By Monsieur “Monzy” Mason Contributing Writer Cover Photo by Kaitlyn Johnston Edited by Nikki Roberts When I went to my first house show, it was quite an unforgettable experience. Game Changers, Let It Fly, Gardens, The Feedback Fiends, Mishandled and Flight Plan played that show. Watching 200+ kids moshing, finger pointing and singing along at one guy’s house was just amazing and knowing that they … Continue reading D. I. whY not?
The third installation of Punx Not Disposable features photos taken on a disposable camera from the middle of January to the last day of May of 2018. From shows in legitimate venues to moments captured outside of backyard DIY shows, these photos showcase the diverse settings that encompass Chicago’s music communities. If you’re interested in obtaining a physical print of any of these photos, shoot … Continue reading Punx Not Disposable 3 Photo Gallery
Buck Rogers Contributing Writer The boys in Totally Cashed are back with their second attempt at a debut. After having issues with Punk Rock Emergency, the crew regrouped and came together to record a true debut album of driving rock tunes that don’t quite reinvent rock music, but let me tell you, they sure don’t have to. The record does a decent job at not … Continue reading Totally Cashed releases sophomore LP, BABELAND!
The previous installment of Chicago SXE, “How We Got Here”, explored the “paths” that members of Chicago’s straight edge community have traveled on their journey to claiming straight edge. The three main paths explored were 1) having previous problematic substance use, 2) modeling positive behavior from a role model who exemplified straight edge values and 3) having a negative influence in their life that steered … Continue reading Chicago’s SXE Community Part 2: Why We’re Here
Dallas thrashers Power Trip exploded onto the crossover metal scene with their 2013 Southern Lord release, Manifest Decimation. Five years later, the band is halfway through their North American tour as they continue to promote their sophomore record, Nightmare Logic. Power Trip annihilated Chicago with an all-ages show at Reggie’s Rock Club on May 16, and the five-piece crossover group will also play a soldout … Continue reading Power Trip: Riley Gale talks plans for Full Terror Assault & a new album
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
Lara McGlynn, 37, is heavily involved with Doomed & Stoned, an independent grassroots platform that covers the best heavy doom, sludge and drone metal, stoner, psychedelic, and 70’s-inspired rock across the globe. The audio story below details her journey from Doomed and Stoned resident “dark poet” to Chicago festival organizer. Our apologies for the grainy audio at the beginning of this interview. It gets better–we promise! McGlynn … Continue reading Doomed & Stoned’s Lara McGlynn plans Chicago’s newest heavy music festival
Our second photoset of the month is courtesy of Brian Santostefano, a photographer who’s been shooting local punk, hardcore, grindcore, metal and indie rock shows since 1999. On Friday, April 20, Santostefano shot Ingrown, Dare, Decline, and x one foot in the grave x during the inaugural show at Galaxie 2.0 in Ravenswood, Chicago. Santostefano shoots using a Nikon D5100 with a battery pack for … Continue reading April photoset of the month: Brian Santostefano at Galaxie 2.0
This thing needs to be shared around. It’s not for everybody, but people who find this and enjoy it will have found a rainbow fish in a sea of really boring-ass rock music. Continue reading tokyo’s april(s)in blends spastic rock with skramz influences
Locals Only is excited to launch yet another new segment, Behind the Music! These short photo feature pieces aim to showcase the people and places that work “behind the scenes” to bring music into our lives, whether that be employees at a music venue, owners of record stores or organizers who book shows. Purple Llama, a joint coffee and record shop in Wicker Park, celebrated its … Continue reading Behind the Music: Purple Llama Records
