Local Loft

Local Loft Episode 354

Rock... the final frontier. Final, as in failed technology has inexplicably wiped out my prepared text about how a rockin' and active Chicagoland music scene always offers an opportunity to explore musical worlds. a close encounter with human beings that are sometimes strange. To seek out bands and artists with a new life, and to boldly go where no genre, metal, punk, alternative rock or power pop has gone before. It's not always a Star Trek, where you find the next big thing or hitmaker.
Space Age Zeros were first zapped onto the Local Loft cyberwaves on Episode 327 (May 4th) at Blue Island Brewing. They first unveiled songs from their second album release, but first full length. Strange New World doesn't only contain tunes about reptilian flesh-eating aliens. There's a heartfelt tune about the loss of a childhood friend, and one about a core punk rock characteristic, boredom. I talk with singer Nathan Zero, Drummer Tommy and guitarist Steev before they play unplugged, stripped down to earth versions at Flapjack Brewery in Berwyn.
At the same show, Beer Can'd Fest where Space Age Zeros first beamed onto a concert stage, Traci Trouble powered off the brilliant garage punk trio Aweful. It  was their last show, but Traci rocks on as bassist of the goth metal band Claw Toe. I've got the blood sucking debut single.
With no laser zapping invasion instigated, Radio Creeps had a close encounter of the human earthlings kind. They descended on Waterworks Tavern And Pizza in Lyons. I was an eye and ear witness to the sighting seven years ago this week. We rock back to it.
"Hey, put away that ray!. How do you original Chicago area metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop loving earthlings say, I love these tunes?" Follow these ten examples:
Space Age Zeros-April 1st
Space Age Zeros-I Don't Want To Have Fun Anymore
The Tragedies-What The Hell
Claw Toe-Vampire
Hotlips Messiah-American Clone
Fierce Atmospheres-A New Sunrise (live from W.C. Social Club, West Chicago-2/15/23
The Midnight Calls-So Cold
Dead And Buried-Hunting Ground
Flowersatherfeet-Buried
Radio Creeps (interview from Waterworks Tavern & Pizza, Lyons-11/17/17 Local oft Episode 71)
Radio Creeps-Night of The Baphomet
Radio Creeps-Alien
 

Local Loft Episode 353

You have the right...the right to choose!
As you exercise you right to vote on Tuesday, November 5th, also exercise your right to choose your favorite original Chicago area metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop band. This is the most important music of your life. Think of Local Loft as your podcast ballot and vote conscientiously.
Being totally independent of a single genre, Reckless Inc. combines a bluesy Southern Rock guitar twang with a ferocious metal edge. This four man band from the Kankakee area features drummer Travis Zupan, who co fronts the intense hardcore metal band Ephinepic.  Reckless Inc. singer Dean Presley joins me to breakdown a few song tales of psychedelic desert car rides and Vigilante wanderers. A taste of what you'll find on their long time in the making self-titled debut album.
There'll be indoor fireworks generated by Chicago Punk Trio Firecat at Punk Rock Tacos 59 in Villa Park this Friday night. And a vehicular switcheroo from veteran Berwyn band Ides Of March, as their prestigious founder Jim Peterik wings his way to a 74th year of Life next Monday.
With a sarcastic day job as an Ed Debevic's waitress, Krysie Ridolphi is first and foremost a prominent singer, who made the switch from goth metal in Deadman'swake to OI! Punk as frontwoman for Evil, Engine. One of Kryssie's bands morphed into the other, officially nine years ago this week, At Brauerhouse In Lombard. I was there to capture it all.
Check over all the candidates for inclusion as your next playlist of choice, and let your freedom to pick your own soundtrack rock, whether in the voting booth or the listening space of your world:
Reckless Inc.-109
Reckless Inc.- Mr. Mayhem
Catalano-Changes
Sink-Moons
Sink-Who Cares
Jim Peterik & World Stage (featuring Ides Of March)-We Can Fly
Survivor-Poor Man's Son
FireCat-Sleepless In Chicago
White House Burning-Death And Decay
Evil Engine (interview from Brauerhouse In Lombard Local Loft Episode 13 11/11/15)
Evil Engine-Father
Deadman'swake-Far Be It From Me

Local Loft Episode 352

"Trick or Treat.....the bitter and the sweet." (Siouxie & The Banshees-Halloween (1981).
There'll be very little (if any) bitterness, but a lot that's sweet. Ear candy of the original Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock and power scene. Crank it up ultra loud and feel your back molars vibrate! Hardcore metal intensely loud it out decibeled the ear-splitting noise of nearby jet engines from arriving and departing 747's and DC 10's at nearby Midway Airport. The first annual Hell Over Midway at Macgoos Bar and Grill in Bedford Park, had 12 Chicago's Southwest side to New York exceeding optimal volume levels. Loud enough to strip graffiti of paint splattered walls. Extraction Point was second, revealing a new metal militia anthem that would be the perfect soundtrack to a new era of combat video gaming. I talk with singer Cody Zupan, guitarist Rick El Gato Lancaster, and the three other new members, JP, Justin and Stasi, after they ruptured the foundations of the truck depot warehouse style stage and venue. The band has a noticeably different lineup from their first one five years ago this week, when they premiered at The Forge in Joliet, which we rock back to to close out Episode 352.
Beheading The Icon, from the Southwest Side of Chicago tapped into a familiar 80s video game classic for inspiration, as well as current wartime situations around the world for their mind and speaker blowing set.  I talk with band members Jason Cordero, Matt Bly, Franco, and Osvil Cisneros after they mesmerized   the crowd. While The Fiction We Create combined the melodic, but intense vocal style of Skylar Jensen, who I introduced to all of you in 2017 as second singer of the long since broken up Punch Cabbie.
Kankakee area drummer Travis Zupan gives the headbanging, piledriving groove of Ephinepic a rest to introduce a country rock meets blues rock style of Reckless Inc. They have just released their self-titled debut EP. An opening blast will explode onto your speakers.
Open your ears (not your candy bag) Assorted original Chicagoland music treats will be passed out from:
Extraction Point-Return Fire
Extraction Point-Forced Compliance
Beheading The Icon-TV Dinner
Beheading The Icon-Pay To Pray
The Fiction We Create-The Void's Calling
Deadman's Hand-Wrathchild (Iron Maiden Cover)
Satan's Hallow-The Horror
Black Road-Witch Of The Future
Reckless Inc.-Bullet
Extraction Point (interview from The Forge in Joliet Local Loft Episode 114-10/31/19)
Extraction Point-Skankgoat
Extraction Point-Best Served Cold (with Holly Smith of  Pop Killers & Hot Dang)

Local Loft Episode 351

An original Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock & power pop JAM session with a side of (Spamicidal) Jelly!
Crank this up and jam it between speakers.  From the harmonious Garage Punk Pop of The Larvettes, to the grunting meets intimate female lead vocal  of Rosie Walker, the music menu is full, and there's plenty to fill up.
I first introduced you to the Larvettes in July 2023 (Local Loft Episode 286). They return with an as of yet untitled full length follow up to their debut 2022 EP, Happy Go Lucky Times. The new effort boasts a more aggressive, fast, upbeat rhythm and more abrasive heavy guitar sound. Singer/guitarist Bob Towne is joined once again by bassist/backing singer chip Medema & drummer Tim, as they lay their melodic chunky guitar sound on a Saturday Night crowd at The Outtaspace in Berwyn. I talk with them backstage (actually the outdoor patio) before they headline.
Hell Over Midway Metal fest will feature up and coming Southwest Side of Chicago Metalcore act Beheading The Icon, who'll make you aggressively mosh off the seven course TV dinner you just gulped down, Saturday night at McGoos Bar & Grill in Bedford Park. I have the scrumptious preview. Joliet's Spamicidal Jelly Jams with a cult 90s metal band best known for giving a timeless Disney fairytale of a house blowing destructive wolf a hardcore reboot, Green Jelly, Friday night at The Forge in Joliet. While Bullet To The Heart's glamour goth frontwoman Audren Queen snuggles with a stuffed bear in a new not so nightmarish music video and single.
Mixing intimate emotional lead vocals with a punchy fiery metal crunch, Rosie Walker commanded False Hope Fades, who was a recurring main attraction at Dame Nation (Reggies, Congress Theatre, Abbey Pub). I caught up with Rosie and FHF guitarist Kham as they rock the roof off The Forge in Joliet, nine years ago this week.
Jam on, and make your ears and body quiver like a bowl full of jelly, as you mosh and shake supreme to this original Chicago area music soundtrack:
The Larvettes-Russian Roulette
The Larvettes-Diplomat
Silver Abuse-Uganda (live from The Outtaspsce, Berwyn 10/19/24)
Beheading The Icon-TV Dinner
Rose Of Demise-Jane Doe
Bullet To The Heart-Dreamscape
Feels Like Karma-Hypocrite
Halfway To Zero-Who Dis?
Spamicidal Jelly-Falcon
False Hope Fades Rosie Walker & Kham interview from The Forge in Joliet-10/18/15 Local Loft Episode 12)
False Hope Fades-Striven
False Hope Fades-Coward
 

Local Loft Episode 350

Too early to chill out?
The weather may be changing, but you as an avid follower of the Chicago area's original metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop music scene are still all fired up to see and hear more. Don't fall back on your show going. And use this podcast as your ultimate guide.
If you're a big Chicagoland metal head, you must go through hell! Hell Over Midway is a one day, twelve hour extravaganza at McGoos Bar in Bedford Park. Amongst the 30 bands from all over the country, The Fiction We Create will represent several different Chicago and surrounding suburbs. With members from Punch Cabbie and Joliet Hardcore act Orinoco, they hot the stage with a nice blend of melodic vocal harmonies and grunting, screaming backing vocals, with plenty of pile driving guitar hooks. I talk with singer/writer Skylar Jensen and guitarist Chris Bryant.
Bullet To The Heart aims in the direction of W.C. Social Club in West Chicago this Thursday, October 17th with a new royal gothic makeover for singer Audrey Queen. The Lunatics Fringe fight back hard in saying yes to inflicting karma on their aggravating enemies The Party Of No in the new illustrated story comic book and third album Threatening The Order on Halloween. I'll fill you in.
they brought a great deal of trouble to a spacy raucous gig at Wire In Berwyn five years ago this week. I first met Traci Trouble and Hotlips Messiah as they won over lots of followers with their futuristic Punk Rock. We rock back to it.
Fall into the ever-growing Chicago area's original metal, punk. alternative rock and power pop scene like a withered brown tree leaf as you groove to:
The Fiction We Create-The Void's Calling
Punch Cabbie-Revenant
Along The Parallel-Dive
The Lunatic's Fringe-Time Will Come
Pezband-Crash And Burn (Live at B'Ginnings in Schaumburg-1979)
Silver Abuse-Mojo Hobo
Bullet To The Heart-Remedy
Mothpoint-Weird Dog
Hotlips Messiah (interview from Wire in Berwyn-10/13/19 Local Loft Episode 113)
Hotlips Messiah- Theme From S.C.U.M.
Hotlips Messiah-Scream Happy Screams

Local Loft Episode 349

A Progressive Punk, Metal, Acoustic Doom smorgasbord. You're always hungry for new music tastes. Local Loft will fill you up with another ear smacking menu of original Chicagoland Metal, Punk, Alternative Rock & Power Pop.
This will go well with whatever food menu item you consume. But Tacos is the recommended bill of fare. The sixth and final Punk Rock Tacos is set for this Saturday, October 12th at Cemitas Poblanas in Villa Park. Punk Rock is not the only genre you'll experience. Noise Grunge duo The Human Trials from the Chicago South neighborhood of Bridgeport blends two to four different music styles in the course of one five-to-seven-minute song. I talk with singer and bassist John Gaetano about their diverse approach on the unpredictable and sparse debut album, Phase 1, before they lay it on a Punk Rock Tacos crowd Saturday.
He combines a ragged drunken Punk swagger with a traditional acoustic guitar driven country folk sound. Veteran singer, author and award nominated actor  Pete Berwick (out of McHenry) returns to a Dylanesque meets Johnny Cash unplugged flavor on his new album That's What I Think. A genuine story telling folk ballad about paying your dues and how hard work pays off to gaining an audience will be spun here.
With cinematic music videos about a murderous madam, and a haunting setting of slasher killers and futuristic witches, Black Road provided the perfect soundtrack for everyday horror movie life situations. They made their Local Loft premiere six years ago this week at Reggie's Music joint. We rock back to when I first met sinister but charismatic singer Suzi Uzi, and Doom Metal guitar virtuoso Tim Moreno. 
Crunch on this, another succulent soundtrack of original Chicago area music. On the menu:
The Human Trials-Derelict
The Human Trials-World War Me
Largemouth-For All I Care
Elbow Deep- Ruthless
Whut?-Day's Awakening
Pete Berwick-Heros And Bums
Space Age Zeros-My Brooding Friend
Black Road ( interview from Reggie's Music Joint 10/8/18 Local Loft Episode 88)
Black Road-Bloody Mary
Black Road-Red                                                                                                                                                                   

Local Loft Episode 348

As we rock our way into a new season, don't FALL back on your support of the Chicagoland area's original Metal, Punk, Alternative Rock & Power Pop scene.
You'll always be caught up, with one listen to every Local Loft episode. From continuous all day mega band festivals like Punk Rock Tacos, to major album release shows, we cover the gamut. 
Singer Tony Engel and Drummer Ron Thomas have come a long way since the melodic hard powerhouse band they co-founded, Veilside. BlockChain Coalition is a much different sound that mixes progressive rock & 70s power pop (think Cheap Trick with a much more melodic and symphonic edge) BCC is working on their second full length album, the follow up The New Normal (which took the 2023 Best Original Chicago Area Rock Album during last year's Year In Review). To give the new record a more metal edge, they've invited veteran guitar shredder David Demon Shankle to wail away on at least one track. I'll discover this from all five BCC members, as I talk with them before they reveal a lot of new music during a Saturday night headline gig at Tony D's Sports Bar in Elmwood Park. Another revelation involves GraveReign, the progressive Metal band Tony and Shankle first unleashed on the world in 2021, with their debut album, Destination Aftermath. A second forthcoming album will feature not only Demon, but the drummer he played with on his debut for the 80s/90s New York national progressive Metal band, Manowar.
Continuing to rock into his mid 70s, Jim Peterik still is making his name known with the multi artist supergroup World Stage, as singer/frontman for the legendary Ides Of March, & as an acclaimed songwriter. A recent unused demo Jim gave to veteran Roseland Chicago rockers M & R rush becomes their new digital single next Monday, October 7th. But was first released on their 2018 album Between The Lines. I preview it for you, with a brand-new Ides Of Narch tune from the new World Stage album Roots And Shoots Volume 2.
Holly Smith continues to be one of the most prominent and versatile female singers in the Chicago original music scene. Her new duo, Pop Killers puts a hard-edge Rock spin on modern Top 40 music of Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and more. She began her journey with In 2 The Inferno, a grunge alternative band, who made a surprising return, seven years ago this week at Cullen's Pub in Oak Lawn. We rock back to it.
Rock ahead, don't fall behind with the most comprehensive coverage of the original Chicago music scene. The playlist this time around:
BlockChain Coalition-This Time (Live from Tony D's Elmwood Park 9/28/24)
BlockChain Coalition-Dirty Little Liar
GraveReign-Destination Aftermath
M & R Rush-Reckless Love (co-written by Jim Peterik)
Survivor-Rebel Girl (original 1980 Scotti Brothers 45 vinyl pressing)
Jim Peterik & Ides Of March-We Can Fly
The Bishop's Daredevil Stunt Club-I Saw A Ghost
In 2 The Inferno (interview from Cullen's Pub, Oak Lawn 9/28/17 Local Loft Episode 67)
In 2 The Inferno- To The City
Into The Inferno-Rescue (live from Cullen's Pub Oak Lawn 9/28/17)

Local Loft Episode 347

Summer 2024 went out with a big bang!
There were surprise reunions, accidental fuse explosions, grass blades curdled and the earth shook a few times in a minute flat.
Kankakee's fourth annual Estival Festival was one hell of a way to go out. The veteran Southern Fried Metal band Redneck Remedy used the occasion to play their first reunion show in ten years. They never really went away. The Don Palzer Band Shell had its foundations shook like a severe earthquake. Singer and guitarist Big John David Daily, bassist John Tiny Mullikin, lead guitarist Chis Pancho Cirullo and drummer Nick Steele had a packed crowd mesmerized just like when they introduced themselves in 2009 with an intense self titled debut album. With the help of john's son John David Daily Jr., they kept the crowd moshing and awestruck. I interview all five for what is turning out to be the start of a big new road of tour dates and a long awaited second album.
The whole Estival Festival had moments rockin' and scary. From the blazing hardcore crunch of Ephinepic, I talk with all four of the Kankakee metal act (Travis & Cody Zupan, guitarist Drew Bitner, and bassist Dave Lohrbach), to the explosive free form jam session of Shaper (who rocked on despite a scary big smoky band and power failure). Newcomers Mothpoint mixed 60s British Invasion style vocal harmonies with free form 70s blues and progressive rock and the powerful singing of Lupe Carroll. And Local Loft 2023 Best Alternative Rock Band Carrying Torches fired up an exquisite set to close out the music filled fun.
This Saturday, September 28th, BlockChain Coalition provides an melodic link to a stellar night of live local music with a headlining show at Tony D's in Elmwood Park. Singer Tony Engel will again join forces with legendary guitar shredder David Demon Shankle for a second full length album of GraveReign. Including a surprise blast from Demon's Manowar past on the new record. I'll fill you in
Out of the home base of Tony D's, Elmwood Park's Racing The Sun first introduced their eclectic mix of 70s blues rock and 60s psychedelic acid rock at the Breaking The Silence Autism Benefit concert (Durty Nellies in Palatine). This weekend five years ago, they heated up the stage at Wire in Berwyn. We rock back to it.
Hell Yeah! it's another heavy hootenanny of original Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock, and power pop. Crank it up and remedy a boring  non fun filled life crisis by jamming to:
Redneck Remedy- When It Rains, It Pours (Live from Estival Festival, Bird Park, Kankakee-9/21/24)
Redneck Remedy-War Or Silence (Live from Estival Festival, Bird Park, Kankakee-9/21/24)
Ephinepic-Dead (live from Estival Festival, Bird Park, Kankakee-9/21/24)
Mothpoint-Blue Lights
Carrying Torches-All Or Nothing (includes excerpt of Computer (Live)
Shaper-Task Paralysis
BlockChain Coalition-Never Really Meant To Say Goodbye
Racing The Sun (interview from Wire In Berwyn-9/28/19 Local Loft Episode 112)
Racing The Sun-Silver Streak
Racing The Sun-Surprise

Local Loft Episode 346

"Don't let it end, baby we could have so much more." (Styx 1983)
 
All seasons have to change. But it's hard to change your frame of mind if you've been to one of many Summer 2024 shows with original Chicago Punk, Metal, Alternative Rock & Power Pop bands & artists. 
There have been so many. From Merchant Street Music Fest to Punk Rock Tacos. That multi band and multi genre showcase in Villa Park is truly one of a kind. I dropped in on the fifth outdoor PRT of Summer 2024 this past Saturday. Punk Rock wasn't only on the music menu. But it dominated. Nervous Tics, a four-man band from my home base of Stickney drowned out the excessive decibel level exceeding sound of passing freight trains with songs of happy moods and how everyday life routines (going to work) can cause major downer issues as one lives day to day. I talk with singer/guitarist Paul Van Cleef and the other three members after they rocked loud and seismic enough to scare nearby rash and itch inducing Cicada Mites away. Tractor Boy of the far Southwest suburbs came armed with highly political songs of government gold absconding conspiracies involving ants running amok in American soil.
Saving the best (and most surprising) comeback for last, Kankakee's Redneck Remedy will tear it up on the main stage of Kankakee Estival Festival for the first time in thirteen years. What can you expect, a pouring rain return to whiskey soaked good time. I'll get you pumped up for their return this Saturday in Bird Park.
Enuff Z'Nuff will have you flying high (even if your not named Michelle) when they touch down at W.C, Social Club on Thursday, September 26th. 
You won't get a crash course on how to mix genres (punk and progressive rock) from Supercollider, who blended the two strictly by accident eight years ago this week at Reggie's Music Joint. We rock back to it.
Fire up one last sizzling original Chicagoland rock Summer of 2024 soundtrack. Just hit the play arrow to point the way to:
Nervous Tics-Ultra Violent
Nervous Tics-Standard Issue Issues (live from Punk Rock Tacos 54 Cemitas Poblanas, Villa Parl-9/14/24)
Tractor Boy-Your Uncle Was Right
The Human Trials-Cross Upon Your Chest
Real Bad Real Fast-Don't Kill Yourself
The Selectones-Better Off Alone
Redneck Remedy-Bid You Farewell
The Rising Fall-Breaking The Chain
Enuff Z''Nuff-High
Supercolliders (interview from Reggie's Music Joint 9/10/16 Local Loft Episode 37)
Supercolliders-Ashes Of Lies
Supercolliders-Triple Crown

Local Loft Episode 345

The following program is brought to you....in Living Stereo!
It will be crisp, clear and three dimensional at times. In between occasional railroad crossing signal bells, the roar of commercial jet airliners, and the hiss of cicadas, you'll hear loud and clear another thunderous, loud distinctive Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop soundtrack. You know where the volume knob is and which direction to crank it. 
Their name is futuristic, but Chicago's Satellite Union conjures up memories of a totally old school era. Songs about preserving a mix tape of familiar favorites between a girlfriend you had a crush on and her current steady boyfriend, which is no longer you. The mixture of heartwarming beginnings & sad partings of ways are very prevalent in the lyrics of Far Cry From The Place We Met, their debut EP. I talk with singer and guitarist Dave Whalley before they unite a crowd ready to rock at The Outtaspace in Berwyn.
The most horrific day in American history 23 years ago this Wednesday is remembered by Kankakee's Redneck Remedy (who will surprisingly reunite for the first time in 13 years at Kankakee Estival Festival, Saturday, September 21st at Bird Park). It's a heart warming and heart-breaking story of destruction but hope and faith.
With his high pitched, fiery vocal delivery, Taran De Pablos can adapt to any singing style in any genre. Before he joined The Midnight Calls bringing a bluesier, but raspy vocal quality, he could've drew comparisons to Ronnie James Dio, as singer for Fierce Atmospheres. Taran shook the foundations of The Forge in Joliet with his new metal crooning personality. We rock back to it.
Live it, know it, learn it! Crank up this educational and musical original Chicagoland music playlist of:
Satellite Union-Mix Tape
Satellite Union-Dirt Road
Ephinepic-Stumble, Still Standing
Redneck Remedy-War Or Silence
Full Of Moxie-Take Me Home
Smear Campaign-I Thought This Was A Punk Band
Tractor Boy-Make America America Again
Vaudeviliens-Lights Out
The Midnight Calls-The Neon Song (Live from The Forge in Joliet-8/31/24)
Fierce Atmospheres (interview from The Forge in Joliet-9/8/19 Local Loft Episode 111)
Fierce Atmospheres-Forsaken
Fierece Atmospheres-Easy To Fall