Local Loft

Local Loft Episode 244

Summer's heat will soon chill out. The Chicago area's original local music scene will always heat up with a lot of activity any time of year. Fire up your device of choice as we burn though another hour and fifteen minutes of punk, metal, and alternative rock. 
 Southwest Suburban hardcore metal four piece band Oblivion Zero will not tread the same musical waters of their debut full length album, Revenant, as they ship off to Rockford, and Braidwood next month. The surprise of their follow up release has been kept under cover (hint, hint) until now. I talk with singer Kyle Ripley about the new release and shows to promote it at Top Fuel Saloon in Braidwood.
Chicago Punk trio Vortis are their own best or worst critics. They have a famous music critic in their lineup. Sun Times writer (and Sound Opinions co-host) Jim Derogatis is drummer. I talk with singer (and band's namesake) Vortis Tonee about their upcoming gig, October 7th with a surprising reunion of 13-Monsters at Liar's Club.
With no sign of new life, and zero soul given, Chicago hardcore rockers Whut? celebrate the release of their new full-length album with a 20th anniversary show at Livewire Lounge next Saturday the 24th. I'll give you the scoop on it.
This ain't your daddy's moony dark side Floydian space rock. Supercollider crashed a Reggie's Music Joint party night with a futuristic jazzy blend of Prog. We rock back to my one and only time of introducing them to Local Loft audiences, six years ago this week.
In addition to all this, you're burning on through last blast of summer 2022 moshing adrenaline as you air headbang to:
Oblivion Zero-Drown
Oblivion Zero-Stranger Shores
Three Left-Bleeding Out
Real Friends-Always Lose
Naked Raygun-Peacemaker
Vortis-Covid Blues
Vortis-This Ain't Gonna End Well
The Mons-Human Plague
Confusion-Kool Aids Man
Whut?-Hippie Holocaust (Live in Lowell, Massachusetts 4/9/09)
Supercolliders (Interview from Reggie's Music Joint-9/10/16 Local Loft Episode 37)
Supercolliders-Ashes Of Lies
Supercolliders-Triple Crown

Local Loft Episode 243

To boldly go where no genre has gone before.  At least on this extensive podcast. We've never presented Ska Punk Pop. It's a fast, aggressive blast of horns and loud wailing guitars, courtesy of Bumsy and the Moochers. This bouncy, wacky but totally fun five-piece northside Chicago band will rock the return of Punk The Burbs, back for the first time in two years after Covid pandemic shutdowns, at Basecamp Pub and Eatery in Lisle. I talk with Bumsy singer Caitlin Edwards about the upcoming gig, and about what makes this hirn and guitar combination rock.
On that same Punk The Burbs bill is Chicago's Much The Same. They first got discovered opening for Rise Against in 2003. Since 1999, this four-man punk pop band has kept it fast, furious and slightly melodic. I talk to bassist Frank Tsoukalas about a Lost influence of one of their songs from their latest third album, Everything Is Fine that will have you dreading the sight of a hairless man.
So many alternatives to Riot Fest. From Kankakee's Estival Festival to Punk The Burbs. We give you the lowdown on escaping the scary surroundings of Chicago's ultimate last bash of Summer.
Tony Raygor out shredded the big national one two hard rock punch of Five Finger Death Punch and Rob Zombie, nine years ago this week at Mayhem Fest in Tinley Park. He then wailed his way to The Kat 105.5 studio to spoil the surprise of his annual birthday bash at the former Bada Brew in Crest Hill. We rock back to the pre party festivities.
Along with this, you're rocking up a riot, while staying totally sane, and pogoing your brain tissue into a state of tear, as your rip through the original Chicago area and Illinois metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop sounds of.
Bumsy and the Moochers-The Rat
Bumsy and the Moochers- Rewind 99
The Bollweevils-Chronic
Shaper-Robot, Pirate, Ninja
Carrying Torches-Wishing Well
City Ca$h- Been Gone
Ephinepic-Left Behind
Lucky Boys Confusion-Atari
Much The Same-Man Of Science, Man Of Faith
Much The Same-Quitters Never Win
Tony Raygor (interview in The Kat 105.5 studio-9/12/13)
Deadman's Hand-Evil Underground
False Rhetoric-Chill
Khaos Ordinance-Impulse
 
 
 

Local Loft Episode 242

Working up another heavily labored carefully selected set of original Chicago area and Illinois metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop. It's not a job, it's a musical journey.
First stop will be the thunderous rock ruckus beneath the Lake Street CTA Green line stop. Bottom Lounge re opens its doors post COVID for Consume The Divide's first show there in two years. Opening is The Righteous And Few. This six-man Alternative Metal Punk band hailing from the Southwest Burbs has been taught well, by an acclaimed music teacher how to grunt, scream and harmonize effectively. I find out from R & F drummer Mike Llalas how they were educated to rock Moshing and slam dance crowds into a frenzy.
John David Daily once fronted the heaviest band in Kankakee, Redneck Remedy. He presents a more raunchy and rustic side of his musical personality as a solo country singer. A bit of RR's metal swagger remains in his new music, as he gets ready to play in a reunited lineup, while continuing to pursue his solo career, at a late September cancer  benefit show in  Beaverville, Soth of his native Kankakee.  I have a Southern Fried new Metal boogie groove from Big John.
Before he growled her way onto Chicago area stages fronting Hot Dang, Holly Smith grunted to Swedish Fish loving crowds as singer of In 2 The Inferno. Five years ago this month, she and the other original members burned their way through a surprise reunion show set at Cullin's Pub in Oak Lawn.  I was there to witness the sweet as candy re gathering. We rock back to it.
Along with these, you'll be working up a head blood rushed mosh shaken sweat, as you exercise your swaying hands to the seismic rhythms of:
The Righteous And Few-What You're After
The Righteous And Few-Scars
Consume The Divide- Starting Goodbye
Atlanta Is Burning-Lingchi
Wings Of Severance-Round The Roses
John David Daily-A Bible, Bottle, And A Gun
Redneck Remedy-War Or Silence
Brian Durbin-Revenge Is A Long Game
Loveblast-Hard Liquor In Big Glasses
In 2 The Inferno (interview from Cullin's Pub, Oak Lawn-9/24/17)
In 2 The Inferno- To The City
In 2 The Inferno-Rescue (live)
 

Local Loft Episode 241

Summertime came and it's almost gone. One more last time to heat up your device of choice with the original Chicago area and Illinois metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop that blazes a big, long adventurous trail for so many to follow and learn how to capture an audience. 
Chicago post grunge trio Mine Collapse mixes a heavy and melodic hard rock sound with the high-pitched screaming vocal of singer Aaron Roemig. He joins me to talk about the progressive intensity behind their just released debut full length album Delusions.
It will soon be their time to roar, again! 13-Monsters will make an October return, after almost five years, to Liar's Club. I have all the details.
Their blues based ragged hard rock was as earthquake shaking as the roar of the Harleys, they and their ginormous biker fan base revved up. As one of The Boyzz (From Illinois) Michael Tafoya made the soundtrack to a hard partying, workin' hard lifestyle. i talked with Tafoya in The Kat 105.5 studios twelve year ago this week. We rock back to it with tailpipes scorching ass.
Along with all this, you're giving August a fist pumping, woofer explosive kick to the curb as you pump up the volume to:
Mine Collapse-Delusions
Mine Collapse-Death Spirals
Crusadist-Pulverized By Warhammers
Vortis-This Ain't Gonna End Well
13-Monsters-Overlook
Blackfinger (featuring Eric Wagner)-When Colors Fade Away
Fire, Fire, Fire-Jelly Bean
First Step To Glory-Entities
Beheading The Icon-Nibiru
Michael Tafoya (interview in The Kat 105.5 studio-8/19/10)
Tafoya's Lost Boyzz- Over Now
Tafoya's Lost Boyzz-Long Time Ago
Tafoya's Lost Boyzz-Life
 
 

Local Loft Episode 240

Smash up your seat, and rock to this mostly brand-new beat. This here original Chicago area and Illinois metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop will cause a sensation. It will someday be revolutionary.  For now it will get your head revolving around your as your feat spin round the dance floor or mosh pit.
With a boozy blend of 70s style stadium rock and rebellious punk, Dust Biters from Chicago's North Side rock it down and dirty with lyrics of unholy relationships with hellish consequences, on their debut full length album, Guilt. They join me to talk about it's hard rocking music and hard hitting  impactful lyrics as they get ready to rock live stream at The Bunker September 1st.
Master Demon shredder David Shankle gives up another single of ear slashing string bends and wah wah notes. You'll find it impossible to not surrender to the new Wings Of Destiny track featuring the veteran guitarist.
Hopstring Fest was one of many alternatives to the biggest Summer music extravaganza. It was one big craft beer swilling down home gathering last held six years ago this week. Righteous Hillbillies had em' kickin their heels to a wild mixture of 70s Southern Rock and old school blues. I talked with this ferocious Joliet foursome as they rocked on their own home stomping grounds in a rock back.
Along with all this, you're saddling up for another boot scoot through a corral full of bucking original rock, with the ass swaying sounds of:
Dust Biters-This Was A Love Song
Dust Biters-Progeny
Lights Over Bridgeport- Morning Over Chicago
Sink-Bullet
My Sedatious Sister-Egyptian Dream
Mine Collapse-Delusions
Wings Of Destiny-Never Surrender
Late Night Hooligan Riff Raff-Wrinkles
Broken-Devil's Ride
Righteous Hillbillies (interview from Hopstring Fest Silver Cross Field, Joliet-8/20/16 Local Loft Episode 33)
Righteous Hillbillies-Call Me A Doctor
Righteous Hillbillies-Throwing Stones

Local Loft Episode 239

State of the art. Not the audio quality or technology used to produce this podcast. The talent and musical creativity used in making the music that makes up this episode. It's precision high quality all the way. The effort is first rate all the way, and if you're a die-hard metalhead, you'll rate this very high.
Eric Wagner was at the top of his game. A lot of emotion, passion and vocal range made him one of the greatest but underrated singers of the entire metal genre. More than a handful of bands are coming together on Saturday, August 27th to honor his contributions to the Chicago area local metal scene. InnerSiege from Peoria is one. Singer Jeremy Ray exudes a highly emotional vocal delivery similar to Eric's. I talk with drummer Wade Helm about their upcoming gig at the special Brauerhouse Lombard tribute.
Stoner Metal music will be addictive at the high Summer Doom Metal Showcase. Eight of THE absolute best Chicago area bands will rock your ass off, including the Hyss, and Black Road. A devilishly good fiery new beer debut from a big morning radio DJ will get you and your back teeth pumped top rock out at Metal Monkey Brewing in Romeoville this Saturday. I'll fil, you in.
Mixing in elements of Hip Hop, Red Poet from Aurora was a progressive metal band with a modern-day urban twist. I caught up with them for the second time at the Voodoo Queen Management Summer Blast Bash, six years ago this week at the former Star Bar in Chicago Ridge. We rock back to it.
Along with all this. you're painting a cool mental picture of a headbanger's ball with your mind's brush as you stroke your body to the colorful original Chicagoland and Illinois metal, punk, alternative rock  and power pop soundtrack of:
InnerSiege-Power, Metal, Glory
InnerSiege-Echoes Into Eternity
Trouble-The Tempter
Legacy Black-Current State
Fierce Atmospheres-Easy To Fall
The Hyss-Disco Frankenstein
Faces Of The Bog-Weight
Dust Biters-Lushed Up
Cliff Johnson-Satisfaction Guaranteed ( D'Thumbs 1978 demo)
Red Poet (Interview from Star Bar, Chicago Ridge-8/12/16 Local Loft Episode 34)
Red Poet-Sideways
Red Poet -Coil
 

Local Loft Episode 238

In living digital stereo, even though every band Chicago area and Illinois metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop member or singer who rocks your foundations here isn't alive. It matters not how the music is delivered or broadcast, but how it becomes an essential part of your life. 
If you experienced the passionate, heartfelt singing of Eric Wagner, you have a story to tell about how his emotional high-pitched vocal moved you. A completely moving live tribute to the longtime front man of Trouble Saturday August 27th at Brauerhouse in Lombard. Veteran progressive metal band Sacred Dawn is one of over ten bands who will recreate the presence and legacy of Eric on stage through their own dark sci-fi original metal soundtrack. I talk with guitarist Lothar Keller and backing singer/ guitarist John Vitale.
Eric is no doubt rocking an ever-growing jam session in Rock N Roll Heaven, with longtime original Off Broadway singer Cliff Johnson. Only two weeks after the announcement of his passing, a lot of posthumous never before released material has come out. A rare mid 80s solo tune from Cliff will be spun on this edition.
David Bates eased up on his zombified persona of singer and front man of the ultra-provocative and graphically mortal Sinister Fate, to be play in the sleazy and bluesy Proudest Angel. They rocked the far west side Chicago venue Nite Cap, who would meet its demise two years after they rocked the roof off it in the second weekend of August 2016. We rock back to it.
In addition, you're kicking life's troubles in their atmospheric ass, by rocking the skin off your posterior. as you shake and pogo to:
Sacred Dawn-Contradiction
Sacred Dawn-Demon Lover
The Skull-From Myself Depart
Eric Wagner-Maybe Tomorrow
Trouble-Psalm 9
The Publik-Yesterday's Mess
Bind The Sacrifice-Obsidian Depths
Cliff Johnson- You've Gone Too Far To Turn Back Now 
Tafoya-Shadows
Proudest Angel (Interview from Nite Cap-8/12/16 Local Loft Episode 33)
Proudest Angel-Starlight
Proudest Angel-Canto Dolar

Local Loft Episode 237

They come alive, again! The original Chicagoland and Illinois punk, metal, alternative rock, progressive rock and power pop bands. Even in death for some of them, their music breathes new life and is resurrected for a newer younger living, breathing audience. We at Local Loft give an almost immortal life span to their music. It doesn't die once it drops off a national chart or radio station playlist rotation. 
Won't Stay Dead mixes gory, bloody and gothic images with a very upbeat sound. I talk to singers Violet Staley and Saffron about how Dark Gothic vampire and corpse images go very well with perfect, heavenly vocal harmonies, as they look forward to rocking a diverse Punk loving crowd to life, in late September at the return of Punk The Burbs in Lisle.
Another power pop and 60s garage rock pioneer has screamed his way to Rock and Roll Heaven last weekend. Jimmy Sohns rose to fame, reinterpreting the breakthrough debut of a young, raging Van Morrison, G-L-O-R-I-A. I have a recent 2006 comeback which proves Jimmy and Shadows Of Knight were not just a 60s breakthrough band.
Prison City Brigade quickly transitioned from ultra-fast Punk band to progressive, melodic hard rockers, a year after their 2017 debut EP War On Boredom was released. I first unleashed them on Local Loft listening audiences five years ago this week, when they rock The Forge in Joliet. We rock back to that.
In addition, you're not braving the cramped, jam-packed tight Lollapalooza mobs, by rocking out in your own isolated space to:
Won't Stay Dead-Someone Put A Cross On My Head (And It Burns)
Won't Stay Dead-Purify
Satanic Panic-The Ripper
Evil Empire-Ay Ay Ay Ay
Innersiege-Fury Of Ages
Shadows Of Knight-Something To Remember Me By
Off Broadway-Comin' Home
Tongan Death Grip-Who Killed This Business?
Four Horsemyn-The Cost Of War
Bumsy And The Moochers-Won't Give Up On Love
Counterpunch-Rewire
Prison City Brigade (Interview From The Forge, Joliet-8/4/17 Local Loft Episode 64)
Prison City Brigade-Give Em' Hell (Riot)
Prison City Brigade-Take Back Your Scene
 

Local Loft Episode 236

Looking back... all I ever wanted was to...rock you mister can't you see. Cliff Johnson certainly accomplished his mission. In a career spanning five decades and seven decades of life, he became a forgotten legend and a defined power pop in the greater Chicago area. He will not be forgotten on this two hundredth thirty sixth episode of the podcast which always extensively covers the original music scene where Cliff became a pioneer and groundbreaker.
Wrath should have been deemed pioneers of thrash metal. The veteran Chicago band began a year before the debut of two giants in the Metal realm, Metallica and Megadeth. I talk to drummer Jake Fromkin, and guitarist Rob Noon, as Wrath rocks onward for their 40th anniversary, opening for the Thrash Rush, Canada's Anvil, discovered by many with a documentary on VH-1 in 2007, this Sunday at Reggie's Rock Club,
Horror Punk isn't all bloody corpses and  Dracula impersonators. The ultra-political The Creepers are proof. They haunt Liar's Club for a Saturday night gig. I'll talk with drummer Pony Boy and bassist Snatch about their anti presidential, anti-optimistic lyrical outlook on life. 
Along with all this, you're staying in time with the up-to-date potpourri of Chicagoland and Illinois metal by rocking out to:
The Creepers-Nothing is Alright
The Creepers-Dead Party
Won't Stay Dead-Sink Your Teeth
Wrath-Mutants
Wrath-Draw Blood
Indign-Acheron Falls (River Of Woe)
Cliff Johnson-Ready To Roll
Off Broadway-Just In Time (Fallin' In-1997)
Cliff Johnson & The Raine (interview form Fitzgeralds in Berwyn-7/9/16 Local Loft Episode 30)
Off Broadway-1-2-3 (1986 demo produced by Rick Neilsen at Pierce Arrow Recording, Evanston)
Off Broadway-U.S. Girls (1980 original Quick Turns Atlantic Records Vinyl LP pressing)
D'Thumbs-Battle Of The Bands (1978 Demo)

Local Loft Episode 235

He once sang" Come on mister moon, don't bug out too soon". Rocking till he was 70 was a long time well spent for Cliff Johnson. It has been almost 24 hours since Cliff took the final Quick Turn to Rock N Roll Heaven. A complete salute is coming on Episode 236 next week.
Something is Waiting from the immediate North of downtown Chicago River North area is hoping and demanding hard rock metal bands who milk a classic rock cover style bug out permanently. They will open for the veteran masters of murder metal, Macabre, this Saturday at Brauerhouse in Lombard. Singer Eddie Gobbo joins me to preview the gig.
Joliet metal vocalist Nick DiNardo returns to churning out hard rockin' headbanging grooves as new vocalist for Rockford's Drama Queen and forgotten veteran guitar shredder Pat (Pasquale) Catalano makes a surprising return for the first time in over a decade with his new band Selfless. They move from co-headlining act to headliners this weekend in West Chicago. Puddle Of Mudd's loss is Selfless' gain. 
Mason Avenue loses nothing in hard rock energy as a mostly acoustic four-man band. They rocked The Kat 105.5 studio eleven years ago this month. We rock back to that jam session.
Along with these, you're Automatically rocking ON to a lightbulb bright future of original Chicago area and Illinois metal, punk, alternative, progressive, and power pop by hanging on for the love of grooving to:
Something Is Waiting-Your Vintage Nu Rock Band
Something Is Waiting-(We're In A) Tribute Band
Macabre-Now It's Time To Pay
Drama Queen-Welcome To The Party
Skull King-Never
Off Broadway-Fallin' In
D'Thumbs- Now You Got It Comin' (1978 pre Off Broadway demo)
Selfless-I.V.
Catalano-Running With The Wind
Mason Avenue (interview/acoustic jam in The Kat 105.5 studio-7/14/11)
Mason Avenue-Oh Israel (Acoustic live in The Kat 105.5 studio)
Mason Avenue- Jest Is Just (Chicago Bound) (Acoustic live in The Kat 105.5 studio)
Mason Avenue-Home Away From Home