AliveOne celebrates 20 years of serving thirsty Chicago fans.  They've been about the music from day one, and have had a great tradition of hosting live shows and related events since the beginning.  The "all live jukebox" has always been a staple.To mark the occasion, they are throwing a private party on Saturday,...

File this one under "didn't see that one coming".Nintendo's new console / handheld gaming device hybrid will be out next spring and today marked the start of the promotional push for what is being branded as Switch.Pretty big news, but not necessarily for this site.  But what's that sound I hear?  Always...

As the iconic Wicker Park music venue Double Door nears its eviction, its owners have began eyeing Logan Square's Savings Bank building for relocation. Double Door's owners are asking for Logan Square residents to support the venue's move into the historic space by signing an online petition. The website, located here, offers...

I've been trying to process the news about Bob Dylan's Nobel Prize in Literature since the announcement last week.But sometimes it takes a different perspective to realize what an important contribution to the global cultural landscape Dylan has made.How about from President Obama?  A quote he gave to Rolling Stone magazine...

For those fortunate enough to have caught of one of Phil Lesh's retrospective shows celebrating a year in the life of the Grateful Dead at Terrapin Crossroads, you were treated to a freewheeling one-on-one interview with Lesh prior to the show.That interview was conducted by noted rock photographer Jay Blakesberg, and he...

Rocktober marches on in Chicago and those looking for live music on Friday, October 14th had no shortage of options.There was an ominoous full moon, the perfect setting for the wild sounds of Moon Hooch (incidentally, Moon Taxi also performed in Chicago that night... whoa).the1stmikec was on hand to capture...

Is it possible to have a Phish tribute band and not play any Phish songs?Consider this:  according to phish.net, Phish has performed 937 different songs in some form over the course of their 30+ year career.  Of those, 557 are covers. Given that covers represent an ever decreasing part of Phish's actual songlists, perhaps...

By: Alex Wood | Photos: heplert1 & karoliinaniemenkariDinosaur Jr.s influence on alternative rock and the current state of music couldnt possibly be overstated.Combining classic rock and punk with distinct quiet-loud dynamic jumps, Dinosaur Jr. perfected the musical style that would characterize the 90s years before the Pixies or Nirvana even existed,...

Photo via rebeccateresa InstagramThe last time Sigur Rs was in Chicago was three years to the day of Friday's show.  It was a different type of affair, as the group is touring in 2016 as a trio.Gone are the string arrangements and layered soundscapes, but none of the power of their moody...

Photo via ___lexbrooks InstagramOne of the most flattering commentaries offered about 60s/70s era singers is that they've retained their voice from their halcyon days.That's 100% true for the former Cat Stevens, now touring as Yusuf Islam.  What's more is that he's remained largely out of the spotlight in ther intervening years,...