Local Loft Episode 422

"Yes, no you can't, but you can if you know why"

But only a friend can know the you that is you"

"It's your life, so go your own way."  (Questions And Answers-Sham 69 Released as their seventh single-3/16/79 on Polydor Records U.K.)

It's your music, so you as an original Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock band or artist know which way, which direction you must take that music in to reach a maximum amount of listeners and fans. No one else can question if you're going the right way to reach and touch so many other people's lives.

Ten years ago, The Evictions set out on the right direction towards winning over an ever growing fan base. With a fast, heavily distorted fuzz guitar laced sound, the Chicago garage rock trio was discovered opening for Cheetah Chrome, guitarist for the legendary Cleveland punk band ,The Dead Boys. They also have co-headlined with Handsome Dick Manitoba, singer of The Dictators, who released their debut album The Dictators Go Girl Crazy in 1975. The Evictors played loud enough to crack the foundations of Cemitas Poblanas Mexican Restaurant in Villa Park, but not enough to get them thrown out for good, during the 75th Punk Rock Tacos, the first show of 2026. I talk with singer/guitarist Johnny Wator after a seismic set at PRT 75. Another chance to open for Manitoba at Liar's Club comes this Friday night, March 27th.

The attention span at Cemitas will not shift from the hard rock assault of Analog Digital Disorder come Friday, April 17th, while grange punk band Claw Toe goes battles the ever-changing Chicago Spring Weather for a Thursday night new single release show at Empty Bottle.

Veteran guitar shredder extraordinaire David Shankle teams up with power rock singer Tony Engel on the long awaited (five years in the making) second full length album from GraveReign, dropping as flowers Spring up. I've got the blooming scoop.

Pogo dancing till they dropped, a packed crowd was hanging around (not from the ceiling) for every last note of Cliffhanger. The four piece Chicago Punk Pop band kept their footing on the not so steep stage of Wire In Berwyn, seven years ago this week.

Crank up this original Chicagoland music soundtrack, and raise your spirits, not your rent, with the annoyed, pissed off landlord:

The Evictions-We Will

The Evictions-Easy On The Outside

AWEFUL-Time

Wolfram-Sin City

A.D.D.-Blame

GraveReign-Sanctuary

Claw Toe-Chicago Punk Rock Warrior

We The Cats-Kennedy

Tractor Boy-Carnage In Rantoul

Cliffhanger (interview from Wire In Berwyn-3/23/19 Local Loft Episode 98)

Cliffhanger-Barbed Wire Bat

Cliffhanger-Lost Cards