Local Loft

Local Loft Episode 301

Open up both ear canals and say AHHH! There's treats a plenty. I've scared up another hour and half worth of ear candy of the original Chicago area metal, punk, alternative rock & power pop assorted variety. Rock out in costume if you must. Although no formal or cheap crude dress code here.
Throw up a devil horn hand sign and prepare for a real screamer with Surf Candy. This early 20s grunge hard rock trio from Chicago will dress like a typical 90s grunge rock band, that means plenty of flannel shirts. As you will find out from singer & guitarist Ian Young, 90s grunge acts like Nirvana aren't the only inspiration for the sludgy sound they will lay down, in a Halloween Night gig this Tuesday at the legendary Val's Halla record store in Oak Park. Ian joins me to talk about the show, as well as Surf Candy's new single Fall.
Macabre will extend Halloween haunting festivities into the merriest season of all. I'll have all the details on their spooktacular 25th anniversary edition of Holiday Of Horror. While Sinister Fate trades hedonism for hobgoblins on their new single, due out the on the day before the big candy and pumpkin fest.
No exorcisms will expel the presence of Beelzebub, as we rock back to seven years ago this week, when Satan's Hallow brought a hella good rock show to Reggie's Music Joint. We rock back to it.
All You Zombies, put a kabash on the brain munching, and ear devour this ghoulishly great original Chicagoland rock soundtrack:
Surf Candy-Fall
Surf Candy-Starvation
Lever-Ms. Lead
Admiral Of Black-Gravewalker
My Sedatious Sister- The Night Of The Angry Beast
Bishop's Daredevil Stunt Club-I Saw A Ghost
The Insiders-Ghost On The Beach
Of Wolves-Killing Spree
Macabre-Dracula
Witchcross-Mistress Of Darkness
Sinister Fate Meet Mister Scratch
Satan's Hallow (interview from Reggie's Music Joint 10/30/16 Local Loft Episode 41)
Satan's Hallow-The Horror
Satan's Hallow-Satan's Hallow

Local Loft Episode 300

Three Hundred strong and still rocking.
The number of episodes is only as significant as the quality & quantity of original Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop bands & artists who put forth the music that rocks a generation of listeners around the globe. 
Embers Rise has a solid melodic hard rock sound that was made for immediate worldwide radio airplay. Music that shows inspiration from Nickelback to Puddle Of Mudd. But can inspire a great many more generation of hard rock bands to follow. Singer/guitarist Ethan Barkman, lead guitarist Harrison Hoffman, & drummer Cory Nicolin join as they head to W.C. Social Club in West Chicago Friday November 10th. Their new single Hurricane, rocks with gale force across cyberspace.
Punk Rock Tacos will provide a more spicy, meaty & hard rocking alternative to the usual candy-coated costume party this Hallloween. #35 will be four days before the big trick or treat fest day at Cemitas Poblanas, The Horrids, Lombard's ultra spooky punk band, is headlining. Something fiendishly new from them, and a not so frozen in time update from power pop legends, Pezband is also on the LL #300 menu.
Chilling tales of a child abandoning beggar , and a mind ditching non island castaway, will be told again, by The Untold from the West Side of Chicago, who rocked more than spooked out a packed costumed crowd, five years ago this week at Wire in Berwyn. We rock back to it.
Open your ears, not your candy bag, and dig into the ear candy of the original Chicagoland soundtrack of:
Embers Rise-Hurricane
Embers Rise-Isolated
Alborn-Even Numbers
Surf Candy-Fall
The Horrids-Devil's Shoulder/Let Go
Green-Beaten Into Submission
The Insiders-35,000
Pezband-Stop, Wait A Minute (2023 version)
Cliff Johnson-On The River
The Untold (Interview From Wire In Berwyn 10/26/18 Local Loft Episode 89)
The Untold-The Lowly Beggar
The Untold-Castaway

Local Loft Episode 299

It's almost Halloween, by now you know the routine.
 
They'll be no tricks, as you open the player on your device of choice, it's always a treat. Lots of ear candy. So dig into another ear and mouthwatering soundtrack of original Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock & power pop. 
With a name like Coyote Man, you'd expect lyrics of spooky, body devouring creatures always on the prowl for human flesh. But this Coyote Man is on the hunt for Soundgrowler Brewing in Tinley Park, where three days before Halloween (October 28th), the Northwest Chicago instrumental hard rock trio brings video tales of Anime warriors & devils in the ultimate battle of world destruction. Drummer Ian Wheeler joins me to preview Coyote Man's first ever live show at Soundgrowler.
They still got a good, good U.S. beat and the great great spirit of cliff Johnson rocking with them as they make a Quick Turn in the direction of Des Plaines Theater on November 16th. I got the details of the post Cliff Off Broadway's next show.
Taran De Pablos has made a big turn away from the progressive thrash metal of Fierce Atmospheres. He's motoring straight for the garage with a Stones (not Stoner) rock groove. I'll spin the new single from The Midnight Calls.
Tanzen kung fu'd their way (not moshed) to Reggie's Rock Club with a new wave of hardcore metal, seven years ago this week at Reggie's Rock Club. We rock back to it.
One episode shy of the big 300th. We don't shy away from a big haul of original Chicagoland music, including:
Coyote Man-Worthy Adversary
Coyote Man-Autonomous
High Priest-Invocation
Off Broadway-My Soul (1978 demo)
Off Broadway-Alright OK
Bind The Sacrifice-Singular Entity
Fool's Brew-Saddle Up
The Midnight Calls-Whaddya
Phosphene-Lock Me Away
Tanzen (interview from Reggie's Rock Club-10/16/16 Local Loft Episode 40)
Tanzen-Game Of Death 
Tanzen-Wolves On A Fence
 

Local Loft Episode 298

The original music and voices of they who truly rock the Chicago area's metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop scene. presented to you by almost completely voiceless host.
I'm not getting into great details on my technical difficulties, but seasonal allergies kicked in and caused me to do this podcast sounding hoarse and croaky.
At least the vocals of the artists had a more natural sound. Including Death Pop Radio. On their second full length album, Medieval Electric, due out this Friday the 13th, they work in more synthesizers. which don't rob the music of its heavy aggressive rock nature. Siner Eric Liljehorn joins me to preview the new album, and its release show this Friday, the 13th at Brauerhouse in Lombard.
An Aweful good time will be had by all at Empty Bottle Wednesday night, when the north side Chicago trio releases their self titled second album, in three different colored pressings. I got the leadoff track from it.
From Black, Purple, and translucent Pink vinyl LPs to Red Novella. The Aurora based band painted a rocking future, hoping to be a big part of a melodic hard rock scene that included Skillet and Nickelback. I talked with singer Jeremy Fineberg as their debut album Failure By Design had just been released ten years ago this week.
As I gargle salt water to restore my broadcast voice. you can scream and shout in a clear high voice your love of the original Chicagoland music scene by pumping up the volume to:
Death Pop Radio-Demons
Death Pop Radio-Medieval Electric
Pipe-Play That Johnny Cash Song
Aweful-Just Like Me
Lollygagger-Liar's Club
Terminus Victor-The Hands Of Gridlock
Deep Tunnel Project-Connector
Repentance-Down In The Water
Gerhart-Bringing Me Down
Red Novella (interview in The Kat 1055 studio-10/10/13)
Red Novella-Won't Back Down
Red Novella-Broken Down

Local Loft Episode 297

"The Lunatics have taken over the asylum.' (Fun Boy Three-1982)
 
These Lunatics come with a FRINGE Benefit. Since he set out on a quest to use the power of Rock N Roll to save the world from mindless psychos like The Party Of NO, Mr. Fringe, singer and guitarist of The Joliet based Lunatics Fringe has faced alleged kidnappings and mind erasing in his journey of Rock release. He brings great rock for a few great causes to The Forge In Joliet, and through its saving and healing power will help those to resist the dangerous effects of suicide and substance abuse. Celebration is a day and night of triumph of those who are facing the demons of wanting to take their own lives, or waste them away with too many drugs. Four Chicago area metal bands used their very explosive power chords and angst ridden singing to rock troubled people out of a troubled state of mind. I talk in person to Mr. Fringe and give you the live rock action of Lunatics Fringe, Spamicidal Jelly, Khaos Ordinance, and Let Them Fight.
Kankakee's award-winning alternative rock quintet Carrying Torches prepares us all for the slushy, bitter cold future with a heartwarming new single that will have you carving out a future with your own two parka clad arms. 
October means the inescapable candy dominated season of Halloween. Black Road made every day seem like all hallows eve, and every minute like a witching hour. I first dropped in on their dark hard stoner rock spell, five years ago this week, as they rocked a packed Reggie's Music Joint Saturday night crowd. We rock back to it.
You're in a music filled trance and can't get out of it. Fall into the groove of original Chicago area metal, punk, alternative rock, and power pop, by treating yourself (with no candy shortage tricks attached) to:
The Lunatic's Fringe-Let The Fringe Begin (live from The Forge in Joliet-9/30/23)
The Lunatic's Fringe-Electric Church
Spamicidal Jelly-Fight Club
Khaos Ordinance-Pavlov
Let Them Fight-Donnybrook
Carrying Torches-Snow Angel
A.D.D.-Hear Me Now (live in The Kat 105.5 studio (acoustic)-4/7/11)
Kevin M. Buck-OTO
Wrath-When Worlds Collide
Black Road (interview from Reggie's Music Joint 10/13/18 Local Loft Episode 88)
Black Road-Bloody Mary
Black Road-Red

Local Loft Episode 296

Rock N Roll is charitable
 
For 52 years, since 1971, when Goerge Harrison and many famous friends rocked a packed crowd at Madison Square Garden, in New York benefit shows bring together established and up and coming bands and artists to bring attention to a cause. This Saturday, September 30th at The Forge in Joliet, it's not just one, but several causes. From suicide prevention, substance abuse and improving one's state of mental health, four original Chicago area metal bands and a few keynote speakers reach out to the public make a difference during Celebration. Kriz Radousky, singer of the Chicago based progressive metal band, Let Them, along with Choulo, guitarist of The Lunatic's Fringe, and Pete Burnos of Spamcidal Jelly join me to preview the upcoming benefit. 
Death Pop Radio comes alive in the Church of Ministry. You'll hear a familiar Chicago dark, industrial 80s and 90s inspiration in a radical change in music direction on their upcoming second album, Medieval Electric, released on October 13th. I have a blissfully romantic chaotic first single to spin.
Plus, we turn on the stage lights at Wire in Berwyn once again for Contra. The five man Chicago industrial metal act rocked the Rock House on Roosevelt with seismic gravitational force in unlashing songs from their second EP, Inertia, five years ago this week.
For the benefit of the devout original Chial, punk, alternative rock and power pop music fan, we donate these prime selections for the cause of rocking you repeated times:
Let Them Fight-Take Your Life Back
Let Them Fight-Never The Same
Spamicidal Jelly-Boomerang Papercut
Death Pop Radio-Love Is A Most Chaotic Force
Ministry-N.W.O. (New World Order)
Pound Of Flesh-Ready To Go
Without Waves-Good Grief
Bishop's Daredevil Stunt Club-Your Corvette Summer
The Lunatic's Fringe-Off The Cuff
Contra (Interview From Wire In Berwyn-9/29/18 Local Loft Episode 87)
Contra-Ex-Mortis
Contra-Inertia
 

Local Loft Episode 295

"Americans are funny people, first you shock them, then they put you in a museum."  (Mick Jagger 1994).
This is NO laughing matter. A serious, fun gathering of original Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop, that someday soon will be honored in a hall of fame and museum, depending on how legendary these artists are in your life.  Constant spins on this podcast make the music become an important  part of your life. 
For the third time, the annals of Rock History include a selection of legendary artists who created their rock art in the Illinois, specifically Chicago area, homeland. The third annual Illinois Rock & Roll Museum induction included a 3 day weekend long celebration, and not just 2023's inductees celebrated with the music that made them unforgettable talent. It all began with a special V.I.P. pre-concert Saturday the 16th at The Forge in Joliet, which the spotlight was on the forgotten, and unforgettable artists and band's. From the Zion, Illinois power pop band Shoes, whose first breakthrough album, Present Tense was promoted with the airing of four music videos from its content on MTV's first day of programming (August 1st,1981), to a resurrection of a one album wonder, The Boyzz, with founder/singer Dirty Dan Buck revving up the motorcycle and rock connection of Too Wild To Tame, their lone 1978 album, with one Of The Boyzz. And a heartfelt tribute to the King Of Power Pop, the late great Cliff Johnson, the evening itself and its series of mini concerts became the stuff Rock Hall of Fames are meant for, to preserve great, timeless local Chicago area Rock. If you weren't there, this journey in the first 30 minutes will instantly put you front and center in all that rocked The Forge stage.
With their zany, grotesque appearance, The Lunatic's Fringe hope to one day make history, by getting more music lovers to say yes to joining them on their quest to rock away the naysayers (The Party Of NO specifically) who want to eliminate rock from anyone's life. Mr. Fringe will preach to the soon ot be converted fans as the Joliet band rocks Live at The Forge, Saturday, September 30th. I have a preview. 
Champaign, Illinois based Punk Pop act Bristle comes alive in opening for mostly forgotten 70s Punk giants The Dead Boys, in a Friday night live gig at Brauerhouse in Lombard. A.D.D. has come alive again over the last two years. The Lockport based melodic hard rock act has captured the full attention of many fans through the screaming fiery vocals of Margaret Young and a wall of sizzling grungy wailing guitars from Dave Adams and Jeremy Sparta. Margaret and Dave joined me in The Kat 105.5 studio the second time around, ten years ago this week. We rock back to it.
Enshrined in the annuls of your consciously music loving mind is another soon to be hall of fame deserving core of original Chicagoland music. Throw up the volume as we hand the podcast stage to:
The Bad Examples (featuring Ralph Covert)-Hey Saint Peter
The Boyzz (featuring Dirty Dan Buck of One Of The Boyzz)-Too Wild To Tame
Shoes (featuring Jeff Murphy) Tomorrow Night (live from The Forge in Joliet-9/16/23)
Interview with John D. Kolonel of The Raine (The Forge, Joliet 9/16/23)
Phil Angotti, Ralph Covert, Casey McDonough and Brad Elvis-Stay In Time (live from The Forge in Joliet (excerpt) 
Off Broadway-Stay In Time (Live from Fitzgerald's in Berwyn 2004)
Material Issue-Valarie Loves Me
Material Issue-Diane
Let Them Fight-Whisper
The Lunatic's Fringe-I Swear To Fringe
Bristle-My Nation
Carrying Torches-Computer
A.D.D. (Margaret Young and Dave Adams interview in The Kat 105.5 studio-9/22/13)
A.D.D.-Nightmare
A.D.D.-So The Pain

Local Loft Episode 294

"Standing with a Strat, I'm Rock N Roll's bastard son."
There will be a lot of good, and a few Bad, Examples of original Chicago area punk, metal, alternative rock & power pop on this new episode 294 of the podcast that extensively covers them all. None more bad (and this is a very good thing) than Ralph Covert. For over 20 years this legendary Chicago singer songwriter has has divided his time between creating playful, bouncy folk rock for kids in his award-winning Ralph's World, and rocking kids of all ages (mostly adults from 21 to 81) as frontman of The Bad Examples. His many achievements should get him immediate induction into any rock hall of fame. He'll get close to an induction, this Saturday, playing a solo acoustic show at the V.I.P. pre-concert for the third Illinois Rock Museum on Route 66, at The Forge In Joliet. Ralph joins me to talk about the upcoming ceremony and gig.
The Horrids will get no candy treats, but a crunchy hard-shell tortilla & ground beef treat, when they play Punk Rock Tacos 35, October 27th in Villa Park. A good bet on the band's costumes for the PRT Halloween show is a Fab Gear throwback to the British Invasion of the 60's, especially where their bassist is concerned (hint, hint)
Graffiti Air painted a not so scribbly picture of a post punk grunge band, in playing Wire in Berwyn, Five years ago this week. We rock back to it.
Rock out to a dirtier, uglier, sneakier and trickier, but very much alive and kicking original Chicagoland music soundtrack, which includes:
Ralph Covert And The Bad Examples- The Church Of Rock N Roll Guitar
Bad Examples-Big E Chord
Shoes-Hangin' Around With You
Material Issue-What Girls Want
D'Thumbs- (featuring Cliff Johnson) Now You Got It Comin'
The Dennies-Flesh
The Horrids-4 X 8
22 Down-For Crying Out Loud
Redneck Remedy-War Or Silence
Graffiti Air (Interview from Wire in Berwyn-9/8/18)
Graffiti Air-This Is It
Graffiti Air-Lake Shore Drive 

Local Loft Episode 293

"And if you follow, there may be a tomorrow. But if the offer's shunned, you might as well be Walkin' On The Sun." (Steve Harwell, R.I.P. Smashmouth 1997).
We know you, the fan or soon to be fan of original Chicagoland area metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop will closely follow what you'll heart in the next 80 minutes. It's the soundtrack of a lifetime, & the offer to experience this diverse soundtrack doesn't last long, like life, which can be gone tomorrow. 
McKenna is a four-piece Chicago melodic hard rock band, with a solid clear, dark, Gothic vision of the future. They will present that musical vision to a  mostly stuck in a big 80s-time warp crowd, opening for Janet Gardner, singer of long forgotten 80s hair metal band, Vixen, Friday night at Brauerhouse In Lombard. Founder & guitarist Brian McKenna joins me to share that vision, revealed on their debut full length album, Are You Ready?
The future opening of The Illinois Rock & Roll Museum means another long journey to the past, the ragged, biker rock period of the 70s, when The Boyzz From Illinois revved up a Harley soaked, beer swilling good time. And they will relive that short glory period of their 1978 debut album, Too Wild To Tame during a special V.I.P. concert for the museum, September 16th at The Forge in Joliet. While the past can't be relieved any further for Chicago Punk band, The Effigies, whose singer John Kezdy tragically died in a bicycle crash August 29th. I'll have a tribute.
Rick Lancaster is a real rock trooper. Having survived several health scares & hospitalizations. His friends in the Chicago hardcore metal band Whut? came together to help him rock on in life, financially & physically, 10 years ago this week with a special benefit concert at the former Bada Brew in Crest Hill. They reached out to us at The Kat 105.5 and spread the word to help Rick in our air studio. We rock back to it.
Don't shun the offer to get a headbanging, slam dancing earful of an original Chicago rock soundtrack that sadly isn't offered up, not even slightly, on highly restrictive commercial terrestrial radio. We at Local Loft offer you:
McKenna-Time To Go
McKenna-Are Your Ready?
Dave Bellah-Pictures Of The Past
Shoes-In My Arms Again
The Boyzz-Lean N' Mean
The Effigies-Hope And Change
Naked Raygun-Knock Me Down
Worry Club-Suckerpunch
A.D.D.-The Path
Whut? (interview in The Kat 105.5 studio-9/5/13)
Whut?-Punk Is Dead
A Silent Truth-Into the Sun
Habit Of Force-Alive Inside

Local Loft Episode 292

Here we Fall again!
Summer 2023's not done yet, but already talk of Pumpkin Spice Latte is in the air. There's still much in the Chicago area's original punk, metal, alternative rock and power pop scene to look forward to. Award winning Illinois Rock Museum ceremonies, & the sounds and smells of Punk Rock Tacos , rocking away the taste of pumpkin spice, in the air.
Punk Rock Tacos 34 leads off the new transition month of September at Cemitas  Poblanas in Villa Park. Rebels In Stereo brings heartwarming and heartbreaking stories in supplying a crunchy and punchy punk soundtrack. Including one of a teenage girl who fought back from a painful near death experience from thier new fourth EP, Covault. Singer Cassidy Paige, guitarist James Natividad, and drummer Krystine Operzedik join me to get you hungry for a serious post taco devouring pogo workoff.
I Love Rich from Chi town's North Side will add an intimate feel in the air. Maybe intimate to the point of explicit eroticism when they play Punk Rock Tacos this Friday. Singer and band name sake Rich Love, the other four members join me with a nice and sleazy does it musical output in the air off their sixth album, You Have The Right To Remain Sexy.
As mentioned last week on Episode 291, the last official recording to feature the late , great Cliff Johnson on vocals will be revealed during a special tribute concert featuring John Kolonel of Cliff's former band The Raine. I have the actual song you'll hear at the V.I.P. the night before the third Illinois Rock Museum induction ceremony at the Forge In Joliet.
No total Khaos has ever occurred when Streator hardcore metal band Khaos Ordinance bangs heads in the mosh pit with their fans at any of the bands shows. Something I found out during their first and only appearance in The Kat 105.5 studio, ten years ago this week. We rock back to that.
The smell of sexy, sweaty mosh induced original Chicago area music will possess you like a hard rocking air guitar strumming demon. Resist the urge to exorcise as you rock to:
Rebels In Stereo-Lace Of Steel
Rebels In Stereo-Albatross
I Love Rich-King Of Rock And Roll
I Love Rich-We're Here To Save Rock And Roll
Space Age Zeros-Wishing Well
The Handcuffs-She Ain't No Fluffer
The Bad Examples-Not Dead Yet
Cliff Johnson-Do You Miss Me? (his last recording before his July 2022 death)
Off Broadway-Are You Alone?
Khaos Ordinance (interview in The Kat 105.5 studio with Corey Angelico-8/29/13)
Khoas Ordinance-No Patience
Khaos Ordinance-Half Hearted