Have you ever wondered how it would feel to hear Fugazi‘s “Waiting Room” sung a’cappella by 30-some people, with little more than a back beat to keep it going?
Music
RIP: Stooges Guitarist Ron Asheton (1948-2009)
Simply put, Ron Asheton paved the way for the Ramones and then for everyone after. No Ron means no Ramones or Clash or Sex Pistols, no REM or U2 or Sonic Youth, no Nirvana, no who knows what else.
Q&A: Jazz/Rock Guitarist Dave Miller on the Connotations of Experimentation
With more musical projects than fingers, Chicago guitarist Dave Miller has his hands fully immersed in jazz, rock, psychedelic, noise, and experimental forms.
Weekly Burlesque: Tami Roche
When I was growing up in Atlanta, I saw the strip-joint signs and old burlesque signs; I was also aware of Atlanta’s burlesque star, Tami Roche.
AlarmPress.com’s 12 Favorite Posts of 2008
As we enter 2009, here is a look back at our favorite posts from last year — including Q&As and interviews with Tuareg freedom singers, Japanese-infused prog metallists, and a regretful folk rapper as well as columns, top-ten lists, Lollapalooza coverage, and our DIY venue spotlight.
Weekly Music News Roundup
A tentative lineup for Zorn Fest 2009 is posted; math metallists The Dillinger Escape Plan have another new drummer; rock cellist Helen Money just finished a new album; tour dates have been announced for Lymbyc Systym, the Alex Skolnick Trio, and the Extra Action Marching Band.
Read about this and more in our roundup.
What We’re Doing This Weekend: Sunday
If we wake up on time, we’ll be catching a late-morning performance by Balkan folk guitarist Goran Ivanovic and finger-tapping fret man Andreas Kapsalis. After that, online editor Scott Morrow joins the decade with his first real experience with a PS3.
What We’re Doing This Weekend: Saturday
Saturday brings the electric edition of bassist Tatsu Aoki‘s compelling mixture of American jazz with Japanese taiko drumming. It also brings another post-reunion show from punk standouts Hot Water Music and Naked Raygun.
What We’re Doing This Weekend: Friday
After a few days celebrating 2009 with iPod mixes and the Hum reunion shows, a few of us will head out to another awesome local show, this one featuring the eccentric electro-rock of Volcano!, the no-nonsense horn-tinged rock of Cougars, and the avant-garde fusion of math rock and free jazz of Zing!.
What We’re Doing This Weekend: New Year’s Day
After watching the Blackhawks beat the Red Wings during the NHL’s outdoor classic at Wrigley Field, we’ll head to the Double Door to catch the second of Hum‘s Chicago reunion dates with Dianogah. When that’s over, we hope to catch the remainder of the Green Mill’s big-band set from Alan Gresik’s Swing Shift Orchestra.
Q&A: Hum Discusses Chicago Reunion, Lyrical Intentions, and Artistic Integrity
On 12/31/00, dropped-D alt-rockers Hum played their final show in Chicago, appearing with the Flaming Lips at the Metro. Now, eight years to the date, the group reconvenes in the Windy City for a double dose of reunion performances.
ALARM intercepts transmissions from Hum singer Matt Talbott and bassist Jeff Dimpsey before these impending shows, the first of which is tonight at Chicago’s Double Door.
Corporate Tech Consultation Firm Emphasizes Digital Releases
This is far from a radical idea, and it certainly seems to be the direction in which the music industry is heading. But technology consultation/analysis firm Gartner has suggested a swift move towards digital-first releases, sometime before Christmas of 2009.