Local Loft Episode 181

Once a nightmare, now it's a sweet dream reality come true. More and more Chicagoland and Illinois bands are getting out to venues and safely playing for medium to large crowds again. So gather around your device of choice and make the choice. There are plenty metal, punk, alternative, progressive and power pop groups and solo artists to rock anyone.

If it's intense hardcore metal that grooves you, Sleeptight will keep you wide awake with their in your melting face sludge thrash. The five man Portage, Indiana band plays on July 17th, along with Joliet's Orinoco at The Forge. I talk with bassist Sean McMullen, and we spin two brain crushing tracks from their debut EP, Paralysis.

Rockford continues to rock in more ways, styles and bands than just one. Let Fate Decide looks to have a far from fateful future because of the powerful intimate vocal style of singer Tasha Duncan. You can see and hear them just north of the Rockford city limits in Janesville, Wisconsin this weekend.

Anytime is a F-U-N time when power pop singing legend Cliff Johnson is on stage. The iconic Off Broadway founder took on more step toward a surprising reunion of his classic band, five years ago this week at Fitzgeralds in Berwyn. That moment turned fans heads around way more than Mr. Moon. We rock back to join Cliff and his new band The Raine, who kept the Off Broadway memories coming. Get well, Cliff! 

Along with these, you're automatically doing a quick turn toward the mosh pit while your rock to:

SleepTight-In The Flesh

SleepTight-Conspiracy

Orinoco-Waste

Let Fate Decide-Opportunity Is Dead

Monroe-Hate The Way

Deadman's Hand-Unlucky Seven

Convoy-Rectify

Cliff Johnson (Interview with The Raine from Fitzgeralds in Berwyn-7/9/16) (Local Loft Episode 30)

Cliff Johnson-!,2,3 (1986 Produced by Rick Neilsen of Cheap Trick in Evanston)

Off Broadway-U.S. Girls (from original Atlantic 1980 LP pressing of Quick Turns)

D'Thumbs-Battle of the Bands (1978 demo)