Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Brauerhouse tavern burns in Hillside
Original article found on Chicago Tribune Website:
THE BLOTTER
6:53 AM CDT, July 29, 2008
(Tribune photo by Michael Tercha / July 29, 2008)
Firefighters continue to work a four-alarm blaze at the Brauerhouse restaurant and bar in Hillside Tuesday morning. A fire broke out in the early morning hours.
A Hillside tavern just off the Eisenhower Expressway was consumed by flames early Tuesday morning, but no injuries were reported.
"It was closed, and the information we have is that no one was in the bar at the time," Hillside Police Sgt. Laith Ibrahim said.
The blaze broke out in the Brauerhouse, a bar and restaurant at 57 N. Hillside Ave. in the western suburb just before 2:30 a.m., authorities said.
Ibrahim said firefighters remained on the scene nearly four hours later, beating down the flames that heavily damaged the bar.
Brauerhouse, which opened in 1999, serves pizza and burgers and also is known as a live music venue. According to its Myspace page, punk, rock 'n' roll and rockabilly acts are featured.
Several neighboring suburban fire departments responded to the scene. Hillside fire officials, who are handling the investigation, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Ibrahim said that despite the bar's proximity to Interstate Highway 290, no major traffic problems had been reported.
Dan P.
Blake, Tribune reporter
THE BLOTTER
6:53 AM CDT, July 29, 2008
(Tribune photo by Michael Tercha / July 29, 2008)Firefighters continue to work a four-alarm blaze at the Brauerhouse restaurant and bar in Hillside Tuesday morning. A fire broke out in the early morning hours.
A Hillside tavern just off the Eisenhower Expressway was consumed by flames early Tuesday morning, but no injuries were reported.
"It was closed, and the information we have is that no one was in the bar at the time," Hillside Police Sgt. Laith Ibrahim said.
The blaze broke out in the Brauerhouse, a bar and restaurant at 57 N. Hillside Ave. in the western suburb just before 2:30 a.m., authorities said.
Ibrahim said firefighters remained on the scene nearly four hours later, beating down the flames that heavily damaged the bar.
Brauerhouse, which opened in 1999, serves pizza and burgers and also is known as a live music venue. According to its Myspace page, punk, rock 'n' roll and rockabilly acts are featured.
Several neighboring suburban fire departments responded to the scene. Hillside fire officials, who are handling the investigation, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Ibrahim said that despite the bar's proximity to Interstate Highway 290, no major traffic problems had been reported.
Dan P.
Blake, Tribune reporter
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Mayhem Fest Announces Dates and On Sale Info
THE FIRST ANNUAL ROCKSTAR ENERGY MAYHEM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES DATES AND ON-SALE INFORMATION
PRE-SALE STARTS APRIL 4
NATIONAL ON-SALE IS APRIL 19
TOUR TO KICK OFF JULY 9 IN SEATTLE
BURBANK, CA (April 1) – Organizers of the first-ever Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival have announced dates, venues and on-sale information for the highly anticipated all-star thunderfest. Multi-platinum rock acts SLIPKNOT and DISTURBED will lead the much-buzzed-about amp-shattering road show, which will feature hard music’s most influential bands and its new wave of heavy-hitting acts. The tour is set to kick off July 9 at the White River Amphitheatre in Seattle and will hit Live Nation Amphitheaters in 30 cities in the U.S. and Canada between July 9 and August 19, 2008.
Fans can purchase tickets beginning April 4 at 10AM local venue time via the Official Mayhem Fan Community at http://mayhemfest. tickets. musictoday. com.
Pre-sale orders also allow fans to hear tracks from Mayhem bands, receive early entry venue passes, purchase a discounted subscription to Revolver magazine and receive a Mayhem t-shirt. In addition, pre-orders enroll fans into a contest offering one grand prize winner an electric guitar and two meet & greet passes to get the six-string signed.
Fans that pre-register to be a part of the Mayhem Fan Community before April 4 can purchase tickets upon immediate availability. And by pre-registering, they’ll also be entered into a contest to win a merch pack featuring CDs from every band on the tour.
Tickets go on sale nationally beginning April 19.
You can get more information at www.Mayhemfest.com or www.livenation.com.
In addition to Slipknot and Disturbed, the main stage features DRAGONFORCE and MASTODON, as well as a JÄGERMEISTER second stage with MACHINE HEAD, AIRBOURNE, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, WALLS OF JERICHO and the JÄGERMEISTER Battle of The Bands Winner. There will also be a HOT TOPIC STAGE featuring UNDEROATH, BLACK TIDE, SUICIDE SILENCE, THE RED CHORD and 36 CRAZYFISTS. The World’s Greatest Freestyle Motocross team THE METAL MULISHA is also confirmed to perform on all dates.
Sponsors for the 2008 ROCKSTAR ENERGY MAYHEM FESTIVAL include Title Sponsor ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK and JAGERMEISTER, HOT TOPIC, X BOX, IBANEZ GUITARS, TAMA DRUMS, I LOVE VAGINA, METAL BLADE RECORDS, PETA, ROADRUNNER RECORDS, THE END TIMES, DiNGSTORE. com and THE IY.
Media Partners include REVOLVER MAGAZINE, HOLLYWOOD MUSIC, KNAC. COM and METAL INJECTION.
The Rockstar Energy Mayhem festival brings together the creative team that has founded many music tours including the highly successful Vans Warped Tour and the Worldwide Rockstar Taste of Chaos Tour. Kevin Lyman, John Reese and CAA’s Darryl Eaton have partnered again, this time with Live Nation, to bring fans the next great music festival juggernaut, which will be MAYHEM! Following the proven model of utilizing sponsorship to deliver a lower ticket price and an enhanced concert experience the tour organizers have joined forces again with ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK as the Title sponsor.
Live Nation is promoting the festival nationally.
In addition to catching their favorite bands live, fans can take part in a number of festival activities, including playing the newest video games, perusing vendors, attending autograph signing sessions and a slew of other interactive activities that will add to the festival experience.
ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK will be sampling their products and providing great surprises for attendees and will also present the VIP/Contest winner area designated THE ROCKSTAR LOUNGE and the festival area PARTY LIKE A ROCKSTAR TENT where fans can sample ice cold Rockstar and get autographs from their favorite bands.
"This festival will be our marquee music presentation for years to come," says Rockstar Energy Drink Marketing Director Mike Kelso.
"We at Rockstar are excited to team up with our partners from Rockstar Taste of Chaos to launch an all-out summer tour that will blow you away!"
Fans can go to www.mayhemfest.com to keep up with additional details as they are released.
Tour dates are as follows:
Date City Venue
7/9 Seattle, WA White River Amphitheater
7/11 Sacramento, CA Sleep Train Amphitheater
7/12 San Francisco, CA Shoreline Amphitheater at Mountain View
7/13 San Bernardino, CA Glen Helen Pavilion
7/15 Fresno, CA Save Mart Center
7/16 San Diego, CA Coors Amphitheater
7/18 Phoenix, Az Cricket Wireless Pavilion
7/19 Albuquerque, NM Journal Pavilion
7/20 Denver, CO Coors Amphitheater at Fiddler’s Green
7/22 Kansas City, MO Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
7/23 St. Louis, MO Verizon Wireless Amphitheater St. Louis
7/25 Dallas, TX Superpages Center
7/26 San Antonio, TX Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
7/27 Houston, TX Sam Houston Race Park
7/29 Tampa, FL Ford Amphitheatre
7/30 W. Palm Beach, FL Cruzan Amphitheater
8/1 Virginia Beach, VA Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater
8/2 Pittsburgh, PA Post-Gazette Pavilion
8/3 Uniondale, NY Nassau Coliseum
8/5 Boston, MA Tweeter Center for Performing Arts
8/6 Scranton, PA Toyota Pavilion
8/8 Toronto, ON Downsview Park
8/9 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
8/10 Chicago, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheater
8/12 Atlanta, GA Lakewood Amphitheater
8/13 Indianapolis, IN Verizon Wireless Music Center Indianapolis
8/15 Camden, NJ Susquehanna Bank Center
8/16 Hartford, CT New England Dodge Music Center
8/17 Washington, DC Nissan Pavilion
8/19 Buffalo, NY Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
SLIPKNOT
Uncompromising. Intense. Chaotic. Unforgiving. Cathartic. Destructive. Dominant. These words barely scratch the surface in describing the multi-platinum, Grammy-Award winning hard rock enigma known as Slipknot. This groundbreaking nine-piece, born out of the desolate landscape of Des Moines, IA, have sold in excess of 10 million albums worldwide over the course of 3 studio albums. Their last studio album Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) was released in May 2004, debuting at 2 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart and has sold over 1.5 million copies in the U.S. to date. The album broke new ground for the band, spawning a string of hit singles including "Duality," "Vermilion" and "Before I Forget." December 2006 saw the release of the DVD Voliminal: Inside the 9. Certified double-platinum, it’s a vivid, brutally honest glimpse of the world inside the ’Knot. Slipknot, along with their maggots, has forged their own path on their own terms. This isn’t a band. This is a way of life.
DISTURBED
Known for their punishingly powerful music and socially conscious lyrics, Disturbed has sold a collective 9 million copies worldwide of their three albums — 2000’s RIAA-certified triple-platinum The Sickness, 2002’s Billboard album chart-topper Believe, and in 2005 their second consecutive number one debut on the Billboard charts, Ten Thousand Fists — since forming in Chicago in 1996. The band, which is singer David Draiman, guitarist Dan Donegan, drummer Mike Wengren and bassist John Moyer, will release their self-produced forthcoming album titled Indestructible on Reprise Records in May. Get ready for what the band calls "a little bit darker, really complex and furiously paced record."
DRAGONFORCE
DragonForce are the next generation of guitar heroes. The lead single, "Through The Fire And Flames," is the massively popular breakout track from Guitar Hero III. Thanks to the superhuman guitar wizardry and soaring vocals on their most recent album, the jaw-dropping Inhuman Rampage, the DragonForce buzz has erupted from the underground and has escalated to a deafening roar. Headline tours always sell out. Heads are consistently turned. New fans are immediately made. Radio reacts. Sales continue to go up. The appetite for DragonForce is insatiable, and so is the band’s desire to dominate the US tour market. Guitar virtuoso Herman Li says, "It’s great for us to be back after a 16 month absence from touring the U.S. The demand from fans for DragonForce to return has been overwhelming, so we’re very excited to be part of the biggest tour of the summer. Get ready for some serious Mayhem on and off stage. Don’t blink or you’ll miss something!" It’s time to experience all that DragonForce have to offer!
MASTODON
Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Mastodon have been critically acclaimed by almost every publication in the US and UK. "Late Night with Conan O’Brien" took note of this and put them on his show, which set a precedent and paved the way for more metal acts to be considered on NBC. Their Grammy nominated album, Blood Mountain, the group’s third release, isn’t just unconventional, it’s surreal, progressive and unrepentantly heavy. Mastodon combined their favorite musical styles, including thrash, doom, prog and psychedelic metal to concoct something utterly original, undeniably devastating and irrefutably entrancing.
MACHINE HEAD
With virtually no mainstream radio or video play whatsoever the San Francisco Bay Area’s 2nd biggest metal band Machine Head have become one of the most credible and influential metal bands of all time, and their unique brand of bludgeoning metal has gone on to sell over 1.8 million records throughout the world. Recently nominated for a Grammy, Machine Head’s latest album The Blackening was in the 1 or top 5 "Album of the Year" spot in nearly every single metal magazine throughout the world, and shocked the mainstream press at the 2007 Kerrang! Awards ceremonies, where The Blackening was named "Album Of The Year" over My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy.
UNDEROATH
Underoath are currently recording the follow up to their juggernaut gold-certified and critically acclaimed third album DEFINE THE GREAT LINE (Tooth & Nail/Solid State). The Florida-based sextet’s inexplicably delightful amalgam of mayhem and melody--plus their depth and ability--propelled the landmark 2006 album to a 2 debut on the Billboard Top 200 Chart. Renowned for their cathartic and frenzied live performances UNDEROATH have solidly built their fan base from incessant touring and their unrelentingly intense live shows, establishing an unbreakable bond with their fans. The combined sales of their three albums is close to one million copies. The strength, and explosive lure of UNDEROATH continues in 2008.
BLACK TIDE
Fresh off their now legendary Ozzfest stint, Avenged Sevenfold dates and a forthcoming tour with All That Remains, Black Tide are set to take the world by storm with their debut album Light From Above, produced by Johnny K (Disturbed, Staind). Revolver Magazine dubbed them the "Future of Metal" and Spin called them "a combination of Megadeth riffage, Metallica brutality, and Guns N’ Roses melodicism." They not only embrace the charisma, character and unwavering attitude of those who shredded before them, but they do so in a manner that would make the virtuosos that inspired them proud. Black Tide is not only bringing music back from the dead, but they’re returning the power to metal. The meltdown is long overdue.
WALLS OF JERICHO
Detroit’s hardest, Walls Of Jericho, have been described as "Murderous Metal-core" by Alternative Press in their recent feature for the "Most Anticipated 2008" issue. With Candace Kucsulain, who is arguably the most energetic and courageous front-woman in all of metal and a twin guitar attack, Walls Of Jericho have won over audiences worldwide. WOJ have an EP due out Spring 2008 produced by and featuring Corey Taylor (Slipknot), and a new album due Summer 2008. Other recent touring credits include Ozzfest 2006, Family Values 2006 as well as Devil Driver, Stone Sour, Unearth, Bullet For My Valentine, and Mastodon.
36 CRAZYFISTS
After three critically acclaimed records, 36 Crazyfists switches labels to Ferret Music for their new album, The Tide and Its’ Takers due out May 27. Still the only hard rock band to build a career from Alaska, 36 Crazyfists has built an international following by doing extensive touring around the world from appearing on the mainstage of UK’s Download Festival, to a sold-out European/UK and Australian tour with co-headliners Atreyu. 36 Crazyfists is poised to finally break the US market with the new album produced by guitarist Steve Holt and mixed by legendary hard rock mixer Andy Sneep.
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH
Five Finger Death Punch has been pummeling audiences since the release of their critically acclaimed debut album, The Way of the Fist. With their hit single "The Bleeding" pulverizing the Active rock charts and MTV2’s Headbanger’s Ball, the album has been called a "Cowboys from Hell for this millennium (Outburn)." The band has already toured with the likes of Korn, Hellyeah, Flyleaf, Trivium, and Atreyu in the short time since their album debuted in the Billboard Top 200. Five Finger Death Punch features an all-star gang of musicians, including vocalist Ivan Moody (formerly of Motograter), Darrel Roberts (W.A.S.P.) and Zoltan Bathory (UPO). This summer audiences will see why Metal Edge calls Five Finger Death Punch "the sound of violent exhilaration, giving contemporary metal a belligerent shove in an exciting direction."
SUICIDE SILENCE
Suicide Silence’s rise through the ranks of extreme metal saw them headline full-scale tours in both the US & UK in the Summer/Fall of 2006 while still an unsigned band. Upon finally finding a home with Century Media Records, the band’s debut full-length impacted the Billboard 200 at 94 cementing them as the highest selling debut artist in Century Media history. According to Revolver Magazine, "The Cleansing was well worth the wait" and as the band continues to shatter the boundaries of conventionality with a uniquely devastating live show & rigorous commitment to touring, it comes as no surprise that Suicide Silence has been cited by Alternative Press as one of the 100 bands you need to know about in 2008.
AIRBOURNE
"Stand Up For Rock n’ Roll."It is as clear a statement of intent as you’re ever likely to hear. One verse that says everything you need to know about Melbourne, AU four piece Airbourne and their debut album, Runnin’ Wild: forget your worries, get down to the front of the stage and lose your mind to some ear-bleeding, sweat-soaked rock n’roll. Or, as the song continues, "Drink your beer/Drink your wine/Let’s have a good time." Stand up for rock n’ roll indeed. From the album’s fist-pumping title track to the anthemic "What’s Eatin’ You" and the self-explanatory rock explosions of "Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast" and "Diamond In The Rough," Runnin’ Wild is an exercise in booze-and-sweat soaked rock n’ roll that isn’t looking to change the world by abolishing Free Trade, but simply provide the ultimate soundtrack to the biggest all-night rock party there is.
THE RED CHORD
The Red Chord have been crafting intriguing heavy music since their independent debut Fused Together in Revolving Doors in 2002. Combining elements of grindcore, death metal and hardcore, that release established them as one of the premier Massachusetts extreme metal acts. In 2005, Metal Blade released the follow-up Clients, a tortured concept album about mental patients, drug addicts, the homeless, the desperate and downtrodden. While they decimated crowds worldwide touring with the likes of Gwar, High On Fire, Unearth, Every Time I Die and Hatebreed, as well as stints on Ozzfest 2006 and Sounds of the Underground 2005, Clients established The Red Chord as innovators in the burgeoning underground metal scene. By staying away from the cliché trappings that crippled some of their contemporaries, 2007’s Prey For Eyes hit Metal Maniacs’ "Critics Picks" Top 10 Albums of 2007, Revolver’s Top 20 Albums of 2007 and Decibel’s Top 40 Albums of 2007, further solidifying The Red Chord as a force at the top of their game.
About ROCKSTAR Energy Drink – Developed to increase the recovery time of those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles, ROCKSTAR Energy Drink is available in ten amazing flavors. You can find Original, Sugar Free, Juiced, Zero Carb, Guava, Pomegranate, Punched and Roasted Mocha, Roasted Vanilla Light and Roasted Latte at convenience and grocery retail outlets across the United States, Canada, Australia and the UK.
http://mayhemfest. tickets. musictoday. com
http://www. mayhemfest. com
PRE-SALE STARTS APRIL 4
NATIONAL ON-SALE IS APRIL 19
TOUR TO KICK OFF JULY 9 IN SEATTLE
BURBANK, CA (April 1) – Organizers of the first-ever Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival have announced dates, venues and on-sale information for the highly anticipated all-star thunderfest. Multi-platinum rock acts SLIPKNOT and DISTURBED will lead the much-buzzed-about amp-shattering road show, which will feature hard music’s most influential bands and its new wave of heavy-hitting acts. The tour is set to kick off July 9 at the White River Amphitheatre in Seattle and will hit Live Nation Amphitheaters in 30 cities in the U.S. and Canada between July 9 and August 19, 2008.
Fans can purchase tickets beginning April 4 at 10AM local venue time via the Official Mayhem Fan Community at http://mayhemfest. tickets. musictoday. com.
Pre-sale orders also allow fans to hear tracks from Mayhem bands, receive early entry venue passes, purchase a discounted subscription to Revolver magazine and receive a Mayhem t-shirt. In addition, pre-orders enroll fans into a contest offering one grand prize winner an electric guitar and two meet & greet passes to get the six-string signed.
Fans that pre-register to be a part of the Mayhem Fan Community before April 4 can purchase tickets upon immediate availability. And by pre-registering, they’ll also be entered into a contest to win a merch pack featuring CDs from every band on the tour.
Tickets go on sale nationally beginning April 19.
You can get more information at www.Mayhemfest.com or www.livenation.com.
In addition to Slipknot and Disturbed, the main stage features DRAGONFORCE and MASTODON, as well as a JÄGERMEISTER second stage with MACHINE HEAD, AIRBOURNE, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, WALLS OF JERICHO and the JÄGERMEISTER Battle of The Bands Winner. There will also be a HOT TOPIC STAGE featuring UNDEROATH, BLACK TIDE, SUICIDE SILENCE, THE RED CHORD and 36 CRAZYFISTS. The World’s Greatest Freestyle Motocross team THE METAL MULISHA is also confirmed to perform on all dates.
Sponsors for the 2008 ROCKSTAR ENERGY MAYHEM FESTIVAL include Title Sponsor ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK and JAGERMEISTER, HOT TOPIC, X BOX, IBANEZ GUITARS, TAMA DRUMS, I LOVE VAGINA, METAL BLADE RECORDS, PETA, ROADRUNNER RECORDS, THE END TIMES, DiNGSTORE. com and THE IY.
Media Partners include REVOLVER MAGAZINE, HOLLYWOOD MUSIC, KNAC. COM and METAL INJECTION.
The Rockstar Energy Mayhem festival brings together the creative team that has founded many music tours including the highly successful Vans Warped Tour and the Worldwide Rockstar Taste of Chaos Tour. Kevin Lyman, John Reese and CAA’s Darryl Eaton have partnered again, this time with Live Nation, to bring fans the next great music festival juggernaut, which will be MAYHEM! Following the proven model of utilizing sponsorship to deliver a lower ticket price and an enhanced concert experience the tour organizers have joined forces again with ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK as the Title sponsor.
Live Nation is promoting the festival nationally.
In addition to catching their favorite bands live, fans can take part in a number of festival activities, including playing the newest video games, perusing vendors, attending autograph signing sessions and a slew of other interactive activities that will add to the festival experience.
ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK will be sampling their products and providing great surprises for attendees and will also present the VIP/Contest winner area designated THE ROCKSTAR LOUNGE and the festival area PARTY LIKE A ROCKSTAR TENT where fans can sample ice cold Rockstar and get autographs from their favorite bands.
"This festival will be our marquee music presentation for years to come," says Rockstar Energy Drink Marketing Director Mike Kelso.
"We at Rockstar are excited to team up with our partners from Rockstar Taste of Chaos to launch an all-out summer tour that will blow you away!"
Fans can go to www.mayhemfest.com to keep up with additional details as they are released.
Tour dates are as follows:
Date City Venue
7/9 Seattle, WA White River Amphitheater
7/11 Sacramento, CA Sleep Train Amphitheater
7/12 San Francisco, CA Shoreline Amphitheater at Mountain View
7/13 San Bernardino, CA Glen Helen Pavilion
7/15 Fresno, CA Save Mart Center
7/16 San Diego, CA Coors Amphitheater
7/18 Phoenix, Az Cricket Wireless Pavilion
7/19 Albuquerque, NM Journal Pavilion
7/20 Denver, CO Coors Amphitheater at Fiddler’s Green
7/22 Kansas City, MO Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
7/23 St. Louis, MO Verizon Wireless Amphitheater St. Louis
7/25 Dallas, TX Superpages Center
7/26 San Antonio, TX Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
7/27 Houston, TX Sam Houston Race Park
7/29 Tampa, FL Ford Amphitheatre
7/30 W. Palm Beach, FL Cruzan Amphitheater
8/1 Virginia Beach, VA Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater
8/2 Pittsburgh, PA Post-Gazette Pavilion
8/3 Uniondale, NY Nassau Coliseum
8/5 Boston, MA Tweeter Center for Performing Arts
8/6 Scranton, PA Toyota Pavilion
8/8 Toronto, ON Downsview Park
8/9 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
8/10 Chicago, IL First Midwest Bank Amphitheater
8/12 Atlanta, GA Lakewood Amphitheater
8/13 Indianapolis, IN Verizon Wireless Music Center Indianapolis
8/15 Camden, NJ Susquehanna Bank Center
8/16 Hartford, CT New England Dodge Music Center
8/17 Washington, DC Nissan Pavilion
8/19 Buffalo, NY Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
SLIPKNOT
Uncompromising. Intense. Chaotic. Unforgiving. Cathartic. Destructive. Dominant. These words barely scratch the surface in describing the multi-platinum, Grammy-Award winning hard rock enigma known as Slipknot. This groundbreaking nine-piece, born out of the desolate landscape of Des Moines, IA, have sold in excess of 10 million albums worldwide over the course of 3 studio albums. Their last studio album Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses) was released in May 2004, debuting at 2 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart and has sold over 1.5 million copies in the U.S. to date. The album broke new ground for the band, spawning a string of hit singles including "Duality," "Vermilion" and "Before I Forget." December 2006 saw the release of the DVD Voliminal: Inside the 9. Certified double-platinum, it’s a vivid, brutally honest glimpse of the world inside the ’Knot. Slipknot, along with their maggots, has forged their own path on their own terms. This isn’t a band. This is a way of life.
DISTURBED
Known for their punishingly powerful music and socially conscious lyrics, Disturbed has sold a collective 9 million copies worldwide of their three albums — 2000’s RIAA-certified triple-platinum The Sickness, 2002’s Billboard album chart-topper Believe, and in 2005 their second consecutive number one debut on the Billboard charts, Ten Thousand Fists — since forming in Chicago in 1996. The band, which is singer David Draiman, guitarist Dan Donegan, drummer Mike Wengren and bassist John Moyer, will release their self-produced forthcoming album titled Indestructible on Reprise Records in May. Get ready for what the band calls "a little bit darker, really complex and furiously paced record."
DRAGONFORCE
DragonForce are the next generation of guitar heroes. The lead single, "Through The Fire And Flames," is the massively popular breakout track from Guitar Hero III. Thanks to the superhuman guitar wizardry and soaring vocals on their most recent album, the jaw-dropping Inhuman Rampage, the DragonForce buzz has erupted from the underground and has escalated to a deafening roar. Headline tours always sell out. Heads are consistently turned. New fans are immediately made. Radio reacts. Sales continue to go up. The appetite for DragonForce is insatiable, and so is the band’s desire to dominate the US tour market. Guitar virtuoso Herman Li says, "It’s great for us to be back after a 16 month absence from touring the U.S. The demand from fans for DragonForce to return has been overwhelming, so we’re very excited to be part of the biggest tour of the summer. Get ready for some serious Mayhem on and off stage. Don’t blink or you’ll miss something!" It’s time to experience all that DragonForce have to offer!
MASTODON
Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Mastodon have been critically acclaimed by almost every publication in the US and UK. "Late Night with Conan O’Brien" took note of this and put them on his show, which set a precedent and paved the way for more metal acts to be considered on NBC. Their Grammy nominated album, Blood Mountain, the group’s third release, isn’t just unconventional, it’s surreal, progressive and unrepentantly heavy. Mastodon combined their favorite musical styles, including thrash, doom, prog and psychedelic metal to concoct something utterly original, undeniably devastating and irrefutably entrancing.
MACHINE HEAD
With virtually no mainstream radio or video play whatsoever the San Francisco Bay Area’s 2nd biggest metal band Machine Head have become one of the most credible and influential metal bands of all time, and their unique brand of bludgeoning metal has gone on to sell over 1.8 million records throughout the world. Recently nominated for a Grammy, Machine Head’s latest album The Blackening was in the 1 or top 5 "Album of the Year" spot in nearly every single metal magazine throughout the world, and shocked the mainstream press at the 2007 Kerrang! Awards ceremonies, where The Blackening was named "Album Of The Year" over My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy.
UNDEROATH
Underoath are currently recording the follow up to their juggernaut gold-certified and critically acclaimed third album DEFINE THE GREAT LINE (Tooth & Nail/Solid State). The Florida-based sextet’s inexplicably delightful amalgam of mayhem and melody--plus their depth and ability--propelled the landmark 2006 album to a 2 debut on the Billboard Top 200 Chart. Renowned for their cathartic and frenzied live performances UNDEROATH have solidly built their fan base from incessant touring and their unrelentingly intense live shows, establishing an unbreakable bond with their fans. The combined sales of their three albums is close to one million copies. The strength, and explosive lure of UNDEROATH continues in 2008.
BLACK TIDE
Fresh off their now legendary Ozzfest stint, Avenged Sevenfold dates and a forthcoming tour with All That Remains, Black Tide are set to take the world by storm with their debut album Light From Above, produced by Johnny K (Disturbed, Staind). Revolver Magazine dubbed them the "Future of Metal" and Spin called them "a combination of Megadeth riffage, Metallica brutality, and Guns N’ Roses melodicism." They not only embrace the charisma, character and unwavering attitude of those who shredded before them, but they do so in a manner that would make the virtuosos that inspired them proud. Black Tide is not only bringing music back from the dead, but they’re returning the power to metal. The meltdown is long overdue.
WALLS OF JERICHO
Detroit’s hardest, Walls Of Jericho, have been described as "Murderous Metal-core" by Alternative Press in their recent feature for the "Most Anticipated 2008" issue. With Candace Kucsulain, who is arguably the most energetic and courageous front-woman in all of metal and a twin guitar attack, Walls Of Jericho have won over audiences worldwide. WOJ have an EP due out Spring 2008 produced by and featuring Corey Taylor (Slipknot), and a new album due Summer 2008. Other recent touring credits include Ozzfest 2006, Family Values 2006 as well as Devil Driver, Stone Sour, Unearth, Bullet For My Valentine, and Mastodon.
36 CRAZYFISTS
After three critically acclaimed records, 36 Crazyfists switches labels to Ferret Music for their new album, The Tide and Its’ Takers due out May 27. Still the only hard rock band to build a career from Alaska, 36 Crazyfists has built an international following by doing extensive touring around the world from appearing on the mainstage of UK’s Download Festival, to a sold-out European/UK and Australian tour with co-headliners Atreyu. 36 Crazyfists is poised to finally break the US market with the new album produced by guitarist Steve Holt and mixed by legendary hard rock mixer Andy Sneep.
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH
Five Finger Death Punch has been pummeling audiences since the release of their critically acclaimed debut album, The Way of the Fist. With their hit single "The Bleeding" pulverizing the Active rock charts and MTV2’s Headbanger’s Ball, the album has been called a "Cowboys from Hell for this millennium (Outburn)." The band has already toured with the likes of Korn, Hellyeah, Flyleaf, Trivium, and Atreyu in the short time since their album debuted in the Billboard Top 200. Five Finger Death Punch features an all-star gang of musicians, including vocalist Ivan Moody (formerly of Motograter), Darrel Roberts (W.A.S.P.) and Zoltan Bathory (UPO). This summer audiences will see why Metal Edge calls Five Finger Death Punch "the sound of violent exhilaration, giving contemporary metal a belligerent shove in an exciting direction."
SUICIDE SILENCE
Suicide Silence’s rise through the ranks of extreme metal saw them headline full-scale tours in both the US & UK in the Summer/Fall of 2006 while still an unsigned band. Upon finally finding a home with Century Media Records, the band’s debut full-length impacted the Billboard 200 at 94 cementing them as the highest selling debut artist in Century Media history. According to Revolver Magazine, "The Cleansing was well worth the wait" and as the band continues to shatter the boundaries of conventionality with a uniquely devastating live show & rigorous commitment to touring, it comes as no surprise that Suicide Silence has been cited by Alternative Press as one of the 100 bands you need to know about in 2008.
AIRBOURNE
"Stand Up For Rock n’ Roll."It is as clear a statement of intent as you’re ever likely to hear. One verse that says everything you need to know about Melbourne, AU four piece Airbourne and their debut album, Runnin’ Wild: forget your worries, get down to the front of the stage and lose your mind to some ear-bleeding, sweat-soaked rock n’roll. Or, as the song continues, "Drink your beer/Drink your wine/Let’s have a good time." Stand up for rock n’ roll indeed. From the album’s fist-pumping title track to the anthemic "What’s Eatin’ You" and the self-explanatory rock explosions of "Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast" and "Diamond In The Rough," Runnin’ Wild is an exercise in booze-and-sweat soaked rock n’ roll that isn’t looking to change the world by abolishing Free Trade, but simply provide the ultimate soundtrack to the biggest all-night rock party there is.
THE RED CHORD
The Red Chord have been crafting intriguing heavy music since their independent debut Fused Together in Revolving Doors in 2002. Combining elements of grindcore, death metal and hardcore, that release established them as one of the premier Massachusetts extreme metal acts. In 2005, Metal Blade released the follow-up Clients, a tortured concept album about mental patients, drug addicts, the homeless, the desperate and downtrodden. While they decimated crowds worldwide touring with the likes of Gwar, High On Fire, Unearth, Every Time I Die and Hatebreed, as well as stints on Ozzfest 2006 and Sounds of the Underground 2005, Clients established The Red Chord as innovators in the burgeoning underground metal scene. By staying away from the cliché trappings that crippled some of their contemporaries, 2007’s Prey For Eyes hit Metal Maniacs’ "Critics Picks" Top 10 Albums of 2007, Revolver’s Top 20 Albums of 2007 and Decibel’s Top 40 Albums of 2007, further solidifying The Red Chord as a force at the top of their game.
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http://mayhemfest. tickets. musictoday. com
http://www. mayhemfest. com
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Henry H Perrit Jr.'s View on the Proposed Chicago Event Promoter License
An incredible supporter of the independent artist community Henry Perritt has asked everyone to help distribute his White Paper, "Why the Event Promoters Ordinance should be rejected".
Please read it, repost it and repost it again. ANY and ALL feedback welcome.
Why the Event Promoters Ordinance should be rejected
[27 May 2008]
Henry H. Perritt, Jr.
Professor of Law
Chicago-Kent College of Law
Member of the Illinois Bar
hperritt@kentlaw.edu
(312) 906-5098
Please read it, repost it and repost it again. ANY and ALL feedback welcome.
Why the Event Promoters Ordinance should be rejected
[27 May 2008]
- The proposed ordinance does not address any public need
- Often justified as a response to the 17 February 2003 stampede in the E2 nightclub, which killed 21 people, the proposed ordinance does not address the problems that led to that tragedy:
- Too many people (1100) were in a venue that could safely accommodate only 300
- The City of Chicago had not determined the safe capacity of the venue
- The City had not acted on known building and fire code violations
- The venue’s security staff did not respond appropriately
- The proposed ordinance does not strengthen the City’s inspection and enforcement resources, powers, and will to act; instead it indemnifies the City from liability
- The ordinances regulating places where food is offered for sale require periodic city inspections; neither the proposed ordinance nor the existing PPA requires inspections
- The proposed ordinance targets event promoters rather than venue owners, although circumstances leading to the E2 tragedy were within control of the venue manager and not third-party promoters
- Venue owners, not third-party promoters, are in a position to control everything that might jeopardize the health or safety of fans
- The proposed ordinance does not fit the realities of how some of Chicago’s best music is made and promoted
- The 2007 Chicago Music City report prepared by a group at the University of Chicago for the Chicago Music Commission concluded that music in Chicago generates a payroll in excess of $1 billion annually and fuels the overall economy in Chicagoland.
- Significantly, it concluded that Chicago offers more kinds of music regularly than anywhere else except Los Angeles and New York, mostly in small clubs
- Most of the small clubs are operated informally and present bands and other performers that operate on a financial shoestring, rarely earning more than a few hundred dollars for a performance, and rarely netting more than a few thousand dollars per year for their music
- These bands and performers and the venues in which they perform scramble to attract an audience, relying on the band’s circle of friends and an occasional part-time amateur street team to distribute flyers and generate word of mouth
- The proposed ordinance contains several provisions that would burden small venues and less-known bands disproportionately
- It defines the regulated activity ( § 1-157-010, definition of “Event Promoter”) to include advertising so broadly that it would include:
- Word of mouth generated by a band or its supporters
- Distribution of flyers or posters publicizing a performance
- Free notices of performances on websites such as MySpace music pages, while exempting paid newspaper advertising
- It imposes unnecessary insurance requirements on promoters who have no control over safety in venues and thus are unlikely to be liable for injuries
- It prohibits fans under the age of 21 from engaging in promotion activities, although younger fans other play a crucial role in encouraging turnout for performances
- It would intimidate fans and band members from promoting a performance by requiring them to be fingerprinted and to fill out burdensome forms and keep burdensome records
- Paradoxically, it would regulate promoters for events at small venues while leaving intact the existing exemption for the venues themselves (PPA § 4-156-305(c))
- It exempts instrumental performances by groups with fewer than eight pieces (§ 4-156-305(f)) while providing no such exemption for small groups performing other kinds of music
- It exempts large venues, where any risk to public health and safety is greatest
- The proposed ordinance is unconstitutional
- It violates the First Amendment by regulating speech in the form of advertising over-broadly
- It violates due process by excluding ex-felons who have paid their debt to society and persons convicted of petty theft; federal court cases require a rational relationship between regulation of entertainment and risks to public health and safety; there is no such relationship here
- It violates equal protection of minority groups by disproportionately burdening promoters from such groups
- The City of Chicago should be supporting and promoting its smaller venues and lesser-known bands, but the ordinance imposes burdens instead
- The City should publish and distribute to hotels and airports a directory of smaller venues and lesser-known bands
- - It should provide links on its websites to private websites that offer current information about scheduled performances
- - It should provide financial support to smaller venues and lesser-known bands
Henry H. Perritt, Jr.
Professor of Law
Chicago-Kent College of Law
Member of the Illinois Bar
hperritt@kentlaw.edu
(312) 906-5098
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Save Internet Radio
Dear SaveNetRadio supporter,
It has been a year since an increase in royalty fees for webcasters put the future of Internet radio at risk. Since then, more than 2 million people have called on Congress to save Internet radio, the Internet Radio Equality Act has been cosponsored by 150 Members of Congress, and a hearing was held in the House Small Business Committee. In spite of all this - nothing has changed. We need your help.
On Thursday May 15, Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas will introduce the Internet Radio Equality Act (IREA) as an amendment to the Orphan Works Bill (S. 2913) while it is being considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee . As you know, the IREA would level the playing field for Internet radio webcasters and promote greater parity within the radio industry, while doing away with the discrimination that now forces webcasters to pay fees more than twice as high as their closest competition, cable and satellite radio.
You can help. At least one of your Senators is a Member of the Judiciary Committee and we need their support. Call them today and ask them to support independent artists, small businesses, and the future of Internet radio. You can find their phone number and talking points here: http://www.capwiz.com/saveinternetradio/alert_9738601.html.
Ask your Senator to support the Brownback Amendment to S. 2913.
We need your help to remind Congress that though Internet radio is still on the air and artists are still being paid for their work by webcasters, nothing has been resolved and we need them to act.
On behalf of webcasters, artists and fellow Internet radio listeners everywhere, thank you. Let's finish what we started a year ago.
It has been a year since an increase in royalty fees for webcasters put the future of Internet radio at risk. Since then, more than 2 million people have called on Congress to save Internet radio, the Internet Radio Equality Act has been cosponsored by 150 Members of Congress, and a hearing was held in the House Small Business Committee. In spite of all this - nothing has changed. We need your help.
On Thursday May 15, Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas will introduce the Internet Radio Equality Act (IREA) as an amendment to the Orphan Works Bill (S. 2913) while it is being considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee . As you know, the IREA would level the playing field for Internet radio webcasters and promote greater parity within the radio industry, while doing away with the discrimination that now forces webcasters to pay fees more than twice as high as their closest competition, cable and satellite radio.
You can help. At least one of your Senators is a Member of the Judiciary Committee and we need their support. Call them today and ask them to support independent artists, small businesses, and the future of Internet radio. You can find their phone number and talking points here: http://www.capwiz.com/saveinternetradio/alert_9738601.html.
Ask your Senator to support the Brownback Amendment to S. 2913.
We need your help to remind Congress that though Internet radio is still on the air and artists are still being paid for their work by webcasters, nothing has been resolved and we need them to act.
On behalf of webcasters, artists and fellow Internet radio listeners everywhere, thank you. Let's finish what we started a year ago.
Jim DeRogatis - Ordinance tabled (for now)
UPDATE: Promoter's ordinance tabled (for now)
Following a nearly unprecedented outpouring of concern from the Chicago music community and a meeting with activists and some of the top concert promoters and venue owners in Chicago, Ald. Eugene Schulter, chairman of the City Council License Committee, decided on Tuesday that he will not present the so-called "event promoter's ordinance" to the full council for a vote on Wednesday -- and that the committee will go back to work on fine-tuning the law.
Schulter and representatives of the city Department of Business Affairs & Licensing met with members of the Chicago Music Commission, Metro owner Joe Shanahan, Jam Productions talent booker Nick Miller and Double Door co-owner Sean Mulroney Tuesday morning, a day before the law was expected to be passed by the City Council.
Made aware of concerns in many corners of Chicago's arts communities, Schulter asked DBA for more facts and figures about the alleged "problem venues" and "underground promoters" that the ordinance was designed to curtail. Some of those who attended the meeting said DBA had to admit that it had no hard information and that it has not formally studied the extent of the alleged problem that the law was crafted to address; they had only the anecdotal evidence of the single tragic incident at the E2 Nightclub five years ago.
The law will return to committee for more work and public input before a council vote is considered again. Schulter told the meeting he expects that process will take at least a month.
"We are not sure when it will come out of committee for a vote, but we hope that Chairman Schulter will wait until he and the city have engaged the music community publicly and meaningfully so their concerns can be heard and hopefully incorporated into the eventual law," said Chicago Music Commission board member Bruce Iglauer.
"We are pleased that Chairman Schulter has responded to community concerns here, and we look forward to working with him, members of the Committee, DBA staff and other music community stakeholders to come up with a workable version of the ordinance."
Monday, May 12, 2008
Comment on Chicago's Music Promoters License
I entered a comment on Jim DeRogatis' blog. I have a feeling it might get rejected due to one word I used. So I'll post it here and if it is rejected I'll remove the word and repost it.
I can personally say that if this goes through I am through with putting on events in Chicago.
I am not a "big fish". I am not a voice that can reach into the pockets of those that would be interested. I do not rely on events to pay my way. If I did, I'd be doing illegal house parties, raves and loft parties.
I put on 2 or 3 concerts a year and I do a monthly dj night. If I wanted to make money off of shows for a living I'd never have tried to do it in this city to begin with. Too much competition and way too much money involved.
I don't rely on ticket sales to pay bands. I rely on having the money on hand before the night of the show.
Not a single event have I ever made enough money to even go so far as to pay my rent. I usually take all the money made at the door and split it between the bands. I might keep enough to pay for a cab ride home if needed.
I can say that I pay money out of my own pocket at the end of the night to make sure the bands get what was needed.
I will say now that if I have to pay for a license because the city doesn't want to enforce the laws and ordinances they already have, I won't.
Maybe I'll continue to do shows outside of the city limits. That's still to be seen.
Why do I do shows that cost me money? Everyone needs a hobby and because I like to offer the opportunity to bands to come in and show people what they can do. To open themselves up to a new area and hopefully gain new fans.
Everything I do, I do inside a licensed and insured establishment.
I do not promote or organize illegal house parties or raves. However, if the laws were stronger against people that held these illegal activities maybe the city wouldn't have to cover their asses and make everyone pay for a license to an ordinance that allows blame to fall on the venue and the promoters rather than the venue and the city.
Maybe the city should offer a "per head" ticketing system for people that organize and promote illegal loft parties, raves, and such inclined events. Every person at such an event is a $20 fine. And maybe they should enforce the underage and curfew policies for anyone that is underage at these events. But that might take too much man power and too much time. And this isn't about who's at the event. It's about who's putting it together and telling people about it. No need to ticket the underage kids because they didn't put together the event. They just showed up and got drunk. Even though they know they're not supposed to drink until they're of legal age.
After all, the city wants to determine who the good guys and bad guys are so wouldn't the fact that these events aren't in legal establishments do that?
I think it's funny how all of a sudden, the big venues like the Rosemont and United Center threatened to take their business out to the burbs if this passed. Now all of a sudden, they're exempt from it and they no longer care.
The biggest reason such venues said this was simple. They have a lot of people from other states that book events there. Circus', carnivals, monster trucks, concerts and such. Accordingly, all these outside promoters from other states and cities would have to buy this license. Even though they do not reside within the limits of the city of Chicago.
These promoters plainly said that they would take their events to other venues such as the Metro Centre in Rockford IL. The city doesn't want that to happen so now these larger venues are exempt. Thus, the outside promoters do not need the license.
The only thing I can offer to everyone, that is a small time player like myself, is this.
Search out venues that are outside of the city limits but close enough for trains and buses. As soon as the word is given that the license has become legitimate, cancel all the shows you have, even if they happen before the 5 month limit, and try to reschedule them outside of the city.
If everyone does this it might send a message to the city.
Highly doubtful, slightly possible, but it will save you the money instead of paying for a license that basically keeps the city out of court for not enforcing the laws and ordinances it already has.
---------------------------------------------------------
I can personally say that if this goes through I am through with putting on events in Chicago.
I am not a "big fish". I am not a voice that can reach into the pockets of those that would be interested. I do not rely on events to pay my way. If I did, I'd be doing illegal house parties, raves and loft parties.
I put on 2 or 3 concerts a year and I do a monthly dj night. If I wanted to make money off of shows for a living I'd never have tried to do it in this city to begin with. Too much competition and way too much money involved.
I don't rely on ticket sales to pay bands. I rely on having the money on hand before the night of the show.
Not a single event have I ever made enough money to even go so far as to pay my rent. I usually take all the money made at the door and split it between the bands. I might keep enough to pay for a cab ride home if needed.
I can say that I pay money out of my own pocket at the end of the night to make sure the bands get what was needed.
I will say now that if I have to pay for a license because the city doesn't want to enforce the laws and ordinances they already have, I won't.
Maybe I'll continue to do shows outside of the city limits. That's still to be seen.
Why do I do shows that cost me money? Everyone needs a hobby and because I like to offer the opportunity to bands to come in and show people what they can do. To open themselves up to a new area and hopefully gain new fans.
Everything I do, I do inside a licensed and insured establishment.
I do not promote or organize illegal house parties or raves. However, if the laws were stronger against people that held these illegal activities maybe the city wouldn't have to cover their asses and make everyone pay for a license to an ordinance that allows blame to fall on the venue and the promoters rather than the venue and the city.
Maybe the city should offer a "per head" ticketing system for people that organize and promote illegal loft parties, raves, and such inclined events. Every person at such an event is a $20 fine. And maybe they should enforce the underage and curfew policies for anyone that is underage at these events. But that might take too much man power and too much time. And this isn't about who's at the event. It's about who's putting it together and telling people about it. No need to ticket the underage kids because they didn't put together the event. They just showed up and got drunk. Even though they know they're not supposed to drink until they're of legal age.
After all, the city wants to determine who the good guys and bad guys are so wouldn't the fact that these events aren't in legal establishments do that?
I think it's funny how all of a sudden, the big venues like the Rosemont and United Center threatened to take their business out to the burbs if this passed. Now all of a sudden, they're exempt from it and they no longer care.
The biggest reason such venues said this was simple. They have a lot of people from other states that book events there. Circus', carnivals, monster trucks, concerts and such. Accordingly, all these outside promoters from other states and cities would have to buy this license. Even though they do not reside within the limits of the city of Chicago.
These promoters plainly said that they would take their events to other venues such as the Metro Centre in Rockford IL. The city doesn't want that to happen so now these larger venues are exempt. Thus, the outside promoters do not need the license.
The only thing I can offer to everyone, that is a small time player like myself, is this.
Search out venues that are outside of the city limits but close enough for trains and buses. As soon as the word is given that the license has become legitimate, cancel all the shows you have, even if they happen before the 5 month limit, and try to reschedule them outside of the city.
If everyone does this it might send a message to the city.
Highly doubtful, slightly possible, but it will save you the money instead of paying for a license that basically keeps the city out of court for not enforcing the laws and ordinances it already has.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
City of Chicago's Event Promoter License & Me
Ok, so what's the big deal about the Event Promoter License that the City of Chicago wants to enforce?
Here's the deal. I consider myself an Event Promoter. I might only put on 2 concerts a year and 1 dj night a month but that's considered an Event Organizer/Promoter.
So now, if this license passes I have to pay $2,000 a year in order to do what I like to do, at this point, as a hobby. Even though my events are within legitimate venues that have all the permits and licenses that are required. Even though I haven't made any money at all doing this in the past 2 years. In fact, I've given money away for these things to happen.
Technically, this effects every person that puts together any type of an event. A dj night, a concert, an art opening, any type of event that charges a cover at the door.
Well, they did change the terms of the license since last year.
Last year this license went all the way across the board. It effected every single person that ever put on a show. Here's one of the major ways it changed.
The license fee before was $2,000 for every 2 years, for everyone. For the little people like me all the way to the charity organizations and up to major organizations like, everyones friends, JAM Productions.
Here's how the license fees changed.
License fees, payable every two years, would range from $500 to $2,000, depending on the size of the venues in which the promoters operate. The city, non-profit organizations promoting their own events and promoters at "fixed-seating" venues with at least 500 seats, such as the United Center, would be exempt.
So here's a quick thought. Last year the license got shot down. You know why? Because places like the United Center, JAM Productions, the Rosemont and all the other major players said they'd take their business to the burbs. An action like that would culturally crush the city of Chicago. Not to mention the amount of money the city would lose out.
So now the city is listening to the major players and they decided that they shouldn't have to pay for this license. Even though, out of all the people that will be effected, the major players are the only ones that could afford such a ridiculous fee.
Here's another thing that I noticed from the Tribune's article. It's in regards to the E2 incident that happened almost 5 years ago.
Months after the stampede, an independent panel that reviewed the disaster and emergency response concluded that inadequate city inspection procedures and lack of city agency coordination allowed the club to stay open months after a court ordered it shut.
So wasn't it the city's fault that all this happened? Oh yea, the city doesn't do anything wrong.
If you want more information on this please follow these links.
Chicago City Council panel OKs licensing plan for event promoters
Chicago's promoter's ordinance: What the city wants, the city gets?
Jim DeRogatis' Blog
Chicago Music Commission's site
Rules inspired by E2 stampede approved
If you are an event promoter please contact your Alderman and express your concerns BEFORE Wednesday May 14th.. If you don't then don't feel bad that you have to leave the city to do the events that you like to do.
The floor at this meeting is not open to the public. It's a hearing for the Aldermen to vote on whether or not to impose the license.
This site will help you find out who your Alderman is and how to contact them.
http://www.chicityclerk.com/citycouncil/alderman/find.html
Go there, find them and contact them. Let them know your concerns and let them know how it will effect you.
If you can, appear at the hearing. Maybe if enough people show up to boo down the license they'll listen.
The hearing is on Wednesday May 14, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.
The City Council meets in the Council Chamber located on the Second Floor of City Hall, 121 North La Salle Street.
Here's the deal. I consider myself an Event Promoter. I might only put on 2 concerts a year and 1 dj night a month but that's considered an Event Organizer/Promoter.
So now, if this license passes I have to pay $2,000 a year in order to do what I like to do, at this point, as a hobby. Even though my events are within legitimate venues that have all the permits and licenses that are required. Even though I haven't made any money at all doing this in the past 2 years. In fact, I've given money away for these things to happen.
Technically, this effects every person that puts together any type of an event. A dj night, a concert, an art opening, any type of event that charges a cover at the door.
Well, they did change the terms of the license since last year.
Last year this license went all the way across the board. It effected every single person that ever put on a show. Here's one of the major ways it changed.
The license fee before was $2,000 for every 2 years, for everyone. For the little people like me all the way to the charity organizations and up to major organizations like, everyones friends, JAM Productions.
Here's how the license fees changed.
License fees, payable every two years, would range from $500 to $2,000, depending on the size of the venues in which the promoters operate. The city, non-profit organizations promoting their own events and promoters at "fixed-seating" venues with at least 500 seats, such as the United Center, would be exempt.
So here's a quick thought. Last year the license got shot down. You know why? Because places like the United Center, JAM Productions, the Rosemont and all the other major players said they'd take their business to the burbs. An action like that would culturally crush the city of Chicago. Not to mention the amount of money the city would lose out.
So now the city is listening to the major players and they decided that they shouldn't have to pay for this license. Even though, out of all the people that will be effected, the major players are the only ones that could afford such a ridiculous fee.
Here's another thing that I noticed from the Tribune's article. It's in regards to the E2 incident that happened almost 5 years ago.
Months after the stampede, an independent panel that reviewed the disaster and emergency response concluded that inadequate city inspection procedures and lack of city agency coordination allowed the club to stay open months after a court ordered it shut.
So wasn't it the city's fault that all this happened? Oh yea, the city doesn't do anything wrong.
If you want more information on this please follow these links.
Chicago City Council panel OKs licensing plan for event promoters
Chicago's promoter's ordinance: What the city wants, the city gets?
Jim DeRogatis' Blog
Chicago Music Commission's site
Rules inspired by E2 stampede approved
If you are an event promoter please contact your Alderman and express your concerns BEFORE Wednesday May 14th.. If you don't then don't feel bad that you have to leave the city to do the events that you like to do.
The floor at this meeting is not open to the public. It's a hearing for the Aldermen to vote on whether or not to impose the license.
This site will help you find out who your Alderman is and how to contact them.
http://www.chicityclerk.com/citycouncil/alderman/find.html
Go there, find them and contact them. Let them know your concerns and let them know how it will effect you.
If you can, appear at the hearing. Maybe if enough people show up to boo down the license they'll listen.
The hearing is on Wednesday May 14, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.
The City Council meets in the Council Chamber located on the Second Floor of City Hall, 121 North La Salle Street.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Chicago Music Promoters Ordinance Round 2
PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY
The Chicago City Council has fast-tracked its new version of a measure first introduced last year to greatly impede independent promoters attempting to hold events in the city. Under the proposed law, independent promoters would have to acquire a promoter's license at a cost of up to $2000 every two years, obtain liability insurance for every event thrown, even if the presenting venue already has liability insurance, be fingerprinted and background checked, and maintain extensive records of each event. The ordinance allegedly is intended to prevent disasters like the one that occurred in the E2 nightclub several years ago, but really would just put many small indies (not to mention non-profits that rely on events for fundraising, like CHIRP) out of business.
Jim DeRogatis has been following the story closely, so you can read further here:
http://blogs.suntimes.com/derogatis/
FYI, the ordinance exempts non-profits from certain portions of the rules (although not the extensive record keeping), but requires a group to have been in existence for at least three years, or to "be qualified for" 501(c)3 status. CHIRP, while non-profit, has only been around since August 2007, and is still being advised on 501(c)3 issues, a process that often takes more than a year from application to approval. This means events ranging from our Record Fair to dance parties at Town Hall Pub to speaking events by media activists might be out of our reach under the new ordinance...and if we cannot throw those events to raise money, there is no way to fund our organization.
If you value live music in Chicago (and the work of the Chicago Indie Radio Project), it's important that you make your voice heard. Call your alderman and ask him or her to oppose the Promoter Ordinance. Be polite. Tell him or her you support live music in Chicago, and feel this ordinance would kill many great events. Say you want venues to be safe, but this ordinance goes too far.
Your voice makes a difference. Place a call to your alderman's office today.
This page will help you find your alderman and give you his or her phone number -- quick and easy! It only takes a couple of minutes.
http://www.chicityclerk.com/citycouncil/alderman/find.html
And if you're able, come to the city council meeting on Wednesday, May 14 at 10AM in City Council chambers, and speak out against the measure.
Friday, May 09, 2008
New NIN - 100% Free
Trent Reznor has done it again. After releasing the first 9 tracks off of the Ghosts I - IV 36 track album, he's doing it again. This time it's a full album, The Slip.
As said by Reznor on nin.com - (thank you for your continued and loyal support over the years - this one's on me)
You can preview the Ghosts I - IV album right now as you read this. It's the music playing in the background and the application playing it is at the bottom of the screen.
As for the free NIN album The Slip, go HERE and follow the instructions to get your free download.
As said by Reznor on nin.com - (thank you for your continued and loyal support over the years - this one's on me)
You can preview the Ghosts I - IV album right now as you read this. It's the music playing in the background and the application playing it is at the bottom of the screen.
As for the free NIN album The Slip, go HERE and follow the instructions to get your free download.
Worst Album Covers..... Ever.
I found a poll on the Chicago Tribune site today where you can vote for the worst album cover. I have to say, some of these are pretty funny.
Take a look and vote for your least favorite. The results should be interesting.
Chicago Tribune's Worst Album Covers
You can even submit your own. So if you have an album cover that you think is horrible feel free to add it to the collection.
Take a look and vote for your least favorite. The results should be interesting.
Chicago Tribune's Worst Album Covers
You can even submit your own. So if you have an album cover that you think is horrible feel free to add it to the collection.
Cancellation.
Just got an email today from Gaius Acilius. Turns out there's some scheduling complications and they won't be able to play the show on the 14th.
Now begins the mass emailing to find a filler in under a weeks notice.
Now begins the mass emailing to find a filler in under a weeks notice.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Mother's Day 08
This coming Sunday, I'll be dj-ing the DirtRoom with Jordan and Aleks. We'll be giving away tickets to the upcoming May 28th Anthrax show at the Double Door. Rumors are flying around that there will be a hard boiled egg eating contest and something about pickle juice and Bailey's.
I guess you'll have to be there to find out.
I guess you'll have to be there to find out.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Playlist for 5/5/08
So I dj-ed between sets at the Scum of the Earth show last night at the Double Door. The show didn't do as well as I had hoped but there were a lot of bands for a Monday night.
Scum of the Earth headlined and they went on right around midnight. Riggs wasn't feeling too well since he had gotten sick at their show in Green Bay. The band still played great. They played a short set though.
I picked up their new album Sleaze Freak. 10 bucks for 13 tracks. Check them out on their Myspace page.
Here's my playlist from the night.
Scum of the Earth headlined and they went on right around midnight. Riggs wasn't feeling too well since he had gotten sick at their show in Green Bay. The band still played great. They played a short set though.
I picked up their new album Sleaze Freak. 10 bucks for 13 tracks. Check them out on their Myspace page.
Here's my playlist from the night.
Electric Worry - Clutch
Clean My Wounds - Corrosion Of Conformity
Unsung - Helmet
Never Walk Alone... A Call To Arms - Megadeth
Wish - Nine Inch Nails
Twelfth Stroke Of Midnight - Bury Your Dead
Life To Lifeless - Killswitch Engage
Black Label - Lamb Of God
Bring It On (Fuck Tomorrow Mix) - Dope
Just One Fix - Ministry
This Is Now - Hatebreed
Cake And Sodomy - Marilyn Manson
Bwomp - Mushroomhead
All Bodies - Between The Buried & Me
Swinging The Dead - DevilDriver
Ultra-Violent - The Cavalera Conspiracy
Too Much Blood - Wednesday 13
Face Fisted - Dethklok
Otsegolectric - Static-X
The End Of The World - God Forbid
Replica - Fear Factory
Bullet in the Head - Rage Against the Machine
Lunchbox - Marilyn Manson
Peace Sells - Megadeth
Biotech Is Godzilla - Sepultura
The Primer - Between The Buried & Me
The War Inside - Mushroomhead
Silent Bullet - Soilwork
Ill Go Until My Heart Stops - 36 Crazyfists
The Height Of Callousness - Spineshank
Black - Sevendust
5 Minutes Alone - Pantera
Step Up - Drowning Pool
Goddamn - Hellyeah
Motherfucker, I Don't Care - Murderdolls
Jump in the Fire - Metallica
Fuckin' A - Bible Of The Devil
I Am the Law - Anthrax
South Of Heaven - Slayer
I Want To Fucking Break It - Static-X
Pass Out of Existence - Chimaira
Sanctuary - The Cavalera Conspiracy
Sin & Sacrifice - DevilDriver
Venomous - Shadows Fall
Beyond The Horizon - Dissection
Relentless - Strapping Young Lad
Spill The Demons - Fireball Ministry
Clean My Wounds - Corrosion Of Conformity
Unsung - Helmet
Never Walk Alone... A Call To Arms - Megadeth
Wish - Nine Inch Nails
Twelfth Stroke Of Midnight - Bury Your Dead
Life To Lifeless - Killswitch Engage
Black Label - Lamb Of God
Bring It On (Fuck Tomorrow Mix) - Dope
Just One Fix - Ministry
This Is Now - Hatebreed
Cake And Sodomy - Marilyn Manson
Bwomp - Mushroomhead
All Bodies - Between The Buried & Me
Swinging The Dead - DevilDriver
Ultra-Violent - The Cavalera Conspiracy
Too Much Blood - Wednesday 13
Face Fisted - Dethklok
Otsegolectric - Static-X
The End Of The World - God Forbid
Replica - Fear Factory
Bullet in the Head - Rage Against the Machine
Lunchbox - Marilyn Manson
Peace Sells - Megadeth
Biotech Is Godzilla - Sepultura
The Primer - Between The Buried & Me
The War Inside - Mushroomhead
Silent Bullet - Soilwork
Ill Go Until My Heart Stops - 36 Crazyfists
The Height Of Callousness - Spineshank
Black - Sevendust
5 Minutes Alone - Pantera
Step Up - Drowning Pool
Goddamn - Hellyeah
Motherfucker, I Don't Care - Murderdolls
Jump in the Fire - Metallica
Fuckin' A - Bible Of The Devil
I Am the Law - Anthrax
South Of Heaven - Slayer
I Want To Fucking Break It - Static-X
Pass Out of Existence - Chimaira
Sanctuary - The Cavalera Conspiracy
Sin & Sacrifice - DevilDriver
Venomous - Shadows Fall
Beyond The Horizon - Dissection
Relentless - Strapping Young Lad
Spill The Demons - Fireball Ministry
Friday, February 15, 2008
Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007
Saying anything bad about this bill or how stupid I think it is could land me in Federal Prison if this passes and becomes law.
I'm not going to go into huge detail about it but I will leave the links for you to look at and research yourself. Basically, this bill says that if you speak your mind about politics or say that the current President is a dipshit you could go to prison. The bill states:
". . . the use, planned use, or threatened use, of force or violence by a group or individual born, raised, or based and operating primarily within the United States or any possession of the United States to intimidate or coerce the United States government, the civilian population of the United States, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives."
Which suggests that if you said, "John McCain is an idiot and should be tossed off a cliff" you could be arrested for planning and threatening an occurance that might or might not happen.
It could also mean that bands that have music that suggest violence or acts against the government will be censored. Bands such as Rage Against the Machine, System of a Down, Megadeth and so on.
Feel free to research this farther and make your own desicions. Here are some links that will help you.
Track the bill through it's process here: GovTrak.us
Daily Congressional
Congresspedia
Contact your Representatives and Urge them to shut down this bill.
I'd also like to thank Look What I Did for bringing this to my attention. Check them out on their Myspace Page. If you add them let them know where you heard about them and why.
Contact your Representatives and let them know where you stand. It does make a difference and it can help to shape the world.
Let's help stop our government from becoming too obtrusive and too censor happy. The world doesn't need another China.
I'm not going to go into huge detail about it but I will leave the links for you to look at and research yourself. Basically, this bill says that if you speak your mind about politics or say that the current President is a dipshit you could go to prison. The bill states:
". . . the use, planned use, or threatened use, of force or violence by a group or individual born, raised, or based and operating primarily within the United States or any possession of the United States to intimidate or coerce the United States government, the civilian population of the United States, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives."
Which suggests that if you said, "John McCain is an idiot and should be tossed off a cliff" you could be arrested for planning and threatening an occurance that might or might not happen.
It could also mean that bands that have music that suggest violence or acts against the government will be censored. Bands such as Rage Against the Machine, System of a Down, Megadeth and so on.
Feel free to research this farther and make your own desicions. Here are some links that will help you.
Track the bill through it's process here: GovTrak.us
Daily Congressional
Congresspedia
Contact your Representatives and Urge them to shut down this bill.
I'd also like to thank Look What I Did for bringing this to my attention. Check them out on their Myspace Page. If you add them let them know where you heard about them and why.
Contact your Representatives and let them know where you stand. It does make a difference and it can help to shape the world.
Let's help stop our government from becoming too obtrusive and too censor happy. The world doesn't need another China.
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