On Friday, September 30, Demo Division released their debut EP, “Wish You Were Here.” The punchy, pop rock debut arrives just four months after the group released their first single, but don’t let the current, cohesive sound of these four tracks fool you — this record was actually seven years in the making. Continue reading Demo Division Wishes You Were Here
Wiley Willis, usually recognizable by his signature page boy cap and the facial tattoos on both his temples, is hiding in plain sight at the Up the Pups benefit show at the Co-Prosperity Sphere in Bridgeport. A red bubble coat surrounds his bald, tattooed head and his heavily tattooed arms, leaving only the tattoos on his hands visible. Willis is the vocalist of two Chicago … Continue reading How one Chicago hardcore vocalist is using music to benefit pups in need
Liz Phair strutted across the floor of the Metro and on to a small raised platform in the back of the room where I was standing. “Hey, what’s up?” she asked me. “How’re you?” “‘Hey! I’m doing alright,” I told her. I wish I would have said something a little cooler or sophisticated, but my job as a VIP Rep requires that I conduct myself … Continue reading Liz Phair: Return to Guyville
It was at this show that I really got a feel for the local scene and what local scenes mean to everybody. I was happy singing with my friends and making new ones, too. However, the best part of the whole experience was that there were people of color defying stereotypes left and right. Continue reading D. I. whY not?
“I think one of the biggest themes in hardcore is pride,” said Ayala. “And the fact that these straight edge bands take pride in who they are and the fact that they’re straight edge help make it more predominant and in your face.” Continue reading Chicago’s SXE Community Part 2: Why We’re Here
Jay Williams, 21, pulls a jumbo Sharpie out of his backpack while he waits for a show to begin at Galaxie 2.0, the city’s newest north side straight edge venue. Williams draws two bold lines on each hand to form dark X’s before passing the pen to his girlfriend, Hailey Rose, so she can follow suit. The couple explains to me that, regardless if they’re … Continue reading Chicago’s SXE Community Part 1: How We Got Here
Drummer Gustavo Najera unsuccessfully tries to hold back his smile as he hears the demo of “The Mess You Made,” the latest song by his band, Habitats. With the exception of myself and Najera, everyone else in the room has heard the recording before. The four other members of Habitats are crowded around their bass player’s phone, eager to hear the initial product of the … Continue reading Meet Chicago’s South Side sad boys
Each summer, an unfortunate number of festival goers suffer from unintentional drug overdoses because they are either misinformed about the substances they are putting into their bodies or are not aware of the precautions substance users should be taking. Implementing harm reduction strategies into the organization of music festivals would help keep festival goers safe, and potentially save lives. Photo by Phierce Photo by Keith … Continue reading Dazed, but no longer confused: how harm reduction benefits the entire music community
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