Local Loft

Local Loft Episode 332

This one is for all the Twin Pipe Papas & Cool Rockin' Daddies (yes, there's a Springsteen reference here to his overplayed 40 year old (as of June 4th) patriotic huge album).Your special day is on the way this Sunday.
If you're neither of the above, you can still play it and rock on.  A ginormous cyber slice of original Chicago area metal, punk, alternative rock & power pop. 
It will be dreamy in two ways. A donut loving Chicago punk trio, and a veteran tiger eyed rock survivor from Berwyn (BUUR-WIN!). to start things off, Develin, a bunch of aging rockers from Streamwood who don't rock their age. Melodic modern day hard rock & metal for those who are big fans of Avenged Sevenfold, Pop Evil and Seether. Singer Jeffery Staad & his drummer brother Stevie join me with songs of assigning blame and keeping the lifeline of a relationship breathing. Both from their just released second EP, Bloodline. They play with 95 Will Rock Bandemonium finalists, True Love Devil, July 27th at Alibi Events Center in Wonderlake. 
Chicago Punk Trio Sex Dream might add a donut desert to the Punk Rock Tacos menu, as they headline the 48th edition, Friday night at Cemitas Poblanas in Villa Park. Look at their new music video. Plenty of Homer Simpson's favorite food are sprinkled thoruhout. Vehicular rock veteran Jim Peterik returns inventing a new American Dream (no punch Sylvester Stallone cameos on this one, unlike his second big band's #1 1982 single).
!3 Monsters won't scare any Punk Rock Tacos pogo'ers as they stalk and rock the outdoor stage in the second Punk Rock Tacos outdoor Summer shows, August 10th. Singer Deb Sonzo will mix beauty and an Alternative Rock beast, like she did when they tore it up at Wire in Berwyn, seven years ago this week. We rock back to it.
The early Dad's Day gift of original Chicagoland music that keeps on giving all year and listen long.  You'll unwrap:
Develin-Who's To Blame
Develin-Lifelines
Ture Love Devil-Bullet Down
Racing The Sun-Peace, Love & Doves
Enuff Z'Nuff-Kiss The Clown
Private Instigators-Too Pretty For Prison
Sex Dream-Spike
Jim Peterik's World Stage (featuring Dave Milkaulskis)-American Dreamer
Survivor-Summer Nights
13-Monsters (interview from Wire in Berwyn Local Loft Episode 60 6/12/17)
13-Monsters-Overlook
!3-Monsters-Water's Edge

Local Loft Episode 331

June is jammin'! (even after the Jam is through)
The 3 R's (Rock, Resurrection and reformation) will be in abundance on this 331st trip around the Chicagoland area's original metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop scene. Get ready for many abrupt surprises.
September's Rest, after an extensive period of hibernation (7 years 2017-24) is quickly springing back into action. Guitarist Bobby Gershak joins me to talk about their immediate plans.
Bullet To The Heart hasn't been resting for even a second , and will deliver a Traumatic fourth album (not just in name) come August. The first blunt rocking force from it, has a gothic, undeniable music video where opening doors lead to a not so dead end for singer Audrey Queen. I'll open up their new single.
No headbangers were harmed as Legions Massacred by Queens 4 held concert court at Bobby McGee's (later Star Bar) in Chicago Ridge. Holly Smith rocked her way to a title of Queen Of Grease Monkey Rock, as fiery frontwoman of Hot Dang, ten years ago this week. We rock back to it.
Rise up and pogo to this ripping and slightly resurged original Chicago music soundtrack of:
September's Rest- Goodbye
September's Rest-Fallen
Fallen Echoes-Schizo
Josh LeGrett-Dancing On The Edge
Face The Fire-Balance
Bullet To The Heart-Fight
Genotype-Defiance
Sound Of Fire- (featuring Kadie Kirby of Genotype) Fallen Friend
Hot Dang-Stay Golden, Ponyboy
Legions Massacred By Queen 4 (Holly Smith interview in The Kat 105.5 studio-6/5/14)
Vicious Attack-Engaged In Genocide
False Hope Fades-Clean
Hot Dang-Death's Intentions

Local Loft Episode 330

The power of rock compels you!
Whether it's rebellious punk, brain splitting metal, or intelligent alternative rock, you're possessed by the groove, the thought-provoking lyrics. It's an important part of your life. Yet, nowadays you can't groove to what you want on the very medium that introduced you to it, radio. There it's only background music, a soundtrack for cashflow of business clients. Here, on Local Loft, the music is a soundtrack for life flow. So breathe it in. The original Chicago area punk, metal, alternative rock and power pop.
Band names can be misleading. The Reganomics is not a total 80s retro throwback to the time that a former actor who was buddies with a bumbling chimpanzee named Bonzo became the 40th U.S. President. This 4-man Chicago has a modern day cliche ridden approach to writing a catchy punk song. They join me to not live in the past, as they open for Brainbleed during their record release show, Saturday at Livewire Lounge.
Kankakee's Carrying Torches has something important to say in their new single and the new music video clip that goes with it. You might want to put down your infernal I -device for this and keep your eyes on the life's road ahead.
Kryssie Ridolphi makes an incomparable metal and punk singer and made the crossover from one genre to the other seamlessly. We rock back to the second time she left the headbanging past of Deadmanswake behind for Evil Engine. They rocked a Memorial Day Weekend crowd at Reggies, five years ago this week. We rock back to it.
We cast out another Chicagoland original rock soundtrack of:
The Reganomics-The Four Cliches
The Reganomics-Dear Jaymes
Daywalker-Indy
John David Daily-I Can't Live Without You
Redneck Remedy-When It Rains It Pours
Carrying Torches-All For Nothing
Shaper-Task Paralysis
Leigh Evin & The Lowdown-Wrong
Deadmanswake-Far Be It From Me
Evil Engine (interview from Reggie's Music Joint-6/1/19 Local Loft Episode 103)
Evil Engine-Upstanding Citizen
Evil Engine-Egression

Local Loft Episode 329

Music louder than the deafening coo of cicadas!
Play this loud enough and ya might scare the multitude of them away. Music soothes and drives away the savage beast insect. It's another swarm of original Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop. The Chicago Punk band Brainbleed first melted faces here back in January. They return with a second follow up album to their full-length debut Mangled Truth, which included a warning about boozing too much and avoiding the scary task of being a designated driver because of it. The band's vitriolic female singer has a lot to be pissed off about. Drummer Jim Brainbleed joins me again as they get ready to host a new record release show at Livewire Lounge Saturday, June 1st.
The Midnight Calls has worked out very well for singer Taran De Pablos after a five-year run in the old school progressive metal band Fierce Atmospheres. Their new song and music video is a nice throwback to the ragged bluesy bar rock of Faces & early to mid 70s Rolling Stones. It will shine it's ever loving light on you here.
The Bishop's Daredevil Stunt Club once became the next Fab 4, when they played on the same historic stage as a certain legendary band of Liverpudlians. They just may bring a group of screaming girls with them in a Memorial Day Weekend show at Reggies  Music Joint this Saturday May 25th.
Providing plenty of hiss and melodic notes, the futuristic band Lighttribe featured one of the best virtuoso keyboard players who is current the keyboardist in Kankakee Alternative band Carrying Torches. They launched themselves into The Kat 105.5 studio 14 years ago this week. We rock back to it.
The Cicada noise cancelling soundtrack contains:
Brainbleed-Who the Fuck Are You?
Brainbleed-Stupid Drinking Song
The Reganomics-The Four Cliches
Of Wolves-Inside (Steve's Head)
Shrineburner-Let Worship Die
The Midnight Calls-So Cold
Carrying Torches-Conversations
Tennis Court Oath-Who Knew?
Bishop's Daredevil Stunt Club-The Lift
Lighttribe (interview in The Kat 105.5 studio, broadcast on 5/27/10)
Lighttribe-Sun On My Head (live in studio)
Lighttribe-Whispers and Waves (live in studio)
Lighttribe-Deadly Lady Machines
 

Local Loft Episode 328

Rewind, replay, re- rock ( maybe I should've recorded this Local Loft on analog tape)
Episode 328 comes just a week after underground recording studio pioneer Steve Albini leaves this world too young. He was a champion of old school, technically warm and precise analog recording technology. Producing and editing all his artists on analog reel tape. I have a small tribute, including a forgotten burst of grunge from a well known but obscure all female Chicago rock duo.
I won't completely obsess over the methods Steve used to capture the sound of any act he either produced or engineered. But there will be an obsession, of a North Side Chicago Punk band's graphic way of telling a story of a decapitating seductive romance where ties (and human body parts) are completely severed. This Obsession relays the story (in bloody music video fashion) which won't be shown as a prop shown to illustrate the graphic nature of the lyrics, when they play the next Punk Rock Tacos. June 14th in Villa Park. Singer Mark Kronenbourg of This Obsession joins me with all the heart ripping details on how the video came to life (as a life was torn apart).
New fans of Chicago industrial metal giants Ministry were not sympathetic at first when they released their debut album With Sympathy 41 years ago this week. As they changed music direction to a more intense heavier metal sound, they built up a huge fanbase. They'll reinvent the debut as a modern new metal reboot, as they prepare to hang it up later this summer with a new final album. I'll give you the scoop on how Al Jorgenson and the band will go out with a very sympathetic fan base backing them.
Don't call them metal. Although it was their signature sound, Chicagos' Comfort Scarcity never felt comfortable about being grouped in with the hair metal signature acts like Poison & Cinderella. I caught up with the four-man band before they played Q Bar in Darien five years ago this week. We rock back to it.
What else should it be? No apologies, just the original Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop soundtrack you crave and will have a major obsession over. Crank it up and feel the sonic crunch of:
This Obsession-Cannibalism
This Obsession-A Short-Lived Tragedy
The Run Around-White Coats
Racing The Sun-Neil Peart's Mustache (produced by Steve Albini)
Veruca Salt-Disinherit (produced and engineered by Steve Albini)
Ministry- Here We Go
Ministry-Just Stop Oil
Comfort Scarcity (interview from Q-Bar in Darien Local Loft Episode 102 5/17/19)
Comfort Scarcity-Target Acquired
Confort Scarcity-Dark Repertoire
 

Local Loft Episode 327

"I've been first and last...look at how the time goes past." (Old Man-Neil Young 1972)
At my first time to the Beer Can'd Festival, Blue Island Beer Company, it's the very first time I witness AWEFUL, an intense power rock trio who can be classified as many different genres, but only fits as modern garage rock. No further classification is needed for this electrifying trio of Traci Trouble (Lead vocal & bass) Lucy Dekay (Guitar & Vocals) and Izzy Price (drums), as there will be no more onstage opportunities to even guestimate what genre they are. Thier final show is at this very Beer Can'd Festival. I talk in person with all three for the very first (and unfortunately, last time).
Space Age Zeros, flies across the Joliet stratosphere (Channahon, south of Joliet to be exact) to make their first excursion to Beer Can'd Festival, with a developing case of Jetlag (one of their new, yet to be released singles as a follow up to their futuristic debut EP, Blast Off). I talk with all five members, including singer Nathan McDougall, bassist Jason Baygood, guitarists Steve Custer, and Brian Czarnik, and drummer Tom Spielman.
The Outfit senses something, a presence the melodic Chicago hard Rock band has not felt since? In the second track from their full-length album, Go. Their rock force is strong with Illinois Entertainer critics. Joliet hardcore metal band, Orinoco is forced to immediately switch venues for a homecoming gig after Brauerhouse dries up...permanently!
Used to be a time when you could not only check out record albums at your local public library, but check out bands , live in the usually quiet confines of the library. Kankakee thrash metal band Iniquity Of Symmetry rocked hard enough to blow hardcover books off shelves. 13 Years ago this week, they didn't keep quiet about their first gig at Rock the Stacks in the Kankakee Public Library. I welcomed them to the Kat 105.5 studios to preview it. We rock back to it.
There'll be a AWEFUL lot of face melting and bone crushing moshing (don't crush skulls, and the brain surrounding yours) while you crank up the never quiet original Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop soundtrack of:
AWEFUL-Open Heart
AWEFUL-Whores (excerpt from their last show 5/4/24 at Beer Can'd Festival-Blue Island Beer Company)
AWEFUL-New Moon
Space Age Zeros-Jet Lag (live at Beer Can'd Festival-5/4/24 Blue Island Beer Company)
Space Age Zeros-Ali With An Eye
Enuff Z'Nuff-Steal The Light
The Outfit-Arrival Of Jane
Orinoco-Resolution Execution
Fool's Brew-Echoes
Iniquity Of Symmetry (interview in The Kat 105.5 studio-5/13/11)
Iniquity Of Symmetry-Darkest Times
Iniquity Of Symmetry-Tribulations Of Cain
Iniquity Of Symmetry-Pointless Flight

Local Loft Episode 326

No curfews (listen whenever you want)
No algorithms (this music is for music fans, not corporate clients)
The playlist is music intensive and focuses on the newest and freshest original Chicago area metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop. There's always an undiscovered band or artist.
I first discovered Vaudevileins 13 years ago in the Summer of 2011. The Joliet based Alternative rock 4 man delivers Lights Out, their sixth album with a recurring theme of isolation caused by the first horrifying weeks of the 2020 Covid 19 worldwide pandemic. I talk with singer, guitarist and founder Jeff Julian, backstage at The Roxy Theatre in downtown Lockport, as they unveil the new record in its entirety. You'll also hear from the eclectic Kankakee area band, Shaper.  They present a new style of free form progressive rock with their debut album, Live At Third City Sound.
Trouble on the Awful front? The Chicago garage rock trio, fronted by singer/bassist Traci Trouble i s calling it quits, with a final gig to start off May, at the Beer Can'd Festival in Blue Island. I've got the terrible but rockin' good news.
Making a slingshot entrance by thie political rant filled hard funk rock eight years ago this week, Joliet's Catapult The Propaganda rocked the dilapidated surroundings of EXIT, the premier Chicago Punk Rock club by the banks of the Chicago River on North Avenue. We rock back to when I gave them the chance to slingshot their way onto the Local Loft cyberwaves for the first time as a full trio.
Put this episode on repeat, like a slingshot boomerang. You'll be wanting more of this original Chicago area music soundtrack in times of darkened sleep or a daylight run, when you hold tight till episode's end by rocking with:
Vaudevileins-Killing Feelings
Vaudevileins-Wasted Talent
Sunwise-The Smallest City
Aweful-Bad Things
The Outfit-Go
The Radio Buzzkills-I Want My Records Back
Shaper-The Shape
Catapult The Propaganda (interview from EXIT Chicago 4/30/16 Local Loft Episode 24)
Catapult The Propaganda-Sorrows Of Empire
Catapult The Propaganda-Hollowed

Local Loft Episode 325

What else you gonna have on the brain excessively on a Tuesday?....Punk Rock Tacos!
There will be plenty of those to give you the much needed energy to pogo to the max this Friday, April 26th at Cemitas Poblanas in Villa Park. A side of hatred will be served up from I HATE PEOPLE. This Aurora punk band will spread equal helpings of face sun and a waste of life when they join Chicago hardcore rockers Whut? for Punk Rock Tacos 46 Friday. They join me to get you psyched for the crunchy, punchy night to come.
When it gets dark Saturday night, Vaudevileins will light up the night with the release show for their new sixth album Lights out at The Roxy Theatre in Lockport. I spin another Cut (literally from it). Ralph Covert will set a good (not Bad) example of how to rock the annual International Pop Overthrow, when he plays Montrose Saloon.
Medical science sidelined Eric Plonka (singer of the progressive industrial Chicago band, Scientist) ten years ago this week. His friends in the local Southlands metal community of Kankakee and Joliet came together to put on a benefit show at The Spot In Bradley to help him rock back on his feet. To promote this, Aaron Langlois of Kankakee hardcore metal band Seas Of Europa was in The Kat 105.5 studio spreading the word. We rock back to it.
Arriva Arriva! to your device of choice, as this original Chicagoland music soundtrack is served up rockin' hot.
I Hate People-Hate Now
I Hate People-I Hate People
Whut?-No Hope No Soul
Vaudevileins-Cut From You
Local H-Cooler Heads
Shaper-Comfort
Ralph Covert & The Bad Examples-Schoolboys In Exile
The Outfit-Big Eyes
True Love Devil-Solitude
Eric Plonka Benefit (interview with Aaron Langlois of Seas Of Europa in The Kat 105.5 Studio-4/24/14)
Seas Of Europa-Death Is Upon Us
Taken By The Sun-Demons Tempt The Dying Man With Crowns
Ephinepic-To Ashes 

Local Loft Episode 324

Crunchy & Crackly
That's the only combo I can use to describe this 324th edition of the extensive podcast of original Chicagoland metal. punk, alternative rock and power pop. The focus is mostly on Punk Rock Tacos and Record Store Day. Both fall on the same day....4/20!
Safe to say this Saturday offers a nourishing good time in more ways than one. Just watch how much liquid alcohol beverage you consume. If you don't hurl from too many brews, you might just toss cookies over the mere name of Johnny Vomit. This four-piece Chicago hardcore punk band brings a ultra-fast, controversial blend of punk and thrash metal as headliners of Punk Rock Tacos 47, Saturday at Cemitas Poblanas in Villa Park. I talk with Johnny himself about the You Tube banning of their new video Tuna Taco (not yet on the PRT food menu) and songs against brain devouring zombies and intense hangovers.
There's a food related tribute to forgotten power pop icon Jim Ellison of Material Issue (on what would've been his 60th birthday this Thursday). Vaudevileins don't salute UFO in the title track to their just released sixth album. And a spin from a split 7-inch white vinyl EP you can't bite into.
The Kat 105.5 was starting to break up 10 years ago this month. I introduced a Chicago Ridge based melodic hard rock band, Our Broken View, who proved radio impact and reach of mainstream rock and metal wasn't limited to national acts from Shinedown to Pop Evil. Five years after they first tore up The Kat airwaves on our local music show Homegrown Tones, they reunited for a gig a TC's Too in their native Chicago Ridge, featured on the 100th episode of Local Loft. We rock back to it.
Rock your iron constitution with this delicious original Chicago area metal, punk, alternative rock & power pop bill of fare:
Johnny Vomit-Brain Raper
Johnny Vomit-Drunken Dreams
The Dennies-Ashes
Hostages 312-The Whole Year Inn
Battle Royale-(Featuring Claudia Guajardo of Shitizen) Swindle/Amido Black
Bishop's Daredevil Stunt Club-International Pop Overthrow
Material Issue-Kim The Waitress
Vaudevileins-Lights Out
Pezband-Baby It's Cold Outside (original 1977 Passport Records vinyl 45 pressing)
Mike Michilak Band- Wait For Me
Brickwall Vultures-One City One Pride (Sexy Baby Records 2013 7-inch strawberry vinyl EP)
Our Broken View (Bryan Watkins interview from TC's too in Chicago Ridge Local Loft Episode 100)
Our Broken View-The Great Escape
Our Broken View-Make Him Famous

Local Loft Episode 323

"We're having a lovely time, wish you were here" (John  Enthwistle-Postcard (The Who) 1974)
 
If you couldn't be there. This on the scene episode of Local Loft is a up close as you can get to feel the overloaded amps buzz and heat penetrate through your skin. I catch up with heavy Avant Garde alternative rock band 13 Monsters in a special V.I.P. benefit show at legendary record store Val's Halla in Oak Park. Co founders, singer Deb Sonzo and guitarist Jamie Riani rip though an over hour long set of reimagined old favorites and never before heard new material. Joining them, the only Chicago Punk band with its own rock critic, Vortis is one of a chosen few artists who Leo Graphics (which has Deb and Jaimie as head designers of album covers). Vortis is one of many bands. Both acts are joined by The Dennies, an up-and-coming progressive Punk band from the Chicago South Side. Being part of Leo Graphics 13 Monsters co- founders singer Deb Sonzo and guitarist Jaime Riani have designed the front cover art for many albums of Chicgao bands including Vortis, who join them as co headliners of this special night of live punk rock and album art.
Vaudevileins brighten up the Southwest Suburban rock scene with their new sixth album Lights Out.  The dark lyrics for the new record focus on the isolation state experienced by many during the COVID 19 Pandemic of 2020. The album has just dropped, and the Joliet based band , led by guitarist and singer Jeff Julian, will showcase it during a release show at The Roxy in Lockport April 27th
Now that we have your undivided rocking attention. All ears were paying close attention to A.D.D. as the Lockport powerhouse melodic hard rock band slightly toned it down with an unplugged set in The Kat 105.5 studios 13 years ago this week. We rock back to it.
Crank it up, and fear the monstrous rocking roar of original Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop from:
!3-Monsters-Down (live at Val's Halla Oak Park 4/6/24)
Vortis-Bastard
The Dennies-Vein
Vaudevileins-Erase The Truth
Black Road-Bloody Mary
The Kind-Loved By You
Off Broadway-Full Moon Turn My Head Around ( 1980 Atlantic 45 RPM vinyl single mix)
A.D.D. (interview in The Kat 105.5 studio-4/7/11)
A.D.D.-Nothing Left
A.D.D.-Hear Me Now (live acoustic in the Kat 105.5 studio
A.D.D.-The Path