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