by Chicago’s chillest record store with the best in-store sight lines for Tip Your Delivery Boy: A pizza themed art show benefiting the Greater Chicago Food Depository. All art proceeds will benefit hungry people here in town, and Dimo’s Pizza will be donating slices to make sure you don’t go hungry, either.
saki, 3716 West Fullerton Avenue
Sat, July 11, 6pm / free / aa

changeofscene

YOU NEED A CHANGE OF SCENERY

Listen, it’s not that you have anything against seeing Yet Another Show at your favorite venue. There’s a reason it’s your favorite venue, after all. But as the weather warms up, the idea of drinking one more lukewarm Tiger tallboy in “your” corner makes you want to scream. Why not try something new?

Bongripper, Oshwa, Taught Abroad
If seeing a stoner doom band play at the foot of a towering monument crowned with a screaming eagle is old hat to you, please relocate to Mars where you can perhaps find new, challenging experiences.
Logan Square Monument at Logan Square Arts Festival
Fri, June 26, 5pm / $5 suggested donation / all ages

The Last Flowershop Show: 6 Bands TBA
Flowershop has been claiming every show they throw is their last show for a while now. Maybe this one will actually be the last one. Maybe it won’t. Either way, it’s still going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Flowershop
Fri, June 26, 8pm / $5

Fountainsun, Wrekmeister Harmonies, HIDE
Dude. It’s in a cemetary. That’s pretty cool.
Bohemian National Cemetery, 5255 North Pulaski Road
Thu, July 2, 7pm / $20 / 21+

Murder City Devils, Diarrhea Planet, Swirlies, Nobunny, EZTV
Isn’t it about time you introduced your seven year old to Diarrhea Planet? Thanks to the magic of all ages street fests, you finally can.
Chicago Avenue between Damen Ave and Wood
Sun, July 12, 12pm / West Fest / $5 suggested donation / AA

No Age, Sun Foot, Devin Gary & Ross
This is a totally unique event called Generationalpictomusicapolis (try saying that three times fast); it’s a “is a celebration of collaborative music and art-making.” Did I mention the “Gary” in Devin, Gary & Ross is GARY FUCKING PANTER? THE GUY WHO DID THE SETS FOR PEE-WEE’S PLAYHOUSE? Yeah. Now I did.
Co-Prosperity Sphere, 3219-21 South Morgan Street
Tue, July 14, 8pm / $12 / $15 / 17+

broke

YOU CAN’T PAY MY TELEPHONE BILLS, YOU CAN’T PAY MY AUTOMOBILES

Oh, honey. Top Ramen for dinner again? Is that….is that duct tape holding your Converse together? You know that me and your dad can always….no, no, I get it, I’m glad you’re trying to save money, but….ok, well, do me a favor and at least treat yourself to some free shows, ok? And call more often. I miss you.

Chastity Belt
If, for some reason, you can’t make their set at the Bottle tonight but you are able to get out of work with basically zero notice, you can totally see Chastity Belt for free this afternoon at the Wicker Reckless.
Reckless Records, 1379 N Milwaukee Ave
Tue, June 23, 4:30pm / free / all ages

Bleach Party, The Van Goghs
Bleach Party play really fun fuzzy party punk and I love them. Keep an eye on ChicagoSinglesClub.com for an upcoming exclusive single.
The Whistler, 2421 North Milwaukee Avenue
Wed, June 24, 8:30pm / 21+ / Free

Absolutely Not, Foul Tip, Radio Shaq, Gnar Wave Rangers
Last time I was at Cole’s, for the Fungi Girls show, a stranger came over to me to tell me how much he likes my Twitter account (he is alone in this sentiment; don’t follow me) and I got to point out that there’s a nine-foot-high portrait of me painted in the bathroom of Cole’s from when I was like, 23 and didn’t completely hate hanging out in Logan Square bars yet. Anyway, if you haven’t seen it, go check it out, and ignore the fact a bitter ex wrote my phone number all over it telling people to call me for a good time back in the day.
Cole’s Bar, 2338 North Milwaukee Avenue
Fri, June 26, 10pm / 21+ / Free

Sewers, Den
Cleo’s has $10 pitchers and $6 nachos on Sundays if you want a thing to walk to after.
Permanent Records, 1914 West Chicago Avenue
Sun, July 5, 5pm / Free / AA / BYOB

Dead Moon, Spray Paint, Negative Scanner, Jamaican Queens, Absolutely Not, Tjutjuna
Heads up: people manning the gates at city street fests really don’t care if you pay the $5 or not. Even if you pony up, though, $5 to see Dead Moon is a deal. Their show the day before at The Empty Bottle has been sold out for ages.
Chicago Avenue between Damen Ave and Wood
Sat, July 11, 12pm / West Fest / $5 suggested donation / AA

The Sueves, Teenage Moods
Getting Suevey is the new getting wavvy.
Cole’s Bar, 2338 North Milwaukee Avenue
Sat, July 11, 10pm / free / 21+

metal

YOU LIKE METAL

We don’t actually write about metal here on Store Brand Soda. Or, rather, we don’t know what to write about metal. We’ve always been more comfortable in glitter eyeshadow than corpsepaint, and it’s such a big and convoluted scene that we leave the in-depth coverage to people who can actually decipher Christophe Szpajdel’s handlettering at a glance. At the same time, the borders between the ground we cover and the blood-dripping and bat-infested territory of metal are so blurry; it’s not too far of a stretch to find a Weekend Nachos show on our calendar. Here are some shows a little closer to that border, for intrepid wanderers and devout devotees alike.

Bongripper, Oshwa, Taught Abroad
Oshwa plays at 7:30, Bongripper plays at 9:00pm.
Logan Square Monument at Logan Square Arts Festival
Fri, June 26, 5pm / $5 suggested donation / all ages

Nervosas, Red Dons, Mac Blackout Band, Daylight Robbery
Mac Blackout Band has a new drummer (well, new to MBB; he’s always played with frontman Mark in another project, Mickey). The new rhythm section has taken MBB in a more glammy classic metal direction, and I’m really into it, actually. If you miss this show, they’re also playing the next day at Observatory, and a few days later at East Room. Check the calendar, homie.
The Burlington Bar 3425 W Fullerton Ave
Thu, June 25, 9pm / 21+ / usually between $5-$10

Liturgy, Locrian
I promise to never stop thinking it’s hilarious that the dude from Liturgy is a oil heir billionaire. Maybe all the assholes who steal stuff from the vans of extremely broke bands should pick better targets.
The Empty Bottle, 1035 North Western Avenue
Sat, July 18, 9pm / 21+ / $10

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED PUNK SHOWS

You’re a cool person. You’re not a jerk, your politics are chill, you generally care about the right stuff. All these bands have cool people in them too. Maybe you should go make friends?

Broken Prayer, Hound, Fake Limbs & Split Feet
Jes Skolnik is a major inspiration behind all my writing and their band, Split Feet, is rad. All these bands are rad.
Subterranean, 2011 West North Avenue
Sat, June 27, 7pm / $8 / 17+

Negative Scanner, Scary and the Scrapers, Bad Eric, Wriggle, The Jig
My roommate is in Negative Scanner and they have a new album coming out on Trouble in Mind and I’m so fucking proud I could spit.
Old Mount Happy
Tue, June 30, 7pm / $7-$8 / everyone welcome

Dick Diver, Cococoma, Clearance, Comm to Black
Ok, obviously Australian band Dick Diver are the headliners, touring in support of their new album out on Trouble in Mind. However, we have to give a shout-out to locals Cococoma (LEGENDS, THEY ARE) and newbies Comm to Black, who are still figuring things out but are worth supporting because there’s a pretty good chance the tall guy in the leather jacket is gonna put out your next record.
The Empty Bottle, 1035 North Western Avenue
Wed, July 1, 9pm / 21+ / $10

Ivy, Fad, Sin Orden, Liquids, Go-Go, Udusic
This is a really cool hardcore lineup, and Sin Orden are amazing, bringing brutal honesty & forthright politics to the Chicago Latinx punk scene for years now. Ivy and Fad are both touring so make sure to bring some dollars to help fill up their gas tanks and bellies.
The 2040
Thu, July 23, 8pm / $8

Blizzard Babies, Squish, Boots, Pink Bathroom
Blizzard Babies and Pink Bathroom are both great not-all-wack-dudes bands and friends of SBS! I really wanna get a crew together and go bowling first, so hit me up if you’re in.
Fireside Bowl, 2648 West Fullerton Avenue
Sun, July 19, 8pm / 17+ / $7

Frau, Broken Prayer, Boots, The Bug, TBA
I was introduced to Frau by an article about the best punk songs of 2014 I helped work on for Pitchfork, and I’m so glad I was. These feminist punks did-it-themselves all the way from the UK, so show some appreciation and show up.
The 2040
Mon, August 10, 8pm / $7-10

Homeshake, Sheer Agony, Pleasure Leftists, Negative Scanner, Split Feet
This is a while out but worth remembering.
The Empty Bottle, 1035 North Western Avenue
Sat, August 15, 9pm / $8 / $10 / AA

Sheer Mag, Royal Headache, Daylight Robbery
WHAT IS EVEN WITH THIS LINEUP, I CAN’T.
The Empty Bottle, 1035 North Western Avenue
Wed, August 19, 9pm / 21+ / $10

diy

YOU’RE DIY UNTIL YOU DIE (OR MAYBE YOU ALREADY DIED AND YOU’RE A GHOST, WHOA)

Whether is because you love supporting your local scene, or just because you’re punk as fuck like that, you prefer your shows intimate, sweaty, and possibly violating a noise ordinance or two.

Slushy, Soddy Daisy, MOP, Slackluster, The Gold Web, Gnar Wave Rangers
Everyone’s favorite former-church-turned-sweaty-naked-partyplex has been through some rough times lately; a staggering heating bill and flooding from the recent relentless thunderstorms have left the DIY space denizens in need of some community support. Throw an extra bill in the hat, buy some t-shirts or refreshments, celebrate their indomitable spirit and Maureen’s birthday!
Young Camelot
Sat, June 27, 8:30pm / 21+ to drink / donation

Heart Attack Jizzers, Poison Boys, Wingtips, FYCs, Bitter Fruit
Wingtips are the only Chicago band on this bill! Poison Fruit is from Oakland, and everyone else is from Indiana.
The Danger Zone
Sat, June 27, 7:00pm / $6-9

EGO, Heinous Orca, The Cell Phones, The Phone Calls
♪♬♪ ring ring ring ring ring ring, banana phone ♪♬♪
Wally World
Sat, June 27, 9:05pm / $5 / 21+ / byob or hit the cheap bar

Scalped, Cracked Vessel, Sputter, Tensions
Albion House
Sun, June 28, 7pm

Daymaker, Not For You, Zach Wilson, TBA
Please note, Dollhouse DIY has moved! Don’t go to their old house!
Dollhouse DIY (New Location)
Sun, July 5, 7pm / $5

Logan & Lucille, Wingtips, Boxing Fetish, Mormon Toasterhead
Please note, Dollhouse DIY has moved! Don’t go to their old house!
Dollhouse DIY (New Location)
Tue, July 7, 7pm / $5

Mtvghosts, Opposites, Fatkid, Donkey Hotel
Ratt House
Sat, July 18, 8:30pm / $5

Sacred Memories, Psycho Sister, Radio Creeps, Skizzwhores, Cellar Rats, Mandatory Abortions, Ultrahazard
The Orphanage
Sat, July 25, 4pm

Dark Thoughts, Laffing Gas, Chud, Bruised, TBA
Rancho Huevos
Fri, July 31, 8pm / $7 – $10 for touring bands

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