See four great Chicago bands 2/25 at Martyrs'

Posted by Frank

Got plans for Friday, February 25th? If not, you'll want to head to Martyrs' for a night of top Chicago bands plus a pint of beer for a mere seven bucks. If you do, you'll probably still want to head to Martyrs' because what could really be better than a night of top Chicago bands plus a pint of beer for a mere seven bucks?

An amazing lineup full o' WCR favorites - King Sparrow, Warm Ones, Hollus and Secret Colours - will kick off starting at 9 p.m., and everyone who buys tickets now through this special Chicago Reader deal can see them all plus receive a pint of Half Acre for that low price. The deal will only be available until 10 a.m. on February 14th, so grab 'em while you can. A limited number of tickets might still be available at the door on the 25th, but they'll cost $10 and won't include the Half Acre (spending more cash + no beer = sad).

To read more about the bands, check out these links:
In the studio with King Sparrow
Q&A with Warm Ones
Secret Colours record review
Hollus EP review on Loud Loop Press

Ten great Chicago music releases of 2010

Posted by Frank

Village, a band I dug in 2010 (photo: Amelia Moore)

At the end of every year I come to the same conclusion: I suck at making year-end lists. I hear so much music I like within the course of 365 days that it's incredibly hard to narrow it down. Plus, it's impossible to take in everything put out during the course of a year, so who can say what's really the best? But because I love spreading the word about music that makes me happy, I wanted to write a few words about some of the releases from Chicago artists that I've played and enjoyed the most this year. I won't declare that these are the "best of" anything, but below, in no particular order, are ten of my personal favorites from 2010. I'd love to hear your thoughts and your own picks in the comments.

Show review: King Sparrow, Pet Lions at Schubas, 10/15

Posted by Susan Schomburg

King Sparrow (photo: Susan Schomburg)

Last Friday, the sold-out crowd at Schubas' late show saw Chicago rock trio King Sparrow celebrate the release of their first full-length album, King Sparrow, in style.

Show openers This is Versailles got things started with lots of good energy. Their sound is a bit shoutier than I typically like in my rock, but their set was entertaining and got people on their feet. Pet Lions kept things going with their poppy indie sound and a mix of new songs (the band plans to go into the studio to record their first full-length soon) and fan favorites, with many in the audience singing along to tracks off their debut EP, Soft Right. I have to say, I like Pet Lions' live sound a lot--it's fresh-faced and delightful, with rough corners that make you want to come back for more.

But the main event was yet to come. I have to start this review by saying that I like King Sparrow a lot, and I've seen them play live at least half a dozen times in the past twelve months. They work hard, and it pays off--they always sound good live. But last Friday, they went above and beyond. I have never heard them sound better than they did at their record release. And from the enthusiastic cheers from the crowd after each song, neither has anyone else. They were polished and note-perfect, without sacrificing the raw vitality that is the centerpiece of their sound. They are a rich, gritty three-piece rock ensemble that fills a room with sound (not just volume), and I really can't recommend them, their live show, and their new album highly enough. They are one Chicago band you should get on your radar right now, if not sooner.

King Sparrow's self-titled full length is available for download and online streaming here. Check it out now, thank me later.

*****
This article also appears on Examiner.com.

Audio: Interview and live acoustic session with Eric Georgevich of King Sparrow

Posted by Susan Schomburg

Chicago band King Sparrow has been busy this fall. Following up on the success of their 2008 Derailer EP, the trio's debut full-length, King Sparrow, sees its official release in grand fashion at Schubas this evening, and it's a really good album. There is a review of that forthcoming, but in the meantime, I recently caught up with singer/guitarist Eric Georgevich, who sat down to talk about the new album and to play a few tracks in bare-bones acoustic manner for my podcast. The live acoustic session and interview are available for online streaming here.

King Sparrow is available in digital format for purchase and online streaming here, and you can also get a limited-edition hand-numbered CD copy at their record release show (advance tickets are recommended, and can be purchased here).

*****

This article also appears on Examiner.com.

Listen to King Sparrow's new LP, see them live 10/15

Posted by Frank

In the mood to hear an amazing new rock and roll record? Chicago's King Sparrow have one fresh for the listening right here. The band painstakingly recorded the 12-track, self-titled album at Gallery of Carpet studio over the past few months, and if you ask me all their effort has paid off in spades. I can't remember the last time I've been this excited over a new release and I hope you'll feel the same.

They'll have copies of the CD for sale on Friday, October 15 at their record release show at Schubas (also featuring Pet Lions and This Is Versailles). Tickets and more information on that are available here.

Also, check out my recent interview with the trio and Brian Zieske of Gallery of Carpet to learn more about the recording process and the band's history.

'Nasty, poppy, '60s, weird': In the studio with Chicago's King Sparrow

Posted by Frank

Photo by Catticut Palich

If you’ve visited this site with any regularity over the past couple years, you’ve probably seen the name “King Sparrow” more than once. When I dig something - when I really, truly believe something is special - I can’t shut up about it. And that is most certainly the case with King Sparrow, a Chicago indie three-piece who are hands down one of the most genuinely talented, sincere bands I’ve had the pleasure of hearing and getting to know since I began Windy City Rock.

The guys – vocalist/guitarist Eric Georgevich, bassist Sean Price and drummer John McGeown – are set to release their debut full-length this Fall with a record release show set for Friday, October 15 at Schubas, and recently invited me to spend some time with them in the studio as they worked through the mixing phase. They recorded the album this Spring with Brian Zieske at Gallery of Carpet studio, which we highlighted a while back in our article on some of the greatest recording studios in the Chicago area. Brian, Eric, Sean and John were all incredibly cool in letting me hang out and giving me a look into the process as they prepared their art to be unleashed unto the world.

Show preview: The Kickback, King Sparrow & Minneapolis Henrys at Empty Bottle

The Kickback (photo by Alanna Bagladi)

For an April Fool's night full of some of the best indie rock Chicago currently has to offer, be sure to head to The Empty Bottle on Thursday, April 1 to catch The Kickback, King Sparrow and The Minneapolis Henrys. The show starts at 9:30 p.m. and costs $5 in advance or $8 at the door (click here for tickets).

Since moving from South Dakota to the Windy City last summer, The Kickback have been hard at work with frequent gigs and the release of a new EP, Great Self Love (reviewed here). The EP is a strong showcase for their passionate, intense-yet-accessible sound, which makes it clear these guys have an awesome thing goin'. I'm particularly fond of the curiously-titled opening track, "Indigenous Newspapermen Circa 1980," but the whole thing rocks, and they put on a highly entertaining live show. To find out more about the band, check out our Q&A with front man Billy Yost.

You might already know about King Sparrow from the many times their name has shown up on this site, and I swear they're not paying us to promote them - they're just that good. The garage-meets punk-meets power pop trio's debut EP, Derailer, as well as their balls to the wall live shows, have already accrued them loyal fans in and out of the city. They're bound to rack up plently more when they release their first LP, currently in the works. If you haven't already seen their recent video for "Forest," one of the tracks off Derailer, do it now! While you're at it, download their tune "Good and Plenty" right here on WCR.

Rounding out the bill are The Minneapolis Henrys, who have also gotten quite a bit of attention from indie rock fans in Chicago and beyond thanks to their live shows and their 2008 debut LP, The Way of the Albatross. The band even scored a slot at this year's SXSW, which they've just returned from.

Audio: King Sparrow interview, Valentine's Day week show previews and playlist

By Susan Schomburg

This week's Indiesomnia! local music podcast includes some good non-sappy Valentine's Day music, an interview with Chicago's own King Sparrow, and a showlist with show recommendations pre- and post-Valentine's Day. You can listen in to the podcast by clicking on the player below, or download your own copy by heading to indiesomnia.com. Playlist highlights include several King Sparrow tracks, as well as music by Wilco, Jefferson Airplane, the White Stripes, and more.

Video: King Sparrow - 'Forest'

A few months ago Chicago rock trio King Sparrow filmed a video for "Forest," one of the tracks off their superb debut EP, Derailer. The end product is finally ready for public consumption and it's all kinds of awesome. Watch it below, and go see the band open for Maritime at Beat Kitchen on Saturday, February 13 (show starts at 7:30 p.m., $10, more info and tickets here).

Tonight at Double Door: Benefit show with Helicopters, King Sparrow & more

Head to Double Door (1572 N. Milwaukee Ave.) tonight to see four great Chicago-based indie bands playing for a good cause! Helicopters (reviewed here), Soft Speaker, King Sparrow (free download here) and a new band, Poster, will make up the bill for the show, dubbed "Bang the Drum," to benefit the Arts at the Perspectives Charter School. The Arts program at the school has been affected as a result of budget tightening, and the bands are helping to fix problem by donating proceeds to the purchase of musical instruments and art materials.

Benefit for the Arts at Perspectives Charter School at Double Door (1572 N. Milwaukee Ave)
-featuring Helicopters, Soft Speaker, King Sparrow and Poster

-Tuesday, December 8, 2009
-Doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m.
-21 and over
- $10 (tickets here)

Show preview: King Sparrow support Meat Puppets 11/12 at Schubas

WCR regulars might know by now that indie-garage rock trio King Sparrow is one of our favorite Chicago-based bands. We did an introductory Q&A with singer and guitarist Eric Georgevich sortly after they came onto the scene and highlighted them as one of the best emerging bands of 2008, and are always excited to hear about what they've been up to. The trio is playing Schubas this Thursday, November 12 as one of two supporting acts for the Meat Puppets - who are in town for a three-night stint at the club - so if you're going to the show you'll want to be sure to arrive early to catch the band's opening set (they hit the stage around 9:45).

To get a taste of King Sparrow before the show, check out their excellent debut EP, Derailer, five songs of hard driving rock and roll that's edgy and raw without sacrificing melody and accessibility. You can get it via all the usual suspects, including CD Baby, iTunes, Amazon MP3 and emusic. The band has also been cool enough to let WCR readers grab a new track, "Good and Plenty," that's not yet available anywhere else. It's damn good and you can download it below.

Download MP3: King Sparrow - "Good and Plenty"

Also, look for a recently-filmed music video for the Derailer track "Forest" in the coming weeks. Here's a sneak preview:



King Sparrow at Schubas (supporting the Meat Puppets)
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Also with Black Wine
9 p.m., 21 and over
$16 advance, $18 at door (buy tickets)

Ten tips for self-promoting your indie band

Being in an indie band isn't just about writing and playing music. If you want to get people listening, you also have to be your own manager and promoter, usually on top of working a day job. With so much to do and so little time, it's no wonder so many talented indie musicians don't get the attention they deserve.

It's not impossible to DIY and succeed, though. If you're faced with the often daunting task of self-promoting your band, here are some tips to keep in mind to help get the best results.

1. Get organized - Before you reach out to anyone, make sure you have a bio sheet, sample tracks and everything a writer, DJ, or someone you want to book your band might need. Having an electronic press kit on sonicbids.com can be extremely helpful to anyone thinking of writing about or playing your music.

As far as sending the music itself, ask if your contacts would rather receive a physical copy or digital files. A lot of people prefer to get album and song samples digitally, so always be prepared to have your music collected as mp3s in .zip files that you can easily upload for download on free file hosting sites such as rapidshare.com, mediafire.com and sharebee.com. Make sure all tracks are tagged and numbered properly so your contacts will know what they're listening to and won't have to struggle to find the details later.

2. Know who you are and have something to say - "I'm always amazed when I ask someone about their band or music and it becomes a struggle for them to describe it accurately in any way, shape, or form," says Rikk Currence, one-half of local duo JoyFocus. "If you don't know what your sound or band is all about, then how do you expect clubs, agents, managers, labels and most importantly, fans, to know? Take the time to really discover and then clarify your musical identity. Once you do that, the who, what, where and how of getting your music out there will become much clearer."

3. Use online social networking to the max - Pretty much every musician has a MySpace page, but now there's so much more available to promote your music online. Twitter, for example, lets musicians connect with fans on a more personal and casual basis through short updates and replies - just be sure not to sound too promotional. Cllct.com, a community specifically for music lovers and artists, can give you access to a more targeted and musically-passionate group of people than general social networking sites. Starting a blog on popular, free services such as blogspot.com or wordpress.com - and updating it regularly - also helps ensure that you keep hold of people's attention.

Karl Ostby, singer and guitarist in Chicago indie rock band Pet Lions, recommends Facebook as a way to get people out to gigs. "I think Facebook events are basically the new word of mouth for local bands," Ostby says. "Those still help us spread the word about upcoming shows and they're a lot more convenient and more personal than putting up posters all over the city. Our friends can invite their friends and so on. We made sure to bring out some good crowds at out first few shows, and that made booking future gigs much easier."

4. Keep it fresh - Social networking and band Web sites can be highly effective, but only if you update frequently. "Give people a reason to come back to your Web site and MySpace page by updating your content," says Eric Georgevich, singer and guitarist in Chicago indie rock band King Sparrow. "Write a blog, add a new picture, or highlight an upcoming show. The trick is to spread out these updates so there is something new every couple of weeks."

5. Be patient and follow-up - Almost everyone has become used to expecting responses to e-mails right away, so it can be frustrating to submit your music or send a note to a writer and get no response. Be patient. "The reviewers are usually completely swamped with submissions, so it will probably take a while before they get to your CD," says Georgevich. Give them two to three weeks before your first follow-up and then follow-up weekly after that. Remember to be polite, professional and patient."

6. Send more than one copy - Georgevich also suggests sending music reviewers more than one copy of a CD. If they like it, they'll have one or two extra copies to pass on to someone else, which could lead to additional fans and promotional opportunities.

7. Don't fight comparisons - Unless you're in a cover band, it's safe to say that you want your band to sound original and have something new to bring to the scene. Comparisons to other bands, though, can be a necessary evil. They're what many people use to decide whether or not they want to listen to a particular band, and what writers use to get people to understand what they should expect. If someone compares your band to other bands, don't take it as an insult. When accurate and within reason, comparisons are more of a help than a hinderance.

8. Expect criticism - There's always going to be people who don't like your music, including journalists, DJs, bloggers, or anyone else you try to get listening. Even if your first review isn't positive, don't get discouraged. If you are confident in your music, you won't let the criticism get to you - it might even help you make your music better.

9. Ask for help - Just because you don't have a label to help out with promotion doesn't mean you have to fly solo. Friends, family members and fans are almost always willing to help, but they probably won't volunteer if you don't ask. Have a friend who loves writing? Get him to take a stab at a band bio or press sheet. Does one of your fans know a music blogger? Ask if she might be able to get your music reviewed. The DIY musicians who aren't afraid to ask for help are almost always the ones who get the furthest with promotion.

10. Keep up momentum - "Being stagnant is the worst thing that can happen to a band, other than breaking up," says Georgevich. "Come up with a business plan that spans out six months and clearly defines your band's goals. If possible, try to coordinate your shows, CD releases, studio time and press quotes so that you have something new going on every month."

Related reading:

Do labels still matter?

Bands on Twitter

Bands on Twitter, part 2

Five places to legally download free music

This Wednesday: Catch two of WCR's 'best emerging bands' at Subterranean

This Wednesday, February 4, is your chance to check out two of Windy City Rock's recently-chosen "best up and coming Chicago bands," The Innocent and King Sparrow. The two bands, along with The Blackjack Kings and So Elated," will play what is sure to be a night of stellar rock and roll at Subterranean. The show starts at 8 p.m., and tickets are $8.

Here's a refresher on both bands:

The Innocent

The Innocent is actually singer-songwriter Michael Hardey, who released his debut, self-titled EP (reviewed here) early this year. The 6-song release is instantly accessible, featuring highly melodic, well-written songs that are equal parts folk pop and college rock.

Songs to check out first: "Beautiful Lie," "The West Coast"

King Sparrow

It's tough to forge a unique sound in today's world of indie rock, but this three-piece is doing its best to break the mold starting with their debut EP, "Derailer." Picture a mixture of driving punk and garage rock paired with extra melodic vocals and cryptic subject matter. "Since the music is tight and exact, but a little bit atonal, and the vocals are melodic, we end up with a strange relationship between form and content," explained vocalist/guitarist Eric Georgevich in a recent interview with Examiner.com.

Songs to check out first: "Bones and Skin," "All's Cinnamon"

Don't miss the opportunity to catch two of Chicago's finest up and coming bands in one night!

Five shows this weekend - January 23-25

We Shot Warhol (photo by Brian Bina)

Friday, January 23

- We Shot Warhol with OnTheFront, King Sparrow, Mindsight and An Aesthetic Anaesthetic at Reggie's Rock Club - A night of local rock and roll. Pay extra close attention to King Sparrow, one of my picks for the "Best Emerging Chicago Bands of 2008." 8 p.m., $8, 17 and over. More info and tickets.

- Chris Mills and Nora O'Connor at Hideout - 10 p.m., $10, 21 and over. More info and tickets.

Saturday, January 24

- Mexican Cheerleader with The Brokedowns, Days Off and Tongues at Beat Kitchen - 10 p.m., $8, 21 and over. More info and tickets.

- Frightened Rabbit with Arc in Round at The Empty Bottle - 10 p.m., $10, 21 and over. More info and tickets.

Sunday, January 25

- Overman with Noctaluca, The Blamers and You are the Sound at Elbo Room - 8:30 p.m., $7. More info and tickets.

Best up and coming Chicago bands of 2008

The Assembly (photo by Keith Claunch)

2008 was a big year for rock music releases. Massive acts (Coldplay, The Killers) much-hyped breakout bands (MGMT, Vampire Weekend) and those somewhere in the middle (The Hold Steady, Deerhunter) all put out new music. After 14 years, Guns N' Roses finally released "Chinese Democracy." Without doubt, there was a lot to take in.

Each year, Chicago seems to produce more and more new bands and independent releases than anyone could possibly keep track of, and this year was no exception. Not all of it is great, of course, but when you discover genuinely promising bands, it makes the search worthwhile. Here are my picks for the finest emerging bands the Windy City had to offer in 2008:

The Assembly

These guys released their impressive debut full-length record, "The Tide Has Turned," (reviewed here) this year. For a CD that was completely self-produced, it sounds professionally crafted in both production and songwriting, making the band's brand of electro-rock especially effective. Although the album is rooted in dark, dystopic ideas, the music shines by touching on various moods, from brooding to hopeful.

Songs to check out first: "New Kill Remediate," "Changing Now"

See them live: December 27 at Subterranean, January 23 at Metro

The Innocent

The Innocent is actually singer-songwriter Michael Hardey, who released his debut, self-titled EP (reviewed here) early this year. The 6-song release is instantly accessible, featuring highly melodic, well-written songs that are equal parts folk pop and college rock.

Songs to check out first: "Beautiful Lie," "The West Coast"

See them live: December 23 at Durty Nellie's (Palatine), January 2 at Bottom Lounge

My My My

If clever pop music is your thing, you should know about My My My. In September the band released "Little Cat Plays the Alpha Rave" (reviewed here), an LP full of consistently fresh, quirky tunes driven by strong male and female vocals a la the New Pornographers.

Songs to check out first: "Best Laid Plans," "Aztec Vs. Building"

King Sparrow

It's tough to forge a unique sound in today's world of indie rock, but this three-piece is doing its best to break the mold starting with their debut EP, "Derailer." Picture a mixture of driving punk and garage rock paired with extra melodic vocals and cryptic subject matter. "Since the music is tight and exact, but a little bit atonal, and the vocals are melodic, we end up with a strange relationship between form and content," explained vocalist/guitarist Eric Georgevich in a recent interview with Examiner.com.

Songs to check out first: "Bones and Skin," "All's Cinnamon"

See them live: December 17 at Martyrs', December 26 at Silive's Lounge (acoustic set)

Pet Lions

Great pop music never goes out of fashion, especially when it's by a band with an awesome name like "Pet Lions." A very recent discovery, these guys have a promising, playful sound a la Albert Hammond, Jr.'s solo work, or the poppier side of the Strokes. They started playing around town this July, and are scheduled to release their debut EP in January. You can hear them now, though, on MySpace.

Songs to check out first: "Trinidad," "Jokers Like Me"

See them live: December 21 at Bottom Lounge, January 2 at Subterranean

Q&A: King Sparrow

In a big city filled with hordes of indie bands, it's not unusual to feel accosted with boring music that sounds like it was created after reading some sort of "Indie Rock for Dummies" book. King Sparrow want to play you something different.

The local three-piece recently completed their forthcoming debut EP, "Derailer," a 5-song record of driving rock that's consistently hard-hitting yet strangely inviting. Crunchy guitar and persistent bass and drums make the melodic vocals of Eric Georgevich strike you right away. Think a mixture of punk and garage with a singer that could easily be singing power pop.

You can check out the band live at Double Door on Saturday, November 15, but for now, read what they have to say about themselves:

How do you describe your music?

We play a driving brand of rock music that can sometimes sound complex, but is really created from very simple parts. When we write the music for our songs we try to be as precise and deliberate as possible, often cutting out anything that can be mistaken as unnecessary flash, but usually leaving in some constructive dissidence. After that we throw some melodic vocal lines on top of it and let her rip. As far as our content is concerned, the subject matter of most of our music is pretty much about chaos. Since the music is tight and exact, but a little bit atonal, and the vocals are melodic, we end up with a strange relationship between form and content. There is definitely some serious tension bubbling underneath the surface.

Where'd you get the name "King Sparrow"?

After a couple of months of passionate, alcohol-fueled debate, we decided that no matter how important someone is within their circle, in the grand scheme of things, it really does not matter all that much. Sure, your friends may look up to you a little, or you may be well respected in your neighborhood, but ultimately you are destined to be deeply effected by events that are entirely out of your control. It feels good to be the King of the Sparrows until some crow comes by and puts you in your place.

Who or what are your biggest influences?

We are influenced by a very broad spectrum of sounds. In fact, the spectrum is so broad naming individual bands would not really be the best way to describe our influences. Let's just say that all the band members have an unnatural obsession with music, drinking and chess. We are pretty tight with one another, so I guess our biggest influence is really each other.

When and how did King Sparrow start making music?

Interestingly enough, we all went to the same high school together and after years of being in other bands, going off to college, the navy, etc., it was funny to see things come full-circle when Sean (bass) and Eric (guitar & vocals) met each other quite randomly at a soccer bar one night and got rip roaring drunk. Soon after, John (drums) was drafted to complete the lineup.

You've just completed a new EP called "Derailer." What was the inspiration for it, and why should people listen?

The inspiration for the EP was our shared experience of growing up in the city. Living in a place like Chicago can sometimes lend itself to a certain kind of pent up aggression and paranoia. In addition, these songs are also the first songs we have ever written together, so we also thought that it was important for us to document this stage in our musical careers.

What has been your most memorable experience as a band to date?

It would probably have to be while we were recording the EP at Bside Audio. Aside from the fact that we were so stoked to record professionally, Eric had to record the vocals while having a severe sore throat and a 103 degree fever. Nothing like gargling whiskey to help keep your voice in tact.

How has living and playing in Chicago influenced or shaped your sound?

Our music is undoubtedly influenced by the fact that there is such a wide variety of music to see and listen to in a big city like this. We were lucky enough to grow up here and take it all in from a pretty early age. Also, when you live in the middle of a town like Chicago, you get to meet and interact with many different people. All of the good and bad things about living in this country are constantly slapping you in the face. It gives you a very healthy sense of perspective.

What is your favorite place to play in Chicago, or the place you most want to play?

We haven't played the Metro yet, but it would be great to get on the stage there and play our set. We have seen way too many shows there for it to not a have a special significance for us.

What should people expect from King Sparrow in the future?

We are going to try and play out as much as we can in the next year. We are also writing new songs and should also be releasing a full length sometime in 2009.

What's the one thing you most want people to know about the band and its music?

We are really busy dudes with full-time jobs so we play music not only because we want to, but because we need to. Seriously. It is the only thing that keeps us from pinging out. Also, if you offer us scotch whiskey, we will never, ever turn it down.

How can people check out King Sparrow?

People can check us out on MySpace at: www.myspace.com/kingsparrowmusic or email us at kingsparrow3@gmail.com

Five shows this weekend

Friday, September 19

- Three local bands at Reggie's - King Sparrow (pictured) - "Hailing from the unassuming environs of Chicago's Northwest side, King Sparrow cranks out driving indie rock that walks a fine line between the studio and the garage." Dead Fingers - " Straight up garage punk rawk and roll from Chicago." Also with The Dow. More info and tickets.

- The Assembly at Darkroom - These locals play haunting, melodic rock with first-rate hooks. This gig celebrates the release of their debut LP, "The Tide Has Turned." Also with Tiger Spirit and Appomattox. More info and tickets.

- French Kicks at Double Door - "Brooklyn's French Kicks -- fresh on the heels of their SPIN-approved full-length 'Swimming' -- are diving into interesting territory with their new EP, aptly titled 'Covers,' which is a collection of their interpretations of a few lofty tracks, including songs originally written by Lindsey Buckingham, the Ramones, and the Shirelles." Also with The M's and Pomegranates. More info and tickets.

Saturday, September 20

- Evangelicals at Beat Kitchen - "Evangelicals draw from their Okie idols the Flaming Lips, using everything from pop, soul, prog, and psychedelia to create arrangements that bleed into open skies, sounding like the weird uncanny cousins of Band of Horses." - Spin.com. With The Syllable Section and Elsinore. More info and tickets.

- Cordero at Empty Bottle - New York's Cordero takes an indie rock foundation and pairs it with Latin dance rhythms and the bilingual female vocals of Ani Cordero to create a truly refreshing sound. With Little Cow.