Local Loft

Local Loft Episode 222

This new edition of the most comprehensive podcast covering the extensive Chicago area and Illinois original metal, punk alternative rock, progressive rock and power pop scene is a SAVE situation all around. We'll dig deeply into Save The Rock fest, which will financially help four prominent venues (Reggie's, Cobra Lounge, Livewire and Liar's Club) who lost a lot of money due to long periods of COVID cancellations and restrictions during the prolonged pandemic period. We've saved a feature spot for sludge and doom metal, especially featuring veteran Chicago metal band Pale Horseman. I talk with singer and guitarist Andre Almaraz about their upcoming gig at Save The Rock Fest,April 30th at Cobra. I've also saved a beer raising good time in The Kat 10.5 studio, ten years ago this week when swamp rockers Convoy trucked into unleash their second explosive patriotic album, Blue Collar America. So rock out Gung HO! 
Along with these, you'll be saving your best mosh moves for your listening room of choice as you crank up:
Pale Horseman-Archangel
Pale Horseman-Disenchanter
Black Road-End Of Man
Tombstone Eyes-Precession Of The Sun
Whut?-Worthless Fuck
Spooky Boo-The Fanatic
Carrying Torches-Champagne
Vaudeviliens-Devils
Aweful- No Avail
Convoy (Interview in The Kat 105.5 studio-4/19/12)
Convoy-U.S.M.C.
Convoy-Paralyzed
Convoy-Knocked Down

Local Loft Episode 221

Feel The Roar! As a former promotional slogan of the Blackhawks directed you. You'll not only feel it, you'll be roaring for more once you feel the sonic eruption of the power and energy of the Chicago area and Illinois original punk, metal, alt-rock, prog rock and power pop scene.
We Killed The Lion brought new life to the deep extensive, intense bluesy stoner metal of Black Sabbath and Trouble. The Chicago trio started out ten years ago as a ultra fast grunge throwback, but expanded their sound within a year after their 2012 self titled debut. They return opening for a long forgotten mid 90s Southern alternative rock band, Brother Cane, April 21st at The Forge in Joliet. I talk with guitarist Brian Lorenc about WKTL's f first new single in five years and how it continues their spacy yet gritty metal sound.
After another COVID restriction cancellation in mid January, Save The Rock Fest will rock on. The three day event features over 100 local acts, who hook up on the stages of Reggie's in the South Loop to raise financial help toward three big city venues hurt financially by the pandemic's long term closures. Heavy Seas, a Chicago grunge/punk trio brings a hard driving Foo Fighters sound (especially the drumming, a nice tribute to the late Taylor Hawkins very fast but proficient kit work). I've got a preview.
Beneath The Stares had heads swaying and bodies jerking aggressively back and forth with the perfect passionate and quick vocal; style of singer Lisa Lograsso and the fluid free form guitar playing of Eric Oldham. They only released one studio album, Controlling The Chaos in October 2011, but returned for a one off surprising reunion gig at Livewire in August 2019. Tern Years ago this week, I welcomed them into The Kat 1055. studio. We rock back to it.
Along with these, it's opening day, for the South Side of Chicago Baseball, and for you to open your mind and earlobes, to the diverse original rock of:
We Killed The Lion-The Starship
We Killed The Lion-Mud
Something Is Waiting-Red Rockets Stoned
Ideamen- Cold As February
Heavy Seas-Everything Breaks
M & R Rush-Bring Some Love Tonight
Aight Bet-Alpha Status
Deprived Of Construct-Primal Scream Therapy
Rundown-Chernobyl
Poison Boys-Little Speedway Girl
Down & Dirty-All In
Beneath The Stares ( Interview In The Kat 105.5 studio-4/12/12)
Beneath The Stares-Citadel
Beneath The Stares-Beneath The Stares
Beneath The Stares-Topic Of Cancer

Local Loft Episode 220

No more Cliff hangers for Off Broadway. No more aging lazily for Lollygagger. No more Parties of No murder attempts on Rock N Roll. The future of the Chicago area and Illinois original metal, punk, alternative, progressive and power pop scene isn't totally negative. We're 100 percent positive you'll discover something to enjoy in the next 73 minutes.
When we last talked with The Lunatic's Fringe, their Anonymous drummer (yes, Anonymous is his real name!) was allegedly kidnapped by the Party Of No. Mr. Fringe rescued him and the Lunatics will take over The W.C. Social Club in West Chicago this Saturday, April 9th. Waging War against the PON again. Fringe, guitarist Cholo and Anonymous join me with new crazy rockin' Luney Tuneage.
The On again Off again saga of legendary Off Broadway singer Cliff Johnson is off for good. Keep it tuned here, and you'll Automatic-ally find out why he bugged out ( and not too soon) after 43 years.
The ironically named Chicago Punk trio Lollygagger won't be lazing on a Thursday night when they play The Forge in Joliet. Drummer Michael Sunnycide joins me to talk about that show.
The attention of longtime Analog Digital Disorder (A.D.D.) fans did not wane during a six year hiatus. They surprisingly came back last December, and now have new tour dates with Saving Abel, including Lombard, in May. Eleven years ago this week, they first captured the full, un disordered attention of Kat 105.5 listeners, with their first studio appearance. A rock back to that.
Along with all this, you'll be gobbling up pre Easter ear candy that  April showers upon you from:
The Lunatic's Fringe-Let The Fringe Begin
The Lunatic's Fringe-I Swear To Fringe
Spamicidal Jelly-Boomerang Paper Cut
Miles From Exile-In Absinthe (ia)
City Of The Weak-United Hate Division
The Spindles-Prisoner Of War
Young Distractions-Only Noise
Off Broadway-You Belong To You
Lollygagger-Mighty Methuselah's Salami
Lollygagger-Captain Chuckles Vs. The  Multiverse
A.D.D. (First interview/acoustic performance in The Kat 105.5 studio-4/7/11)
A.D.D.-Nothing Left
A.D.D.- Hear Me Now (acoustic in The Kat 105.5 studio)
A.D.D.-The Path

Local Loft Episode 219

Overpowering Power Pop, Medieval Metal. The Chicago area and Illinois original music scene can certainly be powerful and plentiful. We present another almost 90 minutes of captivating music that's offers a wide open window of opportunities and locations to experience it live.
Crusadist does am extreme headbanging gallop in from the tough Northwest side of Chi-Town. This four piece progressive metal band will carve out an extensive battlefield at Cobra Lounge in the shadow of United Center this Saturday night with their graphic rock and religion connection. Singer Shaun Albro joins me to talk about their blood pumping, adrenaline injected gig, and how their forthcoming second album isn't the same bloody sci fi Excalibur-ish formula.
The future of Chicago Power Pop is very shiny and, jangly and dominant, as the annual festival devoted specifically to the genre. International Pop Overthrow, returns after a COVID restricted vacation in 2021. Frankfort's Bishop's Daredevil Stunt Club will Harmonize and jangle their six string axes a  plenty, as they close out one of the seven nights at Montrose Saloon on the North Side April 22nd-30th.
Metal Mellencamp? Northwest Indiana's Gerhart had the unique mixture of Iron Maiden power chords and roots country acoustic folk rock. They moseyed into The Kat 105.5 studios ten years ago this week. We'll rock back to that.
In addition to these, you'll be bitch slapping the icy spring madness out of old man winter as you fire up the grooves of:
Crusadist-For Blood and Conquest
Crusadist-The Hammer At Dawn
Repentance-All The Misery
Battle Royale WCHC-Breathe You In
Lollygagger-White Line Fever
Wrath-Mutants
Hellgrind-Dark Times (Godless Reign Of Terror)
The Bishop's Daredevil Stunt Club-Hold You Up
Material Issue-International Pop Overthrow
Gerhart (interview in The Kat 105.5 Studio-3/31/12)
Gerhart-Bringing You Down
Gerhart-Living Through Perception
Gerhart-The Outsider

Local Loft Episode 218

Today's technology often inexplicably fails you. It did for me just now as I was making out a playlist. Oh, for the good old days of Swamp Metal, or Ghetto Metal, Horror Punk. We don't need a fully functional time machine to return to an updated mixture of all those genres. The greater Chicago area and Illinois original local music scene can catapult us back there, while continuing to evolve and change. 
I first discovered Convoy in the late Spring of 2010, and was impressed big time by their raunchy mix of 70s Southern Rock and Sludge Metal. They return to Brauer house in Lombard on Saturday, April 2nd for a special benefit gig. Drummer Mike Getz (Makalu Gee on Facebook) joins me to look forward to this.
Whut? will tear up the stage at McGoos in Southwest Suburban Bedford Park this Saturday night. The show could be a bittersweet one, as long forgotten Chicago hardcore metal band, Crime Spree surprisingly reunites for a fallen former promoter. A look ahead to this.
Deadman's Hand put's the term of another singer to rest. Who will take the place of Laurence Dutch Devries as he splits? I offer a possibility.
Once a vocally gifted radio commercial and jingle singer, Michelle Caruso co-formed the not totally commercial Chicago power rock band Circle Of Fate. I invited them to The Kat 105.5 studio ten years ago this week.
Along with these, you'll be putting a lot of Spring in your mosh step by jamming to:
Convoy-Nothing Left
Convoy-Flood Of The River
Advorsa-Amalgamation Of Horror
Crime Spree-In Our Blood
Whut?-Goddamn Waste
Fierce Atmospheres- High And Hellbound
Deadman's Hand-Season Of The Wolf
Eyes Of Anguish-Thorns
Royal Son Of A Guns-Two Fist Full Of Nothing
Naked Raygun-Superheroes
The Repellants-You'll Never Be As Good As Me
Circle Of Fate (interview in The Kat 105.5 studio-3/24/12)
Circle Of Fate-What If
Circle Of Fate-Sanctify
Circle Of Fate-Skeletons

Local Loft Episode 217

Slam dance off that high calorie seven course meal of corned beef and cabbage, and rock out like an insanely sloshed leprechaun. There's a  diverse pot o' musical gold, and a rainbow of original Chicagoland and Illinois metal, punk, alternative, progressive and power pop artists to brighten every day and night you listen. You won't need Luck of the Irish to find it, just your own two ears (and a strong wi-fi connection.).
From the rocket ultra fast death metal of Imperial Savagery to the unique punk, mariachi  and ska mixture of Evil Empire, diversity moshes rampant on  this episode. Imperial Savagery will have you grooving like it's your ultimate last dance. The doom ridden, satanic images of the lyrics take a while to reveal deep, direct and explosive messages. Guitarist Tom Flanagan joins me, as they prepare to unleash their metal fury and extend a two weekend long party hangover, on March 26th, the Saturday after St. Patrick's Day, At Reggie's Rock Club.
After you stuff yourself with a buffet of everything from Shepherd's Pie to many sudsy Guiness pints, get ready for a smorgasbord of rock genres from one band. Evil Empire is four band for the price of one. Ska, mariachi, hardcore punk and Latin funk. This four piece North Side Chicago band transmits their messages in both English and Spanish. Singer Manny Suarez and bassist Johnny Thunders join me to talk about the blend of musical styles they'll brew up when they co-headline with Chicago Keltic Irish punk rockers Flatfoot 56, this Friday at Reggie's
With an over ten year run as one of the most prominent melodic hard rock bands from Chicago, Punch Cabbie were picking up major awards for Best Hard Rock band in Los Angeles. Six years ago today, I caught up with them, as they rocked Brauerhouse in Lombard for the last time. We revisit that moment again.
In addition to these, you're sonically blasting away the Blarney Stones that hold you back from moving forward in life by cranking up:
Imperial Savagery-From Advent To Casket
Imperial Savagery-Burned Upon Rebirth
Disinter-Eight Legs Of Misery
Evil Empire-Dead Space
Evil Empire-3 Big Ships
Flatfoot 56-Sorry
Inkeepers-Red Dawn
Southpaw-False Pretenses
Punch Cabbie (interview from Brauerhouse in Lombard-3/14/16)
Punch Cabbie-Introspection
Punch Cabbie-Vitriol
 
 
 
 

Local Loft Episode 216

Expanding the horizons (and boundaries) of the Chicagoland area and Illinois local metal, punk, alternative and progressive rock and power pop scene. We'll actually let the bands and solo artists take care of the horizons, I'll expand the boundaries. 
Northwest Indiana has always been considered a big part of the Chicago Metro and Southwest suburbs. It is across the state line down the Indiana toll road and I-80/94 we find Eyes Of Anguish. This five man band combines modern melodic metal with Nu Hardcore. They just picked up a larger fanbase, opening for Soulfly in Lombard. I talk to Singer Joey Wise, guitarists Eric Yakovetz, and Greg Hoover, bassist David Fishel, and drummer Jordan Chontos, as they get ready to release Thorns, the thunderous follow up single to their debut Shadows , which they will reveal live on its March 19th release date at J.J. Kelley's in Lansing.
Like Prince, Joe Satriani, and Zach Wylde, David Shankle has a history going back at least four decades as a legendary guitar shredder. As he turns 60 today, a little birthday salute which spotlights his mostly Euro Metal band , Feanor, and the powerhouse act GraveReign.
Joliet's Prison City Brigade gets back to their Hardcore Punk beginnings in a new fast, brief single, as they get ready to open for Horror Punk veteran Doyle Von Frankenstein, Misfits guitarist, Saturday at Brauerhouse in Lombard.
Some bands have an army of fans, but never were in active duty in any U.S. military branch. The Allegiance from Joliet had two members who served tours of duty. Ten years ago this week, they marched back to the Kat 105.5 on air studio in Kankakee, armed with a heavy music artillery and a barrage of vocal harmonies. A rock back to their second appearance.
Along with these, you're blasting Old Man Winter out of his seasonal skin, as you kick up the volume control to:
Eyes Of Anguish-Shadows
Escape The Paradigm-Sign Of Life
Spamicidal Jelly-Fight Song
Prison City Brigade-One Shot
The Suffering- Doom Tech (live at Metro 1/25/20)
Feanor (featuring David Shankle)-Rise Of The Dragon
GraveReign-The Reckoning
Bollweevils-Liniment And Tonic
Lever-Heavy Waves
The Allegiance (interview and acoustic performance in The Kat 105.5 studio-3/12/12)
The Allegiance-Off With Their Heads
The Allegiance-Black Little Cloud
The Allegiance- Marked For The Grave (acoustic in the Kat 105.5 studio).

Local Loft Episode 215

With no divine intervention, we're wing-ing it on this edition of Local Loft. As another generous portion of original Chicago Area and Illinois metal, pink, alternative rock, progressive rock and power pop takes flight across the cyberwaves, your hearty music appetite will be nourished. You'll be asking for seconds and thirds as well.
Wings of Severance will flock South from their hometown of Fox Lake to join in the metal intensity of double comeback shows, Atlanta Is Burning and Consume The Divide, Saturday night at Brauerhouse In Lombard. I talk with all four members, Including screaming singer Ian Borchers and melodic singer A.J. Cappellano.
His ethereal guitar shredding has been called heavenly and angelic by many who have been mesmerized by his solid fingering and fret work since becoming new guitarist of the East Coast 80s metal act Manowar. Demon Shredder David Shankle joins yet another band to showcase his axe genius, Wings Of Destiny. I've got the first new single to feature him.
We're an equal opportunity rocker at Local Loft. A nod to two of the most gifted female singers in the Chicago hard rock scene, Holly Smith, who was first introduced to Kat 105.5 radio listening audiences ten years ago this month with the grunge metal band In 2 The Inferno. Sara Aufieri made the switch from Alternative vocalist to Nu Metal co- singer in the course of a year (2012-2013). She and her first band, Mindshatter, dropped by The Kat 105.5 studio ten years ago this week to show what an extensive range and awesome singing power she had.
Along with these, speaker cabinets will shatter, but brain tissue will remain intact, as you crank up:
Wings Of Severance-Welcome The Afterlife
Wings Of Severance-Saints In Arms
Consume The Divide-Words Of Wolves
Intosky-Stigmata
E'Nuff Z'Nuff-Why Does It Have To End? (1986 demo)
Wings Of Destiny ( Featuring David Shankle)-Rise Above Them All
GraveReign- No More Yesterdays
Shitizen-Black Hole
In 2 The Inferno-Further From The Sun
Mindshatter (Interview/acoustic set in The Kat 105.5 Studio-3/1/12)
Mindshatter-Change
Mindshatter-Cause And Effect (acoustic performance) 
Twinge-Out Of Line
 
 

Local Loft Episode 214

Sorry, Game Of Thrones fanatics. Hate to disappoint you, but Spring, not Winter, is coming. That means more chances to discover original Chicagoland and Illinois metal, punk, alt-rock, prog rock and power pop in many venues who in the post pandemic period are looking to welcome more show goers back after a long period of lockdown.
Here at Local Loft, we never shut down operation when it comes to new and ass kickin' music. Once you feel the sonic metal punch of Chicago's Without Waves, you'll be screaming for more. The four-piece Northwest Side band is delivering their second full length album in nearly seven years, Comedian. If you like intense driving hardcore Nu Metal, don't laugh this off. Singer Anthony Cwan joins me to talk about the making of the new record, which they will officially release during an album release show at Reggie's Rock Club March 19th.
He always Stays In Time, but will he stay in the legendary power pop band he co-founded? Cliff Johnson goes M.I.A. again as Off Broadway rocks on without him (February 25th at Reggie's) for the third time since July 4th 2021. We salute Cliff just after his 70th birthday last weekend with a couple of D'Thumbs and Off Broadway live rarities,and hope he won't bug out too soon for a future OB gig.
Joliet's Orinoco celebrates a decade a skull crushing, gut exploding thrash hardcore metal. A rock back to the first time they introduced themselves to a widespread metal loving radio listening audience of The Kat 105.5, ten years ago this week in our Kankakee on air studio.
Along with these, you're sonically melting old man winter's icy heart as you severely melting your own face to a fiery ball of wax as your rock out to:
Without Waves-Good Grief
Without Waves-Sleight In Shadows
From Beyond These Walls-The Clear
Tanzen-Black Widow
Atlanta Is Burning-Evolution
D'Thumbs-(Pre Off Broadway featuring Cliff Johnson) Full Moon Turn My Head Around (early 1978 demo)
Off Broadway-U.S. Girls (Live at Fitzgeralds, Berwyn-1996)
Dead Freddie-Cartoon Woman
Bishop's Daredevil Stunt Club-Habit Forming Potential
Orinoco ( First interview in The Kat 105.5 studio-2/23/12)
Orinoco-The Antagonist
Orinoco-Seize The Night
Axis of Time-(pre Orinoco) The Walking Dead

Local Loft Episode 213

Heart warming, sweet sounds of original Chicago area and Illinois metal, punk, alternative and progressive rock and power pop make great ear candy all year long. The kind oyu don't have to gift box. The gift of music goes great with a romantic dinner and night of dancing, as long as oyu and your significant other have the same taste in music.
Featuring rebellious, fiery energy punk rock that you can use to slam dance off a few yummy helpings of an essential Tuesday all day menu item, Punk Rock Tacos brings together a scrumptious menu of Punk Indie and alt rock bands in Villa Park. The sixth showcase show is February 25th. Claidius Timebomb are four guys who have experimented with different music styles. Drummer Paul Schmidt joins me to talk about their involvement in it, and their extensive instrumental blend of punk and progressive rock. This event will also feature Chicago Space Punk veterans Hotlips Messiah, in their second show without longtime frontwoman Traci Trouble, who officially left last fall to concentrate totally as singer and leader of Aweful.
M & R Rush will slowly rock into their 42nd year of touring with a Memorial Day Weekend return to the stage at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park. A not so careful tune of a clumsy romance written by Illinois Rock Hall of Famer Jim Peterik, which the band did on their 2018 album Between The Lines.
In addition to these, you're feeling the love of original Chicagoland and Illinois artists, who are always passionate to making sweet musical ear candy, as you feel your loving heart race to the ultra fast tempos of:
Calidius Timebomb-Mosquito
Calidius Timebomb-Calidius Timebomb
Fonzie and The Dago Tees-King Of The Hill
Acton's Dictum-May 26th
Vulgar Commons-Country Club
Armored Assault-Death Surrounds You
The Gavel-Rotten Remains
Tafoya-Boogie With Me (2021 Version)
M & R Rush-Reckless Love (written by Jim Peterik)
Driven Under (Brian Yelm/Chris Small interview in The Kat 105.5 studio 2/13/14)
Driven Under- Burning Out
Driven Under-Dying Underneath