Unyielding Commissioning Goes Rustic

For the last time -- Have you contacted your alderman yet? As discussed here on Friday, the Chicago music scene needs your help. Details here. Also, the issue will be covered on WTTW's Chicago Tonight broadcast this evening at 7pm. If you don't chime in today, it will be too late. The vote is still currently scheduled for tomorrow. Do it!

UPDATE! -- We did it! You did it! Well, somebody did it. The Promoters Ordinance has been tabled (for now). So we can breathe easy for the moment. Thanks to everyone who did their part. We'll definitely keep track of this issue, but kudos to the folks in city hall who stepped back from their hasty plan and are getting more significant input from the people this will impact the most.

Bird on Bird -- In today's New York Times OpEd section, Andrew Bird goes into fascinating detail about the recording process for his new album. He confesses that he is a bit of a control freak, and explains his adoration for the more natural, old-fashioned recording techniques. Worth a read.

The Youth Are Getting Restless -- In Scene-Stealers' Tuesday Top Ten: Eric's Top Ten Alienated Youth Movies. I've only seen three of these! I'm as surprised as you. I always thought I was a pretty alienated youth. Perhaps I need to do some filmic digging and catch up.

More Music -- Lolla has included a few more acts to their lineup. New additions are Iron & Wine, Toadies, Saul Williams, DeVotchKa, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, and Wild Sweet Orange. Pitchfork added a bunch a while ago (and continues to sporadically supply them by the handful). Latest additions include: The Hold Steady, Caribou, and Sebadoh. See the entire lineup here.

Test your legal knowledge -- Not the greatest quiz in Mental Floss history, but see how much you know about Music Lawsuits.

Reminder: Call or Write Your Alderman

Once again, we don't ask for political activism much around here, but if you live in Chicago and you read this blog, this is an issue you should care about. We discussed the Promoters Ordinance at length last Friday, but the vote comes up just two days from now and the time for action is running out. The good folks at Live Music Blog agree. We have another update from Jim DeRogatis which includes quotes from the Chicago Music Coalition as well as an open letter from Metro. Please click here to find your alderman and let him/her know how you feel (you're against it!).

Thanks for caring about the Chicago music scene.

OWR: The Savages

64: Shouty

Sybris w/ Bon Savants & Apteka @ Subterranean

Apteka frontman Adam Lukas followed his initial greeting with his best Max Fischer impersonation, informing the audience that free earplugs were on hand back at the merch table. Such an offer was not merely a public service, but portended the type of sonic intensity they intended to deliver. From their first thunderous notes, it was clear that they would leave no doubts about fulfilling Lukas' promise.
Audience requests for "Fuckin Jam Numbers 1-4" were satisfied with glee. Pounding away on the drums, Jesse Hozeny acted as the engine pushing the ferocity while Lukas' intense vocals carved out their own space in the sound. The set peaked about halfway through with "The Sheet." It ended all too early with the thumping "She Is Riots," while indie-rawk babes eagerly danced it out directly in front of the stage.

Boston's Bon Savants don't exactly look to blow out the speakers with their music, so their set felt a bit subdued after Apteka's assault. But with a streamlined sound and very clean vocals, their set was well-received by the now nearly full audience.

But most were here to see Chicago's Sybris, celebrating the release of their (excellent) new album. They are led by frontwoman Angela Mullenhour, whose voice was spot-on, even though much of the night was spent rocking out. The band was embraced by their die-hard aficionados as well as anyone who just happened to wander upstairs to catch the show. Honestly, I can't see anyone disliking this band.

They do sound a bit like 13 years ago, but are really freaking good at it. Plus, 13 years ago, music was pretty darn cool and I'm willing to embrace it. Things could have been a bit louder, but again, perhaps that's all Apteka's fault. Sybris finished strong without an encore (which frankly would have felt unnecessary for some reason), capping off a superb night of performances in a solid venue for the low-low price of ten dollars.

Unyielding Commissioning Gets Serious

You gotta tell em! -- This coming Wednesday, the Chicago City Council is voting on a measure that would greatly affect the music scene here in town. Five years after the E2 crowd stampede tragedy, they are looking to impose financial and regulatory constraints on any independent promoter putting on a show in Chicago (not counting the largest, seat-laden venues). They have reportedly sought little input from the Chicago music community and while they are working from a well-intentioned point of view, their actions are hasty and carry with them potentially devastating effects on the music scene in our fair city. Greg Kot has a really solid post on his blog which sums up the whole thing pretty darn well. Money quote:

The new ordinance will cut down the number of such shows, and add to the financial burden already felt by one of this city’s most precious cultural resources: its music clubs.

Jim DeRogatis has also had several postings about this. Here, here, and here. So for once, Fighting the Youth is asking for something in return. Please contact your alderman and let him or her know that you oppose the ordinance and believe that there is a better way to ensure safety. Here is the note I wrote to mine:

I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed Promoter Ordinance, scheduled for a vote this Wednesday. The ordinance, while well-intentioned, has the potential to cause major harm to Chicago's music scene. If promoters are forced to incur these extra expenses, they will simply not bring their concerts to the city. Our music venues have an excellent track record of keeping their patrons safe whether a show is put on by an independent promoter or their regular partners. They have every incentive to continue doing that with or without this ordinance.

I grew up in this city, going to music performances whenever I could. I found my social niche in the process. I continue to frequent Chicago's music venues, taking in a show about once a week. It would be a shame if one of our city's great cultural resources were harmed due to hasty action, well-intentioned or not.

Click on this map to find your Alderman and his or her contact information. If you care about music in this city, I urge you to call or write in your feelings. Feel free to plagiarize me as necessary. Time is of the essence here with a vote coming this Wednesday.

UPDATE: DeRogatis has interviewed the spokeswoman for the Department of Business Affairs & Licensing on the issue. Click here to read the somewhat evasive and noncommittal answers to his questions. Again, please contact your alderman if you have not already done so.

EVEN MORE UPDATE: DeRogatis has now interviewed Alderman Eugene Schulter, chairman of the city licensing committee. Check it out here.

Off the soapbox -- We still gotta have some fun, here, right? Here's the ultimate nerdy movie list. The 8 Most Preposterous Movie Computer Moments. I don't know how the orange coming back at the end of Tron doesn't make the cut, but I like what they've done here.

Rock it out -- There's no ordinance yet! So anyone interested in checking out some good rawk can meet me tonight at Subterranean for Sybris, Bon Savants, and Apteka. See you there!

OWR: 27 Dresses

21: Weak

Thursday Youtube

In honor of the new album coming out this Tuesday, enjoy a Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard as he sings the most addictive song he's written to date:

OWR: Hard Eight

70: Soulled

Unyielding Commissioning Loves It When It's Free

I think we're gonna need a smaller boat -- My Bloody Valentine is reunited and playing in our fair city. They will be at the Aragon on September 27th. If you are unawares, MBV is widely considered the seminal shoegazer rock outfit, influencing such acts as Ride, Lush, The Verve, Swervedriver, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Spiritualized, Mew and countless others. They slowly broke up in the early nineties, though the years since their departure have been kind to the group as more and more people laud their influence. But the Aragon? It's a 4,000 person venue. Yes, this group is respected and esteemed and important. But they never had anything close to a hit single and I can't imagine they're going to fill that place. The Riviera would have probably been a better choice. I've been to half-empty shows at the Aragon and they make the place feel even more cavernous and barny. We'll see what happens, but I wouldn't be shocked if they move this to the Vic.

Everybody Wants Him -- Iron Man lives again! 102 million dollars last weekend. Furthermore, the IMDb rating is a lofty 8.4 (99th best all time). Looks like expanding the trailer was a good idea. Jon Favreau's other directorial outings have had their strengths, but all have been flawed in various ways. Apparently he has hit a home run with this one, as Morty and Stephen predicted.

Street Pharmacists -- The Do-Division Street Festival looks awesome. Ted Leo is headlining on Sunday, June 1, and we know he always delivers. Other top acts include: Lucero, Mucca Pazza, and The 1900s. Note that this is not Wicker Park Fest which takes place in late July, but is nearly in the same spot. There's a five dollar "donation" cover charge, which is pretty much unbeatable. So, uh, get your tickets?

Do Yourself a Favor -- Stevie Wonder is playing for free at Taste of Chicago. Now I'm really glad I bought tickets to see him at Summerfest in Milwaukee. Whoops. Uh, anyone in the Brew City need a pair? Anyway, this is beyond exciting. Seven years ago, I saw him play for free in Detroit's Hart Plaza to celebrate the city's 300th birthday. It was possibly the best performance I've ever witnessed. So, uh, get your tickets? Stevie plays at the Petrillo Music Shell on June 28.

The Lowest Part is Free -- New Tapes 'n Tapes video! Pretty great, though I can't really figure out what they're trying to say (nor have I figured out what the lyrics to the song mean). Perhaps it's about how Wal-Mart ruins the soul. Anyways, check it out:

Thursday Youtube

So I'm like, out of town by a healthy margin. Hence the even less content this week. but here's how I spent my Wednesday: