Recent Recipes
Abraham Mellish In Studio Performance
Comments (0) | Friday, May 16, 2014
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We are very excited to have Abraham Mellish join The Casserole for an in-studio performance and interview on Saturday May 17th. Listen right here or at wxav.com
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Black Rebel Motorcycle Club- Specter At The Feast (REVIEW)
Comments (0) | Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Robert Levon Been, Peter Hayes, and Leah Shaprio carry on after the loss of Michael Been, who was not only their producer and mentor but Robert’s father and a father figure for the whole band. On their seventh album, Specter At The Feast, you can hear BRMC as they go through the motions of dealing with such a loss.
In tribute, they cover “Let the Day Begin”; a song from Michael Been’s former band, The Call. The addition of Peter Hayes’ signature guitar sound gives the song a fresh modern update.
“Fire Walker” introduces an irresistible, slow burning groove that is an immediate highlight. “Funny Games” features Been on the verses while Hayes comes in to sing a dramatic chorus, adding the perfect dynamic. Other standouts include the straight forward rock and roll of 'Hate the Taste' and "Lose Yourself", which is reminiscent of Coldplay's "Fix You" and equally as epic.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club don’t really look to break any new ground, most of these songs could be flawlessly added to any of their previous records. But rather they continue their tradition of quality songwriting.
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Everest Announce New Album and New Song
Comments (0) | Tuesday, April 24, 2012
I heard this song for the first time last summer when they opened one of their shows with it. I was blown away immediately because it was so heavy and loud as hell. After the show I asked the band, "What was that song you opened with about the Rapture?" They responded, "Rapture". Now having heard the studio version, its the rocker I remember.
Everest are gearing up to release their third album, Ownerless. Due out on June 26 via ATO.
I reviewed their last album, On Approach, and it was damn near perfect. And "Let Go" was our 2010 song of the year. That statement is not to be taken lightly.
One of my favorite things about Everest is their ability to mix things up. They draw from a slew of influences and it shows through the variety of songs on their albums. Let's hope Ownerless is full of rockers, sweet ballads, and anthems that we all love.
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M. Ward- A Wasteland Companion
Comments (0) | Monday, January 23, 2012
M. Ward announced today he will release, A Wasteland Companion, his follow up to 2009's critically acclaimed Hold Time. The album will be out April 10 on MERGE.
A Wasteland Companion:
02 Primitive Girl
03 Me and My Shadow
04 Sweetheart
05 I Get Ideas
06 The First Time I Ran Away
07 A Wasteland Companion
08 Watch the Show
09 There's a Key
10 Crawl After You
11 Wild Goose
12 Pure Joy
M. Ward will be at the Vic Theatre in Chicago on May 22nd.
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Middle Brother Announce Tour Dates
Comments (0) | Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Middle Brother (John McCauley of Deer Tick, Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes, and Matt Vasquez of Delta Spirit) have announced their first tour in support of their debut record, self-titled which will be out March 1 on Partisan Records
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Concert Review: Delta Spirit
Comments | Monday, June 21, 2010
Delta Spirit
The Metro, Chicago
June 19th, 2010
They’ll Be Your New Favorite Band
I had high expectations going into my first Delta Spirit show at the Metro. I’ve heard nothing but good things about Delta Spirit, from the critical acclaim surrounding their debut album Ode to Sunshine to just the recommendation of their high energy live show. My friends and critics, and even musicians I’ve interviewed agree; Delta Spirit are something special.
Let me tell you now, this is another recommendation, maybe even a plea. You have to experience Delta Spirit!
Delta Spirit bring so much. You get a rock and roll show: sky-high energy, catchy songs, beautiful songs, anthems, and most of all the show was fun. It was the most fun I’ve had at a concert in a long time. It was amazing watching the band instill crowd interaction and how much the crowd actually responded.
They opened with “People Turn Around” , which the crowd instantly recognized. From there they tore right into “Bushwick Blues” off their new album, History from Below, and it sounded fantastic! I was sold.
The entire set was stellar. From “White Table” to “Children” to a cover of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” straight into “Trashcan” and a beautiful live version of “Vivian”.
In what I thought was the last song of the night, the band played an amazing version of “People C’mon” and the crowd sang along louder than I have ever heard a crowd sing at the Metro.
During the final song of the night they broke into a rendition of “Shout” by the Isley Brothers. With each "little bit softer now" from singer Matt Vasquez, the crowd lowered to the floor until it was time to "get a little bit louder now". Then the audience erupted back into a frenzy. I was having a blast and it seemed that everyone else was too.
It was a show that I thought about later that night, that I thought about the next day, and one that I told my friends all about how they missed out. But most of all, this show made me appreciate the little things of life, simple things like going to a show and having a good time, regardless if people are rudely talking through the set. It made me appreciate music in general knowing that in these tough economic times anyone can go see a $14 show where a band gives absolutely all they have and the good vibes can resonate beyond the concert.
-Jeff
FOR THE RECORD!!
This show was probably THE best show I have ever seen! AND I turned Jeff onto Delta Spirit in the first place! :)
- Pam
Photos: Pam Wichert
Delta Spirit "Bushwick Blues" from Yours Truly on Vimeo.
For anyone outside of Chicago, you need to see Delta Spirit live! Here are your opportunities..
Jun 23 The Basement - Columbus, Ohio
Jun 24 Beachland Ballroom - Cleveland, Ohio
Jun 25 Pike Room Pontiac, - Michigan
Jun 26 The Mod Club - Toronto, ON, Canada
Jun 28 Middle East - Downstairs Cambridge, Massachuse
Jun 30 Bowery Ballroom - New York, New York
Jul 01 Music Hall of Williamsburg - Brooklyn, New York
Jul 02 First Unitarian Church - Philadelphia, Pennsylvan
Jul 03 9:30 Club - Washington, Washington, US
Jul 05 Cat's Cradle - Carrboro, North Carolina
Jul 06 Pour House Charleston, South Carolina
Jul 07 Cafe 11 - St. Augustine, Florida
Jul 08 The Social - Orlando, Florida
Jul 09 The Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
Jul 10 Bottletree - Birmingham, Alabama
Jul 11 Thirsty Hippo - Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Jul 13 Juanita's - Little Rock, Arkansas
Jul 14 Cain's - Tulsa, Oklahoma
Jul 15 The Loft - Dallas, Texas
Jul 16 Mango's - Houston, Texas
Jul 17 Emo's Alternative Lounge - Austin, Texas
Jul 20 Santa Fe Brewing Company - Santa Fe, New Mexico
Jul 21 Bluc Congress - Tucson, Arizona
Jul 23 El Rey Theatre - Los Angeles, California
Jul 24 Velvet Jones - Santa Barbara, California
One more thing you need to do is buy Delta Spirit's latest album History from Below RIGHT NOW!!!
It is most definitely Casserole Approved!!
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Back from Bonnaroo!! HUGE NEWS!
Comments | Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Today on Thursday Casserole is our first show back from Bonnaroo. We had a great time but it was hot as **** (you choose what word). We do have a lot for you today on the show, including HUGE news!
First, we will provide our thoughts on the Bonnaroo experience, playing songs from the artists that we enjoyed the most.
Next, we have a ticket giveaway. We have ONE pair of tickets to see Mates of State, Free Energy, and comedian Todd Barry @ Lincoln Hall on June 22nd! Listen in and when you hear a song by Mates of State or Free Energy call in 773-298-3386. If your online you can go on our twitter and you will have an advantage to winning the tickets. 18+
Then, we will go around town playing songs from artists that are coming to Chicago such as: Delta Spirit, MGMT, and Califone. Look for more Delta Spirit news very shortly on Thursday Casserole.
Finally we would like to announce that next week you can tune in between 3-6pm central time to hear TWO EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS from Bonnaroo!
The amazing, Dean Fertita of the Dead Weather, Queens of the Stone Age, and the Waxwings. Dean touches upon his forthcoming solo project Hello=Fire, as well as the new Dead Weather album ,Sea of Cowards, and what's next for the band.
Excellent Seattle band, the Moondoggies release in 2008, Don't Be A Stranger, became the Casserole's top debut album of that year. Now they have a new EP coming out and their new album, Tidelands, due out September 14th. The Moondoggies talk about their new record, their live show, and why they even got into music.
~
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Dr. Dog have earned their Degree
Comments (0) | Thursday, April 22, 2010
Dr. Dog toured heavily off “Fate” and I missed them each time they came to Chicago and was deeply disappointed. With the announcement of a new record “Shame, Shame”, Dr. Dog would be back at the Metro and I couldn’t miss them this time.
Marty Lennartz DJ from 93.1 WXRT came onstage before the show and said he felt blessed to be able to host such a great band, and felt honored to see them progress from smaller venues around town to the 25-year Chicago staple, The Metro. He called their latest album “Shame, Shame” their most polished effort.
“Shame, Shame” is a very polished record especially production wise it is very smooth and it is a very good, consistent album. It definitely grows on you but doesn’t have the immediate impact of “Fate”.
Dr. Dog knows how great “Fate” is as well. Having missed them on every Chicago date in support of that record I was hoping to hear some songs from “Fate” mixed with most of “Shame, Shame” and their other four albums. Well I was in store for a treat. Dr. Dog played all but two song songs from “Fate” as well as “Shame, Shame” in its entirety.
They opened with the single from “Shame, Shame”, “Stranger”. Instantly I felt the impact of the band and I was hooked.
The crowd was loving it and singing along, they erupted when “Old Days” and “The Breeze” from “Fate” were played. The band sounded so much like the album.
During “From” and “The Beach” I closed my eyes just to listen and this show really could not have sounded better it was perfect. Both songs were among highlights.
Other highlights included “The Ark”, “Later”, and “Hang On”, as the crowd sang and danced along.
Bassist and vocalist Toby Leaman was high energy the whole night and his vocals were raw and primal. Guitarist and vocalist Scott McMicken offered a nice contrast and his vocals are softer and more innocent. They would swap vocal duties every couple of songs offering a nice dynamic but they didn’t get much of a break as many Dr. Dog songs require three part harmony. One of the only breaks in the show came when Leaman addressed the crowd saying that the band went to the Cubs game earlier that day. Their other break came before the encore; but otherwise the band played straight through a 90 plus minute set.
During the encore Guitarist Frank McElroy walked out with a giant hand giving a “thumbs up”. I think everyone can agree that’s what the show earned. It’s everything you want from a concert. Dr. Dog put on a stellar show that is fun, entertaining, energetic, moving and most of all sounds really really good.
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