Kyle Gilkeson

Chicago Underground Duo embarks on mini-tour of Midwest and East Coast

Long-time collaborators Rob Mazurek (Exploding Star Orchestra, Sao Paulo Underground, Mandarin Movie, and more) and Chad Taylor (Iron and Wine, Marc Ribot, and more) recently released their fifth album together as Chicago Underground Duo (Thrill Jockey). The album, entitled Boca Negra, is a combination of composed and improvised ambient grooves, highlighted by melodic bursts and the occasional understated ballad.

From today to September 19, Chicago Underground Duo will visit the Midwest, Eastern US, and parts of Canada. Full tour dates below.

Marnie Stern’s five favorite guitarists

Marnie Stern knows a thing or two about shredding. With two critically acclaimed albums under her belt and a new album, entitled Marnie Stern, out October 5 via Kill Rock Stars, Stern is easily one of the most technical and skilled female guitarists playing today.  Here are her five favorite axe-masters.

Also, take a listen to a cut of the forthcoming album, which features contributions from Zach Hill (Hella) and Matthew Flegel (Women), by listening to the song “For Ash” below.

Marnie Stern: “For Ash”
[audio:http://alarm-magazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Marnie-Stern-For-Ash.mp3|titles=Marnie Stern – For Ash]

1. Mick Barr

“I always say Mick, and he will always be my favorite. The only way I can describe his playing is to say that your jaw will drop for the entire time you witness his terrific playing style. He has influenced me tremendously.”

Contest: Win tickets to Riot Fest 2010 at the Congress

ALARM has two pairs of tickets to give away for the Congress Theater dates (Oct. 8 & 9) of Riot Fest 2010, Chicago’s annual punk/hardcore festival.  The entire shindig takes place October 6 – 10, 2010, and this year it expands to the Metro, Double Door, Subterranean, House of Blues, Cobra Lounge, and AAA.

To enter to win, enter your E-mail below for the biweekly ALARM newsletter, the Alarmist.

We’ll contact the winner via E-mail on September 27.

Update: Contest has ended.

On top of another reunion show from Snapcase and dozens of other performances, Riot Fest 2010 features bands such as Bad Religion, Anti-Flag, Propagandhi, Jello Biafra, Smoking Popes, Negative Approach, High on Fire, Torche, Kylesa, Circle Jerks, The Bronx, Corrosion of Conformity, Agnostic Front, and Cap’n Jazz.

Mexicans with Guns’ five favorite luchadores

Ernest Gonzales is best known for his solo works of electro pop and hip-hop-infused indie rock.  When he began toying with a harder, bass-heavy dance sound, he established an alter ego known as Mexicans with Guns, whose look and short-lived anonymity were inspired by lucha libre.

Gonzales appears in Invisible: Overlooked Albums and Unseen Artists, the 38th issue of ALARM, to discuss his use of masks as well as their importance to Mexican culture.  Here, without further ado, are his five favorite luchadores.

1. El Santo

“Without a doubt, the top luchador of all time is El Santo. He wrestled for more than 50 years, starred in hundreds of movies, and is considered to be a folk hero to many Mexican people. Donning a silver luchador mask, El Santo vowed to fight crime and injustice. If you mixed Hulk Hogan and Batman, you would have El Santo. Here’s a four-part documentary about El Santo from Incredibly Strange Film via YouTube.”