Hockey
Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL
3.12.2010

“You guys are awesome… no, for real!” – lead singer, Benji Gruben in reaction to the front row fans antics.

The too hip for hipsters donned their tightest skinny jeans for their Chicago show. The Portland-based group is currently touring the US with no end in sight. They toured the UK for the majority of last year where they first garnered attention from BBC Radio 1.

Hockey played a high energy show in such a small space, you couldn’t help but dance. Playing through most of their upcoming album, Mind Chaos, the band lost most of their steam in the middle of their set by playing through their slower set. Hockey’s music, however, was not lost on the crowd who shuffled along to whatever jams Hockey popped out.

The crowd’s favorite tracks were definitely there with their first hit single “Too Fake” being saved for the (obvious) encore. Hockey even premiered a few new songs, one, “Rebels Marry Young”, which sounded like the band was trying to cross into a cross of rock and folk, similar to the Cold War Kids. I’m sold.

But, what of your new music? Is there another EP in the works? Are you going to follow Hollywood and re-release Mind Chaos with extra tracks? Give us something!

I was surprised to see the beginnings of a mosh happen towards the front of the ever-growing crowd. Hockey is not a “mosh” type of sound. If anything it is the antithesis of an angry mosh pit trashing around. Hockey’s music is anti-pop rock in a pop package. A mosh to their hit single “Too Fake” would be funny. Then again, I have seen a mosh pit form to a cover of “Hit Me Baby One More Time”.

… Yeah.

All in all, a great show from a great band who isn’t Kings of Leon famous- not yet anyway.

www.hockeyband.com
www.myspace.com/hockey

Written by: Blake Russell

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The Constellations
Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL
3.12.2010

Dirty rock:

The only real way to describe Atlanta-based band, The Constellations. Grinding bass lines, filthy guitar riffs and a pair of sexy background vocalists make me want some biscuits to go with the smoky eight-piece in front of me.

Lincoln Hall is one of my favorite venues, but they were a little off this Friday. The band packed its instruments on the stage: drums and bongos, keyboards, and plenty of electric guitars. After kicking out the early birds so the band could sound check, the venue still couldn’t cope with the posse’s large sound. Lead singer Elijah Jones could barely be heard when the entire band was in full force. Outside of the occasional “ba ba ba”, I heard maybe two full songs. His vocals are similar to the Gorillaz in the fact that it’s half-sung, half-spoken. The group’s music is more than enough to make-up for a lack of vocals. The crowd was digging every note the band put out there, and they were especially hungry for that cowbell.

Oh, and there were enough fog effects for eight B-rated horror films.

The group’s debut album, Southern Gothic, drops June 22nd. The band has described their sound as “a psychedelic soul-rock explosion” getting by with a little help from Cee-lo (of Gnarls Barkley), Asher Roth and Ben Allen, the producer of several hits like Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” and Christina Aguliera’s “Here To Stay”. They are currently on tour with the Oregon-based Hockey, before and after their stint at SXSW in March.

The ring leader’s parting words: “I don’t know about you, but I’m drinking a s— ton of whiskey.”

Pick up a free download and give a listen to The Constellation’s cover of Tom Waits’ “Step Right Up”. I dare you not to dance.

www.theconstellationsmusic.com
www.myspace.com/ConstellationsATL

Written by: Blake Russell

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The Avett Brothers
House of Blues – Chicago, IL
3.07.2010

“In terms of the actual show it will still be a raucous high energy show. Everyone’s ready to give it their all.” – Joe Kwan, in my recent interview with The Avett Brothers.

Bursting onto the scene, The Avett Brothers did not disappoint their friends, family and fans that packed the three levels of the House of Blues. The show was sold out, but people were still asking for tickets in the line that spanned a full block just before the doors opened. The high energy show pumped-up the House of Blues crowd so much, the band could barely start their next song. Fans shouting out what song they hope will be played next, anxious and knowing their next song will be just as great as the next.
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The Low Anthem
House of Blues – Chicago, IL
03.07.2010

Easily one of the most innovative collective groups I have witnessed, the Low Anthem is a quartet of Awesome-ness. If there is not a band out there with that name, I’m pretty sure the Rhode Island-based group should take this hint and call dibs. Post haste. I mean, don’t you love it when you can see a favorite band of yours and the opener is just as great as who you came to see? Although parts of their set would drag on the Low Anthem did get a chance to show off for a little while. Flex those musical muscles, so to speak.
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New Found Glory
House of Blues – Chicago, IL
March 5, 2010

To commemorate the 10 Year Anniversary of their self-titled debut album, New Found Glory performed at the House of Blues last Friday night to a jam-packed house full of the band’s most die-hard fans in Chicago. The first half of the show featured songs from the New Found Glory record played from front to back in their original sequenced order. New Found Glory formed in 1997 in Coral Springs, Florida with lead singer Jordan Pundik, lead guitarist and composer Chad Gilbert, rhythm guitarist and lyricist Steve Klein, bassist Ian Grushka, and drummer Cyrus Bolooki.

More photos of New Found Glory and the complete Chicago set list after the jump…

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Hellogoodbye
House of Blues – Chicago, IL
March 5, 2010

Plagued by an unstable band lineup over the past couple of years, Hellogoodbye needed a stellar performance to prove their credibility; however, they failed to deliver a praise-worthy performance Friday night at the House of Blues in Chicago. When I arrived, Hellogoodbye had already taken the stage. Not to perform their opening set for headliner New Found Glory, though. Instead, Hellogoodbye was up on the stage conducting their sound check that should have already been completed earlier in the afternoon before doors opened for the evening’s actual concert. Fans awkwardly stood around watching as the band panicked over faulty microphones, broken equipment, malfunctioning monitors, and poor sound quality. What a way to start the show. Good first impression for any possible new fans? I think not…

More photos of Hellogoodbye (let’s be real here, Forrest Kline is Hellogoodbye) after the jump.

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Gomez
Vic Theatre – Chicago, IL
March 4, 2010

Having never seen or heard Gomez before last Thursday night, I had no idea what was in store for me. With no expectations and an open mind, I attended the opening night of Gomez’s current tour in the States. Quite honestly, it felt pretty cool to be seeing Gomez live in concert for the first time while they were kicking off their tour in my hometown of Chicago. The fivesome hailing from Southport, England are promoting their latest album A New Tide, which was released almost a year ago on March 31, 2009. Three lead singers told me that Gomez is not your typical English indie rock band. There is nothing ordinary about a band whose members play multiple instruments in addition to having three out of five of the guys sharing lead vocal duties. Gomez earned my respect the second they walked out on stage and picked up their respective instruments. My admiration for Gomez and the group’s songs only grew as each song finished and a new one began. I am now a fan for life and will be at every Gomez show in Chicago from here on out.

More photos of Gomez after the jump…

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Cirque du Soleil’s Alegría
The Sears Centre – Hoffman Estates, IL
3/4/2010

Alegría means “jubilation” in Spanish and I walked into the show not knowing what I was getting into. I’ve only heard the great love of Cirque du Soleil shows from friends who’ve seen the larger Las Vegas shows. When Cirque’s Alegría hit town I jumped on the chance to witness it for myself.

Alegría’s characters are made up of Kings’ fools, minstrels, beggars, old aristocrats and children, along with the clowns.  The story is about the hand off of power throughout time. It evolves from ancient monarchies to modern democracies.

Alegría is currently running a 7 performance residence at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, IL, and if you are anywhere near Hoffman Estates or Chicago please take this chance to see a Cirque show up close and personal. The Sears Centre is ideal for Alegría because of the smaller size of the venue. We were lucky to have fantastic seats but even those further away could still see and appreciate the sheer beauty of the show.

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Alkaline Trio
Metro – Chicago, IL
2/28/2010

There’s nothing like seeing a band on their home turf. The energy in the room is unparalleled. This was not my first time seeing Chicago’s hometown heroes, Alkaline Trio, but this was an especially awesome show. If you’re an Alk3 fan that remembers and misses the early days this tour is made for you.

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Hospital Garden
The Double Door – Chicago, IL
2/19/2010

Lucas- Vocals, Guitar
Sarah- Bass, Vocals
Ian- Drums

If you haven’t heard of the Hospital Garden don’t fret! You are not alone. This would be a first time for us at the Dead Hub too.  These upcoming Indie Rockers hail from Chicago, IL and opened for The Candles and Evan Dando of the Lemonheads at the Double Door.

Check them out at DDC for the Ramones Tribute in 2009.
hospital garden




More photos from Hospital Garden after the jump…

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