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February 14th, 2010 - 6:32 pm § in Behind the scene at shows, Featured

'A Picture Postcard' of Chicago venues, from a musician's perspective


View Davey von Bohlen’s Chicago shows in a larger map

Milwaukee musician Davey von Bohlen has led the kind of musical career that must leave other artists teeming with jealousy. Since the early ’90s, Davey has performed in a variety of bands: Ten Boy Summer, Cap’n Jazz, The Promise Ring, Vermont and Maritime. Nearly all of these acts – Cap’n Jazz and The Promise Ring in particular – have become touchstones and major influences for countless punk, emo and indie bands.

Though Davey is a Wisconsin native, he spent a good chunk of time performing shows in the not-to-distant city of Chicago. It didn’t hurt that the other four members of Cap’n Jazz all lived in the Chicago area. But, even after that band broke up, Davey has continued to play in Chicago.

With Saturday night’s Maritime set at Beat Kitchen adding to an impressive tally of local shows, Davey took some time to discuss some of the gigs he’s performed in Chicago in an email interview:

Chicago was the first place where any of my bands became accepted, or followed as a band people might actually like to hear and see. For many years, The Promise Ring felt that Chicago was also a homtown gig.

Chicago has played a strong role in Davey’s musical life during the past few decades. To read more of the interview and find out some interesting anecdotes about Davey’s career, check out the map at the top of this post to uncover some interesting history behind some of your favorite Chicago venues.


February 7th, 2010 - 1:52 pm § in Behind the scene at shows, Featured

Some kind of merchandiser

When Philadelphia's Algernon Cadwallader played Strangelight - a new Chicago DIY venue - on Friday, Feb. 5, singer/bassist Peter Helmis took some time to discuss the process of creating and selling merchandise.[...]


January 30th, 2010 - 5:23 pm § in Behind the scene at shows, Featured

Schubas: If these walls could talk

Location, location, location. That's often what can affect the outcome of a show. If a venue has terrible sound, can't handle the crowd and exudes a bad atmosphere, the show may just as well be over before it starts.[...]


January 27th, 2010 - 1:27 am § in Asides

YouTube – GQ The Teacher

YouTube – GQ The Teacher. Saw this guy on the Green Line on the way to report a story… Gotta find a way to bump into him again![...]


January 25th, 2010 - 11:15 pm § in Asides

One Track Mind: Imperial China – Music – Washington City Paper

Standout Track: No. 5, “Corrupting the Integrity of the Grid,” which rests right in the middle of Imperial China’s first album, out on local labels Sockets and Ruffian Records on Feb. 14, Except the track doesn’t rest so much as it swells—with powerful post-punk hook[...]


January 25th, 2010 - 3:55 pm § in Asides

Rapper Juiceboxxx battles the world | Music | Interview | The A.V. Club Chicago

Juiceboxxx is a 23-year-old rapper who’s been tearing up the underground music community with his cathartic and oft-chaotic live performances. The Milwaukee native has performed alongside Girl Talk and Dan Deacon, is prominently featured in documentary Todd P. Goes To Austin, and has worked w[...]


January 23rd, 2010 - 8:11 pm § in Behind the scene at shows, Featured

Behind the soundboard

Sound quality is one of the most important components of a live show. Bad sound can ruin a perfectly good performance. As such, the sound-men and women play a pivotal role during concerts.[...]