Local Loft

Tear this open!!!!
If you need a little Christmas, right this very minute, you'll get little snippets. It's the gift of original Chicago area metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop that always gives and knows no season. It's a playlist that's been made and checked more than twice. Still, there will be some naughty mixed in with the nice tunes in the scene.
The naughty will be inflicted on you by a would be Satan. If I Were the Devil from Tinley Park will get Devil Horns Hand Signs flying in the air with their dark, sinister hardcore metal style. The band, fronted by singer Chris Melendez, fired up a blazing just shy of an hour long set at Soundgrowler Brewing in their home city. I talk to Chris about how authentic of Satanic worship they preach in their music.
Zombified Shock Rocker David Bates once played the role of a monstrous minister in the Meet Mister Scratch music video. He now gets into almost complete politician persona for the new single from Sinister Fate. But he's not completely giving up a good brain devouring, morbid scare. I have the new single.
We don't totally spend the days before Xmas in Hell, as we head upwards to get a heartwarming, joyous spirit of Christmas from veteran power pop trio Material Issue.
We gave them the gift of kudos, as they tore through a explosive set like Xmas gift wrap, during their debut performance at Holiday Of Horror, the annual festively gruesome local metal bash thrown by veteran murder metal trio, Macabre. Extraction Point earned their best original Chicago area Metal album Local Loft 2019 Year In Review honor. We rock back to it from Reggie's Music Joint in Chicago's South Loop.
Crank it up, and every creature all through your house, or car, or wherever, will be stirring to the original Chicagoland music soundtrack of:
If I Were The Devil-Allegiance To Fire
If I Were The Devil-Hark The Herald
Satan's Hallow-Satan's Hallow
Sinister Fate-Believe
Imminent Terror-Victims
Material Issue-Merry Christmas Will Do
Mimi Betinis-A Christmas Song
Bear Mace-Hibernation-Destroyed By Bears
Bloodletter-This House, A Tomb
Extraction Point (interview from Reggie's Music Joint !2/22/19 Local Loft Episode 117)
Extraction Point-Purification Through Hatred
Extraction Point-Mindsnap
 

It's beginning to look a lot like....HALLOWEEN!
As you or your kids, get ready to be nestled all sung in your beds. playing this pre-Christmas gift of original Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop soundtrack will get visions of blood devouring monsters dancing in your heads. 
If your kids are asking Santa for monsters under the tree, The Ooozin' Ahhhs will scare up a good time, especially after midnight.  And your young ones may get so scared they won't miss the gift wrap tearing experience on Christmas Day, because it will be too frightening to sleep. I packed plenty of courage for a pre-show interview with this unique and cinematic band as they haunted the stage at The Outtaspace in Berwyn for a Saturday night fright fest with a gruesome music soundtrack. Many Chicago music fans will be scared away from The Outtaspace after New Year's Eve, as the eclectic music and art venue shuts its doors for good.
Kankakee's premiere alternative rock band Carrying Torches have a shocking and scary, but corny twist to the music video of a colorful new single. I'll give you the sound that you can build your own nightmares around.
Twas' a time in the not-too-distant past, that an unlimited number of drummers drumming was part of a true love of original Chicago area metal and punk. There was music in abundance at the 20 Bands Of Christmas. The sonic gift made Christmas Tree lights explode at Wire in Berwyn. We rock back to the final ten times two lineup, featuring the futuristic hardcore metal of Bring The Fallout, seven years ago this week.
Go ahead, have a snooping peek and unwrap (with your ears) this cool yule playlist:
The Oozin' Ahhs-Riboflavin Flavored, Non-Carbonated, Polyunsaturated Blood
The Oozin' Ahhhs- The Screamin' Meemies From Planet X
Sinister Fate-Drop Dead Gorgeous
Carrying Torches-Good In Blue
Mustard Men-Children Of The Corn
Nucleus-Inculcate
Macabre-Dracula
Shoes-This Christmas
BlockChain Coalition-Silent Night (Reimagined)
Bring The Fallout (interview at The 20 Bands Of Christmas Wire In Berwyn 12/22/17 Local Loft Episode 73)
Bring The Fallout-Blaak Army
Bring The Fallout-The Wise Words Of Mr. Blaak

Are we there yet?
Almost. The huge Christmas gift giving extravaganza is just two weeks from this coming Wednesday. There's still plenty of time to give the gift of music. Local Loft doesn't just do that in abundance on December 25th. Another music intensive episode means there's more original Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock & power pop. all of it won't fit under even the most ginormous evergreen tree in the universe.
For admission price of an unwrapped toy to needy children, The Rock N Roll Circus Sideshow gave a triple gift of live local Chicagoland music. Calidius Timebomb had an added gift of rants over a diverse mix of rebellious punk and progressive Southern Rock. I talk to drummer Paul Schmidt as they exploded with a sonic punch onstage at Goat Village in Norridge, along with the intimate psychedelic alternative rock of 13- Monsters & The Turdles.
Kankakee Alternative Rock act Carrying Torches have a corny field day on the set of the music video for their upcoming new single Good In Blue. The late great King of Power Pop Cliff Johnson makes Christmas a real family affair, with his own special collaboration with longtime songwriting friend Mimi Betinis. It's a holiday memory that knows no calendar boundaries.
On a night where snow knew no accumulation limitations, the bilingual 4-man Chicago rock band Road's End drifted onto the stage of Wire in Berwyn with no strong wind gust assistance. We rock back to the beginning and end all show at the soon to be shut for good venue.
Just push play and you are there, with the awesome rock power to gift yourself with an original Chicago music soundtrack which will accumulate in your ear lobes.
Calidius Timebomb-What They Want (live from The Rock N Roll Circus Sideshow, Goat Village, Norrifge-12/7/24)
Calidius Timebomb-Revelations
13-Monsters-Staying At Home (Where It's Safe)
Veneficium-Beauty In A Casket
Bible Of The Devil-The Downtown Boogie
Carrying Torches-Unusual
The Turdles-Walking Around
Space Age Zeros (With Naked Raygun singer Jeff Pezzati)
Cliff Johnson & Mimi Betinis-Christmas Everyday
Road's End (interview form Wire in Berwyn-12/12/16 Local Loft Episode 45)
Road's End- The Descent
Road's End- S-21

Here we gift again!
The Christmas holiday season is the biggest for giving the gift of music. Nowadays it not really physically wrapping that long wanted vinyl LP, cassette or CD. It could simply be putting a treasured Spotify gift card or I Tunes download card into a festive stocking or crudely wrapping that cheap MP 3 player under the tree. 
No matter the season, Local Loft unwraps new original Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock & power pop, and we keep giving it to you all year long.
Metal is so many different varieties. Mostly hardcore intense metal dominates, with unclean vocals and ultra fast guitar & drum grooves. Old school traditional metal has not been put to rest. Heroine Sentinel rocks in this fashion. The 4-man band from Chicago's South Side combines a clear, high pitched vocal wail with a lightning-fast guitar chord and percussion rhythm. I talk with bassist Jose Salazar as they get ready to unite metal fans old and young at Soundgrowler Brewing in Tinley Park, Saturday, December 21st.
With well over 1 million cover versions, the traditional Christmas Carol Silent Night has even gone through a rapid-fire punk interpretation by Los Angeles veteran punk band The Dickies in1978. BlockChain Coalition rewrites history with a totally new recreation, different chord structure and vocal style from singer Tony Engel. They're sure to bust it out at BCC's last show of 2024, This Saturday, December 7th at Basecamp Pub & Eatery in Lisle.
Coming off one of the longest holiday celebrations of all time, Thanksgiving, you got in at least four off days of needed rest & relaxation. The Chicago alternative band Off Days rocked through a non-stop mixture of 60s psychedelic rock & 80s new wave. As, five years ago this week, they played live at a venue whose off days would be permanent, in 2020, being financially unable to rock on, hurt greatly by the COVID  lockdown, Wire in Berwyn. We rock back to it.
Let your ears, if not you gift opening hands, tear through this merry lineup of original Chicago rock. The unraveling includes:
Heroine Sentinel-Debt Slave (live from Live Wire Lounge in Jefferson Park-8/24)
If I Were The Devil-Traitor To The Cross
BlockChain Coalition-Silent Night (A reimagination by BlockChain Coalition)
M & R Rush-Heavy Metal Christmas
Jungle Rot- Genocidal Imperium
Whut?-One Choice
Sweetie-Showgirl
Vortis-Crisis
Calidus Timebomb-Final Pill
!3-Monsters-Hang Around (Live From punk Rock Tacos 52-8/10/24 Cemitas Poblanas, Villa Park Local Loft Episode 341)
The Off Days (interview from Wire in Berwyn-12/5/19 Local Loft Episode 116)
The Off Days-Junkie Girl 
The Off Days-Kiss Of Death
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Over the ears and through the gums
The nourishing original soundtrack of Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop goes great with a seven-course turkey meal or a late-night snack. And you'll be giving great thanks to the bands and artists who cook up the sweet sounds your ears and mind digests.
You most likely have seen the PSA commercials. "This is your brain on drugs.....Any questions!" Lombard singer and guitarist James Farber found a painful answer to the questions, but didn't use brain power quick enough to prevent a devastating loss to a part of his body after a substance experiment. He did turn the hurtful incident into a soulful punk band, James The Boneless. I talk with James about his band's upcoming release show for their debut album, X Rays. Friday, November 6th at Liar's Club. This is not music your cat will rock out to. Especially a track about Satan Worshippers and mistreatment of the felines.
After a very nondestructive stage debut, seven years ago at Krew Rock Lounge in Berwyn, The Crystal Lake four-man melodic progressive metal band Wrecked return with their second full length album, Sleeping With Knives. I've got the nightmarish title track that will cut a headbanging groove throughout the cyberwaves.
Vaudevilens recreates the bright melodic hard rock sound of their new full-length album Lights Out in the second of two studios where it was recorded. I'll get you the top tapping (if not tap dancing) details on when the four-piece led by singer & guitarist Jeff Julian lights up the stage at Joliet's Third City Sound this Saturday.
Sometimes when you sing for your supper, the results are more nourishing than the meal the music accompanies. The Chicago veteran hard rock band Lynch provided a ear watering (if not mouthwatering) treat with a Thanksgiving night jam plugged in from The Kat 105.5 on air studio fourteen years ago this week. We rock back to it.
No turkeys, just choice cuts of original Chicago area music. The menu to savor includes:
James The Boneless-Wide Awake
James The Boneless-Satan's Kitty
Take The Reins-Last Stop Motel
Wrecked-Sleeping With Knives
Testimony-Spectral Thoughts
Idol Throne-The Last Voyage
Prison City Brigade-Shitty Presents
Terminus Victor-When You're Not Invited
Vaudeviliens-Wide Awake
Lynch (in The Kat 105.5 studio-11/25/10 aired on Thanksgiving Night)
Lynch-M.A.D.
Lynch-Anymore
Lynch-Sister Mary
 

Streaming is the new radio
So this is best way I know how to recreate my music intensive (and trivia intensive) period as an on air personality. Bringing you the widest variety of original Chicagoland metal, pink, alternative rock and power pop. It's not all about me, it's all about the music. I will entertain you between songs, so you get a complete and detailed background of the bands and artists that will enhance and educate you as to what oyu're listening.
Some acts are familiar. Sons Of Ra is nothing new. I first introduced you to this eclectic rock/jazz fusion trio in August 2017. At that time, they focused on a heavy instrumental guitar sound from founder Erik Oldman. On Tropic Of Cancer, their fifth EP and second full length album, the music takes a diverse turn to feature tenor sax, synths, flutes and violins. It's tropical and new age, and that distinctive power metal guitar riffing is still there. I talk with Erik and bassist/sax player Keith Wakefield. as they present a two-man version of the new record at The Outtaspace in Berwyn.
Panic in the subway. More like pogoing. A haunting but totally hip rocking image is presented by bluesy old school hard rockers The Midnight Calls, in their new single and music video that has them rocking away danger and leaving the indelible facial image of singer Taran DePablos.
Making the rafters of Brauerhouse In Lombard Vibrate, Chicago Punk trio Voice Of Addiction creates the seismic tremors on their own five years ago this week. Eleven years ago, they did it as an up and coming opening act for the legendary U.K. punk band The Vibrators as they reunited to rock Brauerhouse. We rock back to it.
Crank up this original Chicago area music soundtrack, and watch the wall plaster disintegrate!
Sons Of Ra-Tropic Of Cancer 1
Erik Oldman & Keith Wakefield (Sons Of Ra)-Sleep (Live at The Outtaspace In Berwyn-11/16/24)
Beneath The Stares-Guilty Bystander
The Midnight Calls-Since I've Been Thinking
E'nuff Z'nuff-Heaven Or Hell
Trail Of Entrails-Rot In The Cellar
Desecrated-Desecrated
Vang!-Inappropriate Mannequins
Aweful-Time
Voice Of Addiction (interview from Brauerhouse In Lombard-11/20/19 Local Loft Episode 115)
Voice Of Addiction-Eraser
Voice Of Addiction-Rustbelt

Rock... the final frontier. Final, as in failed technology has inexplicably wiped out my prepared text about how a rockin' and active Chicagoland music scene always offers an opportunity to explore musical worlds. a close encounter with human beings that are sometimes strange. To seek out bands and artists with a new life, and to boldly go where no genre, metal, punk, alternative rock or power pop has gone before. It's not always a Star Trek, where you find the next big thing or hitmaker.
Space Age Zeros were first zapped onto the Local Loft cyberwaves on Episode 327 (May 4th) at Blue Island Brewing. They first unveiled songs from their second album release, but first full length. Strange New World doesn't only contain tunes about reptilian flesh-eating aliens. There's a heartfelt tune about the loss of a childhood friend, and one about a core punk rock characteristic, boredom. I talk with singer Nathan Zero, Drummer Tommy and guitarist Steev before they play unplugged, stripped down to earth versions at Flapjack Brewery in Berwyn.
At the same show, Beer Can'd Fest where Space Age Zeros first beamed onto a concert stage, Traci Trouble powered off the brilliant garage punk trio Aweful. It  was their last show, but Traci rocks on as bassist of the goth metal band Claw Toe. I've got the blood sucking debut single.
With no laser zapping invasion instigated, Radio Creeps had a close encounter of the human earthlings kind. They descended on Waterworks Tavern And Pizza in Lyons. I was an eye and ear witness to the sighting seven years ago this week. We rock back to it.
"Hey, put away that ray!. How do you original Chicago area metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop loving earthlings say, I love these tunes?" Follow these ten examples:
Space Age Zeros-April 1st
Space Age Zeros-I Don't Want To Have Fun Anymore
The Tragedies-What The Hell
Claw Toe-Vampire
Hotlips Messiah-American Clone
Fierce Atmospheres-A New Sunrise (live from W.C. Social Club, West Chicago-2/15/23
The Midnight Calls-So Cold
Dead And Buried-Hunting Ground
Flowersatherfeet-Buried
Radio Creeps (interview from Waterworks Tavern & Pizza, Lyons-11/17/17 Local oft Episode 71)
Radio Creeps-Night of The Baphomet
Radio Creeps-Alien
 

You have the right...the right to choose!
As you exercise you right to vote on Tuesday, November 5th, also exercise your right to choose your favorite original Chicago area metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop band. This is the most important music of your life. Think of Local Loft as your podcast ballot and vote conscientiously.
Being totally independent of a single genre, Reckless Inc. combines a bluesy Southern Rock guitar twang with a ferocious metal edge. This four man band from the Kankakee area features drummer Travis Zupan, who co fronts the intense hardcore metal band Ephinepic.  Reckless Inc. singer Dean Presley joins me to breakdown a few song tales of psychedelic desert car rides and Vigilante wanderers. A taste of what you'll find on their long time in the making self-titled debut album.
There'll be indoor fireworks generated by Chicago Punk Trio Firecat at Punk Rock Tacos 59 in Villa Park this Friday night. And a vehicular switcheroo from veteran Berwyn band Ides Of March, as their prestigious founder Jim Peterik wings his way to a 74th year of Life next Monday.
With a sarcastic day job as an Ed Debevic's waitress, Krysie Ridolphi is first and foremost a prominent singer, who made the switch from goth metal in Deadman'swake to OI! Punk as frontwoman for Evil, Engine. One of Kryssie's bands morphed into the other, officially nine years ago this week, At Brauerhouse In Lombard. I was there to capture it all.
Check over all the candidates for inclusion as your next playlist of choice, and let your freedom to pick your own soundtrack rock, whether in the voting booth or the listening space of your world:
Reckless Inc.-109
Reckless Inc.- Mr. Mayhem
Catalano-Changes
Sink-Moons
Sink-Who Cares
Jim Peterik & World Stage (featuring Ides Of March)-We Can Fly
Survivor-Poor Man's Son
FireCat-Sleepless In Chicago
White House Burning-Death And Decay
Evil Engine (interview from Brauerhouse In Lombard Local Loft Episode 13 11/11/15)
Evil Engine-Father
Deadman'swake-Far Be It From Me

"Trick or Treat.....the bitter and the sweet." (Siouxie & The Banshees-Halloween (1981).
There'll be very little (if any) bitterness, but a lot that's sweet. Ear candy of the original Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock and power scene. Crank it up ultra loud and feel your back molars vibrate! Hardcore metal intensely loud it out decibeled the ear-splitting noise of nearby jet engines from arriving and departing 747's and DC 10's at nearby Midway Airport. The first annual Hell Over Midway at Macgoos Bar and Grill in Bedford Park, had 12 Chicago's Southwest side to New York exceeding optimal volume levels. Loud enough to strip graffiti of paint splattered walls. Extraction Point was second, revealing a new metal militia anthem that would be the perfect soundtrack to a new era of combat video gaming. I talk with singer Cody Zupan, guitarist Rick El Gato Lancaster, and the three other new members, JP, Justin and Stasi, after they ruptured the foundations of the truck depot warehouse style stage and venue. The band has a noticeably different lineup from their first one five years ago this week, when they premiered at The Forge in Joliet, which we rock back to to close out Episode 352.
Beheading The Icon, from the Southwest Side of Chicago tapped into a familiar 80s video game classic for inspiration, as well as current wartime situations around the world for their mind and speaker blowing set.  I talk with band members Jason Cordero, Matt Bly, Franco, and Osvil Cisneros after they mesmerized   the crowd. While The Fiction We Create combined the melodic, but intense vocal style of Skylar Jensen, who I introduced to all of you in 2017 as second singer of the long since broken up Punch Cabbie.
Kankakee area drummer Travis Zupan gives the headbanging, piledriving groove of Ephinepic a rest to introduce a country rock meets blues rock style of Reckless Inc. They have just released their self-titled debut EP. An opening blast will explode onto your speakers.
Open your ears (not your candy bag) Assorted original Chicagoland music treats will be passed out from:
Extraction Point-Return Fire
Extraction Point-Forced Compliance
Beheading The Icon-TV Dinner
Beheading The Icon-Pay To Pray
The Fiction We Create-The Void's Calling
Deadman's Hand-Wrathchild (Iron Maiden Cover)
Satan's Hallow-The Horror
Black Road-Witch Of The Future
Reckless Inc.-Bullet
Extraction Point (interview from The Forge in Joliet Local Loft Episode 114-10/31/19)
Extraction Point-Skankgoat
Extraction Point-Best Served Cold (with Holly Smith of  Pop Killers & Hot Dang)

An original Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock & power pop JAM session with a side of (Spamicidal) Jelly!
Crank this up and jam it between speakers.  From the harmonious Garage Punk Pop of The Larvettes, to the grunting meets intimate female lead vocal  of Rosie Walker, the music menu is full, and there's plenty to fill up.
I first introduced you to the Larvettes in July 2023 (Local Loft Episode 286). They return with an as of yet untitled full length follow up to their debut 2022 EP, Happy Go Lucky Times. The new effort boasts a more aggressive, fast, upbeat rhythm and more abrasive heavy guitar sound. Singer/guitarist Bob Towne is joined once again by bassist/backing singer chip Medema & drummer Tim, as they lay their melodic chunky guitar sound on a Saturday Night crowd at The Outtaspace in Berwyn. I talk with them backstage (actually the outdoor patio) before they headline.
Hell Over Midway Metal fest will feature up and coming Southwest Side of Chicago Metalcore act Beheading The Icon, who'll make you aggressively mosh off the seven course TV dinner you just gulped down, Saturday night at McGoos Bar & Grill in Bedford Park. I have the scrumptious preview. Joliet's Spamicidal Jelly Jams with a cult 90s metal band best known for giving a timeless Disney fairytale of a house blowing destructive wolf a hardcore reboot, Green Jelly, Friday night at The Forge in Joliet. While Bullet To The Heart's glamour goth frontwoman Audren Queen snuggles with a stuffed bear in a new not so nightmarish music video and single.
Mixing intimate emotional lead vocals with a punchy fiery metal crunch, Rosie Walker commanded False Hope Fades, who was a recurring main attraction at Dame Nation (Reggies, Congress Theatre, Abbey Pub). I caught up with Rosie and FHF guitarist Kham as they rock the roof off The Forge in Joliet, nine years ago this week.
Jam on, and make your ears and body quiver like a bowl full of jelly, as you mosh and shake supreme to this original Chicago area music soundtrack:
The Larvettes-Russian Roulette
The Larvettes-Diplomat
Silver Abuse-Uganda (live from The Outtaspsce, Berwyn 10/19/24)
Beheading The Icon-TV Dinner
Rose Of Demise-Jane Doe
Bullet To The Heart-Dreamscape
Feels Like Karma-Hypocrite
Halfway To Zero-Who Dis?
Spamicidal Jelly-Falcon
False Hope Fades Rosie Walker & Kham interview from The Forge in Joliet-10/18/15 Local Loft Episode 12)
False Hope Fades-Striven
False Hope Fades-Coward