Words: Alex Wood | Photo: @Martybar90 Over the past decade, Ive watched the Wood Brothers grow from a low-key folk duo playing half-filled bars to a full-fledged rock band selling out large theaters. Unlike most bands, this evolution toward fame was both natural and deserved, better for both the fans and the music.Their performance...

By: Howard GreenblattPeople walked away happy from FitzGeralds Tuesday whether you were there for an outstanding blues show or you were more interested in cheering the best team in baseball on to victory.FitzGeralds hosted Tom Markers Bluesday Tuesday and set up their patio to feel like Wrigley complete with huge screen...

By: Alex Wood Phish- Big Boat [10/7]Weve all heard it by now. And sure, studio Phish albums are never supposed to be amazing, right? But this ones bad. Like, real bad. Lets be honest. For a more thoughtful analysis of Big Boats release, read our article here. Green Day- Revolution Radio [10/7]Green Days newest record,...

When Alex made it out Dinosaur Jr. in October (filing this excellent review), we were disappointed that he wasn't able to catch set by opener Steve Gunn, a guitarist who has been dazzling us for some time now.Luckily another contributor was in the house, and even brought his recording gear.  We're happy to...

Words: Alex Wood | Photo: @carlaskeSure, Green Day may not be your thing. Theyre inherently uncool by most serious music fans standards, and even lost a portion of their older fanbase with American Idiot and the records that followed.But somehow the trio managed to remain relevant, even as the pop-punk genre they helped create faded...

Greensky Bluegrass guitarist Dave Bruzza was a runaway contender in our Cubs edition of Who Wore It Best?Sure, he got a great boost from the incredible fans at Camp Greensky, but it's appropriate, too, as he -- unlike some of the others featured -- is an honest-to-God Cubs fan.So as he and the...

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...