Video: This Is Versailles - 'Robot Beach'

Posted by Frank

Any fan of noisy, Chicago-brewed rock and roll will want to check out the brand new, debut video from This Is Versailles. The song is called "Robot Beach" and it's a perfect introduction to the driving post-punk whirlwind that is the band's sound, featuring the instantly ear-grabbing, aggressive yet melodically-appealing vocals of front-woman/bassist Caitlin Garibaldi. See for yourself below.

"Robot Beach" comes off the band's self-titled EP (a.k.a "Crown and Hatchets" EP) from last year, which they'll follow-up this Friday, September 3 with a second self-titled EP (a.k.a. "Capital Punishment" EP). To celebrate the release they will play the Empty Bottle on that night with The Poison Arrows and Follows, and will be giving away the new EP for free to anyone who goes to the show. 10 p.m., $5, 21 and over. Click here for tickets.

Cee-Lo's choice words, Chicago's inspiration?

Posted by Bobby

Making its way around the blog circuit the past two weeks has been the excellent new single, "Fuck You," from Cee-Lo Green. It has caused quite a stir for, well, obvious reasons. However, if you've ever been heartbroken, it may be the sincere poetic distillation of sentiment you have always searched for. To me, the aggression in the lyrics is compositionally beautiful in that it establishes a very effective dichotomy between the upbeat feel of the song and what is being sung. In other words, I think it's fucking awesome. As for what it has to do with Chicago, you can one-up your other hip friends by talking about how the song seems to have sampled from "Saturday in the Park," the 1972 hit from Windy City-based band Chicago.

Rapradar.com breaks it down here, comparing an instrumental version of the new track with the old Chicago tune. Hear the similarities?

So for all of you who agree with me about the undisputed artistry of this tune, you can enjoy the idea that if there were no summer in Chicago the city, then no Chicago the band would have written about it, there would be no "Saturday in the Park" for Cee-Lo to sample, and no smile from ear to ear on all those enjoying this late summer jam.

And if you disagree with me, well, do I really have to say it?

Video: Cee-Lo Green - "Fuck You"

See more funny videos and TBT Videos at Today's Big Thing.

Spend Labor Day weekend at North Coast Music Fest

Posted by Frank

Not ready to face the end of this year's summer music festivals quite yet?

Luckily, a brand new music fest will be held in Chicago this Labor Day weekend to keep the fun going strong. From Friday, September 3 to Sunday, September 5, the inaugural North Coast Music Festival will bring a wide variety of sounds to Union Park (1501 W. Randolph St.), from indie rock to hip-hop to electro.

Included in the lineup is a number of acts based out of the Windy City, including Hey Champ, Lupe Fiasco, Van Ghost, Loyal Divide, Future Rock and more. Check out the full lineup after the jump.

The fest will run from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Three-day passes are already sold out, but single day passes are still available and cost $40 each. Click here to purchase.

Help Pet Lions record their debut album

Posted by Frank

Chicago indie pop four-piece Pet Lions are all geared up to follow-up their excellent 2009 EP, Soft Right, with a proper full-length. They already have plans to record at Engine Studios (Modest Mouse, Iron & Wine, Josh Ritter, etc.), but as is often the case with indie bands, just don't have the funds necessary to make it happen. Because of this they've launched a campaign via kickstarter.com that invites fans to donate a pledge (as little as $5) to help with the creation of the record. In return they're offering rewards such as an advanced digital copy of the album once recorded, merch and show tickets, depending on donation level.

For my money, Pet Lions are one of Chicago's most promising bands, and Soft Right has already gotten quite a bit of attention for them (check out our review of the EP). They are wonderful songwriters and have a very fun sound that's one part Strokes-esque indie rock and one part old school new wave/power pop, so I'm excited to hear what they would offer up on an LP. If you are too, consider helping them out by clicking on the image below:

Free music from Cameron McGill & What Army, show at Metro this Friday

Posted by Frank

Cameron McGill

There's no shortage of excellent live music going on this Friday in Chicago. If you've been reading over the last few days, you'll know that White Mystery and The 1900s at Lincoln Hall, Big Science, Post Honeymoon, The Kickback and Camera at Bottom Lounge, and The Logan Square-centric Square Affair are a few of the options. Here's one more to make the decision on how to spend the night even harder: Chicago's own Cameron McGill & What Army will be headlining Metro (with Horse in the Sea, Kevin Andrew Prchal and Rachele Eve also on the bill), and their outstanding folk-rock is definitely worth checking out. Tickets are $10 and are for sale here, and to make the deal even sweeter, each ticket purchased in advance will be good for the entry of two people.

In celebration of the show, McGill and the band are giving away a free track, "Dead Rose," from their upcoming album Is A Beast. It's a rockin' tune with great swagger, and you can grab it via the below link.

Mp3: Cameron McGill & What Army - "Dead Rose"

Is A Beast is expected out next Spring, and will follow-up 2009's Warm Songs for Cold Shoulders. In the meantime, the band will embark a Fall tour with Margot & the Nuclear So & So's next month.

Q&A with Chicago band Big Science, show 8/27 at Bottom Lounge

Posted by Frank

Big Science

This Friday, August 27, Chicago's Big Science will headline Bottom Lounge, with fellow Windy City acts Post Honeymoon, The Kickback and Camera also on the bill. The four-piece mix post-punk and new wave influences with a modern rock vibe to create a sound that's as atmospheric as it is danceable, as heard on their recently-released second EP, Skyscraper Sound. They're bound to bring a good time Friday night, and to help gear up for the show bassist Jason Richards answered a few questions for WCR on Big Science's history, style and plans. Read what he had to say below, and check out a free download of "Basement Lights" off the EP for a taste of the band's sound.

Download mp3: Big Science - "Basement Lights"

WCR: You guys have been playing together as Big Science for a few years. How did the band get started?

JR: The band got started when Jason Hendrix (vocals, guitar) and I moved to Chicago. We aimed to start something with Jason Clark (guitar) who we knew from San Diego. Not long after we started generating ideas, a friend said that he knew someone that he was working with (Jeremy Pena) that wanted to play music and that he was a drummer. And that was that.

Tell us about your recently-released second EP, Skyscraper Sound. What was the recording experience like?

Everything that we've released we have recorded on our own, in our own studio. The recording experiences are always a learning process. We're always getting new tools that help us make our recordings sound better, but there's a learning curve with them and it can be frustrating because a lot of times there are kinks that pop up in our work flow. I'm mostly talking about problems that arise with the technology involved in recording. For Skyscraper Sound we had to switch recording programs right as we were about to mix. It was a total pain.

Skyscraper Sound follows-up your debut EP, 2009’s Coast of Nowhere. How would you say you’ve grown as a band from the first release to the new one?

I think we're more confident as a band and as songwriters. I also think I'm taller now. I'm definitely way taller than Jason Clark.

You’ve released the EP on AEMMP Records, a student-run label through Columbia College Chicago. What’s your experience been like working with AEMMP?

AEMMP has been a good experience for us. We have had some students that we're really excited about working with us and I think they took away a lot from the class in terms of what it's like to work on a record and what it's like dealing with a band.

What do you think sets Big Science apart in the Chicago indie rock scene, and how do you think the city influences your music?

I think that our live shows help to set us apart here. I also think that musically, we have a different aim from a lot of bands in Chicago as far as the sounds that we're after to make our songs happen. Chicago gives us experiences and feelings, both good and bad, that I think we sometimes draw on. I know that Hendrix sings about it some in "1000 Years," but mostly I think it's a subtle thing if it's there. If we ever write a song called "Fuck, It's Cold" you'll know Chicago has taken hold.

Most memorable show you’ve played to date?

Wicker Park Fest was a really great experience. Getting to hang out all day and watch great bands and seeing all the people that came out was amazing. We got to play on the same stage as Mission of Burma and Cap'n Jazz.

If there was one band – past or present – that you could play a show with, which would it be?

Right now, I would say The Clash.

What’s next for the band?

We're playing Bottom Lounge on the 27th of this month. It's going to be a fun time. We're going to play a couple brand new songs. After that, we're leaving for a little week-long tour on September 10. When we're not playing shows or touring, we're always writing and recording. We're currently working on a full-length debut.