Another Playlist for You

Because I love you, and music.

Usher's Hilarious Inspiration

I saw this on Verona Red's blog, and it's too hilarious to not share. Who knew Homer was so hip, or that Usher's well of inspiration includes Sunday night cartoons?

Champaign Music News: Elsinore & Verona Red

Elsinore, a four-piece band from Champaign, release their second album August 17, and I only just discovered it. The album, called Yes Yes Yes, is available to stream and buy below. If you're a fan of Local Natives and Arcade Fire, I recommend you check it out.


Speaking of Champaign...
If you're in the area this Saturday, September 11, I HIGHLY recommend you check out Chicago's Verona Red at Mike 'N Molly's. They're a band worth seeing live, since in addition to their great music they actually bring ENERGY to the stage. My goodness I hate being bored at a live show, which is something that just absolutely does not happen when seeing Verona Red (hence this endorsement). Bring your dancing shoes on Saturday and thank me later. :)

Two Local Shows Worth Seeing this Weekend

I think by now you all know my love for Chicago's Verona Red. They make some amazing rock and roll, and always bring the good times. They just announced they're playing a show THIS Friday, August 20, at Cubby Bear with Model Stranger and Greek Fire. Verona Red and Model Stranger were both up for Chicago Deli's Band of the Month in June, and Model Stranger won, so now is your chance to check out both bands and see if you agree with the outcome... I guess a Q101 DJ will also be there spinning between bands. Seems like a no-brainer for your Friday night plans.

For all you folks who don't stop the rocking just because it's Sunday, you should definitely head to Schubas. The Ivorys are putting on a great show there with The Clergymen and The Rails.

Hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Wicker Park Fest 2010 - Oh My God

I only attended part of Sunday's events, but I had an amazing time! By far, the hands-down best performance I saw was Chicago's own Oh My God. I've heard of them before, and even liked their music enough to try and book them with Verona Red, but was not aware of their full degree of awesomeness. I found myself constantly saying, "oh my God," and of course now their name makes so much more sense.

Their live show had me smiling and dancing and making shocked-looking faces the whole time. It was wonderful. AND, beyond the big, hairy, sweaty, nearly-naked, pigtail rockin' lead singer for entertainment (Billy O'Neill), their music is really good. I think I can safely say this is the first Chicago band (since Verona Red) that I've seen live and immediately want to know when they play next (Double Door on October 2).

I included a few photos of their performance below, and luckily got one of their songs on video for you ("Mother's Nightgown"); however, I encourage you to check out their MySpace HERE and listen to some of their other music including "Volatile" and "Baby Dream."

Some of the other shows I checked out, in order of fabulousness, include:

Happy Birthday, a completely new band for me, hails from Vermont, and they were the first act I saw. I was pleasantly surprised! Click the pic below to check out their MySpace.
I also saw The Hard Lessons from Michigan, and they brought some good rockage to the fest. Again, click their pic to hear more.
Two other Chicago acts I caught pieces of include Scotland Yard Gospel Choir and Van Ghost. They both made my list of "acts to see," but didn't really hold a candle to Oh My God.
Lastly, there were DJ sets on the center stage between bands, and my goodness can Chicago get rowdy to house music in 85 degree weather in mid-daylight. I tried to capture the good times, but the picture doesn't do it justice.

My Trip to Gabe's in Iowa City

I traveled with Chicago rockers Verona Red to Iowa City this past weekend, to attend their show at Gabe's. (If you don't know about Verona Red, check them out HERE for some really good rock and roll.) I ended up with some pretty cool snapshots, which I posted below.

I'd love to visit Iowa City again this fall while school's in session, so hopefully Verona Red will play another show so I can tag along...

Storm a brewin'

Fiber optic ceiling at Gabe's

Verona Red