Joe Shanahan founded sister venues Metro and Smart Bar in 1982, inspired by the adventurous punk and no wave he’d seen in the late 70s at New York venues such as the Mudd Club and CBGB. Shanahan was in his 20s at the time, but the Wrigleyville building his venues occupied had been built in […]
Tag: Liz Phair
Posted inBlogs
Riot Fest 2018 Friday [PHOTOS]
The first day of Riot Fest 2018 included calls for justice from Pussy Riot. Here’s a look back in photos by Danny O’Donnell. Saturday here. Sunday here. Riot Fest 2018 Friday
Posted inMusic
Not even 2018 can stop Riot Fest
It’s been a bad year for punks—and for everyone else who hates authoritarianism. But Riot Fest has persevered to bring us Run the Jewels, Blondie, Gary Numan, and 85 more acts.
Posted inMusic
Riot Fest inches toward gender balance
The Chicago festival has never topped 25 percent female-inclusive acts, but it’s still ahead of many of its competitors.
Posted inFood & Drink
The Bongo Room turns 25: A look back at Wicker Park’s beloved brunch spot
“We’d just sit over pancakes and have these big dreams. … It’s amazing to see what so many of those women have become.”
Posted inBlogs
Riot Fest announces its first wave of acts for 2018
Riot Fest got Blink-182! Cypress Hill! Blondie! The Jesus Lizard! Liz Phair! Atmosphere! Beck! Cat Power! And . . . the 82-year-old Jerry Lee Lewis?
Posted inBlogs
A note from the harsh macho underground
Or 1990s Wicker Park encapsulated in a single letter to the editor by Weasel Walter.
Posted inBlogs
How the Reader reviewed Exile in Guyville when it first came out
Nobody bothered to acknowledge what young women already knew: Liz Phair wasn’t singing for Steve Albini. She was singing for us.
Posted inMusic
An oral history of the Empty Bottle
An excerpt from The Empty Bottle Chicago: 21+ Years of Music / Friendly / Dancing
Posted inBlogs
The Smashing Pumpkins and Liz Phair hit the road together, 22 years after an infamous takedown in the Reader
Twenty-two years ago, Steve Albini called the Smashing Pumpkins and Liz Phair “pandering sluts.” At least they didn’t turn out to be flavors of the week.
Posted inMusic
Twin Peaks listen to ten mystery songs from 1994—the year three of them were born
Chicago garage-pop whiz kids Twin Peaks listen to ten mystery songs from 1994—the year three of them were born.
Posted inArts & Culture
At Steppenwolf’s Garage Rep, failure can spell success
The three productions featured at this year’s Garage Rep do what they’re supposed to: risk failure by thinking big.
Posted inArts & Culture
The migration of the hipster
The migration of the hipster: A Chicago history, 1898-present
Posted inCity Life
One part Mad Men, one part acid trip
Geoff Benge’s midcentury-mod apartment is one part Mad Men, one part acid trip