I conceived of this as a T-shirt idea a few years ago and put together a meager prototype using my limited PhotoShop skills.  I recently found it again while rummaging through my hard drive. It seemed as much like a chart as many of the other things I’ve posted here, so why not share on [...]

We all know that bigger isn’t always better… except when it is. The chemistry the develops between a tight knit band, performing over a long career isn’t easily replicated and can be jeopardized if elements are changed or added. But additions aren’t always disruptions. Sometimes they can be catalysts, too — taking complacent groups into [...]

Any day with great music is like a holiday, but there are certain days on the calendar that make the live music experience even more celebratory. Even without music, the transformation that occurs in late autumn takes on a surreal, ominous tone, it’s no wonder that ancient societies create myth and ritual that mirrored the [...]

In this post, you’ll find a complete media throwdown, with streams and download links for all three nights, the best hand selected videos and an awesome photo montage via the slaytercreative flickr page. Thursday, December 8th, 2011 The Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, IL Set One Birdland, Lost > Song In My Head, Lester Had a Coconut, [...]

Wilco, Dissected. An interesting breakdown of their career from Consequence of Sound. Don’t just throw away those fruit stickers, make art! Steal your face right off your banana. The cure for the lack of LP Covers in the digital age? VIDEO TIME! Okay, just audio over a still photo of David Cross.  However, I still [...]

UPDATE: The shows are here… check here for setlists free audio downloads & streams and videos String Cheese Incident announced a return to Chicago, adding four midwest dates to their early winter “Roots Run Deep” run, which includes a stop at St. Louis’ The Pagaent (December 7) and three consecutive night’s at Uptown’s Aragon Theater [...]

When details started to emerge about Shoe Fest, the first year festival taking place at Stonehouse Park in Earlville, IL on September 9th – 11th, I almost had to pinch myself. There is no denying the overwhelming amount of musical talent in and around Chicago, and the quality festivals taking place all around the region [...]

While The Barn’s recent interview with Melvin Seals intended to shed some light on the Jerry Garcia Band catalog, Melvin made it clear that the Jerry tunes weren’t the only thing he’s been up to lately. I took this as an open door to explore some of the other projects Melvin has been involved with, [...]

Practice make perfect,  this much we know.  I have always been a huge advocate of bands that spend quality rehearsal time and many many shows working out their live act on the road. This infographic from Songkick made the rounds of InfoGraphic freaks earlier this year under the banner of “Hardest Working Bands of 2010″.

During the Phish Jukebox Summer Tour of 1998, the “Terrapin Station” debut got all the press, demonstrably connecting Phish to the looming presence and influence of the Grateful Dead.  But I argue that it was the bust-out of the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage” that got the more intense and personal reaction from fans.  For many Phish [...]