It seems like every time the Gossip Wolf crew have seen surfy punk quartet Blizzard Babies play over the past few years—roughly a bazillion—we’ve snooped around the Chicago four-piece’s merch table looking in vain for their debut full-length. Our wait is almost over! On Sat 2/21, the Babies will finally release their debut LP, a self-titled release on local label BLVD Records; they celebrate with a show at Cole’s featuring openers Melkbelly and Yeesh. BLVD’s online store offers a special preorder pack with a veritable blizzard of awesome stuff—not just the LP but a button, a sticker, and a fanzine written by the band. Major!
Speaking of Melkbelly and awesome stuff, the local band will be included in a new series of seven-inch singles from Manic Static, a fine downstate label run by old Gossip Wolf pals (and former Chicagoans) the Funs. Limited to 30 subscriptions, the series consists of four records on clear vinyl (the Funs, Earring, La La Lala Lala, and Melkbelly), along with an exclusive screen-printed poster, a button, and a tote bag. You can order at Manic Static’s website.
On Sat 2/21 Chicago hosts two daylong shows of primo underground rock: Two Piece Fest Midwest II at ChiTown Futbol and Frontwoman Fest at the Burlington. Red-haired rockers White Mystery headline the former’s 22-band bill, which also features New York blackened-prog dazzlers Radiation Blackbody (see Soundboard). The highlights of the 11-act roster at Frontwoman Fest include Gossip Wolf faves Haki and Bleach Party; the show doubles as a release party for issue two of For Your Consideration, a zine about local multicultural and female artists. Tickets to Frontwoman Fest are $7 and benefit Girls Rock! Chicago.
To celebrate the fifth birthday of this hairy column, the Gossip Wolf team—founders J.R. and Jessica and newcomer Leor—will DJ at the Slippery Slope on Sun 2/22! The indescribable five-hour bonanza begins at 9 PM.
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