Parents' Nights Out: TBS Just for Laughs Chicago Comedy Fest June 11-16 #JFLChicago @TBSVeryFunny #comedy

Get a sitter... send the littles to Grandma's... do what you've gotta do.   Nobody needs a good (not kid appropriate) laugh like parents!   ChiIL out with ChiIL Mama this weekend, with the best medicine.   Yes, that would be laughter, and the Dr. is in the house.   The annual TBS Just for Laughs Chicago is baaaaaack in Chi, IL and this fest is a laugh riot.   Check out our TBS Just for Laughs Chicago coverage from 2012 here.

We're particularly stoked for Russell Brand, Bill Maher, and Seth Meyers, but laughter abounds at loads of our favorite venues all over town. 

We've adored Bill Maher since waaaaay back in the day.   Anyone seen him in Cannibal Women in The Avocado Jungle of Death from back in 1989?!   If not, check it out after the fest is over.   It's the good kind of cheese & one of our favs.  

A young Bill Maher stars with Shannon Tweed, Adrienne Barbeau and Karen Waldron.

The government hires a feminist at the local university to track down the Piranha Women living in the uncharted Avocado Jungle (westernmost outpost is San Bernardino) to convince them to move to a reservation condo in Malibu. She hires a guide at the edge of the jungle, a male chauvinist pig, and they have many arguments about men and women as they work their way in, and eventually confront the Piranha Women. Written by Ed Sutton 

The U.S. government, eager to protect the nation's avacado supplies, recruits feminist professor Margo Hunt to make contact with the Piranha Women, an all-female tribe who believe men are only good as a source of food. Accompanying Dr. Hunt on her trip are Jim, a guide of questionable competence, and Bunny, a student of unquestionable incompetence. Written by Jean-Marc Rocher

For the next 6 days, no Cannibal Women for YOU.   Get outta the house and laugh it up.   We've highlighted some of our top choices, but you can't go wrong... just follow the funny.   Some of the best shows are in the smaller venues, off the beaten path.   And like performers at music fests, famous comedians pop up unannounced, sit in with each other, and create some one of a kind mash ups.   TBS Just for Laughs Chicago is renowned for that.  Be there.

Here's what's happening:

June 11, 2013
6:30 PM - The Heat - FREE Advance Screening - ShowPlace ICON
7:00 PM - Double Threat: Junior Stopka & Mike Lebovitz - STAGE 773 - The Pro
7:00 PM - iO Theater presents TJ & Dave - STAGE 773 - The Box
8:00 PM - Pete Holmes - UP Comedy Club
8:30 PM - Double Threat: Kellye Howard & Brianna Baker (BEDE) - STAGE 773 - The Thrust
8:30 PM - Double Threat: Mike Stanley & Sean Flannery - STAGE 773 - The Pro
8:30 PM - Naked Sports Live Podcast - STAGE 773 - The Cabaret
9:30 PM -Secret Big-Time Local Comedy Showcase - STAGE 773 - The Box
10:00 PM - The Shit Show - STAGE 773 - The Thrust
10:00 PM - Wrestling with Depression Podcast - STAGE 773 - The Cabaret
10:30 PM - Pete Holmes - UP Comedy Club

June 12, 2013

7pm - Moshe Kasher - STAGE 773 - The Pro
7pm - The Comedy Bar Kickass Showcase - STAGE 773 - The Box
7pm - The Dailymotion Comedy Showcase - STAGE 773 - The Thrust
7:30pm - Anjelah Johnson - The Vic Theatre
7:30pm - Russell Brand - The Chicago Theatre 
7:30pm - The Whitest Kids U' Know - Park West
8pm - Second City Alumni - UP Comedy Club
8:30pm - The Todd Barry Podcast - STAGE 773 - The Cabaret
9:30pm - The Annoyance Theatre presents Messing with a Friend - STAGE 773 - The Box (*Hilariously recommended!   We dig Susan Messing big time.)
10pm - @DadBoner and Friends, You Guys - STAGE 773 - The Thrust
10pm - Above Average presents: Tripp & Tyler and The Katydids - STAGE 773 - The Cabaret

June 13, 2013
7pm - Moshe Kasher - STAGE 773 - The Pro
7pm - Team Coco Podcast - STAGE 773 - The Cabaret
7pm - The Dailymotion Comedy Showcase - STAGE 773 - The Thrust
7pm - The Lincoln Lodge - STAGE 773 - The Box
7:30pm - David Cross & His Super Duper Pals - The Chicago Theatre
7:30pm - John Hodgman, Performing as Celebrated Humorist John Hodgman in: JOHN HODGMAN TONIGHT! - Park West
7:30pm - Nick Swardson - The Vic Theatre
8pm - Pete Holmes - UP Comedy Club
8:30pm - A Tight 60 - STAGE 773 - The Cabaret
8:30pm - Chelsea Peretti - STAGE 773 - The Pro
8:30pm - Dancing Around the Shit Fire with Kyle Kinane - STAGE 773 - The Thrust
8:30pm - Set List: Stand-Up Without A Net - STAGE 773 - The Box
8:30pm - Stage Time - Jokes and Notes
10pm - @DadBoner and Friends, You Guys - STAGE 773 - The Thrust
10pm - Double Threat: Kumail Nanjiani & Friend - STAGE 773 - The Pro
10pm - Jokes and Notes Presents The Urban Comedy Hour - STAGE 773 - The Box
10pm - The Combo - STAGE 773 - The Cabaret
10pm - Knuckleheads - UP Comedy Club
11:30pm - Above Average presents: Tripp & Tyler and The Katydids - STAGE 773 - The Cabaret
11:30pm - The Super Serious Show - STAGE 773 - The Thrust
11:59pm - Set List: Stand-Up Without A Net - STAGE 773 - The Box

June 14, 2013
7pm - Doug Loves Movies Podcast - STAGE 773 - The Cabaret
7pm - The Dailymotion Comedy Showcase - STAGE 773 - The Thrust
7pm - The Playground presents Alone: Chicago's Best Solo Acts - STAGE 773 - The Box
7:30pm - Dylan Moran - Yeah, Yeah - Park West
7:30pm - Nick Swardson - The Vic Theatre
7:30pm - Seth Meyers with Special Guests Al Madrigal & Hannibal Buress - The Chicago Theatre
8pm - Knuckleheads - UP Comedy Club
8:30pm - A Tight 60 - STAGE 773 - The Cabaret
8:30pm - Chelsea Peretti - STAGE 773 - The Pro
8:30pm - Comics to Watch - Jokes and Notes
8:30pm - Dancing Around the Shit Fire with Kyle Kinane - STAGE 773 - The Thrust
8:30 - Set List: Stand-Up Without A Net - STAGE 773 - The Box
10pm - Competitive Erotic Fan Fiction - STAGE 773 - The Box
10pm - Double Threat: Kumail Nanjiani & Friend - STAGE 773 - The Pro
10pm - The Combo - STAGE 773 - The Cabaret
10pm - The Sullivan & Son Comedy Tour - Park West
10pm - Todd Barry - STAGE 773 - The Thrust
10:30pm - Bad Boys of Comedy - Jokes and Notes
11pm - Knuckleheads - UP Comedy Club
11:30pm - The Blackout Diaries - STAGE 773 - The Cabaret
11:59pm - The Super Serious Show - STAGE 773 - The Thrust
11:59pm - Set List: Stand-Up Without A Net - STAGE 773 - The Box

June 15, 2013
7pm - Bob Newhart Live - The Chicago Theatre
7pm - Chelsea Peretti - STAGE 773 - The Pro
7pm - Maria Bamford - Park West
7pm - Pete Holmes - You Made It Weird Podcast - STAGE 773 - The Cabaret
7pm - The Dailymotion Comedy Showcase - STAGE 773 - The Thrust
7pm - The Playground presents Alone: Chicago's Best Solo Acts - STAGE 773 - The Box
7:30pm - Stars of truTV's Impractical Jokers - The Vic Theatre
8pm - Knuckleheads - UP Comedy Club
8:30pm - 5-Star Leading Ladies - Jokes and Notes 
8:30pm - A Tight 60 - STAGE 773 - The Cabaret
8:30pm - Chelsea Peretti - STAGE 773 - The Pro
8:30pm - Dancing Around the Shit Fire with Kyle Kinane - STAGE 773 - The Thrust
8:30pm - Kill All Comedy - STAGE 773 - The Box\
9:30pm - Artie Lange - Park West
10pm - Double Threat: Kumail Nanjiani & Friend - STAGE 773 - The Pro
10pm - Stars of truTV's Impractical Jokers - The Vic Theatre
10pm - The Combo - STAGE 773 - The Cabaret
10pm - Todd Barry - STAGE 773 - The Thrust
10:30pm - Best of Chicago - Jokes and Notes
10:30pm - The Playground presents The Tomkat Project - STAGE 773 - The Box
11pm - Knuckleheads - UP Comedy Club
11:30pm - The Blackout Diaries - STAGE 773 - The Cabaret
11:30pm The Super Serious Show - STAGE 773 - The Thrust
11:59pm - Artie Lange - Park West

June 16, 2013 - Sunday
7:30pm - Bill Maher - The Chicago Theatre
8pm - The Lil Rel Show - Jokes and Notes

Here are the biggest shows broken down by venue:

Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.:

David Cross & His Super Duper Pals - Thursday, June 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Seth Meyers, Al Madrigal and Hannibal Buress - Friday, June 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Bob Newhart Live - Saturday, June 15 at 7:00 p.m.

Bill Maher - Sunday, June 16 at 7:30 p.m.

The Vic, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave.:

Anjelah Johnson - Wednesday, June 12 at 7:30 p.m

Nick Swardson - Thursday, June 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Impractical Jokers - Saturday, June 15 at 7:30 and 10 p.m.

Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave.:

The Whitest Kids U’ Know - Wednesday, June 12 at 7:30 p.m.

John Hodgman -Thursday, June 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Dylan Moran: “Yeah, Yeah” - Friday, June 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Maria Bamford - Saturday, June 15 at 7 p.m.

Artie Lange - Saturday, June 15 at 9:30 and 11:59 p.m.

Kyuss Lives! at The Vic--Live Show Shots 12-2-11

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Overview From The Band's Site:   

There has been void in rock n’ roll that hasn’t been filled in almost 16 years.  Fear not music fans, for you will be deprived of that “Kyuss Sound" no longer.  John, Nick, and Brant are back, and along with Bruno Fevery on guitar, are hitting North and South America on tour AND plan to hit the studio to record the first new material in over a decade.  Hopefully you have prepared ladies and gentlemen, KYUSS LIVES!

Sure, in the intervening years, we've had Queens of the Stone Age, with Josh Homme on lead guitar and vocals.   He's the one hold out who would not return to resurrect Kyuss.    Nick Oliveri also played with Queens for a number of years, 1998-2004, but he's back touring with Kyuss Lives! and the energy and synergy is undeniable.

With 3/4 of the original line up back on board, a sizable tour, and rumors of new material, it looks like the boys are back.

Seen on the scene:   This righteous little head banger can forever count Kyuss Lives! at The Vic in Chicago as his first show.  At the ripe old age of 2nd grade, he knew many of the lyrics and was rockin' out!   

Glad to see Oliveri back with a bass in his hands instead of a rifle.    This past summer he had an unfortunate adventure with a S.W.A.T. team that resulted in a felony domestic violence arrest.  Hopefully his days of disrespecting girlfriends are in the past.

Kyuss always lived on in our ipods, on shuffle play.   But I'd almost forgotten just how good so much of their music is.   This show took me back.   For a few days after, it was all and only Slacker Radio's Kyuss station, till my kids finally staged a mini revolt.   They don't have any new material yet, but if you've got a fan on your holiday list, they do have some sweet desert themed Kyuss Lives! merch.   It will be interesting to see what this year brings, and if they can pull it off without Homme, and truly rise from the ashes with new material.

 

Metal: The Sword Opens for Kyuss at The Vic--LIVE Show Shots

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The Sword was an extra bonus, opening for Kyuss last Friday night at The Vic.   Check out their main site here at Swordofdoom.com.    I was sucked in before they even started, when I saw the set list included a song called Freya.   



We're big into Nordic Gods & Godesses, scifi, mythology, creative legends/story lines and runes.    My last name's the Norse symbol for fire, passion and creativity.   I actually even have a cousin Freya, who's blond haired, blue eyed and nearly 6' tall.   When I checked out the band's website and saw tabs for Lore, and Homeworld I was totally captivated.   Not to mention they rock...hard.

At least some of these boys look far more like Northern Europeans or Vikings than natives of Austin, Texas.   But thankfully they're Texas boys.   Instead of their own brand of caribou or salmon from the frozen Nordic tundra, The Sword has their own limited edition hot sauce!   I'm stoked to be able to continue our series on "Musical Taste" that we started with The Toasters microbrew.  We're featuring bands that have a signature beer, food or consumable.   If anyone knows of one you'd like to see here, hit us up in the comments tab to the top right. 

Hand-crafted to the band's specifications in their hometown of Austin, Texas by hot sauce artisan Brian Rush at Tears of Joy, The Sword's Tears of Fire Hot Sauce will unleash a supernova of searing heat and rich flavor upon the unsuspecting palate. This singular concoction was limited to only one batch and is not available in stores. But there is a chance, however slim, that you might possess a bottle of your very own! The Sword will choose ten lucky winners to have their taste buds blown to the planet Acheron.

Unfortunately, they only made 1 batch and their give away ended in April :(.   One can only hope they'll make more.   I adore hot sauce and would love to try a ghost pepper.   I practically drink Tabasco for breakfast, with eggs, and only once met a pepper that kicked my butt.   Last December in Mexico, I gulped down a pale green pepper I thought was a banana pepper and it just about killed me.   It was so hot I seriously couldn't breath and turned red like a cartoon.   I thought smoke was going to pour out my ears!   It was pretty intense. 

I'm also happy to say The merch tab has black ONSIES!   So your punk kin and banger babies can be stylin'!  

Back to the band, their live performance was a lotta fun.  
They've opened for Guns N' Roses, Kylesa and Rwake and were just touring with Monstro, whom we shot in Chi Town last month.   Check them out here, playing an intimate set at Ultra Lounge with Black Tusk!

The Lore (from swordofdoom.com)

“Before forging the blade, the swordsmiths underwent fasting and ritual purification. They then worked at their anvils in white clothes, like the robes of the priests. Their efforts were well rewarded.”

One of the foundations of the metal revival of the past ten years, Austin TX’s The Sword have released two flawless slabs of vintage heaviness on Kemado Records, toured the world with Metallica, and were one of the first bands to lock into a whole new legion of fans through Guitar Hero. Summer 2011, the band cast its gaze to the stars for Warp Riders, their third full-length and their most ambitious effort to date.

Warp Riders is The Sword’s first concept album, a science fiction maelstrom put to the storming, relentless riffage and pounding rhythms upon which the band has staked its reputation. It’s also their most flat-out, supercharged, adrenaline-pumping work yet, a chrome-plated war machine that lords over the blackened sky. From the street-prowling anthems “Night City” and “Lawless Lands” to the two-part showdown of “The Chronomancer,” to the furious mechanics of closing track “(The Night the Sky Cried) Tears of Fire,” The Sword forces eminent domain ruling over heavy metal for the next decade, and welcome all challengers for an ill-fated shot at the title.

Warp Riders tells the tale of Ereth, an archer banished from his tribe on the planet Acheron. A hardscrabble planet that has undergone a tidal lock, which has caused one side to be scorched by three suns, and the other enshrouded in perpetual darkness, it is the background for a tale of strife and fantasy, the battle between pure good and pure evil. 



How it’s told – through the dueling lead guitars of J.D. Cronise and Kyle Shutt,

 

 

and the concussive rhythm section of bassist Bryan Ritchie and drummer Trivett Wingo – underscores the narrative with molten steel and unreal precision.



Guitarist and lead vocalist J.D. Cronise explains the lineage of Warp Riders: “I’m pretty sure the first concept album I ever heard was Operation: Mindcrime by Queensrÿche when I was a kid, which I was way into. Even though I never really understood the whole story, I was nonetheless enthralled by how the album created its own world. I wanted to create a setting for our songs that would be unique and different, but still a place where epic sagas unfold in proper Sword fashion.” Inspiration took hold from “lots of things … the legend of Atlantis, old Heavy Metal magazines, the films of René Laloux, a childhood dream, and The Teachings of Don Juan by Carlos Castaneda to name a few.”
 
The story of Warp Riders, entitled “The Night The Sky Cried Tears Of Fire” (written by Cronise), follows Ereth as he discovers a mysterious orb and meets the Chronomancer, a being beyond time and space who enlists him in a quest to restore the planet’s balance. Along the way he encounters strange warriors, mysterious witches, ancient androids, and a crew of space pirates with a vessel that will alter the course of history…  a vessel known as, The Sword. 

 

 If you've got myth lovin' metal heads on your holiday list, check out their website.

Play Locally: On A Heavier Note...Kyuss Lives! At The Vic

Another blast from the past that'll blast your eardrums, is going down at the same time, at The Vic tonight.  Some of our favorite L.A. metal heads rock The Vic with 3 openers.  Kyuss Lives!  The band is back for chapter 2...the legacy continues, with 3/4 of the original members.  3 outta 4 ain't bad--and they're a pretty key 3.   Here's the approximate set times and opening bands.  6:30 Bible of the Devil, 7:20 Black Cobra, 8:10 The Sword, 9:20 Kyuss.   Tickets are available at the door or on line through Jam Productions.

Ticket Price: $31.50

Convenience Fee: $7.75

Facility Fee: $1.00

Additional Taxes: $0.39

Order Fee: $0.00 (per order)
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS THE SWORD, BLACK COBRA AND BIBLE OF THE DEVIL

Still waiting on the verdict on photo/press credentials, but we're hoping to master the art of cloning to be in two places at the same time and bring you some sweet show shots.

Check out Kyuss TV on YouTube

Chris Cornell at The Vic This Friday

Chris Cornell brings his sold out acoustic tour to Chicago's Vic Theater this Friday.  Insider word is they have one more limited batch of tickets to release between now and the show, so if you're still trying to score tixs, check the Vic's website early and often.   All ages welcome.

VIP Lounge backstage at Lollapalooza 2010-Wolfmother & Soundgarden-The music was amazing & we were all lovin' the ice cold, minty neck wraps in the August heat!

We've grown up with Soundgarden, Audioslave and Chris' solo work and it's been great introducing his music to our kids.   In fact, when Soundgarden played Lollapalooza 2010, both kids were back stage for the show.   Speaking of Lolla...we've mentioned it already this year, but tickets are on sale already and goin' fast.   Don't miss the 20th anniversary this August!   Click HERE for the 2011 Lolla line up and ticket info.


Check out Chris Cornell's main site HERE and catch him live at The Vic if at all posssible.   This is one show you don't wanna miss!   Follow Chris on Facebook and Twitter as he has his own adventures on tour with his young son, Christopher.