Local Loft

Local loft Episode 270

Music & food. They go together like love & marriage. You must nourish yourself before you rock out vigorously. You can whenever Punk Rock Tacos rolls around. The 25th edition features the sonic punch of four soon to be discovered bands, who like a menu at any ethnic restaurant, is a mixed bag. 
North side Chicago's Cuddle Riot isn't completely Punk. They've been influenced by 90s grunge (Nirvana) 80s alternative (Violent Femmes). It's a smorgasbord of music styles that will leave you hungry for more, as they and three others headline Punk Rock Tacos 25. Saturday, April 15th at Exit Saloon in Southwest Suburban  Summit. Singer Arturo Mar joins me to preview the combination of punchy guitar riffs & crunchy hard-shell tortillas & ground beef. This Tax Day gig is a step toward an entry into the massive grand reopening of Chicago's legendary North side Punk bar, Exit, May 5th through the 7th, where they will be one of 46 bands welcoming back the famous establishment on North Avenue.
With April not only comes showers to bring May flowers, but a familiar smell in the air. Original Chicago area hardcore & progressive metal, not just marijuana, will permeate the air at Purgatory Chapter II at Underground Lounge, five minutes from the post opening day extended hangover at Wrigley Field. I'll have the look ahead including old school Chicago progressive metal act Indign.
Any band with Faith in their name is more than likely linked to a Rock & Religion connection. Faith In The Fallen's founder singer Guy Schingoethe was once a preacher. like Al Green. A music career took priority over a spiritual future. Their future was indeed bright when I first interviewed them at Star Bar in Chicago Ridge seven years ago this week. We rock back to that.
Along with these,one last hour plus long blast of original Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock & power pop will sooth the savage non basketball madness of your brain tissue as you slam dance (not slam dunk) along to:
Cuddle Riot-The Storm
Cuddle Riot-Rah Rah Rah
The Turdles- Burnin' Alive
Marks of Gray-Just Stay
Convoy-Outta Time
Flatfoot 56-Ty Cobb
Block Chain Coalition-All That I've Known
Supermint-Perfect Or Red
Enuff Z'nuff-There Goes My Heart
Indign-A Warrior's Call
Eve Black-Proper Burial
Faith In The Fallen (interview from Star Bar Chicago Ridge 3/29/16 Local Loft Episode 21)
Faith In The Fallen-Creature Of Habit
Faith In The Fallen- 9 to 5

Local Loft Episode 269

"Season Cycle moving round and round".
 
 
Here we go again. Just like a washing machine on rinse and repeat mode. One season slowly gets the hell out ( AMF Old Man Winter!) , another returns and repeats. The seasonal selection of original Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop rocks going forward, with a very slight tendency of repetition. As The Fall once sang," repetition in the music, and we're never gonna lose it", but we'll certainly lose the tendency to be repetitive on a daily basis.
Wizzo didn't repeat an intense tendency to hit you in the gut with a very explosive modern driving metal rhythm and grooves on the Chicago four-man band's second full length album, Most Severe Crisis.  As they co headline an April 6th Thursday night gig at Reggie's Rock Club with East coast psychedelic stoner rock band Weedeater. singer, guitarist Quentin Poynter joins me to talk about how Wizzo's hallucinogenic music can captivate those with a narcotic, or clear frame of mind.
Post Covid Financial help, like top notch medical assistance, still comes in to Chicago area live music venues that desperately need it. More will be generated during the Reclaim the Stage festival, this coming Saturday the 25th at Reggie's Rock Club and Music Joint. Chi Town Punk bands Boybrain and Shitizen are among the fifteen groups rocking live to keep the front desk's cashflow to keep coming into prevent another Covid lockdown. I've got the look and listen ahead.
Without the distinctive erotic sexual images, Libertyville based Emperors & Elephants added a tough hard rock punch & sound to Chris Isaac's big 1989 hit Wicked Game in a remake on their 2013  debut album, Devil In The Lake. Drummer Jason Meudt joined me in The Kat 105.5 studio nine years ago this week. we rock back to it.
In addition, you've got Spring in your mosh and pogo steps, as you hit the rock rafter's celling to the original Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop soundtrack of:
Wizzo-Electric Lettuce
Wizzo-Psycho Demon (advance new single released May 2023)
The Skull- Trapped Inside My Mind
Convoy-Almost Lost My Mind
Dystology-Faded Dreams
Boybrain-Owl
A.D.D.-I Regret
Emperors & Elephants (Jason Meudt interview in The Kat 105.5 studio-3/20/14)
Emperors & Elephants-Dead Sleep
Emperors & Elephants-Who You Are
 

Local Loft Episode 268

Happy Anniversary...to you. It's been eight  years since I launched this independent podcast with the goal of extensively covering a Chicagoland original local music scene that's never short of creative talent. Encompassing many different genres, we have covered a lot of ground. without active participation in getting out to live shows, this would be nothing more than a internet jukebox of personal favorites. It is because of the band and artists in Metal, Punk, Alternative Rock & Power Pop & their creative hard work that Local Loft rocks on.
For nineteen years, HEMI from the far South Side of Chicago has rocked out to the masses an old school meets modern day aggressively hard rock style with a distinctive angry but upbeat vocal style. Longtime singer/bassist/front man Trent Zuberi is very versatile & can sing a number of styles from rap to hardcore metal. He joins me as HEMI headlines a post St. Patrick's weekend gig at Livewire Lounge, Friday, March 24th.
The long awaited (seven years to be exact) fourth album by Westmont swamp rockers Convoy is about ready for the release show treatment. Some Gave All For Rock N Roll ends on an F note. If you're easily offended, then don't truck on down to Rockstars Garage in Plainfield Saturday March 18th. I've got a foul mouth preview sure to acquire parental guidance.
As we fight our way through another brutal work week, you'll be skipping like a leprechaun to Friday. No luck of the Irish was needed for fans of the band formerly known as Punch Cabbie. They weren't rubbing a four-leaf clover either to punch their admission ticket to the Vans Warped Tour. They were halfway there, when I talked to them backstage before they rocked the Blarney Stone to its cracked foundation, seven years ago this week at Brauerhouse in Lombard. We rock back to it.
Along with these, you'll be playing your air shillelagh like a weapon of rock destruction as you jig slam dance to the lucky music charms of:
HEMI-Re/Vengeance
HEMI-Decay
Sinister Fate-Abandon Hope
Convoy-MFLR
Solar-Deep Within
Beheading The Icon-Los Moscas
Into The Silo-Vile Soul 
Flatfoot 56-Winter In Chicago
Southpaw-False Pretense
Punch Cabbie (interview from Brauerhouse in Lombard Local Loft Episode 20 3/14/16)
Punch Cabbie-Introspection
Punch Cabbie-Vitriol

Local Loft Episode 267

No matter the season, or time change, we always March forward, toward the newest and freshest original Chicago area Metal, Punk, Alternative Rock & Power Pop. But we have to sometimes rock back over music that has inspired recent bands to groove and draw new and old fans worldwide.
On Episode 267, we showcase Wunderlich, an Elgin melodic hard rock trio who won't just stick with one genre in winning over fans of different age groups. From 80s thrash Metal in the lightning-fast style of Metallica, to the radio friendly style of Soundgarden & Stone Temple Pilots, their music is catchy with a lot of vocal hooks and unforgettable guitar riffs. The three members have over three decades worth of on-stage experience, opening for the Dio fronted Black Sabbath and Skid Row longtime front man Sebastian Bach. Singer ( and band namesake) Jeff Wunderlich & drummer Dan Kellar join me as they get ready to rock Livewire Lounge in Jefferson Park Friday, March 24th.
Punk Rock Tacos 24 will fill your head full of Punk Rock & Ska, & your belly full of crunchy ground beef and cheese. The Friday March 10th show in Villa Park features the old school 80s organ driven Ska of The Crombies. I've got the musically nutritious details.
Veteran Chicago guitar wizard David Shankle launches his shredding excellence into the deep reaches of the stratosphere with a new single from his latest project, Wings Of Destiny, including a space age theatre of the mind music video. I'll give it a spin.
80s thrash metal was certainly in time ten years ago this week. Thrudge, a Joliet trio brough an abrasive current vocal touch to make it less old school. We rock back to when they moshed into the pit of The Kat 105.5 studio.
Along with that, you'll be getting plenty of spring in your headbanging, as you fist punch the hands of time forward by rocking out to:
Wunderlich-Shiver
Wunderlich-Reason
HEMI-Avalon
Wings Of Destiny - (featuring David Shankle) Give Me Light
Embryonic Autopsy (featuring Tim King of Soil)-Prophecies Of The Conjoined
The Crombies-Levi Stubbs Tears
Sex Dream-Madness Girlfriend
My Seditious Sister-I'm Flyin'
Bloody Mary-Go!
Won't Stay Dead-Nine Guys/ No Weapons
Stomatopod-Variatrix
Thrudge (interview in The Kat 10 5.5 studio-3/7/13)
Thrudge-This Is Wrong
Thrudge-Hard Charger

Local Loft Episode 266

No Exits here, just a lot of ways in. It's another all access pass into the always diverse, opportunity filled Chicago area metal, punk, alternative rock & power pop scene. The play button on your phone, PC or laptop is your paid toll, your electronic fingerprint identification. Proceed through cyberspace and rock on.
Soaked in depressing lyrics, but a happy, upbeat driving sound, Lifting Curses out of the northwest side of Chicago will lay its debut EP, Pistanthrophobia, on the world this Friday, March 3rd. Singer David Bovyn joins to talk about the records lyrical not so lovey dovey impact and melodic music before they headline Metal Monkey Brewing in Romeoville, Friday, March 10th.
You''ll be once again granted complete entry into Chicago's longtime ultimate Punk establishment, Exit on North Avenue. It gets the ultimate makeover, & grand reopening May 4th-7th. I'll share the band lineup that will grant you entry into the massive gathering.
Smoking their way onto the Wire in Berwyn stage, Pipe permeated the western suburban air with peaceful protests & a hard rocking soundtrack which had audiences dancing and tripping together in unison. We rock back to when this foursome had a packed crowd mentally & spiritually grooving out to a post hippy atmospheric soundtrack.
Along with these, you're firing February from your duty roster, and making it your priority to employ an original Chicagoland original music soundtrack for the daily mosh workout, as you March onward to another calendar month with:
Lifting Curses-Twominutesunderwater
Lifting Curses-Glossolalia
Machin-4leon
Pure Intention-Punk Rock Warlord
The Brokedowns-Osama Van Halen
Machete Moses- (Featuring Robert Bloodworth of Catapult The Propaganda) Blood Inc.
Catapult The Propaganda-Hollowed
Cliff Johnson-If You Can Live (alternative version)
John Condron & The Benefit-Blurred
Mimi Betinis-Romance Me
Vortis-Black Void
Pipe (interview from Wire In Berwyn 3/3/18 Local Loft Episode 76)
Pipe-Call You Out
Pipe-Down In The Smoke

Local Loft Episode 265

Phone this one in, to your home stereo, your car radio. Whatever source generates audio, more original Chicago area metal, punk, alternative rock, & power pop will be handed down from generation to generation. From baby boomers to space age lunatics on the fringe of slam dancing around a mosh pit. It's the musical stuff that fans are made of.
Fighting a never ending battle for Rock domination, The Lunatic's Fringe is picking up followers from all age groups who outnumber. naysayers of the band's out of this world musical vision. True to the cause of rocking audiences, nothing stands in their way, except the Party Of No. But even their negative reviews and threats can't stop a band on the fringe of spreading the gospel of rock supremacy. Their second full length album, Resurgence, has the band moving forward in their mission to make true believers out of their positive messages that rock conquers all demons. Mr. Fringe joins me, to discuss the ongoing, sometimes comical battle with the No Sayers, and even spreads the word, to those on the fringe of a music dry spell, to check out this very podcast for its attempts to let the music of the Chicago scene become the dominant soundtrack of their lives.
The distinctive frontman & drummer of Southwest Suburban power rockers Veilside will soon unveil their new band. I have the first new single from Block Chain Coalition. Forgotten Chicago metal band Paradoxx returns for a one off gig at Brauerhouse in Lombard in April. They pre dated even the king of the Devil's Horn Handsign. Nothing (Ronnie James) Dio about their sound, as they come out of a three-year hibernation. Discussion amongst their ever growing, soon to be large fanbase will be numerous, not just in their native Kankakee for Carrying Torches, as they burn their way through a set of new songs at a March release show. I've got the scoop.
He put a career as radio sales manager aside to cash in on his longtime plans to be a prominent singer, and guitarist. New Lenox's Dave Bellah blew minds and melted faces with his debut solo albun, Think Outside The Burning Box. We rock back to when he got all fired up to rock a packed crowd at Bruaerhouse four years ago this week.
Along with these, you're on the fringe of a total original Chicagoland Metal, Punk, Alternative and Power Pop pig out. Gobble it up, and ask for seconds, and thirds by:
The Lunatics Fringe-Hue...Awt
The Lunatics Fringe-By Hook Or By Crook
Block Chain Coalition-All That I've Known
Paradoxx-Don't Let Go
Vicious Circle-I Remain In Filth
Carrying Torches-Small Talk
The Evictions-Teenage On The TV
Material Issue-This Letter
The Bad Examples-Your Ex-Girlfriend
Dave Bellah 9Interview From Brauerhouse in Lombard (2/11/19 Local Loft Episode 95)
Dave Bellah-Pictures Of The Past
Dave Bellah-Say What You Gotta Say

Local Loft Episode 264

A win, win situation, not just September through February, but all year long. The roster of original Chicagoland & Illinois Alternative Rock, Punk, Metal & Power Pop contains most valuable players, those songs that form a lasting impression not just by one or two spectacular plays. When it's all over, you're rewarded with music you'll enjoy a lifetime.
The Feral Ghosts have a dark, gloomy progressive metal sound that goes back to when Bauhaus first reigned as kings of Goth Rock> The North side Chicago trio will play for the rewards of important food and shelter for needy kittens, Saturday, February 18th at Soundgrowler Brewing in Tinley Park. All three members join me to preview the Feed The Beasts fundraiser.
Kankakee's Carrying Torches has a distinctive shifting sound that burns a lasting impression in the back of your mind.  The unpredictable nature of their music makes them the biggest alternative rock band in the Southland's region. Next month, they'll reveal a melodic side of that is all big action and talk about their constantly changing style will be little but widespread. I've got all the details about a new single they'll talk up big at an upcoming homecoming release show.
For four years shy of a decade, Fist To The Sky had a punchy, fiery melodic hard rock sound that got away with murder, at least with the name of their singer. Mickey Murder and the band pumped their hard rock groove on stage one last time, five years ago this week at Wire in Berwyn. I was an ear witness to it. We rock back to it.
Along with these, you're hearing the victorious sound of original Chicagoland music that wins over your ears mind, heart and senses to its captivating melody and rhythm, as your pump up the volume and pump your fist in the air to:
The Feral Ghosts-Stranger
The Feral Ghosts-Nosfa
Blackcat Manor-Hammerclaw
Lifting Curses-2minutesunderwater
Boybrain-Scabs
From Ashes To Embers-The Masquerade
A Silent Truth-Voiceless
Carrying Torches-Wake Me Up
The Shiv-Short Order Crook
Fist To The Sky (interview from Wire in Berwyn 2/18/18 Local Loft Episode 75)
Fist To The Sky-Count Your Blessings
Fist To The Sky-Another Lesson Learned
 
 

Local Loft Episode 263

A full plate of original Chicagoland punk, metal, alternative rock, progressive rock & power pop, with a side of ketchup colored vinyl. Dig in.
On the music menu for this weekend, the annual Sounds Of The Street fest invades Reggie's Rock Club & Music Joint. Chicago is well represented by veteran & new undiscovered Punk bands. Squared Off has been speaking their political minds since 1996. From Anti Trump bashing to past mis treatment of Chicago police & firemen, they let the music venom fly. They play Saturday, February 11th. Singer and original founder Jose (Hoser) Villarreal joins me to get you all pumped up for two days of intense hardcore live punk. Shitizen adds a women's touch to the mostly male dominated mosh pit surroundings. I talk with singer Claudia Guajardo.
Convoy beats the daily clock by churning out another advance single ahead of the mid-March release of their long awaited fourth album, Some Gave All For Rock N Roll. A timeless track of out-of-date old school romance follows one of a lost parental love gone AWOL.
Breaking though language barriers and rocking through world boundaries, 4Without put themselves on the Chicago map with a stellar show at the legendary Metro seven years ago this week. Led by the precocious and versatile singer Jana Vox, they made a permanent mark with a performance that inspired a generation of rockers to follow. We rock back to it.
Along with these, you're craving a colorful rainbow of bountiful genres, by sinking your ears into:
Squared Off-Mutiny On Lasalle Street
Squared Off-Glory Days
The Decayed-The Dream Is Dead/A Better Way
Convoy-Just In Time
Heartsfield-Here I Am
Ignescent-Resist
Bullet To the Heart-Revenant
Striadum-Forsaken Flesh
Careless Sanctions-Cognitive Ability
Shitizen-Toxic Vibes
2 Minute Minor-Life Goes By
4Without (Interview at Metro 2/6/16 Local Loft Episode 18)
4Without-Kill Him First
4Without-Tonight

Local Loft Episode 262

Laugh without a tear, cold without the warmth. Some things go well without sharing the spotlight of life with others. Instrumental original Chicago area metal, punk, alternative rock & power pop doesn't need vocals to hook music fans. A great example is the totally chock filled melodic hard jazz rock fusion of Coyote Man. This Southwest suburban Chicago region trio has never felt the urgent need to hire a totally effective singer to draw huge crowds to their free form hard rock. Drummer Ian Wheeler joins me to psych crowds up as they rock the roof off a house filled with juiced up mostly Irish fans, St. Patick's Day night, March 17th at G Man Tavern, five minutes from historic Wrigley Field.
Since 1996, Chicago punk band Squared Off huge crowds pogo their bad times and desperate situations away. They're going to rock the rafters of Reggies off its foundations at the second annual Sounds of the Street Fest. February 10th & 11th at Reggies. I've got the details.
For the first time in their almost three decade run, Joliet's Dead Man's Hand adds a woman's touch to its lineup. Seven years ago this week, Laurence Dutch Devries was manning the vocal mic. He, along with award winning guitar shredder Tony Raygor fired up a subzero chilled crowd at the annual local metal showcase at Bada Brew in Crest Hill. We rock back to it.
In addition, you're rocking the shadowy hairs off a pesky unwelcomed ground hog rodent, as you blast old man winter's wrinkled wrath away with the sonic heat soundwaves of:
Coyote Man-Worthy Adversary
Coyote Man-Reaches Of The Universe
Sons Of Ra-Too Something For Someone
Squared Off-Agents Of Chaos
Fear City-Rats
Some Years later-In This Moment
The Feral Ghosts-Stranger
5 Step Drop-Solitude
Hi-Fi Superstar-So Into You
DeadMan's Hand (interview from Bada Brew, Crest Hill 2/4/17 Local Loft Episode 49)
DeadMan's Hand-Deep
DeadMan's Hand-Call Me A Saint

Local Loft Episode 261

Crunch on this! Your hunger for a nutritious podcast platter of original Chicagoland metal. punk, alternative rock and power pop is about to be fed. You'll hear it, if not smell or taste it. 
A good hearty meal and a full menu of music always go hand in hand at Punk Rock Tacos. Death in Memphis won't be travelling a long distance to rock you while that delicious concoction of hard shells, tortillas and ground beef slides down your throat to your stomach. Working double duty to whet your punk rock appetite is Steve Custer. He not only plays in Death in Memphis, but Space Age Zeros. Both bands join four others in the 22nd edition at Cemitas Poblanas in Villa Park, Friday, February 10th. Steve joins me to talk about it with scrumptious music selections from both bands.
If a liquid diet is for you, you can wash down the classic progressive metal sound of Plainfield's Endgame with a side of brand-new IPA. I'll spoil the secret identity of the beer, which a big Southland's rock radio station is helping to serve up Friday at Metal Monkey Brewing in Romeoville.
Threatening The Order posed a big threat to Mother Nature's plans to inflict sever frostbite on many Chicago local metal fans. The searing vocals of singer Melissa Radice fire up and warmed up the crowd at Reggie's seven years ago this week. We rock back to that.
In addition, you're lighting a sonic rock fire under the ass of the ice-cold psychotic Chicago winter wind as you whip it up to the red-hot sounds of:
Death And Memphis- X And Y
Space Age Zeros-Wishing Well
Tone Zone Skam-Skanky
Bumsy & The Moochers-Hey Margarita
Just A Mess-Surrounded By Wolves
Coyote Man-Worthy Adversary
Endgame-See How We Run
Thirty Pieces-Gun The Motor Super Soldier
Michael Rockert-After All These Years
Suckerpunch -(featuring Michael Rockert) Man Of The Hour
Threatening The Order (interview from Reggie's Rock Club Local Loft Episode 17 1/21/16)
Threatening The Order-Soul Inside
Threatening The Order-Something To Prove