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  • Growing up in Mattoon, IL, Rick Sims (guitar, vocals) spent his early years drinking beer, smoking dope and practicing in the chicken shed in Sullivan, IL with his brother Brad (drums). Joined by Doug Evans (bass), they put together some crazy-ass music and the Didjits were born! From 1986 thru 1993, they put out five great records, including Hey Judester. We talk with Rick about how those records came to be made and we also get into some stories about the intensely crazy live Didjits shows. And we are all stoked about the new Didjits Record Store Day release of Strictly Dynamite: The Best of Didjits coming out 4/20/2024. Of course, we also talk about all things Chicago - and ... is Rick going to play live again???

    Time stamps:

    2:00: Starting a punk band in Mattoon, IL (really a Sullivan, IL)

    3:15: Did you ever eat at the original Burger King in Mattoon?

    5:10: What were some of your original influences?

    7:45: Dave Landis did all the Didjits record jackets and shared a lot of cool punk rock with the band.

    10:15: Touch & Go didn't like the first record Fizzjob.

    10:45: What did you like about the 50's crazy performers like Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis.

    14:00: How did you end up getting hooked up with Iain Burgess who produced your first 3 records?

    16:00: How did you get the great sound on Hey Judester?

    17:00: How did you connect with Touch & Go?

    19:40: Hornet Piñata recording experience?

    22:15: Did your success catch you off guard?

    24:45: Did Doug & Brad encourage the Rick Sims wild-man persona?

    27:35: Did your crowd-baiting ever get you in trouble?

    29:15: Did you get crap from your lyrical content and could you write those same songs today?

    34:00: How did you decide to switch over to Steve Albini for the last two records?

    37:05: How did you come to live in Chicago?

    38:40: How did The Offspring end up putting "Killjoy Powerhead" on their mega-album Smash in 1994?

    41:05: The Didjits breakup is a messy one.

    43:35: Record Store Day -- Strictly Dynamite: The Best of Didjits. How did this happen?

    47:25: Is it surreal that people are still interested in something that you did 35 or 40 years ago?

    50:15: Rick's post-Didjits career.

    54:35: Thick or thin crust pizza fan?

    55:24: Favorite Chicago venues to play and to see shows?

    58:50: What do you show off in Chicago when friends come to town?

    61:30: What makes Chicago unique?

    64:00: What's your favorite "go to" cheap drink?

    65:00: Are you a Chicago lifer?

    66:55: Will you play Didjits music live again?

  • Sean O'Keefe joins us for episode number 42. Growing up in Wilmette, IL, Sean dropped out of Columbia College in Chicago to record his friends' bands. We talk about how he came to produce Take This To Your Grave for his friends, Fall Out Boy. We discuss what's involve in producing, engineering and mixing a record. Sean has also worked with a ton of other bands, including Hawthorne Heights, Motion City Soundtrack, The Hush Sound and Beach Bunny and co-produced "Hey There Delilah" for Plain White T's. He's currently working on the new record for Beach Bunny. Can't wait to hear that one!

    Time stamps:

    2: What do producers, engineers, and mixers do?

    11:33: When you work with a band do you come to them with your thoughts or are you in service of the band?

    23: How do you get on Fall Out Boy's radar? How did you come together to make Take This To Your Grave?

    33: While recording Take This To Your Grave did you realize how special it was?

    38:11: If I want to hire you, what is that process like?

    42:45: How did Beach Bunny get on your radar? How did you start working together?

    47:45: Has the ease of producing/releasing music impacted your production method/style?

    54: What advice would you give a newer band coming into the studio/what kind of common mistakes do you see?

    59:48: Thick or thin crust pizza fan?

    61:40: Favorite venue to see shows at in Chicago?

    63: What do you think makes Chicago and Chicago music special/unique?

    67:37: What is your go to cheap drink?

    68: Are you a Chicago lifer?

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  • Jason Narducy has carved out quite a career for himself in music. His first band, Verboten (which he began as a pre-teen), was influential in getting Dave Grohl in started music. Subsequently he formed the acoustic duo Jason & Alison, Verbow, Rockets Over Sweden and his current project, Split Single. He's also played with or toured with the likes of Bob Mould, Superchunk, Sunny Day Real Estate, Robert Pollard, Eddie Vedder, Liz Phair, The Pretenders and more. He's got some big 2024 plans, including a tour booked with Michael Shannon where they perform R.E.M.'s Murmur album.

    Time stamps:

    2: We are here with Chicago music lifer Jason Narducy

    3:30: How did you like growing up in Evanston?

    4:32: What are some of your earliest Chicago music memories?

    6:15: When did you decide you wanted to learn music?

    8: How old were you when you formed your first band?

    11: Are you surprised you are still talking about Verboten?

    15:30: Were you aware of how unique the music scene was in Chicago in the 90s?

    17:22: How did you happen in to what you are doing?

    23: May I ask you for a top Bob Pollard story?

    30:50: How do you decide your next project?

    33:45: What musician has been the most influential for you?

    37: Are you constantly evolving with what you are doing with Split Single?

    40:40: Have you been surprised by the response to your Michael Shannon Murmur collaboration?

    47:44: How did you end up getting into the Sunny Day Real Estate orbit?

    53:30: Deep dish or thin crust pizza fan?

    54:45: Favorite venue to see a show at, and favorite venue to play?

    60:50: What is your go to cheap drink?

    61:45: Are you a Chicago lifer?

  • Welcome to 2024 and our 40th episode everyone! We're so happy to be talking with Ken Draznik and James Wald from one of our favorite bands of all-time, The Vertebrats from Champaign, IL. We talk about how these guys got together with Matt Brandabur and Roy Axford and helped create a vibrant DIY music scene in Champaign-Urbana. We also talk about how their short 3-year career created a legion of fans that have continued to love them and influenced a generation of C-U bands. In recent times, Kenny and Jimmy have recorded music as The Surly Bells and are looking for an avenue to release their new music.

    Time stamps:

    2:25: How did you get into music?

    7:45: When do the two of you meet?

    9:40: Jimmy did you see this as an opportunity to get in the band?

    14: Did playing Mabel's as frequently as you did help increase your musical output?

    18: Was it always your goal to play original music?

    22:35: Were there other Champaign bands that you were fans of?

    25: Why did we stop after 3 years?

    30: What brings you back together to make music together again?

    33:40: If you'd gotten a record deal, would that have extended the life of the band?

    38: Why isn't your music on streaming?

    44: What are your aspirations for The Surly Bells?

    54: Thick or thin crust pizza fans?

    56: Do you have a favorite Chicago venue?

    61: When you think of a Chicago band, what bands come to mind?

    63: What is your go to cheap drink?

    64: Anything you'd like to plug on your way out the door?

    65: Thoughts on Jeff Evans

  • Did you ever wish you had your own music festival? Well, our friends Stacey & Erik Olson are living the dream! In 2022 they put together the first fForest Fest in Morris, Illinois with a few of their favorite punk/folk/Celtic bands. We talked with them about what it takes to run a festival, what makes fForest Fest different and what plans they have as they grow this thing. And they are announcing their 2024 lineup here - see you in Morris on June 1st, 2024!

    Time stamps:

    1:44: What in you made you think you could pull off a festival?

    2:25: What is your background?

    4: What's the biggest hurdle to doing your own festival?

    7: How far out do you start planning the festival?

    9:18: Year three, what are we doing differently?

    11:15: Let's talk about the name of fforest fest

    12:30: How do you start putting this together?

    14:51: Are there any festivals you look to for inspiration?

    16:25: What are things you had to overcome with the city to hold the festival?

    18:41: What's the furthest people have traveled to attend the festival?

    22:30: Who's playing fforest festival 2024?

    30:50: Can we say how much this costs?

    32:45: What is your go to cheap drink?

    34:40: Any band you'd like to try and get on the lineup? name of fforest fest

  • Bruce Finkelman decided on a late night drive down Western Avenue to open his iconic Chicago music club, The Empty Bottle. So he took the $942 he had in savings and made the plunge. Thirty years later, he's transformed that into the hospitality collective, 16 on Center, which includes a host of music venues and restaurants. Thalia Hall, SPACE, The Salt Shed, Longman & Eagle, Dusek's, Revival Food Hall and much more. We talked with Bruce about his love of music and how this all came about. And, of course, we talked about Chicago.

    Time Stamps:

    2: Walk us through the idea of opening The Empty Bottle

    5:37: How do you start to build momentum at The Empty Bottle?

    10: How did you find the next location for The Empty Bottle?

    12: When did you feel like The Empty Bottle became a thing?

    14:45: Why do you think people revere The Empty Bottle so much?

    19:40: When did you decide The Bottle isn't challenging enough for me, I need to add some more things to my plate?

    22:16: Have you ever chosen a space that ended up not working?

    25: I like that on your website you list other places in the neighborhood of your venue

    26:10: How did you originally get connected with Craig?

    31:54: How does what Salt Shed looks like now differ from what your initial vision of it was?

    34:05: How do you decide when it's time for the next project?

    36: Now that you've done a lot of projects, does it get easier working with the city of Chicago?

    37: Does the city of Chicago appreciate the independent music club owners?

    39: How is Chicago staying as independent as it is when it comes to venues?

    42:26: Merch cuts - How do you handle that?

    45:45: Thick or thin crust pizza fan?

    47:45: Favorite venue to see a show at in Chicago?

    48:15: What makes the Chicago music scene unique?

    50:19: What is your go to cheap drink?

    53: Anything you want to plug on your way on out of here?

  • In our latest episode of No Wristbands! After Hours, we got a chance to talk with two of our favorite people over at CHIRP radio - Jenn Sodini and Shawn Campbell. Jenn is the host of the fantastic CHIRP in-person storytelling and music event, The First Time. We chatted with Shawn and Jenn about what's involved in putting together that quarterly show. The next live performance is Wednesday, November 29th at 7:30 pm at Martyrs'. You can get more info about the show here: https://firsttime.chirpradio.org/.

    Time stamps:

    2: How do you arrive at the theme for each show?

    3:30: How do you find your six participants?

    6: How much work goes in behind the scenes to pull off a production of this size?

    10:30: Let me explain the whole premise of the show

    13:50: Jenn, how did you become the host of The First Time?

    16: How do you thread the needle through all the different stories during The First Time?

    19: Any stories that have gone off the rails?

    21:50: Do you ever have people who have gone rogue and told a completely different story?

    24:45: How does The First Time fit into the bigger picture of CHIRP's mission?

    29:22: What can people expect from the next The First Time show?

    31:26: Are you a thick or thin crust pizza fan?

    32:38: Anything you'd like to plug on our way out the door?

  • Milwaukee emo band Barely Civil joins us for No Wristbands! episode 36. Connor Erickson (vocals, guitar), Isaac Marquardt (drums) and Alex Larsen (lead guitar) share their thoughts on their great new single "Coasting Mostly", making new music, surviving the pandemic, the Milwaukee music scene and, of course, a few Chicago questions. Enjoy!!

    Time stamps:

    2:40: What have you guys been up to?

    5: Is Coasting Mostly a good indicator of a new direction? Is there a new album on the way?

    7: Are you thinking of themes as you are writing, or that's just what comes out?

    10: Does the music propel you into a theme or the lyrics could exist outside of the music you've created?

    11:45: The timing you needed to know at the time of each release has been bizarrely different. How have you navigated that? Do you feel like you have a great game plan now?

    14: What has the response been like for Coasting Mostly? Has any of it surprised you?

    17: Was there ever any thought of delaying I'll Figure This Out because of the pandemic?

    20: Which member of the band is the taste maker?

    26:33: Is it safe to say you are American Football fans?

    28:16: If I'll Figure This Out is a fall album, what season is the new album?

    29:45: Was the response on I'll Figure This Out surprising?

    31:18: What was it like when you could start playing shows again after Covid?

    33:12: What's the stance on not playing North Newhall live?

    38: Tell us about the Milwaukee music scene?

    43: What has surprised you about fan reactions to your songs?

    46:07: Are you thick or thin crust pizza fans?

    47:20: Favorite venue to play at in Chicago?

    48: What do you think of when you think of the Chicago music scene?

    51: Any other Chicago bands you'd like to shout out?

    53: What have you been listening to lately?

    56: Favorite cheap drink?

    59: Anything you'd like to shout out/are looking forward to over next couple of months?

  • Kenn Goodman joins us to talk about the long history of Pravda Records. 2024 will be the 40th anniversary of Pravda and Kenn explains how it got this far. We also talk about his musical history and, of course, we chat about all things Chicago.

    Time stamps:

    2: When did you start playing music?

    6:11: You were sneaking into shows as a fake Rolling Stone reporter.

    10:35: I can do this (make a record label), why not?

    11:28: Young bravado, or you'd do it all over again?

    14: When did Pravda become a label that released records for people outside of your band?

    18:40: Any good Billy Corgan stories?

    22:15: How do you strike the balance of running the label and playing in bands?

    25:21: How did you navigate the changing music industry?

    29:11: With the 90's ethos of not wanting to sell out, was it hard to convince bands to put their music into tv shows and commercials?

    32: Did you have anybody who was influential in helping you navigate the label waters?

    35:30: What is your process like for deciding what to put out?

    40: Have there been releases that you loved that didn't pan out the way you wanted?

    41: What is a day in the life like for you in running the label?

    48: If someone puts out a good single, does it really make a difference?

    49:15: Anything special planned for your 40th anniversary?

    51:25: Thick or thin crust pizza fan?

    53: Favorite venue to play shows and favorite venue to see a show at in Chicago?

    55:21: What makes Chicago a unique music scene?

    59:20: What is your go to cheap drink?

    60:23: Are you a Chicago lifer?

    61:05: When you have friends come to town, where are you taking them? (edited) 

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  • We are so damned excited to have Frank Turner join us for this one. We talk about his upcoming visit to Chicago to play Riot Fest, his opening gig for Bruce Springsteen, his thoughts on songwriters Jeff Tweedy, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen, his Lost Evenings festival in Anaheim, CA, his favorite Chicago music venue, his relentless touring and much more.

    Time stamps:

    2:05: Two rules.

    2:50: What's it like to open for Bruce Springsteen?

    4:10: Choosing the set list for the show.

    6:30: How do you judge the crowd response?

    8:30: Frank's thoughts on opening bands.

    12:20: Why did it take so long to get around to playing Chicago?

    14:50: Playing Riot Fest in September. Memories of playing shows in Chicago?

    17:40: Butch Walker & Scott Hutchison at the G-Man Tavern.

    19:10: Songwriting books and Jeff Tweedy.

    21:55: Bob Dylan's early songwriting magic and Frank's respect for Dylan and Leonard Cohen.

    24:00: Working on 15 songs for new album.

    24:55: What's your songwriting process?

    28:30: You're known for relentless touring, but as you get older, what does the future look like?

    31:45: Dream locations for future tours?

    32:35: Lost Evenings in Anaheim. Sold out is good right?

    34:45: Is Chicago a future site for LE?

    35:25: Logistics of putting on Lost Evenings?

    38:40: Writing Punches after Lost Evenings.

    39:30: Is the Boston accent real?

    40:40: Is hanging out with fans important to Frank Turner?

    47:00: Is it Poncho or Pancho? Discussing the English language.

    49:00: Deep dish or thin crust pizza?

    49:25: Favorite Chicago venue to play?

    49:45: What makes Chicago a unique music scene?

    50:40: Favorite cheap drink?

  • Deanna Belos joins us to talk about her great Chicago punk band Sincere Engineer. Deanna is the songwriter, singer and guitarist in the band and began putting out records in 2017 with the album Rhombithian. Along with bandmates Kyle Geib (guitar), Nick Arvanitis (bass) and Adam Beck (drums), Sincere Engineer released Bless My Psyche in 2021 and their incredible new album, Cheap Grills is due out 9-22-23. We talk about her love of The Lawrence Arms and Alkaline Trio, the upcoming Lollapalooza slot, the Sandburg Eagles and the best things about Chicago.

    Time stamps:

    2:20: We are here with Deanna Belos of Sincere Engineer

    5:20: When do you start getting into music?

    6:40: What bands turned you on to punk?

    9: How did you find Alkaline Trio and The Lawrence Arms?

    10:20: How do you find your community and fellow punks?

    11:40: What's your best Lawrence Arms Brendan Kelly story?

    16:45: What song do you feel like you wrote that you felt like you were getting it and were proud of what you'd made?

    19:45: Forming a band seems relatively seamless, has it felt that way?

    20:45 : Did you feel a sense of protection about your songs, or was it hard to let go and let people interpret them differently than how you'd envisioned them?

    22:20: Has any of the collaboration changed now that the band has been together for awhile?

    26: Are you pushing your vision or do you have trust in the band to get to where you ultimately want to be?

    27:30: What is your writing process like?

    30: When people connect with your personal songs, what is that feeling like?

    31:45: Are you pretty discerning about what you agree to do?

    34:30: What does Chicago mean to you?

    36: What excites you the most about Cheap Grills?

    39:50: Has there been a moment that's been surreal that you think I'm doing this thing!?

    42:15: Deep dish or thin crust pizza fan?

    43:20: How do you choose your album art?

    44:10: Favorite venue to play at, and favorite place to see a show at?

    46: What to you makes Chicago a unique music scene?

    48: Any other Chicago bands that people should check out?

    50:14: What is your favorite cheap drink?

    52:20: Are you a Chicago lifer?

    53:15: What else are we excited about over the next couple of months?

  • Leor Galil is a senior staff writer for the Chicago Reader and has written there for a dozen years. His work as a freelance culture and music journalist has appeared in numerous publications, including Pitchfork, Rolling Stone.com, The Washington Post, Forbes.com and many others. We had a great time talking with Leor about what it's like being a journalist these days, what he sees in the Chicago music scene and all the things he loves about Chicago!

    Time Stamps:

    3:50: How do you choose the subjects you write about?

    9:30: How old were you when you decided you wanted to be a writer?

    20:34: When did you decide writing was going to be what you went to grad school for?

    24: When you move to Chicago, what is your knowledge of the Chicago music scene?

    26:21: How do you end up at The Reader?

    28:27: Are you surprised that Algernon Cadwallader has resonated as much as they have?

    37: Are you still pitching ideas?

    38: Do you go to shows all the time?

    40: Has writing about music influenced the way you experience a show?

    42:15: Is the music writer community as friendly as the music scene?

    47:25: What's the current status of The Reader?

    49:15: What has made you stay at The Reader?

    51:13: Is there a story you've wanted to do that you haven't had the chance to do yet?

    54:37: Are you working on book ideas as well?

    55:33: Was there a moment when you'd thought you'd made it/were living your dream?

    57: Are you a Chicago lifer?

    57:45: Are you a thick or thin crust pizza fan?

    59: Favorite venue to see a show at?

    60:15: What makes the Chicago music scene unique?

    64: What have you been listening to lately?

    66:25: What is the one thing you have to show people when they come to Chicago?

    68: What is your go to cheap drink?

    69:24: Anything to plug on your way out?

  • We're very excited that we got the opportunity to talk with Beverly Rage (vocals/guitar) from queer garage-pop band Bev Rage & the Drinks for episode 31. We talk about Bev's musical journey from Canton, Ohio to Chicago, what it's like playing original music in drag and the challenges presented by today's political environment. We also cover Bev's favorite Chicago things!

    Time Stamps:

    2:40: How old were you when you started playing music?

    3:50: What are we listening to growing up?

    5:41: Did you always know you wanted to be a musician?

    7: Did you have friends who were also interested in playing music/form a band?

    9: How do you get from Canton to Chicago?

    10:30: How old were you when you joined your first band?

    11:53: How long did it take you to feel like you'd found your musical community in Chicago?

    14:36: Did you feel an immediate connection to queercore?

    18: Have you always dressed in drag to perform?

    21: When you started dressing in drag, did it alter how you created music, did it impact the crowd/people you were attracting?

    24:17: Are you doing your own booking?

    26:30: Who were inspirations to you in your costuming?

    29: Does a state's laws towards members of the LGTBQ+ community impact your desire to play shows in their state?

    35:14: What advice would you give a young queer person who is unsure of themselves?

    37:08: What is the best way we can be an ally right now?

    39:45: What is Chicago doing right, and what can it do better?

    45:15: What were some of the breaks you've gotten with the band?

    47: Thick or thin crust pizza?

    48:39: Favorite place to play a show/favorite place to see a show in Chicago?

    50:45: Are there any specific places you always have to take friends when they come to visit?

    52:25: What makes Chicago unique as a music scene?

    54:30: What have you been listening to lately?

    56:33: What is your go to cheap drink?

    57:50: What are you most excited about over the next six months?

  • Bridget Stiebris and Haley Blomquist from OK Cool are back with us After Hours to discuss their new ep Fawn. We go track by track and also talk about what they got coming up on tour.

    Time stamps:

    3:15: Let's talk about fawn, track by track breakdown

    3:45: Track 1: 333

    6:10: What are the themes you are laying out in 333?

    8: Track 2 normal c - When you are writing, are you writing to write or with the intention of them being lyrics?

    12: Track 3: 4 what???

    14:45: Track 4: nissanweekends

    15:15: Do either of you actually own a Nissan?

    17:40: Track 5: mud - how did mud come together?

    19:20: When you have a song in your head, and you have an idea in your head, do you just go record it, or does it evolve as you go through the process?

    24:22: Track 6: whiplash - how did this come together?

    26:20: Track 7: treat me nice - why didn't you think it fit on the album?

    28:40: Track 8: soaked in - what can you tell us about this song?

    31: What has the response been like since fawn came out?

    33:25: Do you find yourself reading the reviews and texting eachother and saying can you believe they said this, or hey they liked this?

    34: What were people saying to you at the Schubas show?

    36: What are you most excited about over the next couple of months?

  • We had a great time talking with long-time Chicago musician Brian Case for episode 29. We talk about his musical history with 90 Day Men, The Ponys and Disappears. And we get into detail with his current band FACS and their new record Still Life In Decay. We also talk about record labels, touring and his son's band Lifeguard. And, as usual, all things Chicago. We hope you enjoy this one!

    Time Stamps:

    1:45: When did you know you wanted to be a musician?

    3: How old were you when you started playing music?

    4:25: When did you start playing your own music?

    5:22: Tell us about how you got to 90 Day Men?

    7: Take us on your journey to how you developed your sound.

    11: When did you move to Chicago?

    13:15: Describe that energy in Chicago in the mid 90's?

    16: Was there ever a doubt that you were going to make a go of it with music?

    18:45: 90 Day Men ends, how long did it take you to find your new group, and start playing music again?

    22:45: When did The Disappears start to happen?

    25: What is your creative process like?

    27: How do you think about playing the guitar?

    30:30: Disappears and FACS have been on influential Chicago labels, was this deliberate or just worked out that way?

    33: Was there ever a thought that you'd continue on as Disappears versus rebranding as a new band?

    37: Still Life in Decay - Is this an apt description of the band, and was it the same recording process as normal?

    40: Walk us through the process of getting ready to put out the new album and prepping for touring.

    42: How much has touring changed over the years?

    44: What is the ideal setting for a FACS show?

    45: What kind of advice are you giving your son, who's in the band Lifeguard?

    48: Favorite venue to see show at in Chicago?

    50: What makes Chicago unique to you?

    51: Thick or thin crust pizza?

    52: Friends in town, where are you taking them?

    53: What are some Chicago bands that you like?

    55: What have you been listening to lately?

    57:30: Favorite cheap drink?

    58:30: What are you most excited about over the next 6 months?

  • We are beyond excited to have Glenn Kotche on the show for episode 28. It's a dream come true (although Glenn said we have to have bigger dreams than that!). We talk about how he got started as a drummer, his early career, meeting Jim O'Rourke, playing in Loose Fur, joining Wilco, his solo projects and a whole lot more. Of course, we also talk about Chicago. We hope you enjoy this one as much as we did.

    Time stamps:

    2:20: When did you start playing drums?

    4: Did you always have tunnel vision that you wanted to be a professional musician?

    6:45: DId you have anybody who inspired you growing up?

    10:55: Who were some of your musical influences growing up?

    17:30: What is Chicago like when you come back after graduating college? What's your plan?

    20:34: Is the culture that exists in Chicago unique to Chicago or was that happening everywhere?

    24:55: What's your best Jim O'Rourke story?

    27:36: When did you start getting the urge to make your own percussion instruments?

    30: How'd you meet Jeff Tweedy?

    36:20: Was there an immediate attraction to how Jeff creates, or did this just feel like another gig?

    38:09: Is there going to be a Loose Fur 3?

    40: How long did it take you to feel accepted by the band?

    41:29: Did you recognize right away that the music you were recording for Yankee Hotel Foxtrot was a big leap forward?

    43: How has Wilco's creative process evolved over the past 20 years?

    48: When you are getting ready to go on tour, what's the process like?

    50: Are there songs that you are really looking forward to playing?

    54:45: What's a typical non-touring day like for you?

    56: How do you decide what you are going to work on?

    57:45: Are you in demand? Do you get a lot of requests to play with people?

    59: Thick or thin crust pizza?

    60:30: Where is your favorite place to play in town, and where is your favorite place to see a show?

    62:30: What makes Chicago a unique music scene?

    63: Who are some of your favorite Chicago bands?

    65:25: Anything you've been listening to lately?

    66:36: What's your favorite cheap drink?

    67:30: What are you excited about for the rest of the year?

  • Haley Blomquist and Bridget Stiebris from local Chicago band OK Cool join us for episode #27. We talk about how they got together to form a band, what their songwriting and creative process looks like and what we can expect from their new ep Fawn. Of course, we also ask them about their favorite Chicago things!

    Time Stamps:

    2: Hello, we are joined by the band Ok Cool

    3:45: Bridget, you had to have felt that a year later that Haley reached back out to you

    5: Was there an initial moment where you two connected musically?

    7:15: How long did it take you to feel comfortable playing music together?

    9:25: Were you writing your own songs at this point?

    10:35: Who are some drummers that are influential for you?

    12:30: How did the writing process work with Weekend Run Club?

    14:30: How has the reaction to your music been for you?

    18:20: What's been the reasoning behind the conciseness of your music?

    20:55: At what point were you like guess we are doing this thing? Was that scary for you two?

    22:30: How does your creative process like?

    26: Do you feel like you have to have a deadline to be creative?

    26:55: Do you have a song where you feel like you nailed it?

    29:30: You are putting out music on your own label, was that always the plan?

    33:45: How did you find your community in Chicago?

    36: What are your favorite venues to play and favorite venues to see shows at?

    37:26: What does genuine allyship look like to you?

    38:20: Do you feel like you have to battle to not get labeled in the scene with what you are doing?

    40:22: How easy is it for you to get up on stage and perform when you have anxiety?

    43: How did the 8 songs from Fawn come together to be an EP? Is there a general theme?

    46: Thick vs. thin crust pizza?

    47:51: What makes the Chicago music scene unique?

    48:30: Is it pretty easy to find gigs in Chicago?

    50: Who are some of your favorite Chicago bands?

    51: What have you been listening to lately?

    52:30: Favorite cheap drink?

    54: What are you most excited about for Ok Cool in 2023?

  • Bruce Adams joins us for episode # 26. He co-founded kranky records and recently authored a wonderful book, You're with Stupid: kranky, Chicago, and the Reinvention of Indie Music. We talk about Bruce's early history working at Kaleidoscope, Touch and Go and Cargo Records. We also cover his history with kranky records and then talk about how he came to writing You're with Stupid. And, of course, we talk about Chicago.

    Time Stamps

    1:39 - Guest host Wade Iverson joins the show today

    1:45 - Welcome Bruce Adams

    2:25 - Bruce moves to Chicago in 1987 and begins working at Kaleidoscope. How did that inform your music history?

    7:00 - Nick the Greek - music or money?

    7:30 - Corey & Lisa from Touch & Go set the tone and had some great parties!

    8:45 - Were there kranky parties?

    11:30 - How did your relationship with Joel Leoschke begin?

    14:30 - Wax Trax Records provides some useful lessons 

    17:15 - How compatible were you with Joel?

    18:10 - How many ECM records do you own?

    20:30 - Talk about Steve Tibbetts

    23:30 - Did kranky supply recording budgets to your bands?

    27:15 - How do you describe Bowery Electric?

    31:15 - How did you work together with your bands to succeed?

    33:40 - Did you work together with other labels to share ideas?

    37:20 - Are people in the music industry good business people?

    39:10 - How did you decide to move on from kranky in 2005?

    42:10 - Will you switch from the Maize & Blue to the Fighting Illini?

    44:00 - What were your formative musical influences?

    48:00 - How did Chicago impact indie labels like kranky, Drag City, Thrill Jockey and Bloodshot?

    51:50 - How influential was Labradford?

    57:25 - Did Monster Truck Five ever release a record?

    58:40 - When did you start writing You’re with Stupid?

    65:00 - Who plays Bruce Adams in the movie version of You're with Stupid?

    66:15 - Favorite band of all time, favorite kranky show, did Billy Corgan ever invite a kranky band on tour?

    67:15 - Mimi Parker / Low memory?

    72:00 - All the usual Chicago questions

  • Bill Roe of Trouble In Mind Records joins us for episode #25. Bill and his spouse Lisa played together in the garage band CoCoComa and in 2009 they started releasing records on their Trouble In Mind label. They are still busy putting out great stuff today. Bill shares with us what it's like to run a record label, what music he's listening to and, of course, what he loves about Chicago.

    Time Stamps:

    1:30 - Welcome Bill

    2:15 - When did you get the itch to learn and play music?

    3:50 - When did you decide you wanted to go on tour and make music of your own?

    5 - What is the Chicago 90's era indie music scene like?

    6:30 - How are you judging your success as you go along?

    10:45 - What was the conversation like to start Trouble in Mind Records?

    12:30 - What in you made you push from an idea to implementation?

    16:11 - Does everybody get with the program when it comes to working with you?

    18:25 - What has been the most eye opening thing for you in operating the label over the past 14 years?

    20:30 - What are some examples of records that have outperformed your expectations?

    23 - What were the core tenants of the label when you started?

    24:30 - Do you two generally have similar music taste?

    25:45 - How far or close do you think you are to what you though the label would be when you started?

    28:20 - How do you decide what to put out?

    29:45 - Would you say supply chain issues have been the biggest issue since Covid?

    33 - How is 2023 looking for you?

    35:15 - Is it easier to work with a local band?

    36:31 - Is it important to put out Chicago bands or is it just putting out whatever you like?

    39:30 - You ever look back at something you put out and think what was 2012 Bill thinking?

    40:35 - Deep dish or thin crust pizza fan?

    40:50 - Favorite venue to see and play shows in Chicago?

    43:45 - What makes the Chicago music scene unique?

    46:42 - Name some Chicago bands that have made a big impact on you over the years

    47:45 - What have you been listening to lately?

    49:45 - Favorite cheap drink?

  • Dan Ozzi - author of the national bestseller SELLOUT - The Major-Label Feeding Frenzy That Swept Punk, Emo, and Hardcore 1994-2007 - is our guest for episode #24. He also co-authored (with Laura Jane Grace) TRANNY - Confessions of Punk Rock's Most Infamous Anarchist Sellout. He joined us to talk about those books, how he got started as a music writer and his thoughts on Chicago. Plus he shares his love of soda.

    Time stamps:

    2:45: How did you get started in music writing?

    6: Was music something you'd ever written about before?

    8:30: How did the book with Laura Jane Grace come together?

    11:20: When did you zoom out and realize this era was worth writing a book about?

    12:20: Where do you jump in and follow the scene in real time?

    20:38: When you were writing Sell Out were there any bands that you hadn't intended to write about that during research really stood out, and you had to write about?

    21:52: Where do you start when you start writing a book?

    27:41: Any surreal moments working on the book?

    31:20: How does it feel to write about someone who did something that wasn't always the best thing to do?

    33:45: Any revelatory moments from anyone interviewed in the book?

    35: The idea of selling out seems like an outdated concept, do you think this is a good thing to not be held to the same standard as those bands from the past?

    40:38: Was there a band you appreciated more after writing about them?

    44:31: What has the response to the book been like?

    48:30: What are you working on next?

    49:20: When you think of Chicago music, what do you think about?

    53: Think or thin crust pizza fan?

    55:10: Favorite spot to see a show in Chicago?

    56: What makes the Chicago music scene unique to you?

    58:45: What have you been listening to lately?

    61:49: What is your go to cheap drink?