Many people don’t know it, (or maybe they just don’t care) but there’s a lot of good music being made at the U of C and it’s time that you all expanded your minds and ears and took a listen. Keeping that in mind, I wanted to let you know about some upcoming Hyde Park-related shows that showcase the talents of the musicians next door.
Show #1:
WHPK Local Rock Show @ Reynolds Club South Lounge
Friday, April 18 (tonight), 8:30 p.m., all ages, free show.
Attend this show tonight, and your minds will be blown. It’s being organized by some of the fine folks in WHPK’s nationally renowned rock format (no exaggeration), and as a result, many of the bands will be rocking you in a slightly experimental way. Fear not, dear music aficionados! Free yourself of your outdated preconceptions of what “rock music” is supposed to sound like and have the time of your life.
The bands performing tonight are Astomatous (unholy black metal inspired by “anything from Metallica to Slayer to Morbid Angel, Suffocation and Necrophagist and any other of the millions of death/black/thrash/heavy metal have affected us in some way”), Retsilrats (say it backwards), Baleen Whales (“ultra-amateurish pop” played by a band that proudly proclaims “Half of our group doesn’t know how to play their instruments which, we believe, is the source of our appeal-hopefully.”), Two Girls With Guy Names (“Easter candy dance-core”), Maniac Mansion, Xoxuur, and Frankie and Bubba.
Show #2:
The Sixtyeights @ Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western
Sunday, April 20, 9:00 p.m., 21 and over.
The Sixtyeights are a rock band comprised of U of C undergrads. Most people thought they were a joke when they ran for Student Government a couple of years ago, but no, they’re a real band (which doesn’t exactly make them real SG candidates) and they’re good, too. They will be opening the show with their first appearance at the illustrious Empty Bottle.
Show #3:
P1xel and the Chronic Network & Millimeters Mercury @ Shoreland Ballroom
Next Friday, April 25, 8:00 p.m., all ages, free show.
How can you go wrong with this spectacular double bill? P1xel is the U of C’s very own Robot Glam Rock Opera; this will be a teaser performance for the huge production they’ve planned for FOTA next month. Millimeters Mercury are a rock band who fill their songs with singable melodies, complex chords, and uncommon time signatures. The bad thing about this show is that it’s only open to Shoreland Residents and their guests, so you have to know somebody in order to attend.
Show #4:
First Coat @ ECO Fest, outside somewhere
Next Friday, April 25, time unknown.
First Coat used to be called Drexel. I haven’t gotten specific details about this show, but I’m sure you’ll see signs around campus. First Coat are always worth seeing, especially if you haven’t seen them before.
Early warnings:
The Sixtyeights, Fri. May 2 @ Lyons Den, 1934 W. Irving Park, 21+
First Coat & Leon Chance, Sat. May 3 @ Martyrs’, 3855 N. Lincoln, 21+
Millimeters Mercury & The Planck Length, Sun. May 4 @ Lyons Den, 21+
Iraqi hunger benefit in Hutch Commons, Thu. May 8, bands TBA
Hyde Park music festival, Hutch Courtyard, Tue. May 12 & Wed. May 13
-Loren Jan Wilson
