Local Loft

Local Loft Episode 277

It's the Mother Lode of all music intensive podcasts. Certainly, there is a load of new original Chicago area metal, punk, alternative rock & power pop that you can gift wrap & have the woman who brought you on this planet open & enjoy on her special day. But the whole family can enjoy any time of year.
As singer & frontman of Joliet based metal act Skull King, Nick DiNardo exuded a wide range of singing style, from angry hardcore to melodic hard rock. After that band's short run, he radically changed his style to solo acoustic blues rock. Now he rocks hard & furious again as singer of the Algonquin based True Love Devil. Nick & the full band join, as they look for worldwide headbanging love, by rocking a Thursday night crowd at Live Wire Lounge in Jefferson Park with Chokesetter & Her Worse Nightmare.
When veteran power rock singer Tony Engel formed Block Chain Coalition with his ex Veilside drummer Ron Thomas earlier this year, those already used to the science fiction atmosphere & fiery guitar shredding of the progressive metal duo GraveReign wondered if they were no more. Now both forces that drove that band to rock hard, are teaming up to write the first new song of future follow-up album to BCC's debut The New Normal, including local master shredder David Demon Shankle, formerly of forgotten 80s fantasy metal band, Manowar. I've got the scoop.
The most unique African American rock band to blend hardcore punk & late 70s urban funk & rap, Chicago's Blackmarket Democracy got an overwhelming amount of votes that they rocked the roof off the former Nite Cap in Portage Park when they headlined live seven years ago this week. We rock back to when I introduced them to Local Loft listeners worldwide.
Along with these, you've struck the motherlode of a family friendly, energy rich soundtrack, by cramming your ears full of the sounds from:
True Love Devil-One Last Breath
Skull King-Seperate Ways
Chokesetter- WorldEater
Her Worst Nightmare-Betray The Victor
Speedpvssy-Funeral Bells In Hell
Football Head-Snowball
Seldom Told-Medicine Man
Block Chain Coalition-Never Really Meant To Say Goodbye
GraveReign-The Reckoning
Blackmarket Democracy (Interview from Nite Cap, Portage Park 5/16/16 Local Loft Episode 25)
Blackmarket Democracy-Buckshot Republic
Blackmarket Democracy-Fragile

Local Loft Episode 276

You ain't seen nothing like it, since coronation day.....a royal pain in the ass PC freezup!
I had a prepared text that I just typed out here around 15 minutes ago, but half assed computer technology wiped it out on purpose. 
This Episode has non bombastic, non pompous parades of Skull Kings & drama queens (at least a flashback of the former & a mention of the latter as a brief lead singing slot of the former's former hair metal band)
So, as brief as I can write,
With songs devoted to classic cars of award-winning serial killer film directors, Chicago power trio Goatbelly is hoping to avoid a negative connection from The Party Of No, as they co headline with their rock nemesis, The Lunatic's Fringe, Thursday Night at The Forge In Joliet. Singer Otis Tapper & bassist Ryan Worthy join me to preview the gig with songs from their soon to be released self-titled debut album, released on May 20th.
Berwyn Punk rockers Acton's Dictum serve up a new non ground beef groove filled black vinyl platter, the first on a new label of the scrumptious monthly gathering, Punk Rock Tacos, Friday in Villa Park. I've got a preview. 
Joliet metal singer Nick DiNardo didn't get the royal treatment as frontman of Skull King in 2011, even though we welcomed him like a metal monarch when he & the band appeared in our Kat 105.5 studio. 5 years after they ended their reign of rock, Nick did a complete turnaround as a solo acoustic blues rocker. He's getting heavy again with True Love Devil. They will generate a mosh pit fit for princes of darkness, May 18th at Livewire Lounge. I have their new single.
Dean Leo's singing career recalls the days King Charlie tied the knot with Princess Di. He (Dean) has been in 80s hair bands but has displayed his multi range vocals in Endgame. They made their stage debut six years ago this week at Star Bar in Chicago Ridge. We rock back to it.
Along with these, you're getting the uncrowned king of every Chicago mosh pit treatment, as you accept the formal invitation to rock supreme by cranking up:
Goatbelly-Delta 88
Goatbelly-Avias A
The Lunatic's Fringe-By Hook Or By Crook
Dead Freddie-Double Handle
Acton's Dictum-May 26th
Pete Berwick-Renegade
The Boyzz-Hoochie Koochie (original 1978 Too Wild To Tame LP pressing)
True Love Devil-One Last Breath
Skull King-Never
Endgame (interview from Star Bar in Chicago Ridge Local Loft Episode 58 5/6/17)
Endgame-Withered
Endgame-Haunted
 
 

Local Loft Episode 275

30 years ago on May 1st, I first set foot in the air studios of a commercial radio station and jumped on the mic. Following many million miles driving in ice storms, blizzards, excessive heat warnings, I made an adventurous through the Joliet region (The Kat 105.5), Rockford (96.7 The Eagle) & Kankakee (WKAN, X Country 106.5, & the return of The Kat) as a morning, midday and afternoon drive DJ. Throughout it all, I helped to expose millions of listeners to the diverse sound of the Chicagoland area's original metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop scene. When The Kat stopped rocking, I picked up where we left off. Eight years & 275 episodes later, here we still are. This episode is not a career spanning retrospective. We forward & rock on.
The Mike Michalak Band (MMB) has been through many diverse changes. From Jazz Fusion to Jam band, to progressive hard rock trio. MIke Joins me to talk about and spin two tracks from their just released ( 4/20) album Butcher Dolls. Including the creepy mannequin east coast concept of the albums story.
Despite a targeted first May weekend concert event, there will be no entry to a planned Exit reopening show for Chicago's legendary Punk rock club. It still will happen. I've got details.
Shedding their invisible personas, Sky Ghosts return with another stripped down, acoustic rendition of the alternative hard rock powerhouse band 13-Monsters. We rock back to when they (Singer Deb Sonzo, & guitarist Jamie Riani) first became visible to live show audiences, five years ago this week at the Outtaspace in Berwyn.
Along with these, you're just a jump to the left & little step to the right of a timeless mosh pit, as you propel your clockless hands through a forward dimension with the timeless sounds of:
Mike Michalak Band-Amy
Mike Michalak Band- Doll Needs
Donkey Punch-Chicago Beatdown
The Tossers-Irish Blood
WAYDSB-Dodge City Blitz
The Lunatic's Fringe-Electric Church
Goatbelly-Antidote
Convoy-Till I Met You
Chains Over Razors-Behind These Eyes
A.D.D.-So Much (So Little)
Sink-Spiders And Heroin
Sky Ghosts (Interview from The Outtaspace in Berwyn Local Loft Episode 80 5/12/18)
Sky Ghosts/13- Monsters-Heroine
!3-Monsters-The Bessemer Process

Local Loft Episode 274

Everyday is Record Store Day!
If you visit a brick & mortar store that is. Even if you don't, the cheap, crude sounding digital downloads you play in random order on your beloved phone with a selected track content, that's a record (it's a music industry term to describe any collection of songs)
A brand spanking new full-length record from two veteran power rockers, who founded Veilside was released as the month of April began. Blockchain Coalition isn't much different from the crunchy guitar hooks & thunderous drumming of the former band. Singer Tony Engel joins me to talk about how BCC mixes power ballads with stellar vocal harmonies & exquisite arrangements on The New Normal. Along with ex Veilside drummer Ron Thomas, they will play more new songs from the debut, May 20th at Sundance Saloon in Mundeliein.
International Pop Overthrow will have surrendering to the distinctive sound of jangling guitars & doo wop vocal harmonies. It's not all Chicagoland power pop bands playing the massive festival at Montrose Saloon form now till Saturday the 29th as you'll soon find out from me.
A.D.D. gets you full attention span, as they play W.C. Social Club in West Chicago with Death Pop Radio this Friday the 28th.
Rocking true to the cause. Back when we still could (but our time was almost up in three months) The Kat 105.5 used our terrestrial airwaves to support a native Kankakee rocker who needed monetary help with medical bills due to being hospitalized from a work-related accident. The Kankakee metal community came together to help Eric Plonka. We rock back to nine years ago this week when his fellow musician friends gathered in our air studio to help.
Along with these. you're implanting a mental record in the deep recesses of your brain tissue, as you slam dance to:
Blockchain Coalition-Fooled Again 
Blockchain Coalition-Step On A Rocket
Veilside-Every Time You Call
Too Much Saturn-Stop Thief!
Rollo Time-One Thing
Shoes-Too Late (1979 original us 45 rpm mix)
The Kind-Loved By You (1982 360 Records vinyl mix)
Death Pop Radio-Sucka, Inc.
A.D.D.-Open Your Eyes
Convoy-Let It Roll
Brickwall Vultures-One City, One Pride (Sexy Baby Records 7' vinyl mix)
Eric Plonka Benefit (Homegrown Tones-4/24/14 Aaron Langlois Seas Of Europa interview in The Kat 105.5 studio)
Seas Of Europa-Death Is Upon Us
Taken By The Sun-Demons Tempt The Dying Man With Crowns
Ephinepic-To Ashes
 
 

Local Loft Episode 273

From Rockford to Rockdale, Berwyn to Blue Island, the music map is always expanding, 
Just push play, and you're rocking through a Solar powered glam slam double decade of metalcore, & power pop, where every day is Halloween to a Lad Insane. 
The area at the Illinois/Wisconsin state line has always stayed active in producing prominent rock bands. Not only the legendary Cheap Trick for almost 50 years, but Solar, with the intimate, yet fierce vocal style of Stepanie Jennings. The forest City also is home to one of the most ferocious metal bands today. Marks Of Gray joins Solar for the next stop on the Solar 20 tour, Thursday at Brauerhouse in Lombard. Singer Kevin James joins me to talk about how his angry screeching vocals blended very well with Stephanie's emotional fiery singing range, & will again, as the two join forces on stage.
Material Issue, whose 1991 debut album provided the massive power pop live showcase with its title, was one of many veteran Chicago acts to play International Pop Overthrow, which return for the first time since the COVID pandemic closed it down for three years. I have a jangling, strumming preview as it opens Friday at Montrose Saloon.
A frequent headlining band of Glam Slam Metal Jam in 96-97, one time was not Enuff. Veteran Blue Island hair rockers Enuff Z'Nuff have reinvented the event as a new 2023 major city one month tour, starting in Aurora this July. I've got the scoop.
Along with these, your pulse is thumping like a hyperactive speaker woofer, as your feet pulsate to the backbeat of the rhythms from the original Chicagoland area metal, punk, alternative rock & power pop soundtrack of.
Solar (featuring Marks of Gray singer Kevin James) Depths Of Division
Marks Of Gray-Illusions Of Eminence
Let Them Fight-Down Inside 
Convoy-The Warning
Block Chain Coalition-The Road
The Spindles-Annette
The Larvettes-Not Diggin' You
John Condron & The Old Gang Orchestra- Dragons
John Condron & The Benefit-Minutes To Hours
Acton's Dictum-Dollar Beers
Enuff Z'Nuff-Clown On The Town
Purge (Bernardo Burns Mendia interview in The Kat 105.5 studio-4/17/14)
Purge-Beyond The Unkown

Local Loft Episode 272

" What do I know about Rock N Roll. I'm just an old geezer!"
 
Old doesn't always mean outdated. While the focus of every Local Loft episode is about new & fresh original Chicago area metal, punk, alternative & power pop, new music is sometimes played by an aging bunch of rockers. Despite their wrinkled, grey haired physical appearance, some of them still have a lot to offer in winning over new & younger audiences. The Chicago comedic punk band Geezer Senior will have veterans & young ones pogoing with equal energy, while chowing down & a heaping plate of ground beef & hard shells at Punk Rock Tacos 25, this Saturday, spend your hard earned (hopefully Federal tax refund) money on admission into Exit Saloon in the Southwest of Chicago suburb of Summit to check out Geezer Senior, Cuddle Riot ( see Local Loft #270) The Turdles & Anger. Singer Jack Geezer joins me to preview the not totally geriatric fun time.
Recalling the old but still very relevant days of 80's Hair Metal & Pop Metal, Ex Veilside frontman Tony Engel & drummer Ron Thomas lay The New Normal, from the not totally MTV decade band Block Chain Coalition. it's powerful enough to make you miss an original reunion opportunity from a certain L.A. veteran glam metal band, who are shouting not at the devil, but each other in a court room over unfairly kicking out their longtime guitar hero. I'll also dish out the not so Dirt-y details of the first ever South Side Metal fest, way South of Chicago in Lansing.
Ear blistering hardcore metal did not have you writing in pain from too much headbanging when you rocked with Oak Forest's One Steel Wound. I first introduced their sadistic grind core to Kat 105.5 listeners ten years ago this week.
Along with these, you'll be moshing your way towards a fountain of youth, as you musically drench your ear hairs in the sonic ripples of:
Geezer Senior-Take Your Guns Away
Geezer Senior-Ghost Bike
Anger-Listen Up, Man
Block Chain Coalition-Caught In The Undertow
Veilside-Change Your Mind
Kobanes-Back To The Hospital
The Unswept-Gonna Split
Convoy-We Are The Ones
Furthest From The Light-Sedation
One Steel Wound (Brandon Castillo & Dan Reitz interview in The Kat 105.5 studio- 4/11/13)
One Steel Wound-SadisticOne Steel Wound-The New Beginning

Local Loft Episode 271

Puttin' the Rock in Rockford. Sounds like a radio station slogan. One listen to the power rock four-piece band Solar, and there's no denying you'll be hooked. Headbanging & body shaking a plenty. Their history comes very close to equaling that of another legendary four-piece, Cheap Trick, who's been at it a year shy of fifty. Solar still has three more decades to catch up.. Still, twenty years of a hard-hitting bass & drum combo rhythm, scorching guitar shredding hypnotic power chords of Brad Jennings, & the seductive, high pitched vocal fire of frontwoman Stephanie Jennings is a huge accomplishment. Solar kicks off their twentieth anniversary tour this Friday, April 7th in the hometown of Rockford. The month long tour will rock through Brauerhouse in Lombard on the 20th, & Big Basin Saloon on the Des Plaines River below the big I-55 steel bridge in Channahon, where Westmont Swamp rockers Convoy will co- headline. Stephanie joins me to preview the tour, which Solar will illuminate fans with a not yet discovered debut album, First Light. It was first released for a short time in 2006. The reissue features a rarity for the band, a slower power ballad.
As frontman for the power rock combo Veilside, &  the progressive metal duo, GraveReign, Tony Engel displayed his explosive vocal delivery against an earthquake shaking wall of searing chunky guitar chords, shredding & Ron Thomas wall crumbling drum licks. The two are back with the radically different sounding Block Chain Coalition. Their full length debut album, The New Normal, was released on April 1st, & offers a few surprising throwbacks to a time when fancy hairdos were as big as the beefy sound from pop metal bands in the MTV dominated 80's.
Beginning as a Country Rocker signed to a major Nashville record label, Veteran Chicago rocker Kevin Lee changed tunes dramatically. He rocks on as founder of Kevin Lee & The Kings. They got the royal stage treatment at Wire in Berwyn six years ago this week. I gave Local Loft listeners the introduction to a long-time artist & band at the top of their rocking game. 
Along with these, you're rocketed into your own big rocking world of sonic blasts from the newest & freshest original Chicago area metal, punk, alternative rock & power pop, as you jet propel yourself to the mosh pit by grooving to:
Solar-Deep Within
Solar-Leaving
Convoy-Hero
Block Chain Coalition-Hold On
GraveReign-Light The Fuse
The Dynamic Duo (featuring David (The Demon) Shankle- Raise The Battle Flag (2002 demo)
As King-Brutal
Shoes-She Satisfies
Paradoxx-Plan Of Attack 
Kevin Lee & The Kings (interview from Wire In Berwyn 4/8/17 Local Loft Episode 55)
Kevin Lee & The Kings-Burn It Down
Kevin Lee & The Kings-Gold Digger

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