Best Show of 2011...Thus Far

Sunday night at the Empty Bottle totally ruled.
It was amazing for several reasons.
#1 - I had an ice cream sundae before the show
#2 - It was like 80 degrees outside even at midnight
#3 - every band totally exceeded my expectations
#4 - so many hugs

Head of Skulls
Who are always awesome - were extra awesome because they covered Silly Girl
I need more Descendents covers in my life

I will never tire of Hansen saying "this next song is by Head of Skulls"
It's funny, every fucking time

This was my first time seeing Football - I was hoping for some glitter but instead I got like 15 minutes of furious punk rock. This band is comprised of 4 of the nicest dudes I know, when I heard they were in a band together I thought it was a joke, it seemed too perfect.

Football - Empty Bottle 5/29/11 from Elisse LaRoche on Vimeo.

I love you iPhone

The Marked Men fucking killed it
I knew I liked them but I didn't realize how many of their songs I totally loved

They also had an honest encore.
All songs played, left the stage, no plans of playing more and being brought back up, totally exhausted and covered in sweat, for 2 more songs after what seemed like 100 songs already
It was a wonderful night

This is pretty much what it was like

Ball Hall

Last night many friends (well only 2 actually) were in town from Michigan. City Center
Secret Twin and Swimsuit played alongside new Chicago friends Distractions and some dude from Lawrence, Yoda's Voice at Ball Hall. Unfortunately, Saturday nights are never good for me and I was out before I got to see Secret Twin or Swimsuit play. Such a bummer - I will definitely make a trip to Ypsilanti or Ann Arbor or Detroit to see them all play together again soon.

Maybe they'll all be back in Chicago again - there is no way of knowing.

Kedzie & North

by the process of elimination: Yoda's Voice
They surprisingly ruled

City Center sans Ryan is still amazing
50% less hugs though

with this filter the stairs look super creepy

One day when I make a record I will give it to Fred.
Thanks dude - it was so wonderful to see you, as always.

Pizza Farm

I went to a farm - a pizza farm.

progress - re: Infinite Jest

Page 157!

Disappears

If I could go a whole week with only writing about Ponys' side projects I would be a very happy blogger, but unfortunately I missed Tyler Jon Tyler on Thursday. Anyway, last night Disappears played the Empty Bottle and it was my birthday!!! Needless to say, there were a lot of hugs.

In the traditional Chicago vein of Super Groups (a term I throw around near daily) this band has some awesome talent. For example, Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth. This was actually my first time seeing Disappears with Steve Shelley drumming (is it weird that I feel uncomfortable referring to him as just Steve..like calling Bill Murray just Bill. Wrong) and I can honestly say I missed Graham. Weird! However, my opinion of music should never been trusted.

Last night for the last songs Disappears featured fashionable members of White/Light. Matt played a lap steel, which ruled & Jeremy played a moisturizer? I had never seen nor heard one before last night and I can tell you I was pleasantly surprised.

Disappears&White/Light - ultimate super group.

Bare Mutants

What happens one drunken night when a brilliant musician asks the people around him to be in a band together? Fucking magic - that's what.

Bare Mutants - Empty Bottle 5/2/11 from Elisse LaRoche on Vimeo.

Infinite Jest

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