Local Loft

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

Local Loft Episode 322

For the next hour, a boot scootin' rendition of Beyonce imitating Taylor imitating Dolly. And monkeys might fly out of my butt! Seriously, cassettes (like CDs and vinyl) are making a comeback.
Chicago Punk Trio Pure Intention chose the old school hardshell tape format, even over overrated streaming, to get their new EP, Faults And Fallacies out to the masses of fans. I talk with bassist Tim (The Braun) Chavez on why they went the thin tape spun around two hubs format, as they play an undisclosed Lombard venue on April 19th. Not entirely throwback, the tape features George W. Bush sound bites. Just like Ministry in 2005.
Sacred Dawn might be mistaken for 80s and 90s Judas Priest ( no foolin') as they open for Flotsam And Jetsum (who unleashed Jason Newstead on the world before he helped Metallica go commercial and Top 40). Both acts rock an April Fool's night show at Reggie's Rock Club.
It was no laughing matter when veteran Chicago rocker Kevin Lee tried his hand at the very genre Beyonce is now milking to the bank. When a Country Music career didn't pan out, Kevin stuck to a rock combo of big hooks and chunky guitars. He and his longtime band The Kings rocked Wire in Berwyn for the first time, seven years ago this week. We rock back to it.
Hey Chicago (and surrounding North, West, East, North and South Burbs) Whaddya Say. Ready for a winning combination of original Metal, Punk. Alternative Rock and Power Pop today ( or any day)!  The staring lineup is:
Pure Intention-Fallacy
Pure Intention-Blind Eyes
Ministry-Ayran Embarrassment (Featuring Jello Biafra)
Sacred Dawn-The Lake Of The Dismal Swamp
Idol Throne-The Last Voyage
Convoy-A Time To Rise
Legions Of Raum-Thick Skin
Kevin Lee & The Kings (Interview From Wire In Berwyn Local Loft Episode 86 -4/3/17)
Kevin Lee & The Kings-Burn It Down
Kevin Lee & The Kings-Gold Digger

Local Loft Episode 321

Chicagoland area original metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop... the final frontier? Not totally. And since I'm not totally able to type out this LL 321 playlist on this cheap faulty laptop technology! My equipment is in major fail mode. So, hopefully, I can give you the Cliff's notes version of what you'll hear.
Space Age Zeros will launch themselves from their native Channahon (South Of Joliet) with a tasty menu of futuristic power pop (including songs about failed dates with down tom earth girls named Susie Moon), at Punk Rock Tacos 45, Friday, April 5th at The Cubby Bear, across the street from historic Wrigley Field. Bassist Jason Baygood joins me to get you psyched to pogo off the fatting meal of ground beef and soft corn tortillas.
Pete Berwick is not only a outlaw country, and cowpunk rebel singer, but an accomplished author. He just wrote a tell all biography on the forgotten late 70s Chicago biker rock band, The Boyzz (from Illinois). He tells a killer story in a not so deadly new acoustic single from his just released mostly unplugged album, Frustration Alley. I'll give it a spin.
Before the world was left physically, emotionally and financially hanging by a cliff, thanks to that unwanted killer virus COVID 19. Wire in Berwyn, which would succumb to COVID financial shutdown welcomed the Berwyn and Downers Grove punk pop band, Cliffhanger, who had a packed crowd hanging around tom form a giant mosh pit as they rocked on stage five years ago this week. We rock back to it.
Musical nourishment comes with a full menu of delicious Chicagoland original metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop from:
Space Age Zeros-On A Date With Susie Moon
Space Age Zeros-Ali With An Eye
Downhill Runner-Satellite
Pete Berwick-Pocketful Of Dust
Disinfo-Get Along
Eyeless-Everything I Need
Aweful-Bubble
Pure Intention-Suicide 35
Emperors And Elephants-Man Of God
Cliffhanger (Interview from Wire In Berwyn 3/29/19 Local Loft Episode 98)
Cliffhanger-Barbed Wire Bat
Cliffhanger-Lost Cards
 
 
 

Local Loft Episode 320

"The problem's plain to see...too much technology." (Styx-1983)
Not always great, and not always reliable (people are calling you out Ventra apps!) It will fail you. Laptops with constant low disk space where constant cleanup don't help. But thanks to plenty of backup equipment, This episode rocks on the cyberwaves. And with a reunion you didn't see or hear coming.
Kriz Radowski has spent the last year screaming and grunting as singer of Let Them Fight, but he got his start in Chainwax,. In both bands he's learned to take back his life, from parents, significant others who have tried to control him. Kriz started Chainwax in 2003 and now surprisingly resurrects them, Thursday night with their first gig in over a decade, at Rockhaus in West Dundee. I talk with him about what led to the reformation and their new full length studio album Chainwax Legacy.
Chicago hardcore rockers Whut will supply a lot crunch and punch as they rock Punk Rock Tacos 46 in April. All the delicious details are within this episode.
Steve Eldridge has worked production magic in giving a contemporary pop edge to the three hard rock bands he has been in, Delightful Downfall, Sky Machine and Qualia. He now has written what is sure to be a top 40 smash with the tween wave meets punk pop combination of Cupid Me. With singer Mitch Rehner, the debut single is sure to make waves on the pop music scene. 
Bleed For The Fallen would be rthe last Chicagoland area band to seep through the airwaves of The Kat 105.5 before the hard rock powerhouse station would fall off the terrestrial radio waves for good. They first oozed through the airwves with the Kankakee metal duo's first trip to our studios 12 years ago this week. We rock back to it again.
Flush the non Chain wax from both earlobes and feel the inner ear hairs vibrate to the original Chicago are metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop soundtrack of.
Chainwax-Bound
Chainwax-Voices
Let Them Fight-Stuck
This Obsession-Cannibalism
Space Age Zeros-Wishing Well
Off Broadway-Tonight
Naked Raygun-Suspect Device
Whut-Punk Is Dead
Cupid Me-End Of An Era
Bleed For The Fallen (interview in The Kat 105.5 studio-3/8/12)
Bleed For The Fallen-Pirate Ships And Sailboats
Bleed For The Fallen-Piece By Piece
Bleed For The Fallen-NBC