Local Loft Episode 367

"What the hell is wrong with me. I'm not who I want to be. I tried spot cream an' I tried it all. I'm crawling up the wall...What's My Name!!!" (The Clash-1977)

Sometimes , one note is all it takes to identify your favorite band or artist. Sometimes, you instantly recognize a face. On this edition of Local Loft, you'll just have to listen closely and carefully to recognize up and coming acts in the original Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop scene. 

It won't be easy to recognize a band with a backwards, unscrambled name. Luck of the Irish can help a lot. Yhprum (EE-frum) is a traditional Irish last name backwards. This Emo/Punk Pop band from Crystal Lake moves greatly forward in their eclectic mix of progressive rock and melodic punk pop. I talk with guitarist Rob Napz about the band's debut self-titled EP, which contains a Say No to Drugs anthem, whose lyrics hit close to home, where the substance abuse of   a fellow band member is concerned.

M & R Rush give equal opportunity to a band member's sibling, helping the veteran Roseland Chicago neighborhood group add a women's touch to its classic late 70s, early 80s brand of arena rock in a new reworking of one of their most romantic ballads.

Fist To The Sky unexpectedly (and without any heads up announcements) punch their way back onto local stages, including W.C. Social Club in West Chicago. While Chainwax talks about the cinematic guest appearance of a punchy Brad Pitt in their new recent music video, grunting clean metal singer Rob Peto exploded onto The Kat 105.5 airwaves with his first band Dark Entropy, thirteen years ago this week. We rock back to it.   

Slip into this heavy accumulation of original Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop by gripping your subconscious around the sonically detailed soundtrack of:

Yhprum-Drugs

Yhprum-Cliche's

Shoes-Now And Then (B-side of original Elektra U.S. vinyl 45 of Too Late-released 2-3-80)

Hyperbubble-Will You Spin for Me? (featuring Jeff Murphy of Shoes on backing vocals)

Material Issue-Chance Of A Lifetime

Chainwax-Proven Devotion

Fist To The Sky-Untitled

M & R Rush-Loved By You (new 2025 digital single, featuring Kristen McFarlane)

Dave Bellah-Pictures Of The Past

Dark Entropy (interview in The Kat 105.5 studio-2/13/12)

Dark Entropy-Fear

Dark Entropy-Enlisted In Suicide

Dark Entropy-Sins Of Our Fathers