WCR and The Empty Bottle Present: A Rock For Kids Charity Jam

By Gene Wagendorf III  

Where does the music you love come from?

It's a simple question, with an equally simple and completely obvious answer: It comes from musicians.

Chicago's music scene is experiencing a creative swell unlike almost any time in its history; there are new, incredible bands being born seemingly every day. Whether you're into punk, art-rock, garage-pop, folk or just anything that sounds great in a sweaty basement, this city has dozens of killer bands to meet your taste. But even a scene that's flourishing the way Chicago's is can't sustain itself without new ideas and new creators to give those ideas life. That's where Rock For Kids comes in.

Rock For Kids is an inspiring and wholly necessary local non-profit that provides music education to underserved youth. Quite literally, they're putting guitars and drum sticks in the hands of children who might not otherwise get a hold of them. They're teaching critical thinking and musical theory. They're offering kids an outlet for their creativity, and, lucky for you, laying the foundation for the next generation of Chicago bands that you'll be rocking out to. As important as it is to support already existing bands by seeing shows and buying records, it's equally important to invest in the scene's future.

On that note, Windy City Rock is beyond proud to join Chicago's best rock club, The Empty Bottle, in hosting A Rock For Kids Charity Jam. The benefit show will take place on Sunday, November 25th (6pm, 21+), and proceeds from the show will go directly to R4K. We're asking for a $15 donation at the door, but we also understand that times are tough, and have provided smaller donation options that will still allow you the help out and enjoy a night of fantastic local music.

That music will be provided by 7 bands who, in this writer's opinion, are some of the best acts making music in Chicago. The lineup is as follows.

Windy City Rock and The Empty Bottle Present: A Rock 4 Kids Charity Jam
Sunday, November 25th
6pm, $15 donation

Rambos
Official Website Facebook Bandcamp
Panda Riot
Official Website Facebook Bandcamp
We Repel Each Other
Facebook Bandcamp
The Hecks
Facebook Soundcloud
Massive Ego
Facebook Bandcamp
Shiloh
Facebook Bandcamp
Tiny Fireflies
Official Website Facebook Bandcamp

and special guest DJ Miss Alex White 

The bands have generously offered to donate their sets, and The Bottle is joining them by donating the door. With that in mind, we ask you join us, buy some records, have a few drinks and jam out for a good cause. 

Tickets are on sale at The Empty Bottle's website, and you can join the action on Facebook here.

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Show review: Freelance Whales at the Empty Bottle, 9/17

By Gene Wagendorf III 

Freelance Whales jam for Rock For Kids

Last Saturday night Eventbrite's Concert Confidential series brought Freelance Whales to The Empty Bottle for one of several simultaneous free shows around the country. Each event raised money for a local charity, the Chicago beneficiaries being Rock For Kids, a great local not-for-profit organization focused on addressing the lack of music programs in Chicago schools.

Freelance Whales eased the crowd into their set with "Generator ^ First Floor," an idyllic song that evokes images of waking up in a quiet country farmhouse. Possibly the group's most uplifting song, it was strengthened live by the addition of a final verse that doesn't show up on Weathervanes,  their beautifully crafted debut album. Striking harmonies and dreamy twinkles populated the entire set, but few times were they as well positioned as in the opening song. The first giggles of the night came courtesy of band-member Doris Cellar, who managed to knock over a harmonium with her bass (apparently a regular occurrence) while trying to navigate the cramped stage. Drummer Jacob Hyman got a chance to show off some thump on "Enzymes," the only track played not from the aforementioned record. The number's deliberate, climbing synth-line segued nicely into the squeaky dolphin bop of "Kilojoules," whose catchyness elegantly faded into a washy cloud of chimes about two minutes in.