Split a Six Pack with Andy Kiel of Moon Furies

Want to know more about Chicago’s local music scene? Here’s the plan of attack: one musician, six questions. Let’s check them out, see what turns them on. If you like ‘em, turn ‘em up.

Another Six Pack, another awesome Chicago band. Moon Furies is relatively new to the local music landscape, but they’ve already got the city dancing. Young and ambitious, this dance-rock outfit is getting ready to embark on a journey some might call crazy, some might call suicidal, but no doubt will be a blast: 100 shows in 100 days. And no, this isn’t just a booty-shakin’ booze-fueled bacchanal. Andy, Jim and Andrew are undertaking this daunting task in an effort to create awareness and raise funds to aid cancer research at the locally-based Kellogg Cancer Center.

Six questions from yours truly, six answers from Moon Furies guitarist Andy Kiel. Here we go…

Ok Andy, How did Moon Furies get together? And where’d the name come from?

While Moon Furies is a bit of a newer band, our history reaches back over 150 years.  Jim and I first met when we were a mere four years old.  We shared a common bond in our love of finding new ways to destroy our Crash Dummies — a totally sick toy from our childhood. Ever since, our imaginations have been running wild and we’ve been constantly creating; from petty kid games to childhood record labels to our former band, Relativity (an alternative-rock band).  When college came around, Jim and I went our separate ways in hopes of finding the answer to life — which was quite fortunate, because it was at this time that I met Andrew.  Jim moved to Chicago a few years later, and of course, we couldn’t help but start writing music again.  After spending a bit of time shaping our new ideas, which were more electronic-based than anything we had previously done, Jim and I began experimenting with different drummers.  The moment we saw Andrew’s tattoo of the number 42, we knew it was perfect fit.

As all bands do in their early phase, we threw around what seemed like millions of ideas for band names, but of course none of them had quite the right touch.  Out of nowhere though, the ’70s cult film “The Warriors” showed up on our doorstep.  I don’t know who came up with the names for the gangs in that movie, but they must have been on some ill drugs or a genius.  “Moon Furies” is a fusion of the “Moon Runners” and “The Baseball Furies” gangs.

Playing dance music in Chicago means facing audiences notorious for not dancing at shows. Do our crowds deserve that reputation?

I think in some instances Chicago crowds are more hesitant to dance than crowds in other cities, but that doesn’t mean they don’t dance.  At our shows, it’s a bit like “flash dancing”.  Once it gets going, everyone in sight takes off their pants and starts dancing like Tom Cruise in “Risky Business.”

If you look at Chicago’s trending music scene, there are DJs and there are more traditional rock bands. When you want to dance, you go to a dance club.  When you want to listen to music, you go to a rock venue.  Why not fuse them?  Are they really so different?  It’s for this reason I’m especially excited about our upcoming performance at Debonair on June 9.

How would you say the city has influenced your music, or you as a musician?

I came from a smaller city in Wisconsin where cows were common, and they made lifetime supplies of toilet paper. It’s also the manhole capitol of the world. Holla Neenah, WI. Seriously though, next time you’re going over a manhole cover look down.  I bet it will say it’s from Neenah, WI.

Exploration of an artistic soul can be very different in a city such as Chicago, because there simply isn’t the same type of community support where I grew up in Wisconsin.  It wasn’t until I moved here that I felt free to fully let go of my barriers and try to explore who I really am and what I have to offer to this world.  This continual experience defines who I strive to be as a musician.  I’m always trying innovate and cross new boundaries.

So, Moon Furies is getting ready to play 100 shows in 100 days. Where are you most excited to play? Imagine a world with no limitations — where in Chicago do you play your 100th show?

I’m honestly most excited to play on the streets.  I’ve always wanted to see what this would be like.  It’s such a raw means to share your passion with the world and such a unique opportunity to spontaneously interact with so many different people from across the world.  Sure, there will be cold or rainy days, and I imagine we will inevitably have plenty of people walk right by, completely ignoring us.  However, the individuals whose attention we will catch will make it all worth it for me.

My most pressing goal in life is to be the first musician to perform on the moon, so that would be pretty awesome (Yo, Richard Branson, hit me up).  However, for this project it would really mean most to me to end our adventure by playing anywhere with Andrew’s mom present. Whether it be the Pritzker Pavilion or Andrew’s parent’s backyard.

Speaking of shows, got a favorite local band to see live? To play with?

Those are both extremely hard questions. I think my favorite Chicago band to play with to date is probably The Earth Program. They are pretty fun and unique. My favorite artist to see live is definitely Andrew Bird. His songs are so intricate and well produced and he can pull off his show as a one man act (excluding production crew of course…)  He has a fascinating musical mind.

And finally, the “High School Counselor Special,” where do you see yourself in five years? Ten?

Five years: Touring the World. Ten years: Touring the Universe.

Check out Moon Furies talking about their upcoming 100 shows in 100 days project here:

Want more? Check out their debut album, Mercury, at http://moonfuries.bandcamp.com. You can name your own price! Can’t beat that. For more info/music/videos/nonsense you can also head over to moonfuries.com, twitter.com/moonfuries and facebook.com/moonfuries. Man, social networking is exhausting.

Split a Six Pack with Jeremy David Miller of Rambos

Want to know more about Chicago’s local music scene? Here’s the plan of attack: one musician, six questions. Let’s check them out, see what turns them on. If you like ‘em, turn ‘em up.

Photo Credit: Gene Wagendorf III

Our third Six Pack is going to be hard to top. I see a lot of shows, buy a lot of records, but rarely come across a band that I want to be in more than anything else. Rambos is such a band. No matter how much fun I have at one of their gigs it seems damn near undeniable that these guys are having three times that up on stage. The ringleader of this joy-tornado is a man with the balls to list his own band among his current top five (along with the likes of Grinderman, The Louvin Brothers and The Carter Family), a man just as sweet as his music (and that’s saying a lot): Jeremy David Miller.

Jeremy, one of the most infectious things about your shows is the presence you bring to the stage. How long have you been making music?

When I was 13 I told my dad I had an interest in learning the bass guitar; within the hour we had gone to the pawn shop and he taught me my first and only lesson — which consisted of a basic blues run and how to visually follow a guitar player.  Since then I’ve been writing songs and playing bass in many little known bands. Since arriving in Chicago five years ago I’ve played solo as Jeremy David Miller, fronted and broke up the band The Butcher’s Boy (Grape Juice Records) and played bass behind friends Joe Pug and Tom Schraeder.

What kind of impact has Chicago had on your music in those five years?

The city makes you cynical; you either get mad or get clever. I put out only what I take in, and there is a lot to take in. Chicago has too much talent for its own good and too many clubs for that matter, but both simply mean you have to work harder than the next band to get noticed.

What bands from the city stick out to you, either to play with or watch from the crowd?

We Repel Each Other is a louder than life Chicago outfit consisting of Rob Majchroswski, Eric Quilan and Izzy Price.  I recently saw these guys at The Empty Bottle and was floored by the wall of sound they put off, not to mention the crazed stage antics. I’ve been following this band since they formed less than a year ago and their progress is noteworthy and inspiring. Eric and Rob also run Two States Audio, a recording studio on the Northwest Highway where Rambos is working.

You mentioned the excess of solid clubs in Chicago. Where’s the best place to play?

Schubas.  The staff at this club is more pro than any you could ever hope to deal with. They’ve got the best sound guy in the city.  You can throw anything at that guy and know that he’s going to make it work. We as Rambos used a “suit case” for a kick drum the last time we played there and none of us could believe the way it sounded after our man routed it through his magic in the back. The room is kind of known for being “chatty” but that only means you’ve got to earn it to own it. It’s a fact; if your music is poor people are going to talk through your set. If you’re Rambos, people are going to stand at attention.

Everyone I’ve talked to raves about playing at Schubas, but it doesn’t come up as frequently when I ask about great places to see a show. When Rambos isn’t out conquering venues, where do you like to take one in?

My favorite view in a Chicago club is from the balcony at Subterranean.  I am able to see the entire stage, take good accurate aim and launch beer cans directly at my target.

Although this sort of action is looked down upon in most concert settings it always makes me laugh and never fails to get me ejected, though never banned, from the club.

As far as sound goes; I would have to say The Riviera Theater in Uptown. Most critics might argue that this room sounds like garbage and I would maybe agree if I didn’t love the fact that you can’t leave the Riv without blood coming out of your ears.  The sound guys in that room must be perched, laughing and pointing at all the people in the crowd they are permantly damaging who don’t know better than to put some ear plugs in. Rambos likes it loud, baby.

Rambos also seems to like it a bit theatrical. During your set you don a mask and gloves, playing the part of a monster for “Human Monster.” If you were to write a song about a Chicago icon and dress as them on-stage, who would it be?

I think I would put together a super band consisting of Billy Corgan’s bald mug singing about who cares what, with an aging Jeff Tweedy puking on his guitar because he still does that, along with shy and confused Andrew Bird whistling dixie to the tune of something from when he cared, mixed with or by Flosstradamus who are on the side of the stage wondering when Chicago will start dancing, all playing a song I wrote called “Enough is Enough.”

Listen to the Rambos track “Arrows” here: [audio:http://www.upchicago.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/04-arrows1.mp3|titles=Arrows — Rambos]

Or see them “Terrorize” live:

Want more? Watch them play their now-infamous take on the Black Lips song “Bad Kids” from Chirp Night at The Whistler. You can keep up with Jeremy and Rambos on Facebook and hear more music on myspace.

Split a Six Pack with Miss Alex White and White Francis of White Mystery

Want to know more about Chicago’s local music scene? Here’s the plan of attack: one musician, six questions. Or in this case, two musicians, three questions. If you like ‘em, turn ‘em up.

More great photos at WhiteMysteryBand.com

Blood is thicker than beer, so this Six Pack (maybe it’s more of a Three Pack) is going to be split with sibling duo Miss Alex White and her brother, White Francis. Don’t be fooled by their subdued demeanor — White Mystery pounds out some joyously aggressive garage punk on their self-titled record, the same record that Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune listed as one of the top 10 records from “Chicago indies” in 2010. The two have been playing together since childhood, and if we’re lucky they won’t stop any time soon.

At shows you guys introduce “Take A Walk” as a song about walking around Chicago. Aside from that glorious two minutes and thirty-three seconds, how has the city influenced your music, or the both of you as musicians?

Alex: The life, energy, and severe weather is reflected in the range of sound in White Mystery. Opportunities for consuming music present themselves in countless clubs, record stores, and houses.

Francis: The city has given me an appreciation for harder music with some balls.

Yeah? Got some examples?

Francis: Black Sabbath, Sleep, Iron Maiden, Gary Glitter, Slade.

Any Chicago bands you guys really enjoy seeing? Or playing with?

Alex: Mickey, Heavy Times, Squish, CAVE, Loose Dudes.

I finally got a chance to see CAVE play at the Empty Bottle in the fall. You guys have a gig coming up there on Valentine’s Day 2011. That seems to be a venue local rockers can’t get enough of. If you had the chance to play anywhere in the city, where would you love to do a show?

Francis: On the beach.

Alex: I’ve always wanted to play on the flat, red roof of a foreclosed Arby’s here on the north side.

How did White Mystery come about? What’s it like playing in a band with your sibling?

Alex: It’s a life-long project between my brother and I that started as kids, led to projects like Trash & Heat, and Forestbride. It’s awesome playing together because White Mystery is a rock’n’roll yin-yang.

Check out White Mystery’s video for “Powerglove.”

You can listen to more of Alex and Francis here, or catch them live as they gear up for SXSW and a new album, to be released on April 20, 2011. For more interviews with local musicians keep an eye out for new Six Packs here at UPchicago.com.

Split a Six Pack with Dan Rico of Close Hits

Want to know more about Chicago’s local music scene? Here’s the plan of attack: one musician, six questions. Let’s check them out, see what turns them on. If you like ’em, turn ’em up.

Photo Credit: Jon Chandler

Our first six pack is split with Dan Rico of, well, a ton of bands. A musical Swiss Army Knife, Dan is currently playing guitar and working the mic with Close Hits as well as playing bass for Caw! Caw!, Snacks and Tender. As if that didn’t keep him busy enough, he can also be found playing solo gigs around the city, performing classic jazz and swing ballads. You know, music to get all lovey-dovey to.  What is a man who lists his favorite artists as T. Rex, the Entrance Band, Prince and Elvis like? Let’s find out.

Dan, what’s your favorite place in the city to see a show?

Empty Bottle, with the Hideout as a close second. The Empty Bottle has a friendly staff, cheap drink specials every night, a pinball machine(!!), and pool. I’m a sucker for pinball. Not to mention lots of great bands and FREE MONDAYS. On Monday night the lineups are often very exciting, though it’s fun no matter who’s playing. It’s refreshing to come to a venue that’s all about the music.

That said, what’s your favorite Chicago venue to play?

This is a tough question because there are so many different things that make a venue fun to play. The Empty Bottle, for instance, has a wonderful green room. They also ask you beforehand how you’d like the lighting on stage and you get extra drink deals, etc. However, I think my favorite place to play is Subterranean. They’ve got a killer sound system and just know how to use it. Also, they provide a cooler of beer and it’s right in the heart of Wicker Park, so it’s no problem to find an audience. That said, underground venues are always the most exciting, though they come and go rather quickly.

We just lost a great underground venue at the end of 2010 when the Mopery closed it’s doors. Those kinds of places tend to put on marathon shows with a ton of bands. What Chicago act has been your favorite to share the stage with?

I’ve played with a lot of great local bands, seen a lot of wonderful bands. The nature of the beast is groups tend to come and go. Which is why it’s important to support live music, go to shows, see the bands you like. In 2003 One Last Walk was my favorite band to go see, and I played with them a few times in my [old] band, No Comply. In 2004 it was the Monroes, who went to my high school, Northside Prep — they did a lot of really cool stuff in 3/4 and the songs were just very heartfelt and beautiful but rockin’. Today there are too many bands to mention them all and there’s a lot of variety, from rock to pop to electronic to crazy polyrhythmic metal. I’d recommend off the top of my head, White Mystery, Blah Blah Blah and Rabble Rabble. But these are just the tip of the iceberg.

Chicago musicians seem to have a hard time keeping the city out of their songs. How has the city influenced you, and has it popped up in your work?

I was born and raised on the north side of the city. Romantic imagery of the skyline, the lake, and the streetlights fill my lyrics and writings. Not only that, but if you’re from Chicago you come from a tradition of music. In high school I listened to a lot of the Smashing Pumpkins, for instance. Rock Music. Then beyond that there’s all the jazz and blues, which aren’t as popular today but if anything are even more important. That history made me realize how important it is to be a MUSICIAN, not just to play in bands.

That’s a lot pf material to choose from — a fat muse. If you were to pen just one song about Chicago, what would you write about?

Laying at the beach over the summer, watching the sunrise. I would write a song about the food but I don’t think I could do it justice.

Can’t go wrong with the beach. Is that your favorite place in the city to unwind? What other Chicago spots are near and dear?

My favorite spot in the whole city is in Montrose Harbor, on a little-known road that leads to a cul-de-sac with a beautiful view of the skyline. I love Wicker Park, but after a few nights in a row it totally wears you down. Pilsen is somewhat exotic and filled with creativity. That can also be said of Humboldt Park — lots of artists living there. Logan Square has some great bars/venues/friends’ apartments which I enjoy visiting, but really there’s no place like home. Generally I prefer Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, Roscoe Village, Uptown. Foster Beach, Wilson Beach, Diversey Harbor.

Check out Close Hits performing “Personals” live at the opening of The Yellow Book:

You can listen to more of Dan Rico and Close Hits here. For more interviews with local musicians keep an eye out for new Six Packs, as well as articles and interviews from Mr. Rico himself here at UPchicago.

Falling up the Ladder: Fall Out Boy

Photo Credit

Some call them power-pop. Others emo. They were even dubbed the “eyelinered iteration of angry-boys-with-guitars” by Entertainment Weekly early in their career. Whatever you call them and wherever your sentiments lie, there’s no denying Fall Out Boy’s status as the Windy City’s token rock n’ roll punk boys.

The band of four was conceived in 2001 in suburban Wilmette, less then 15 miles north of Chicago. All four members had previously been involved in the area’s underground rock scene, and their early success was in large part due to their ability to maintain that tongue-in-cheek style while developing a mainstream sound record companies would be willing to market. And, of course, their popularity grew quickly in part due to colorful bassist/front man Pete Wentz. I, for one, remember the TRL episode (April 9, 2008) when Ashlee confirmed she was indeed engaged to Pete. I flipped.

One interesting bit about the band is the origin of their name. They played without a name for a few shows before soliciting the audience one night for suggestions. Their favorite? Simpsons fans recognize it as an ode to Radioactive Man’s sidekick Fallout Boy.

Once they chose a name, their rapid climb to success had begun. They self-released a demo in 2001 and a year later they pushed an EP with the Uprising label entitled Fall Out Boy/Project Rocket Split EP. The band remained with Uprising Records until the release of their first studio album in 2003.

Evening with your Girlfriend featured the band in its yet-to-be-polished sound, but it did well enough to have Island Records execs knocking at their door. The major label assisted in the recording expense of their next album in 2003, Take This to Your Grave. This second record showcased their transformation from a raw punk sound to grounded, more mature pop rock, launching Fall Out Boy from underground popularity to national fame. The 2003 album, featuring the singles “Dead on Arrival” and “Saturday,” shot into the top 20 on Billboard’s Independent Albums chart in early 2004.

They had become a rock gem — just as popular on stage as in the studio. To capitalize on this on-stage adoration, they released an acoustic EP My Heart Will Always Be the B-Side to My Tongue in 2004. The move paid off. The release was the band’s first of many appearances on the Billboard Pop Albums chart.

Fall Out Boy rode this success through a heavy tour schedule the next year, and, right on point, they released their third album (and first one to go double platinum) From Under the Cork Tree in the spring of 2005. The top-ten release introduced their newly-polished power tempo in songs like “Dance, Dance,” and “Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down.” And two years later came their most successful album Infinity on High that included the #1 single “This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race” and the overly lip-synched “Thnks Fr Th Mmrs.” Chicago’s inebriated karaoke scene would like to thank the band for that beautiful go-to.

Fast forward to December 2008. Out came album number five, Folie a Deux, which featured an alternative sound inspired by the boys’ emo roots. The new twist to their sound left some fans disgruntled, but the majority of Fall Out Boy lovers were welcome to the arguably more sophisticated, lyric-driven songs. The album reached number 8 on the Billboard 2000, thwarting any rumors that the band was on the verge of a break-up. Temporarily.

At only age eight, they — prematurely? — released a greatest hits album Believers Never Die in late 2009. Three days later they announced an indefinite break. In a November 2009 MTV interview front man Pete Wentz said if Fall Out Boy didn’t take a break they would “imminently implode.” But he was quick to contradict the media’s use of “hiatus,” saying that “hiatus… has gotten a dirty name.”

But Fall Out Boy fans can rest assured the band will probably re-unite. Wentz tweeted to calm down fans on November 8, 2009, “Dear wikipedia… fall out boy is not on ‘indefinite hiatus.” Front men never lie.

Hopefully they’ll again show that loaded gun complex; cock it and pull it. If not, thanks for the memories.

Elbo Room (Music Venue, Bar, Lakeview)

Location: 2871 N. Lincoln
Phone: (773) 549-5549
Website: http://elboroomchicago.com

In typical small music venue fashion, the Elbo Room isn’t much to look at from the outside. Located on the corner of Lincoln and George, Elbo Room has live music seven nights a week, with two stages, one on the main floor and one downstairs. The stage upstairs is small and not always used, but the one downstairs isn’t exactly huge either. The small venue allows shows to have an intimate feel, which you want when you’re going to see a local band anyway. It’s got all you could want out of a divey music venue, with lots of black lightening and a no-frills decor. They have a full bar downstairs and bartenders are usually friendly, though not chatty. Not a ton on tap, and slightly overpriced for Lakeview, but anything to keep a good music venue going. You can always get can of Old Style or PBR for $2. The vibe is a great atmosphere where you can tell everyone is there to appreciate good music.

There’s an old school Pac-man machine when you come in the front door — just awesome. The place is known for supporting local artists, and that’s really all that matters to me. Every show has a cover, most between $5-10. The band I went to see said the staff and management was friendly, but they weren’t offered any drink specials after playing, which is rare. All in all, I’d go back again to see quality music on a week night.

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