WXRT

Kristin Kay’s X Flight At Six Flags Great America [Watch]

Kristin Kay — Wed, 16 May 2012 21:52:06 +0000

You may have heard or seen by now, but Six Flags Great America launched a new roller coaster last week: The X Flight. We got to take a ride to be some of the first to experience it. If ‘coasters are your thing, you should definitely check it out.

Jack White Creates A Triple Decker Poster For His Nashville Shows [Watch]

Zack Nechvatal // Staff Writer — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:04:50 +0000

Throughout the course of history, there are not many musicians as innovative as Jack White.

The delightfully eccentric rock star is now celebrating his first charted number one album with his recent solo work Blunderbuss and his record label–Third Man Records–has kept up accordingly with balloon music delivery systems, party favor vinyl that is nearly impossible to play, and White’s plans to be the first-ever person to play vinyl in space.

Most recently, White has unveiled a video of a Triple Decker Poster that was created, designed, and printed by Matthew Jacobsen and Bryce McCloud for White’s Ryman Auditorium Nashville, Tennessee shows with the Alabama Shakes.

According to the Third Man Records website, the Triple Decker Poster is “composed of three separate posters that when combined create an all new poster on it’s own… It’s kind of a ‘fourth wall’ inter-dimensional type thing and you’re going to want one, two, or all three of these posters.”

The Black poster, or the bottom poster is letterpressed and features a peacock and vulture egg. The White poster is laser-cut and features no ink, but a cut-out peacock. The Blue poster features a vulture. All three posters includes Jack White’s logo.

The posters will only be available at the Ryman Auditorium shows and only 150 were made of each.

You can play around with the posters at ThirdManRecords.com.

Have you guys seen our inter-dimensional fourth wall Triple Decker Poster for Jack White's Ryman shows yet? thirdmanrecords.com/news/view/trip…—
Third Man Records (@thirdmanrecords) May 15, 2012

Lakeside Love: Dave Matthews Band Caravan Coverage

–Nadia Noir, CBS Radio Los Angeles

DMB Caravan Live: Sunday Night Concert Special

Zack Nechvatal // Staff Writer — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:31:35 +0000

Photos: Dave Matthews Band Performs Live…This week, we’ve got a first- run Sunday Night Concert Special recorded “live” last July at the 3rd & final night of Dave Matthews Band’s Caravan, which took place on Chicago’s South Shore at “Lakeside.” DMB closed the festival with a full set each night; Don’t miss this week’s Sunday Night Concert at 7:30pm.

Why Dave Matthews Band Matters

Download A Free Dave Matthews Band Caravan Music Sampler!

The Backwards Abbey Road Photo Up For Auction

Zack Nechvatal // Staff Writer — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:18:10 +0000

The cover of The Beatles’ Abbey Road is an iconic image in popular culture, but now a variation on that photo is up for sale. A rare photo of the Beatles walking in the opposite direction from the original album cover on Abbey Road may fetch around $16,000 (£10,000) at an auction on May 22. It is one of only six pictures taken during the shoot by photographer Iain McMillan.

In the reverse photo the Beatles walk right to left and Paul is wearing leather sandals.
See the photo here

The photo has been in the hands of a private collector who has decided to put it up for auction at the London-based Bloomsbury auctions. Sarah Wheeler, a music specialist from Bloomsbury told The Sun about the picture, saying, “Macmillan had 10 minutes to do the shoot and he took six photographs of the Beatles walking backwards and forwards across the zebra crossing.

“He was standing up a ladder to take the pictures. In the one we have Paul McCartney is wearing sandals and in the image that was finally used he is barefoot.

“The photo has been called an icon of the 1960s. I think the reason it became so popular is its simplicity. It’s a very simple, stylized shot and is a shot people can relate to.

“The Beatles walked forwards and backwards three times and by pure chance a VW Beetle is in the background. That car is now in a museum.”

The image is also signed by Macmillian, who died in 2006. The 18×18 print is one of only 25 made from the original frame.

-Garret Heinrich 98.7 KLUV

Prius Route to Rock, Vol. 7: Joe Pug, Davila 666, Bonnie Raitt

Jason Thomas — Wed, 16 May 2012 17:35:01 +0000

Seven installments already? Damn. That was fast. Again, every Wednesday I post a few shows/events for the coming weekend that I’m excited about. Stuff that I’ll most likely be attending and hopefully you’ll feel like doing the same. This week it’s Chicago’s own Joe Pug, Puerto Rican garage rockers Davila 666 and the legendary Bonnie Raitt…

Joe Pug @ Lincoln Hall, Friday & Saturday, May 18 & 19

Joe’s one of those rare talents that can keep you transfixed for extended amounts of time with just his voice, guitar, and harmonica. Joe packed up his stuff in North Carolina a while back and came to Chicago. We’re glad he did. One of my favorite live acts and a helluva nice guy too. If you want to tell him how much you enjoyed the show, it’s not a problem because he’ll usually be hanging by the merch table after his sets talking to every last person that wants to meet him. Tix here.

Davila 666 @ The Empty Bottle, Friday, May 18

Puerto Rican garage rock, anyone? If you like simple, catchy rock ‘n’ roll, this is a band for you. They list both Menudo and The Jesus & Mary Chain as influences, so there’s absolutely nothing that could go wrong here. Tix here.

Bonnie Raitt @ The Chicago Theatre, Sunday, May 20

Bonnie’s actually got two XRT shows at the beautiful Chicago Theatre this weekend, but the Saturday show is sold out, so Sunday is the option you have if you’d like to see this legendary artist. Also, we’re gonna have NATO protests going on up the street, so there’s no way in hell that this is going to be a boring evening in downtown Chicago. Tix here.

Chili Peppers’ Flea On Working With Blur’s Damon Albarn For Africa Express [Watch]

Zack Nechvatal // Staff Writer — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:50:27 +0000

Bassist Flea Balzary and guitarist Josh Klinghoffer from the Red Hot Chili Peppers joined the multi-genre, multi-dimensional music maker, Damon Albarn, as part of Africa Express.

The music project has helped bring Western musicians to Africian nations and African musicians to perform collaborations in the United Kingdom. Flea and Klinghoffer were two of the lucky musicians who got to perform in Ethiopia because of the “profound” Damon Albarn co-founded initiative.

“Josh [Klinghoffer - guitarist] and I went to Ethiopia as part of Africa Express with Damon, who was so kind to invite us, said Flea in an interview with NME. “What an amazing place it is. We meet all kind of people, artists, poets, intellectuals. It’s like another world.”

“We had such a good time,” Flea continued. “One time me and Josh went to this orphanage and we took these two little amps and we just started rocking and they left just started laughing. Like three hundred kids standing all in this circle, all from this orphanage and we just started rocking. Just the two of us. They thought it was the craziest thing. It was righteous man. It was a really profound experience.”

African musician Baaba Maal explained his own experience in an interview with the Guardian. ‘It’s always felt like a journey on an African train,” said Maal. “You set off without any sense of expectation whatsoever…but along the way you meet some amazing people.”

This isn’t the only time Flea has worked with Albarn. Alongside drummer Tony Allen, Flea and Albarn make up experimental side project “supergroup” Rocket Juice and the Moon.

“Supergroup sounds pretty silly,” said Flea about the band. “Damon and Tony are two musicians I admired plenty before I worked with them. Damon’s an amazing musician, and his storytelling ability on a song like Poison seems to be in his blood.”

When I see live music, all I care about is that the performers are completely lost in what they are doing. More than the quality of music—
Flea (@flea333) April 10, 2012

John Mayer Covers Lana Del Rey’s “Video Games” [Listen]

–Nadia Noir, CBS Radio Los Angeles

John Mayer, “Born & Raised” [Full Album Stream]

Zack Nechvatal // Staff Writer — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:14:24 +0000

John Mayer: 25 Things You Probably…What would it sound like if John Mayer wrote an album of cowboy songs on this guitar under the stars? You can find out this week. John was in town last night for an album listening party, joining a few XRT listeners for an in-person preview of his forthcoming album, Born & Raised.

If you weren’t one of the lucky few selected to share a couch with John, we have the next best thing — preview the new album here, in full. Mayer said the LP will have “organic cowboy guitar sounds — more organic, more natural lyrics and chords and artful simplicity.”

Stream the album below and let us know what you think.

Stream the album at the iTunes store and pre-order if you like.

Born and Raised Track Listing
1. Queen of California
2. The Age of Worry
3. Shadow Days
4. Speak for Me
5. Something Like Olivia
6. Born and Raised
7. If I Ever Get Around To Living
8. Love is a Verb
9. Walt Grace’s Submarine Test, January 1967
10. Whisky, Whisky, Whisky
11. A Face To Call Home
12. Born and Raised (Reprise)

Be sure to listen on New Music Thursday for more of Chicago’s Finest Rock.

John Mayer, “Shadow Days” [First Listen]

New Batch Of $5 Albums Available From Arcade Fire, The Black Keys, The Smiths & More

Access Additional MP3-s on MP3.com

Black Sabbath Drummer Bill Ward Won’t Play Reunion Shows

Zack Nechvatal // Staff Writer — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:33:28 +0000

Starting with Tony Iommi’s sudden lymphoma diagnosis in January, it’s not been so easy for Black Sabbath’s original members to get the old band back together. And the reunion roadblocks just keep coming. Drummer Bill Ward, who, in February, threatened to back out of the Sabbath reunion unless he was presented with a “signable contract” from management, has done just that.

In a new letter published today (May 15) on his official website, Ward says he, regrettably, will not participate in Black Sabbath’s upcoming shows. This decision was reached following an incident involving the band’s hometown concert in Birmingham, England on May 19 – a gig Ward found about through an Internet ad on April 30, not his bandmates. Ward explains that his lawyer contacted Sabbath’s representative last week only to be told that he could “come to the UK, play for free and see how the first show goes.”

It wasn’t the lack of pay that bothered Ward, it was the no-strings-attached mentality of “see how it goes.” This is when Ward decided to step away from the reunion, keeping true to his word about requiring a signable contract – something he says he’s been waiting on for a year.

“I know in my heart I couldn’t have done these concerts by agreeing the terms suggested,” Ward wrote. “I made a solemn vow after the last European and Ozzfest concerts that I would never again enter into what was, in my opinion, a totally unsatisfactory contract. I have to stand for something, and as painful as it is, I’m doing it.”

It’s true that Ward has sparred with Black Sabbath management over contracts previously. For an Ozzfest 2004 tour, Sharon Osbourne originally announced that Mike Bordin, Faith No More drummer and the former drummer in Ozzy’s backing band, would replace Ward due to contract disputes – yet Ward somehow ended up on the tour. In 1997, however, Bill Ward reportedly wasn’t invited to participate when Ozzy reunited with Black Sabbath for his Ozzfest tour, replaced by Bordin.

Additionally, Ward says he had been asked last month to play drums on just three songs during Black Sabbath’s set at U.K.’s Download Festival on June 10. This was an offer he turned down, due to the uncomfortable prospect of watching another drummer fulfill the duties he originally served. “I was not prepared to watch another drummer play a Sabbath set, while I was to play only three songs,” he said.

But Ward does not seem to draw any amount of pleasure from his decision, using his lengthy letter to sincerely apologize to fans and at one point, acknowledge that drummers don’t always get their due when it comes to licensing royalties.

“This statement is even more painstaking to write, as I was particularly excited to play alongside Tony Iommi after the recent treatments he underwent,” he wrote, acknowledging the Sabbath guitarist’s lymphoma diagnosis.

Ward continued: “I hold no malice or resentment towards the other band members. I love them; I’m tolerant of them; I’m frustrated with them, as they may be with me. My fight has never been with them. I’ll love them forever. In my opinion, nobody wins this time; the band doesn’t win; the fans for an original lineup don’t win.”

Ward did not specifically address Black Sabbath’s upcoming headlining appearance at Lollapalooza in August. While he will not perform at upcoming Black Sabbath shows, he said he “will remain with an open mind and a position of willingness to negotiate ‘signable’ terms with Sabbath’s representatives in the future.”

–Jillian Mapes, CBS Local

Win Tickets To The XRT Show With Ben Howard [Giveaway]

Zack Nechvatal // Staff Writer — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:26:33 +0000

Ben Howard is coming to Vic Theatre for an XRT Show on September 26! Tickets go on sale this Saturday, but VIPs have a chance to win a pair right here. Tickets are courtesy of JAM Productions.

ENTER TO WIN TICKETS

Joe Pug, “The Great Despiser” [Free Download]

Zack Nechvatal // Staff Writer — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:51:49 +0000

Leading up to a pair of XRT Shows this weekend at Lincoln Hall, the talented Chicago singer/songwriter Joe Pug is offering up the title track from his latest album, The Great Despiser.

Despiser follows-up Pug’s critically acclaimed debut, Messenger, an album that Lin Brehmer called, “One of the best of the year.” The 11-track was recorded in Chicago with producer Brian Deck (Modest Mouse, Iron & Wine) and features various acclaimed musicians.

You might notice backing vocals from The Hold Steady‘s Craig Finn on the album’s title track. You might also notice that the song is available to download below — for FREE. Thanks Joe!

Joe Pug, “The Great Despiser” [DOWNLOAD]

Pug plays two XRT Shows at Lincoln Hall this Friday and Saturday. Hope you can make it out to one (or both) of them.

Square Roots Festival Chicago Summer Music Line-up — Everything You Need To Know

Zack Nechvatal // Staff Writer — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:20:06 +0000

Square Roots isn’t your typical summer festival. The Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce & The Old Town School of Folk Music present the first ever craft beer and music experience in Chicago’s Lincoln Square. You’ll enjoy and eclectic and vibrant mix of over 35 acts including music, dance parties, jams and family activities.

Square Roots will also feature the best local and regional craft breweries and amazing Lincoln Square restaurants. The festival will take place between 4400 – 4560 N Lincoln Avenue, Chicago. There will be outdoor stages on the street as well as indoor performances in both the Lincoln Avenue Old Town School concert halls. Suggested donation $10 for adults, $5 seniors/kids.

2012 Performers
Sidi Touré (Malian guitar guru)
Waco Brothers (Chicago’s own)
Ezra Furman (indie rock)
Global Dance Party Outdoors! with Carpacho y su Super Combo (dance lesson & live music)
Canasta (Chicago indie pop)
MAKU Soundsystem (Afro-Colombian world fusion)
Orisha Dance Chicago (Afro-Cuban)
Mrigya (Indian fusion)
Taj Weekes & Adowa (reggae)
Paseo Jarocho (Mexican son)
Dennis Stroughmatt and Creole Stomp (Cajun)
AfriCaribe (Puerto Rican / Caribbean)
Magic Carpet (Jazz world fusion)
Orquesta El Macabeo (Salsa)
Musikanto (Folk Americana)
Jonas Friddle and the Majority (orchestral folk)
Kong Fuzi (funk)
Elephant Revival (folk)
Harlan Terson (blues)
10th Midwest Fiddle Championship
Bailey Dee’s Rockabilly Round Up (rockabilly)

Kids Music
Wiggleworms Woody Guthrie 100th Birthday Party
Laura Doherty Band
Little Miss Ann
Lindsay & The Shimmies
Young Stracke All Stars

Find additional info at squareroots.org.

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes Premiere “Mother” Video For Mother’s Day Week [Watch]

Zack Nechvatal // Staff Writer — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:08:05 +0000

The Starbucks-released Every Mother Counts compilation curated by supermodel Christy Turlington for charity might seem like the least rock and roll endeavour ever, but the CD, available until the end of May at a Starbucks near you, features artists like Coldplay, Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, Beck, and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes’ song appropriately entitled “Mother.”

Previously unreleased the sweet, hazy ’70s folk-inspired tune will only be featured on the Every Mother Counts compilation, but frontman Alex Ebert directed a music video for the song which the band released the day before Mother’s Day (May 12).

The song is a great precursor to the release of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes’ sophomore album Here, which already boasts strong singles like “Man on Fire” and “That’s What’s Up.”

Happy Mother's EVERY DAY youtube.com/watch?v=irOQmt…—
Edward Sharpe (@EdwardSharpe) May 13, 2012

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Turlington said, “I went to friends first, as I did with the first CD… Bono and Chris Martin were great supporters of the project the first time around, and when I knew I wanted to include men on this album they were obvious choices. They are also both fathers to daughters.”

“Others, such as Patti Smith and Rita Wilson, I’ve known for a long time, and some, like Edie Brickell and Paul Simon, I only met briefly but was a huge admirer,” she continued. “I generally wanted a diverse group of artists who were parents, or in the case of Edward Sharpe, who will be soon.”

–Nadia Noir, CBS Radio Los Angeles

Win Tickets To See Weezer In An XRT Show At The Venue At Horseshoe Casino [Giveaway]

Zack Nechvatal // Staff Writer — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:35:41 +0000

Enter for your chance to win a pair of tickets to see Weezer on July 27 at The Venue at Horsehoe Casino! Tickets go on sale Friday, May 18 at 10am.

ENTER TO WIN TICKETS

Provided by C3 Presents. (Must be 21+)

Win Tickets To The 93XRT Show Starring Citizen Cope [Giveaway]

Zack Nechvatal // Staff Writer — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:26:52 +0000

Citizen Cope is coming to House of Blues for an XRT Show on Sunday November 18! Tickets go onsale Friday, May 18 but VIPs can enter below to win a pair.

ENTER TO WIN TICKETS

Courtesy of Live Nation. Must be 17+