Chicago four-piece C.H.E.W. played D-beat hardcore with the intensity of a house fire. It has to be tough to maintain that level of energy, focus, and combustibility, and when C.H.E.W. called it quits in 2021, I was thankful we’d gotten to enjoy them for as long as six years. Earlier this year I noticed that […]
Tag: C.H.E.W.
Posted inMusic
The Pride Bands Alliance celebrates 40 years with a symphonic-band blowout and two world premieres
In October 1982, members of seven LGBTQ+ concert and marching bands from across the U.S. met in Chicago and formed the Lesbian and Gay Band Association. Though the LGBA changed its name to the Pride Bands Alliance in 2021, it still provides “an international network of LGBTQ+ and affirming bands in all stages of development” […]
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Veteran Chicago rockers Great Deceivers bid adieu with a somber but vital self-titled album
It’s difficult to describe the vastness of Chicago indie rock and punk without mentioning Great Deceivers, partly because of the four-piece’s pedigree. Guitarist Russell Harrison and bassist-vocalist Ben Rudolph play in unforgivingly ferocious hardcore unit C.H.E.W., while drummer Seth Engel makes delightfully solemn indie rock as Options and has been part of far too many […]
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The best Chicago albums of the 2010s: the critics’ ballots
Here’s where to see who voted for what and how the points got divvied up.
Posted inMusic
The best Chicago albums of the 2010s
The Reader polled dozens of critics to arrive at an absolutely indisputable ranked list of several hundred records that will definitely not start any arguments.
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Digging out from the rubble on the gig poster of the week
This week’s featured gig poster was created by Florida artist and musician Dnl Hrs.
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A hip-hop Barber of Seville comes to three city parks
A hip-hop Barber of Seville comes to three city parks, the Logan Boulevard Skate Park hosts a benefit show for Between Friends, and more.
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C.H.E.W. take a bite out of hardcore
Chicago four-piece C.H.E.W. twist and tear at their favorite genre to give it a strange new shape.
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Better Yet podcast host Tim Crisp on a highly anticipated debut album that surpassed all expectations
Current musical obsessions of Retirement Party front woman Avery Springer, Better Yet podcast host Tim Crisp, and Reader writer Leor Galil
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Inclusive punk collective Pure Joy relaunches with a fund-raising show
Inclusive punk collective Pure Joy relaunches with a fund-raising show (but still no permanent home), indie-pop five-piece Varsity earn overdue recognition with the new Parallel Person, and more.
Posted inBlogs
Music Frozen Dancing is the only festival where you can see Oh Sees in the snow
The Empty Bottle’s fifth annual free winter festival will pit fans’ love of live music against their tolerance for cold.
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Chicago’s DIY punk scene packs a ton of its greatness into one show
Chicago’s DIY punk scene packs a ton of its greatness into one show, Reader writer Erin Osmon reads from her new book on Jason Molina, and more.
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Dead Meat Design gets a show of its own
Dead Meat Design gets a show of its own, the Chili-Synth Cook-Off returns for year seven, and more.