Episodes
Episodes
Tuesday Apr 16, 2024
Local Loft Episode 324
Tuesday Apr 16, 2024
Tuesday Apr 16, 2024
Crunchy & Crackly
That's the only combo I can use to describe this 324th edition of the extensive podcast of original Chicagoland metal. punk, alternative rock and power pop. The focus is mostly on Punk Rock Tacos and Record Store Day. Both fall on the same day....4/20!
Safe to say this Saturday offers a nourishing good time in more ways than one. Just watch how much liquid alcohol beverage you consume. If you don't hurl from too many brews, you might just toss cookies over the mere name of Johnny Vomit. This four-piece Chicago hardcore punk band brings a ultra-fast, controversial blend of punk and thrash metal as headliners of Punk Rock Tacos 47, Saturday at Cemitas Poblanas in Villa Park. I talk with Johnny himself about the You Tube banning of their new video Tuna Taco (not yet on the PRT food menu) and songs against brain devouring zombies and intense hangovers.
There's a food related tribute to forgotten power pop icon Jim Ellison of Material Issue (on what would've been his 60th birthday this Thursday). Vaudevileins don't salute UFO in the title track to their just released sixth album. And a spin from a split 7-inch white vinyl EP you can't bite into.
The Kat 105.5 was starting to break up 10 years ago this month. I introduced a Chicago Ridge based melodic hard rock band, Our Broken View, who proved radio impact and reach of mainstream rock and metal wasn't limited to national acts from Shinedown to Pop Evil. Five years after they first tore up The Kat airwaves on our local music show Homegrown Tones, they reunited for a gig a TC's Too in their native Chicago Ridge, featured on the 100th episode of Local Loft. We rock back to it.
Rock your iron constitution with this delicious original Chicago area metal, punk, alternative rock & power pop bill of fare:
Johnny Vomit-Brain Raper
Johnny Vomit-Drunken Dreams
The Dennies-Ashes
Hostages 312-The Whole Year Inn
Battle Royale-(Featuring Claudia Guajardo of Shitizen) Swindle/Amido Black
Bishop's Daredevil Stunt Club-International Pop Overthrow
Material Issue-Kim The Waitress
Vaudevileins-Lights Out
Pezband-Baby It's Cold Outside (original 1977 Passport Records vinyl 45 pressing)
Mike Michilak Band- Wait For Me
Brickwall Vultures-One City One Pride (Sexy Baby Records 2013 7-inch strawberry vinyl EP)
Our Broken View (Bryan Watkins interview from TC's too in Chicago Ridge Local Loft Episode 100)
Our Broken View-The Great Escape
Our Broken View-Make Him Famous
Tuesday Apr 09, 2024
Local Loft Episode 323
Tuesday Apr 09, 2024
Tuesday Apr 09, 2024
"We're having a lovely time, wish you were here" (John Enthwistle-Postcard (The Who) 1974)
If you couldn't be there. This on the scene episode of Local Loft is a up close as you can get to feel the overloaded amps buzz and heat penetrate through your skin. I catch up with heavy Avant Garde alternative rock band 13 Monsters in a special V.I.P. benefit show at legendary record store Val's Halla in Oak Park. Co founders, singer Deb Sonzo and guitarist Jamie Riani rip though an over hour long set of reimagined old favorites and never before heard new material. Joining them, the only Chicago Punk band with its own rock critic, Vortis is one of a chosen few artists who Leo Graphics (which has Deb and Jaimie as head designers of album covers). Vortis is one of many bands. Both acts are joined by The Dennies, an up-and-coming progressive Punk band from the Chicago South Side. Being part of Leo Graphics 13 Monsters co- founders singer Deb Sonzo and guitarist Jaime Riani have designed the front cover art for many albums of Chicgao bands including Vortis, who join them as co headliners of this special night of live punk rock and album art.
Vaudevileins brighten up the Southwest Suburban rock scene with their new sixth album Lights Out. The dark lyrics for the new record focus on the isolation state experienced by many during the COVID 19 Pandemic of 2020. The album has just dropped, and the Joliet based band , led by guitarist and singer Jeff Julian, will showcase it during a release show at The Roxy in Lockport April 27th
Now that we have your undivided rocking attention. All ears were paying close attention to A.D.D. as the Lockport powerhouse melodic hard rock band slightly toned it down with an unplugged set in The Kat 105.5 studios 13 years ago this week. We rock back to it.
Crank it up, and fear the monstrous rocking roar of original Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop from:
!3-Monsters-Down (live at Val's Halla Oak Park 4/6/24)
Vortis-Bastard
The Dennies-Vein
Vaudevileins-Erase The Truth
Black Road-Bloody Mary
The Kind-Loved By You
Off Broadway-Full Moon Turn My Head Around ( 1980 Atlantic 45 RPM vinyl single mix)
A.D.D. (interview in The Kat 105.5 studio-4/7/11)
A.D.D.-Nothing Left
A.D.D.-Hear Me Now (live acoustic in the Kat 105.5 studio
A.D.D.-The Path
Monday Apr 01, 2024
Local Loft Episode 322
Monday Apr 01, 2024
Monday Apr 01, 2024
For the next hour, a boot scootin' rendition of Beyonce imitating Taylor imitating Dolly. And monkeys might fly out of my butt! Seriously, cassettes (like CDs and vinyl) are making a comeback.
Chicago Punk Trio Pure Intention chose the old school hardshell tape format, even over overrated streaming, to get their new EP, Faults And Fallacies out to the masses of fans. I talk with bassist Tim (The Braun) Chavez on why they went the thin tape spun around two hubs format, as they play an undisclosed Lombard venue on April 19th. Not entirely throwback, the tape features George W. Bush sound bites. Just like Ministry in 2005.
Sacred Dawn might be mistaken for 80s and 90s Judas Priest ( no foolin') as they open for Flotsam And Jetsum (who unleashed Jason Newstead on the world before he helped Metallica go commercial and Top 40). Both acts rock an April Fool's night show at Reggie's Rock Club.
It was no laughing matter when veteran Chicago rocker Kevin Lee tried his hand at the very genre Beyonce is now milking to the bank. When a Country Music career didn't pan out, Kevin stuck to a rock combo of big hooks and chunky guitars. He and his longtime band The Kings rocked Wire in Berwyn for the first time, seven years ago this week. We rock back to it.
Hey Chicago (and surrounding North, West, East, North and South Burbs) Whaddya Say. Ready for a winning combination of original Metal, Punk. Alternative Rock and Power Pop today ( or any day)! The staring lineup is:
Pure Intention-Fallacy
Pure Intention-Blind Eyes
Ministry-Ayran Embarrassment (Featuring Jello Biafra)
Sacred Dawn-The Lake Of The Dismal Swamp
Idol Throne-The Last Voyage
Convoy-A Time To Rise
Legions Of Raum-Thick Skin
Kevin Lee & The Kings (Interview From Wire In Berwyn Local Loft Episode 86 -4/3/17)
Kevin Lee & The Kings-Burn It Down
Kevin Lee & The Kings-Gold Digger
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
Local Loft Episode 321
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
Chicagoland area original metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop... the final frontier? Not totally. And since I'm not totally able to type out this LL 321 playlist on this cheap faulty laptop technology! My equipment is in major fail mode. So, hopefully, I can give you the Cliff's notes version of what you'll hear.
Space Age Zeros will launch themselves from their native Channahon (South Of Joliet) with a tasty menu of futuristic power pop (including songs about failed dates with down tom earth girls named Susie Moon), at Punk Rock Tacos 45, Friday, April 5th at The Cubby Bear, across the street from historic Wrigley Field. Bassist Jason Baygood joins me to get you psyched to pogo off the fatting meal of ground beef and soft corn tortillas.
Pete Berwick is not only a outlaw country, and cowpunk rebel singer, but an accomplished author. He just wrote a tell all biography on the forgotten late 70s Chicago biker rock band, The Boyzz (from Illinois). He tells a killer story in a not so deadly new acoustic single from his just released mostly unplugged album, Frustration Alley. I'll give it a spin.
Before the world was left physically, emotionally and financially hanging by a cliff, thanks to that unwanted killer virus COVID 19. Wire in Berwyn, which would succumb to COVID financial shutdown welcomed the Berwyn and Downers Grove punk pop band, Cliffhanger, who had a packed crowd hanging around tom form a giant mosh pit as they rocked on stage five years ago this week. We rock back to it.
Musical nourishment comes with a full menu of delicious Chicagoland original metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop from:
Space Age Zeros-On A Date With Susie Moon
Space Age Zeros-Ali With An Eye
Downhill Runner-Satellite
Pete Berwick-Pocketful Of Dust
Disinfo-Get Along
Eyeless-Everything I Need
Aweful-Bubble
Pure Intention-Suicide 35
Emperors And Elephants-Man Of God
Cliffhanger (Interview from Wire In Berwyn 3/29/19 Local Loft Episode 98)
Cliffhanger-Barbed Wire Bat
Cliffhanger-Lost Cards
Tuesday Mar 19, 2024
Local Loft Episode 320
Tuesday Mar 19, 2024
Tuesday Mar 19, 2024
"The problem's plain to see...too much technology." (Styx-1983)
Not always great, and not always reliable (people are calling you out Ventra apps!) It will fail you. Laptops with constant low disk space where constant cleanup don't help. But thanks to plenty of backup equipment, This episode rocks on the cyberwaves. And with a reunion you didn't see or hear coming.
Kriz Radowski has spent the last year screaming and grunting as singer of Let Them Fight, but he got his start in Chainwax,. In both bands he's learned to take back his life, from parents, significant others who have tried to control him. Kriz started Chainwax in 2003 and now surprisingly resurrects them, Thursday night with their first gig in over a decade, at Rockhaus in West Dundee. I talk with him about what led to the reformation and their new full length studio album Chainwax Legacy.
Chicago hardcore rockers Whut will supply a lot crunch and punch as they rock Punk Rock Tacos 46 in April. All the delicious details are within this episode.
Steve Eldridge has worked production magic in giving a contemporary pop edge to the three hard rock bands he has been in, Delightful Downfall, Sky Machine and Qualia. He now has written what is sure to be a top 40 smash with the tween wave meets punk pop combination of Cupid Me. With singer Mitch Rehner, the debut single is sure to make waves on the pop music scene.
Bleed For The Fallen would be rthe last Chicagoland area band to seep through the airwaves of The Kat 105.5 before the hard rock powerhouse station would fall off the terrestrial radio waves for good. They first oozed through the airwves with the Kankakee metal duo's first trip to our studios 12 years ago this week. We rock back to it again.
Flush the non Chain wax from both earlobes and feel the inner ear hairs vibrate to the original Chicago are metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop soundtrack of.
Chainwax-Bound
Chainwax-Voices
Let Them Fight-Stuck
This Obsession-Cannibalism
Space Age Zeros-Wishing Well
Off Broadway-Tonight
Naked Raygun-Suspect Device
Whut-Punk Is Dead
Cupid Me-End Of An Era
Bleed For The Fallen (interview in The Kat 105.5 studio-3/8/12)
Bleed For The Fallen-Pirate Ships And Sailboats
Bleed For The Fallen-Piece By Piece
Bleed For The Fallen-NBC
Monday Mar 11, 2024
Local Loft Episode 319
Monday Mar 11, 2024
Monday Mar 11, 2024
Happy Anniversary?
Yup, nine and rockin' fine (in fact, spectacular)
On March 11th, 2015 I started a continuation of the radio program that gave me the freedom and creativity to showcase the ever-expanding Chicagoland original music scene. There were no more limitations in the podcasting medium. In year number 9, The music smorgasbord continues to grow. You can't expect the same old repetitive song selection. This ain't no limited corporate radio playlist with no regard for the listener and music fan!
From Punk to Hardcore Metal, Alternative & Revival Grunge. We may not play anything but come damn close.
In another diverse landscape of original Chicago area metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop, which goes well with the unlikely combo of pickles & taco ground beef, Flaccid Pickle are served up. This 4-man punk band from the northern Rockford suburb of Freeport offers up a not so rebellious and anarchy driven punk rock, with nostalgic flashbacks of a legendary Chicago's very own clown, and not so one-sided parental advice. Singer/songwriter Mike Marten and guitarist Kirk join me with a chance for them to et your punk rock appetite when they play Punk Rock Tacos 44, this Friday in Villa Park.
Every day, including this Thursday will be Halloween, as veteran Chicago industrial metal giants Ministry play the Aragon Ballroom with veteran synth pop legend Gary Numan. I've got the first single, which doesn't paint a colorful picture of life, from the just released 16th album HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES.
Ministry became a hardcore metal force in the decade of Grunge. Lever, resurrected and updated the Grunge sound of Soundgarden, Nirvana and many others, creating a new direction for a new millennium. Five years ago tonight, I talked with the Crystal Lake based band as they rocked the roof off Brauerhouse In Lombard. We rock back to it.
Celebrate a new fresh set of original Chicagoland punk, metal and alternative rock tuneage, as you rock forward into another sleepless daylight savings time frame with:
Flaccid Pickle-Parents Aren't That Full Of Shit
Flaccid Pickle-My Mom Was On Bozo
Mustard Men-Children Of The Corn
Carrying Torches-Conversations
Dream Alazia-Wither (Memories)
Ministry-Goddamn White Trash
Pound Of Flesh-Pill
Stone Clover-Binge And Purge
Southpaw- False Pretenses
Lever (interview from Brauerhouse in Lombard 3/11/19 Local Loft Episode 97)
Lever-Brainwashed
Lever-Save The Best For Last
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
Local Loft Episode 318
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
Well, look what I've saved for a psychopathic plunge of weather day and night.
Bringing the rock thunder and lightning. Generating a significant robust accumulation of original Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop.
Loud and high energy enough to scare away a tornadic onslaught of funnel clouds from Mother Nature's psychosis, Shitizen brings a fast and furious barrage of hardcore punk to The Outtaspace In Berwyn. I talk with singer Claudia Guajardo, and guitarist Jerm, Bassist ET and Drummer Josh, as they headline a triple threat of Chicago area Punk that also includes a technological threat to an uninvited killer virus from Kenosha, Wisconsin's Anti Anything, and a non-hemorrhaging life changing talked up by Brainbleed.
Frankfort's Bishop's Daredevil Stunt Club takes no prisoners in headlining the annual International Pop Overthrow a second time in April. I've got a preview.
13 years ago, John David Daily was rocking hard and loud enough to make cows headbang, as singer and founder of the heaviest band in Kankakee, Redneck Remedy. Nowadays, John can get folks two steppin' and moshing equally as a solo Country Blues Rock singer. And he'll pick up a bigger fan base, as local headliner for a June Country music fest in the Kankakee town of Bradley. I've got the scoop, plus a Southern Rock change of music direction for John.
Two years before Wire in Berwyn could no longer win the financial fight against the COVID Pandemic, Fist To the Sky supplied the hard rock punch that kept many in the crowd from putting up their dukes to trade knuckles on black and blue skin. We rock back to the Chicago power metal band's last live gig, six years ago this week.
Face will melt, faster a one day only rapid freeze up ice covered pavement, when you generate the heat of the sonic power of original Chicago area metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop, by pumping up the volume to:
Shitizen-Piss Bomb
Shitizen-Make It Smell (from the split 7' vinyl EP Hold the Ketchup)
Anti Everything-Nuke The Virus
BlockChain Coalition-Hold On
Bullet To The Heart-Death By The Sea
Bishop's Daredevil Stunt Club-Remind Me Of Summer
Surf Candy-Jailhouse Hoedown
John David Daily-The Games You Play
Redneck Remedy-Dead And Still Boozin'
Pale Horseman-Grigori
Infamous Martyrs-Something's Wrong
Fist To The Sky (Interview From Wire In Berwyn Local Loft Episode 75 2/24/18)
Fist To The Sky-Count Your Blessings
Fist To The Sky-Another Lesson Learned
Monday Feb 19, 2024
Local Loft Episode 317
Monday Feb 19, 2024
Monday Feb 19, 2024
" And I wanna move the town to the Clash City Rockers."(Joe Strummer-1978)
Any city around the world will definitely be moved to mosh and headbang supreme by discovering the rich original talent in the city of Chicago and surrounding suburbs in the metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop scene. Just hit play here and motivate yourself to dig the thunderous rhythms being laid down.
Doom Metal really began as Black Sabbath released their self-titled debut album on February 13th, 1970. Unto The Earth (from Naperville and Aurora) like Sabbath combines extensive instrumental intros and jams with morbid lyrics of horse-riding witches who burn victims at the stake and judgement day. Singer and bassist Simeon Papacostas and guitarist Michael Yoseida join me, as they co headline with Black Road and Pale Horseman, March 2nd at Soundgrowler Brewing in Tinley Park.
Former Boyzz (from Illinois) Micheal Tafoya invites you to boogie 70s biker band style with a side of beef at the former Brauerhouse in Lombard, as he becomes the first act of original Chicagoland music to play at the newly named venue.
A name change (and several calendar and clock changes) let Joliet Hardcore metal band Orinoco do a radical change from their progressive science fiction past as Axis Of Time. The Kat 1055 air studio is where the transformation took place 12 years ago this week. We rock back to it.
Get cyberspace in a severe state of mosh insanity, by cranking up the original Chicagoland tones of:
Unto The Earth-It Is A Good Day To Die
Unto The Earth-Demons Of Destruction
Black Road-End Of Man
x.Oracles.X-Underground
Shitizen-Toxic Vibe
Tafoya-Boogie With Me
Alborn-Learn To Live
Wicked Deception-Dogs Of War
Goatbelly-Black Ship
Orinoco (interview in The Kat 105.5 studio-2/23/12)
Orinoco-The Antagonist
Orinoco-Seize The Day
Axis Of Time- The Walking Dead
Monday Feb 12, 2024
Local Loft Episode 316
Monday Feb 12, 2024
Monday Feb 12, 2024
All Super Bowled out?
Make a Swift swipe or click of your device of choice, and treat yourself to an all around, all time frame, not just halftime, music extravaganza. It's a winning combination of original Chicago area metal, alternative rock, punk & power pop you can listen to during any period of overtime or downtime.
Joliet based Goth Industrial Rock band Programmable Animal made themselves known by a in studio visit to The Kat 105.5 in Spring 2014. They rock heavier and less electronic with their full-length album One Step To Hell, Singer and frontman Anthony Drepsea joins me as they open for national sci fi industrial national powerhouse act Powerman 5000, March 9th at The Forge In Joliet.
The news keeps getting bigger for BlockChain Coalition, as they live out a younger man's dream of drummer Ron Thomas, in opening for forgotten early 90s Hair Band Mr. Big at Des Plaines Theatre this Friday, February 16th. I've got the exclusive.
Chicago's Blues music scene comes together to pay tribute to Ken Zimmerman, who gave legends and up and comers of the genre a place to jam in the Western Chicago suburb of Berwyn at his Harlem Avenue Lounge. A tribute concert is planned for Monday, February 12th at Fitzgeralds in Berwyn. I'll have the scoop on it.
Nowadays he recreates the big hits of the Big 80s as guitarist of M 80s. Five years ago this week, New Lenox based singer and guitarist Dave Bellah laid a set of fresh original fiery tunes from his debut solo CD, Think Outside The Burning Box, on a big crowd at Brauerhouse in Lombard. We rock back to it.
Kick up a rocking great party time, without a football or Lombardi Trophy. The original Chicagoland music stage is set for you:
Programmable Animal-Pills
Programmable Animal-One Step To Hell
Ministry-Thieves
BlockChain Coalition-Walked This Road
In Europe Without A Jacket-Pure Velocity
Heartsfield-One Word
Material Issue-International Pop Overthrow
Kharma-Paper Gangster
Party Rice-Better Off Dead
The Steepwater Band-All The Way To Nowhere
Dreadwolf-Kneel
Dave Bellah (Interview from Brauerhouse In Lombard (2/13/19 Local Loft Episode 95)
Dave Bellah-Pictures Of The Past
Dave Bellah-Say What You Gotta Say
Monday Feb 05, 2024
Local Loft Episode 315
Monday Feb 05, 2024
Monday Feb 05, 2024
"Say we can, say we will." (Echo & The Bunnymen-1983)
Bands & artists in the original Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock & power pop scene, YES, YOU CAN be discovered around the world. The cyberwaves are free and many have the freedom to rock out to your music with every new episode.
For 42 editions, Punk Rock Tacos has triggered a musical hunger that needs to be nourished. Berwyn Punk band Acton's Dictum expanded on their experience of playing the food and music extravaganza by becoming the first Chicago area act to sign with the new record label that bears the name of the fest. Absolute Corruption is actually their second full length album. With lyrics about the joys and cons of drinking too many Dollar Beers and giving a middle finger to a stressful workday. as well as violent Covid Pandemic protest marches, they have a lot to vent. Singer Cactus Matt joins me as they rock Reggie's Rock Club Friday February 16th.
Female fronted Chicago punk pop band Sex Dream gets their chance to take a bite out the opportunity to rock Punk Rock Tacos 42, this Friday at Cemitas Poblanas in Villa Park. And they just might kill off thigs that bite necks and suck blood, if they live out the story of their new music video for the single Spike (in classic Buffy The Vampire Slayer fashion).
It's been almost seven years since we last heard new music form Joliet's Vaudevilens. The alternative power pop band, led by Jeff Julian will enlighten the Local Loft cyberwaves with the new advance single from their sixth upcoming album Lights Out, due out April 8th.
An award-winning performance (not Grammy) came from a shred master, Tony Raygor, whose Joliet old school thrash metal band Deadman's Hand rocked with a new singer, Laurence Dutch DeVris at Bada Brew in Crest Hill's local music showcase, seven years ago this week. We rock back to it.
Crank it up....and feel the crunch! As you munch on your snack of choice, your appetite for original Chicago area metal, punk & alternative rock will be fully nourished by:
Acton's Dictum-Dollar Beers
Acton's Dictum-May 26th
Sex Dream-Spike
Aweful-Life You Knew
Vaudevileins-Erase The Truth
Poundcake-The Botanist
Blockchain Coalition-All That I've Known
DSG/David Shankle Group-Asylum God
Full Of Moxie-Take Me Home
Dead And Buried-Perpetual Suffering
Deadman's Hand (Interview from Bada Brew in Crest Hill-2/4/17 Local Loft Episode 49)
Deadman's Hand-Deep
Deadman's Hand-Call Me A Saint
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