WIN Four Pairs of Tickets To Funky Meters, The Greyboy Allstars & More (18+) THIS Fri at The Congress #CIMMfest

ChiIL out with ChiIL Live Shows at The Congress Theater THIS Friday.   We're giving away FOUR pairs of FREE tickets for the show through midnight Wednesday, 4/17.   So enter like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often.   (Thanks to Congress Theater and the fine folk over at Silver Wrapper & React for kickin' us tickets to give away.)

Click the Rafflecopter link below for your chance to win.   Winners will be contacted by e-mail and listed here Thursday.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Come get funked up Friday.   With Funky Meters, Greyboy Allstars, JC Brooks and The Uptown Sound and more, all under one roof, it's sure to be a good time!   ChiIL Live Shows will be there...  will YOU?!   We'll also be out covering all 4 days of CIMMfest, bringing you the best of rock n film.

Click here to order Congress tickets & for more show details

Click here for our coverage on CIMMfest 2013 including more official highlights

The Offspring LIVE at Congress Theater #Riotfest #originalshowshots

ChiIL Mama/ChiIL Live Shows original pit photos--The Offspring headline opening night of  Riot Fest #8  9/14/12

Punk Kin of All Ages Welcome--Under 5 Are Free at Riot Fest Humboldt Park

Our 9 year old daughter has been a die hard 80's punk for the first decade of her life, proudly belting out lyrics to Ramones tunes, Iggy Pop, Elvis Costello, Naked Raygun and everything from Dead Kennedys to Dead Milkmen.   Just the past couple of months we've started to lose her to B96 tunes that her competitive gymnastics team work out to 10 hours a week.   We need an infusion of Riot Fest STAT!!

It's time again for one of our all time favorite annual music fests and we'll be there all weekend with the punk kin in tow.  We've been there every year and watched Riot Fest grow up, baby!    This year we're invading Humbolt Park for two days of excellent tunes, carnival rides, and anarchy.    

We'll be bringing you band features, must see lists (don't tell me what to do), photo filled features and more.  

Friday:

First up, tonight we'll be shooting at Congress Theater

• Friday, Sep 14
  Congress Theater
• The Offspring
• Neon Trees
• Pegboy
• Dead Sara

At least they're easing us in.   Tonight there are 4 rockin' bands playing in sequence--not simultaneously.   And there are no tough choices to be made.   So go already.   Tickets are sold out again, so if you have a 3 day band or tickets we'll see you out there.   If not, rest up and we'll party in the park with you tomorrow.  

Got PUNK KIN?   Remember, Congress shows and the whole lineup Sat and Sun outside at Humboldt are all ages shows and free to kids under 5 years old with a paying adult.    Check the tickets page for other venues age requirements.

Click here for the main Riot Fest site and all Chi-town fest details or follow them on Facebook.

Saturday, Sep 15

• Humboldt Park
• Rise Against
• Descendents
• Coheed and Cambria
• Dropkick Murphys
• Slapstick
• The Gaslight Anthem
• Andrew W.K.
• Hot Water Music
• Minus the Bear
• August Burns Red
• GWAR
• Frank Turner
• Cursive
• The Adicts
• Nobunny
• Of Mice & Men
• A Wilhelm Scream
• Teenage Bottlerocket
• Off With Their Heads
• Deals Gone Bad
• Larry And His Flask
• The Story So Far
• Fireworks
• Environmental Encroachment
• 
  
• Sunday, Sep 16
  Humboldt Park
• Iggy And The Stooges
• Elvis Costello & The Imposters
• A Day to Remember
• Gogol Bordello
• NOFX
• Alkaline Trio
• The Jesus and Mary Chain
• AWOLNATION
• The Promise Ring
• Less Than Jake
• Chiodos (original lineup reunion)
• Built To Spill
• Imagine Dragons
• Reverend Horton Heat
• Fishbone
• Screaming Females
• White Mystery
• The Henry Clay People
• Sister Crayon
• Japanther
• The Infected
• Environmental Encroachment

Amon Tobin Isam: LIVE at Congress Theater This Friday

React Presents

AMON TOBIN – ISAM LIVE

w/ Lorn, Emika, & DJ Intel

Friday, October 21^st, React Presents and the Congress Theater welcome the legendary Ninja Tune producer and recording artist, AMON TOBIN, to the Congress Theater for the spectacular ISAM LIVE Experience.   If you have not seen the mini documentary on the audio-visual concert experience, click the link and then check out the crowd reactions here. There are a limited amount of tickets left, as they have been selling quickly because of the buzz around the show. Pick them up from Clubtix.com today!

One of the biggest tour stories of the fall is definitely Amon Tobin ISAM: Live.  The first time in the artists' history that he's presented his music in a visual format is turning into the falls' hottest ticket on the concert circuit, with many dates selling out at a record pace. 

You can win the Ninja Tune 20^th Anniversary Book, as well as the Deluxe Edition of Amon Tobin’s ISAM.   Find details on how to enter here. 

Recently added to the bill, openers LORN and EMIKA are not too miss! 

Congress Theater

2135 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Chicago, IL 60647

Doors 8 PM | 17+

www.congresschicago.com | www.reactpresents.com | www.clubtix.com

Mellow Yellow Monday--ChiILin' At Primus

The band, Primus, played last Friday at The Congress Theater in Chicago, and we were right there in the pit, documenting it for posterity.   They have a brand newly released album out, Green Naugahyde.   

Here's a yellow hued teaser for Mellow Yellow Monday.   We'll have a full photo recap soon.   


During the show, Les gave a shout out to a costumed character we later saw at his car.   He said, "Wow, you dressed up for the show.    Might as well be a giant, tropical fruit."  Orange you glad I didn't say banana.   We're wondering if this is the same infamous banana boy we hung out with and photographed at North Coast Fest.   If so, this slippery character gets around.   But his "appeal" is hard to resist.

Win Free Tickets to Primus This Friday-ChiIL Mama's Got 4 Pairs!

Spend your Friday with the inimitable Les Claypool and Primus!   You've gotta love a band full of consummate musicians with a sense of humor.    Case in point...They have released some of their records on Claypool's Prawn Song Records label, the title of which is a parody of Led Zeppelin's Swan Song label.


With their witty irreverence, these are serious musicians who make for a seriously fun and funny show.   We've seen Primus (and Les Claypool in many other configurations) for years, and they do not disappoint.

This show is all ages, so bring your punk kin and further their rock education, or make it a night out.  

We'll be giving away 4 pairs of tickets this Friday at noon.   Winners names will be on the guest list at the door.   Valid ID required.   Enter at the bottom of this post for your chance to win.   We never share, sell, spam or post contact info on bathroom walls.   Only the winners' first name and last initial will be published.

An Evening with Primus 2011 Tour

Primus is an American rock band formed in 1984, currently composed of guitarist Larry "Ler" LaLonde, vocalist and bassist Les Claypool, and drummer Jay Lane. Primus originally formed with Claypool, Todd Huth and Lane, with the latter two departing the band before Primus's debut release Suck on This, being replaced by drummer Tim "Herb" Alexander and Larry LaLonde. 

During this lineup, the band released four studio albums: Frizzle Fry, featuring "John the Fisherman", Sailing the Seas of Cheese, featuring "Jerry Was a Race Car Driver" and "Tommy the Cat", Pork Soda featuring "My Name Is Mud" and Tales from the Punchbowl, featuring their most commercially successful single, "Wynona's Big Brown Beaver". In 1996, Alexander left Primus and was replaced by Bryan "Brain" Mantia, with whom they would later release Brown Album and Antipop before placing Primus on hiatus in 2000. They were also known for creating the original theme for "South Park" in 1997.

In 2003, Claypool and LaLonde reunited with Tim Alexander and released a DVD/EP, Animals Should Not Try to Act Like People, before touring from 2003 through 2004. In 2010, it was announced that one of the band's earliest drummers Jay Lane had rejoined the band for a cross-country tour, and they later digitally released the free June 2010 Rehearsal EP. An eighth album, titled Green Naugahyde was just released.

An Evening with Primus 2011 Tour

Fri, October 14, 2011

Doors: 7:30 pm / Show: 7:30 pm

$39.50 - $99.50

Tickets

This event is all ages

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Rock N Roll Redemption For All Seasons With The Reverend Peyton

Our summer was bookended by rockin' sets by Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band.    We first shot them Memorial Day weekend when we did press coverage for Summer Camp Music Festival.    Those gorgeous, spring, outdoor shots can be seen here.





Then we caught them again for a fall appearance at The Congress Theatre, where they opened for Social Distortion as part of Riot Fest 2011.   The aging, crumbling theatre was darker, and so was the crowd...despite the amazing, warm weather and riot of autumn color outside.    The Rev. and his wife again got the audience well warmed up with some wild riffs, the flaming washboard, and hot guitar and drums.

The Dead Milkmen Live at The Congress Theater Chicago

Double click the slide show for full screen and other options.

The Dead Milkmen rocked The Congress Theatre in Chicago Saturday night.   Despite a far from capacity crowd and a contingent of curmudgeons in the back complaining about the sound quality, the show was a blast from the past.    The front half of the auditorium was happily screaming along with the lyrics, crowd surfing, and thoroughly enjoying themselves.     The Dead Milkmen have their first new album out in 16 years.    Check out our prior coverage HERE and give them another listen.    The Dead Milkmen are not dead yet.

The Lawrence Arms at The Congress 4/30/11

Double click on the slide show for full screen and other options and check out ChiILLiveShows.com for more of our archived show footage

We had a music filled weekend.   Local Chicago boys, The Lawrence Arms with the Fat Wreck Chords label, opened for The Dead Milkmen.   They got the fans well warmed up and good to go.   I've gotta admit, the bodies were dropping into the photo pit at a good pace and I've never seen so many punk rock girls crowd surfing.   Fun times!

We'll Have A Little Girl And We'll Name Her Minnie Pearl...

We can't wait to check out The Dead Milkmen at Congress Theater the last day of this month.   They're Sagezilla's favorite band.    She's made herself two DIY Dead Milkmen shirts that she wore to Lollapalooza.   One says I'm Minnie Pearl in silkscreen and has zippers glued all over it and the x eyed cow logo.   The other is a giant photo transfer of her face and an ice cream and says ....eating fudge banana swirl...just you and me punk rock girl.    She loves those shirts and wears 'em everywhere, while she belts out Dead Milkmen classics like "I don't wanna be on the beach."

Our punk rock librarian friend, Lisa, heard Sagezilla singing The Dead Milkmen's Punk Rock Girl in the Logan library once and instead of shushing her she smiled.    Then she told us that was the first song she learned to play on guitar.    Many punk rock girls who grew up on these tunes have since had little girls, traveled round the world, and are now punk rock mamas.

Librarian Lisa's one of 'em.   She's now involved with Chicago record label, Trouble in Mind and has had a few bands and a baby girl of her own (not named Minnie Pearl).    She even opened for the band, X, as guitar player for her band CoCoComa.    You can check out her label's blog HERE.    Trouble in Mind just rocked SXSW and we can't wait to see their bands coming through Chi Town.

Check out The Dead Milkmen live at Congress Theater with your punk kin and check out their web site for a printable PUNK ROCK GIRL PAPER DOLL! 

Punk Rock Girl

We gave away this paper doll to promote the Punk Rock Girl single in 1988. You can get yours by clicking here. A new browser window will open, and you can then print out an 8 1/2 x 11" copy to cut, color and play with.

In 2009, Riot Fest brought The Dead Milkmen back to Chicago for two ferocious shows. Their stellar performances made them one of the most talked about bands of the festival; the Windy Citizen reported, “Recently reunited punk rock veterans The Dead Milkmen haven’t lost anything in the way of skill, enthusiasm or irreverence in the 14 years since their breakup.” 

Riot Fest brings them back to play the Congress Theater on Saturday, April 30th with the Lawrence Arms, the Reaganomics and the Holy Mess on board. Tickets are available at www.congresschicago.com at the very low price of $18.00.

 The Dead Milkmen formed in 1983 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They initially consisted of vocalist and keyboardist Rodney Linderman ("Rodney Anonymous"), guitarist and vocalist Joe Genaro ("Joe Jack Talcum"), bassist Dave Schulthise ("Dave Blood") and Dean Sabatino ("Dean Clean").

Beginning within the local underground hardcore scene of the early 1980s, the band established their jangly punk sound, which they coupled with prominent humor delivered in heavy Philadelphia accents. After garnering an underground following through extensive touring and college radio attention, they enjoyed international success on the strength of 1988's "Punk Rock Girl", a single from their Beelzebubba album which entered into MTV rotation. 

Health problems and an ill-fated stint with the major label Hollywood Records in the wake of their success led to the group's 1995 breakup. In total, they issued eight studio albums, one live record, and numerous peripheral releases before disbanding.

In 2008, the group reunited and began working on new material, with new bassist Dan Stevens replacing the deceased Schulthise. 

The band will release a new album in 2011, their first in 16 years.

The Pogues Play The Congress This Thursday!

Congress Theater Announces A Parting Glass With…The Pogues, March 3, 2010.   Come to The Congress this Thursday for another all ages, Irish punk night "

of musical anarchy"

.

*Full Original Line-up w/ Shane McGowan, Jem Finer, Spider Stacy, James Fearnley, Darryl Hunt, Andrew Ranken, Phillip Chevron & Terry Woods*

We've been looking forward to this one since we first got the word in January!   We'll have a photo filled feature up soon after the show, but catch 'em live if you can.   If you didn't get enough Irish punk with 2 nights of Dropkick Murphys, last weekend, come on out and get your punk on with The Pogues.

Traditional Irish folk music collides with punk-rock grit and shamelessness in The Pogues. The legendary rabble rousers return with the full original line-up intact for a night of musical anarchy Thursday, March 3rd at Congress Theater. They’ll be joined by Titus Andronicus, one of the most exciting punk bands to emerge in recent years. Doors open at 7pm. General admission is 40.00, VIP Tickets (w/ free drinks & access to VIP balconies) are 100.00.

Tickets are available here: http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=3327025

Led by sparingly-toothed and grumbling singer-songwriter Shane MacGowan, the Pogues specialize in highly-charged songs bespeaking tales of alcohol over-indulgence, illicit love, death, urban blight, and political protest, all set to music recalling the folk melodies of Irish ballads, jigs, drinking songs, and sailor chantys. On the surface, their sound bears echoes of traditional Irish folk groups such as The Clancy Brothers or The Dubliners, yet, as Richard Grabel wrote in Creem, The Pogues are easily distinguished: "The Pogues... infuse... traditional music with punkish energy and abandon, an anarchic spirit, and a hard, aggressive, stomping instrumental approach.”

The Pogues rose out of the North London punk scene of the early 1980s when MacGowan, who had founded the punk-group Nipple Erectors (a.k.a. The Nips), joined English tin whistle player Spider Stacey to sing Irish folk songs in a popular London rock club. Disgruntled with a dying-out punk scene, the musicians began performing old standards at pubs in a highly-revved and furious fashion. They were soon joined in their musical venture by ex-Nips guitarist Jim Fearnley, and the group initially named itself Pogue Mahone (Gaelic for "kiss my ass"). 

Pogue Mahone began performing their energized folk alongside MacGowan originals throughout London, and three other musicians were recruited for a sextet, including drummer Andrew Ranken, banjo player Jem Finer, and female bass guitarist Cait O'Riordan. Acoustic instruments such as the accordion and fiddle were added, and as Stacey recalled to Lisa Russell in People, "we'd pick up instruments we couldn't play and do Irish folk songs at 140 miles an hour, playing them badly, but with spirit."

The same year, The Pogues—featuring a shortened, less outrageous, name—were signed to a recording contract with Stiff Records, which in 1984 released the group's first album, Red Roses for Me. Their second album, Rum, Sodomy and the Lash— taken from an expression of Winston Churchill describing life in the Royal Navy—was produced by singer-songwriter Elvis Costello and brought them wider attention in both Britain and the United States. 

The album also spawned their first British hit single, "A Pair of Brown Eyes." Phil Chevron, formerly of the punk group Radiators from Space, joined The Pogues after their first album, and Terry Woods, a multi-instrumentalist, came on board after their second. O'Riordan married Costello and left the group in 1986, and was replaced by Darryl Hunt, who had been a roadie of The Pogues.

Many critics consider The Pogues' million-selling 1988 album, If I Should Fall from Grace with God,Peace and Love, was worked on more fully in the recording studio and as a result, features a more polished sound. The lyrics of The Pogues' songs, particularly MacGowan's contributions, express what Karen Schoemer in the New York Times called "desperation," yet they are "almost always pitted against the jubilant fast tempos and merry accordion whirl of Irish music, and that conflict between the insanely joyful and the intoxicatingly sad." 

MacGowan commented to Grabel that The Pogues' music reflects "…the way life is…one minute you're up, the next minute you're down" and similarly noted to Russell that he simply feels "…there's lots of good in this world and lots of ugliness. Can't have one without the other." to be their finest effort. Peel describes it as "a riotous, whirling, reeling brawl of tavern ribaldry, pock-marked love songs, boozy prayers, gutter balladry, Thatcher-bashing, and, above all, Joycean romanticism." The Pogues' 1989 album,

A Parting Glass with the Pogues Thursday, March 3, 2010

Titus Andronicus Opens

 

Congress Theater

2135 N Milwaukee Ave

Chicago, Illinois 60647

(773) 276-1235

Doors 7pm Tickets 40.00/100.00

Dropkick Murphys Today and Tomorrow at The Congress Theater

"snaked Raygun"--2 of our favorite things goin' down today.

Snake handling indoors at Polar Adventure Day-Northerly Island

Naked Raygun opens for Dropkick Murphys tonight.   Against Me opens Sunday.

Now in their 14th year, the Dropkick Murphys have risen from their Irish-punk roots to become one of the best-known celtic rock bands in the world, thanks to their ability to tap into the working-class and their reputation for phenomenal live shows and political activism. This gang of 7 singers and multi-instrumentalists meld Irish musical tradition to hardcore punk and perform with such explosive energy that they’ve built legions of rabid fans worldwide and particularly in Chicago, an Irish stronghold in the Midwest. 

The band arrives in Chicago in February for two shows at Congress Theater. Saturday, February 26th they’ll play with Chicago legends Naked Raygun co-headlining. On Sunday, February 27th Against Me! joins the bill.

Tickets are $25.00 per night or a 2-night pass can be purchased for $40.00 here: http://www.ticketweb.com/snl/Search.action?query=dropkick+murphys+congress

The hardcore punk/Celtic folk outfit Dropkick Murphys formed in South Boston in 1995; vocalist Mike McColgan, guitarist Rick Barton, and bassist Ken Casey comprised the original nucleus of the group, with a series of drummers passing through the lineup before the addition of Matt Kelly in 1997. After a series of EPs including Fire and Brimstone, Tattoos and Scally Caps, and Boys on the Docks, the Dropkick Murphys signed to Hellcat Records to issue their 1998 full-length Do or Die, produced by Rancid's Lars Frederiksen; McColgan exited the group soon after (he later went on to form the like-minded Street Dogs) and was replaced by vocalist Al Barr for the follow-up, 1999's The Gang's All Here. Frederiksen, who produced the band's first two albums, left the Dropkicks to venture out on their own for their third studio effort, Sing Loud, Sing Proud.

The Murphys reworked the Boston Red Sox anthem "Tessie" on their mid-2004 EP Tessie, which subsequently became the theme song to the Sox's World Series run that year. Warrior's CodeThe Departed. Soon after, the band recorded The Meanest of Times, a collection of songs about family loyalty, featuring guest appearances by Spider Stacy of the Pogues and Ronnie Drew of the Dubliners, released in mid-September 2007. 

Live on Lansdowne, Boston MA, a CD/DVD of tracks culled from 2009's week of St. Patrick's Day shows in Boston, was released in 2010. Warrior's Code followed in 2005, and one of its songs, "I'm Shipping Up to Boston," was later used in the 2006 Martin Scorsese film The Departed. Soon after, the band recorded The Meanest of Times, a collection of songs about family loyalty, featuring guest appearances by Spider Stacy of the Pogues and Ronnie Drew of the Dubliners, released in mid-September 2007. Live onLansdowne, Boston MA, a CD/DVD of tracks culled from 2009's week of St. Patrick's Day shows in Boston, was released in 2010.

DROPKICK MURPHYS AT CONGRESS THEATER

w/ Naked Raygun Saturday, February 26th  -- w/ Against Me! Sunday February 27th

Doors Open 6:30pm Tickets 25.00 or 40.00 for two nights

2135 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago - 773-227-7595 - www.congresschicago.com

Speaking of Motorhead...

Sagezilla (7) rockin' her tiny size MOTÖRHEAD t-shirt from the thrift store.    She LOVES it!   Every time she wears it, strangers come up to her and say, "Lemmy would be sooo happy!"


MOTÖRHEAD-- a British rock band formed in 1975 by bassist, singer and songwriter Ian Fraser Kilmister, known mostly by his stage name Lemmy, who has remained the sole constant member, the band.


...as opposed to motorhead:  a car or truck enthusiast.



Sagezilla (in her Motörhead tee), and friends horse around with Matt (AKA:   Shreddy Shirt Boy) at Northcoast Music Festival.   Check out our prior posts about Shreddy Shirt Boy and how to play along with Chicago's own "Where's Waldo" Game--spot shreddy shirt boy (the world's best dancer).




MOTÖRHEAD just released a new album this week, and they'll be rockin' The Congress Theater next Saturday 2/19.

Motörhead have never just been the best rock'n'roll band in the world. They've never just been the loudest. Or the hardest. Or the toughest. Or the bad-ass-est. No... Motörhead are also a lifestyle. Motörhead are a mindset, a belief, a way to live your life, a way to both survive and beat a society that sometimes seems intent on trying to grind you down.

In celebration of their latest album, The World Is Yours, out February 8th and the new documentary, Lemmy, Motörhead hit the road and will thunder into the Congress Theater on Saturday, February 19th with Clutch and Valiant Thorr on board. There are those who feel that Motörhead is the essential influence for all modern metal - the live show is an electrifying must-see.

Motörhead have chosen in what might be some of the most tense times in recent global history, to release a hell-raising, rebel-rousing rock'n'roll statement known as The World Is Yours.  Written and performed by Lemmy Kilmister, Philip Campbell and Mikkey Dee in both Los Angeles, CA and Wales, with production once again by Cameron Webb, The World Is Yours serves to remind everyone that you should never stop questioning or critiquing a society that would surely chew you up and spit you if given half a chance. And with 10 soul-scorching testaments to the unbridled power this world-famous trio continually maintain, The World Is Yours delivers some of the finest, most important Motormusic yet.

On instant classics such as 'Get Back In Line', Kilmister thunders that 'The way we are is not the way we used to be my friend', and 'We are trapped in luxury, starving on parole, no-one told us who to love, we have sold our souls' , whilst on 'Brotherhood Of Man' Kilmister roars 'You cannot hide the truth from me I know what's in your heart, greed and jealousy each equal, all your days now dark'. And with the defiant, uproarious 'Rock 'n' Roll Music' , Kilmister and co remind everyone that 'rock'n'roll music is the true religion' and 'rock'n'roll even gonna set you free, make the lame walk and the blind see'...

With The World Is Yours the band have triumphed over adversity to produce an absolute stormer in this, their 35th year as THE greatest, loudest and just plain goddam coolest band around.


If that isn't enough, the critically-acclaimed documentary about Motörhead's iconic founding-frontman, titled LEMMY, which has been tearing up the worldwide film festival circuit from New York to Melbourne to London and beyond, will premiere nationally in January. “We don't fit into anything!” roars founder and heartbeat Lemmy Kilmister,"the only thing we fit into is 'Motörhead' because we are Motörhead music and that's what we do!"
 

The World is Yours Tour

MOTORHEAD - CLUTCH - VALIENT THORR

SAT FEB 19 

2135 N Milwaukee 

Chicago, IL - 773-276-1235

All Ages - Doors 7pm - $25

Click HERE for tickets

Check out Lemmie LIVE and maybe you'll spot shreddy shirt boy, and other cult legends of the Chicago music scene.    We can't wait to see MOTORHEAD - CLUTCH - VALIENT THORR!