Cass McCombs “The Same Thing”

Few people in the world are as talented as Cass McCombs.
Which makes it everyone in Chicago’s luck day. Because Sir McCombs is playing at Lincoln Hall THIS Sunday (1/29).

Buy tickets HERE.

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TOY “Left Myself Behind”

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Ticket Giveaway! We’ve got a pair of tickets for you and your hot date to go to The Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival January 28th with a lineup that has 15 (15!) bands playing all day long, including Drive By Truckers, Joe Pug, Van Ghost, and personal fave- Dawes! For those of you who think that Chicago summers are useful for one thing and one thing only (music festivals), this is a DON’T MISS event. Music festival in the winter? Genius. We went last year and had the best time watching (among fabulous others) Grace Potter and Edward Sharpe tear up the stage all from the cozy indoors. Such an incredible Chicago event, headed by three Chicago powerhouse event organizations, they are bringing the joy of music festivals to the saddest Chicago month- January, of course. We want to be sure you don’t miss it, so we’re going to GIVE you a free pair of tickets. All you have to do is email your name to Tickets@TheFiveThreeSix.com. Obviously we’ll check that you LIKE us on Facebook and are following us on Twitter, but I’m sure you already are. And hey, like the CBB Fest’s page while you’re “checking”. Get the full lineup and details here: www.lineup.cbbfestival.com. Good luck! See you there! | N

Ticket Giveaway!

We’ve got a pair of tickets for you and your hot date to go to The Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival January 28th with a lineup that has 15 (15!) bands playing all day long, including Drive By Truckers, Joe Pug, Van Ghost, and personal fave- Dawes! For those of you who think that Chicago summers are useful for one thing and one thing only (music festivals), this is a DON’T MISS event. Music festival in the winter? Genius.

We went last year and had the best time watching (among fabulous others) Grace Potter and Edward Sharpe tear up the stage all from the cozy indoors. Such an incredible Chicago event, headed by three Chicago powerhouse event organizations, they are bringing the joy of music festivals to the saddest Chicago month- January, of course.

We want to be sure you don’t miss it, so we’re going to GIVE you a free pair of tickets. All you have to do is email your name to Tickets@TheFiveThreeSix.com. Obviously we’ll check that you LIKE us on Facebook and are following us on Twitter, but I’m sure you already are.

And hey, like the CBB Fest’s page while you’re “checking”. Get the full lineup and details here: www.lineup.cbbfestival.com.

Good luck! See you there!

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The Kills “The Last Goodbye” (via Nowness.com)

So I just finished reading Just Kids (which I highly recommend) and Patti Smith recounts many pictures taken in a Coney Island photo booth with Robert Mapplethorpe and so obviously this came immediately to mind as I watched this video of Alison and Jamie. THEN, I scroll down and Jamie is talking about how when he first met Alison, she reminded him of Patti Smith. BAM.

Can’t wait to see these guys at The Riviera next week. Who’s going?

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Portugal. The Man “Do What We Do”

Shuffle. Stop. Play.

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Photo Credit: Jim Wright Artist Name: Caveman
 Hometown: New York, NY 
Touring info: Playing a short tour now, including Chicago this Friday and SXSW, info via their FB here (Tickets for 1/13 Schubas show here)
 Album: CoCo Beware Proof: This video of “Great Life”, caught by YoursTru.ly at the Rumpus Room in Brooklyn this summer Website: www.cavemantheband.com In a time when we search and battle over what we like about an artist or a song or an album, there comes such a wonderful peace in finding a band like Caveman. With them, the question really becomes “what’s not to like?” Their debut album, CoCo Beware starts with “A Country’s King of Dreams”, a fervent opening, announcing their position without being harsh or strange. There is nothing threatening or urgent about Caveman, which actually feels misleading. They sing and play sweetly as if they will always be singing within walls of tiny venues and on unknown beachy street corners with a few helpings of cheap beer. But the truth is, the change upwards is inevitable, their rise is looming and lingering and actually very immediate. Just over the short course of sitting down to write this, I have gotten an email that they have just signed to Fat Possum this morning. Feel the urgency yet? The instrumental “Vampirer” echoes this message more than any other song. “We’re here,” it seems to whisper hauntingly, “and we’re not fucking around.” It appropriately plays as intro to “Old Friend,” a clear and easy to like single. “Old Friend” is a song so well composed to be a hit, it sounds familiar the first time you hear it. Easy, simple greatness it near impossible to achieve, but the gentleman of Caveman seem to achieve it breathlessly. This album is an undemanding journey, it slides by effortlessly with not one moment of shock or discomfort. You could loop it in your car for hours and never be bored, consistently tuning into things never before heard. The songs are repetitive in nature, like they’ve been written poetically with rehashed thoughts, drawn out and laid upon music, but never leaving the initial singular vision. It’s an album for those impatient for Local Natives to create something new-albeit darker, purging that sound with the way Fleet Foxes uses instruments to tell a grand story. It’s the kind of album that doesn’t just put you on people’s radar, but plants you there. Songs such as “Old Friend” and “Thankful” will easily appeal to the masses, while they indulge a little more on songs such as “My Room” and a personal favorite, “Easy Water” which is sweet in it’s tiptoeing terror. Caveman is playing Friday at Schubas, and we suggest nothing higher than that you don’t miss it. In such a small lapse of time, CoCo Beware has become one of my favorite albums of 2011, one that won’t have to fight to be brought to light in 2012. I genuinely look forward to future of these guys, one of the most exciting new indie groups, who we are honored to have join our little Freshman Honors club. Below you’ll find my interview with drummer Stefan Marolachakis, who describes the sound as “ever so dark and vibey”. Obviously I love this band. |N
  
Who are your top three influences? Gene Clark, Fleetwood Mac, George Harrison. 
  
If you had to pick one celebrity to represent your whole band, who would it be? Amar’e Stoudemire of the New York Knicks.
 How would you describe your sound in five words? Ever so dark and vibey.
 
 Where do you want to be one year from now? Sitting on the beach in Mexico with a margarita, watching the waves roll in. 
 
 What is the first record you ever bought? First record: the soundtrack to the Robin Hood cartoon — Roger Miller is all over that one. First tape: INXS, “Kick.” First CD: Naughty by Nature’s first album.
  
Life gives you lemons, what do you do with them? Find some iced tea and make an Arnold Palmer, of course. 
Photo Credit: Jim Wright

Artist Name: Caveman


Hometown: New York, NY


Touring info: Playing a short tour now, including Chicago this Friday and SXSW, info via their FB here (Tickets for 1/13 Schubas show here)


Album: CoCo Beware

Proof: This video of “Great Life”, caught by YoursTru.ly at the Rumpus Room in Brooklyn this summer

Website: www.cavemantheband.com

In a time when we search and battle over what we like about an artist or a song or an album, there comes such a wonderful peace in finding a band like Caveman. With them, the question really becomes “what’s not to like?”

Their debut album, CoCo Beware starts with “A Country’s King of Dreams”, a fervent opening, announcing their position without being harsh or strange. There is nothing threatening or urgent about Caveman, which actually feels misleading. They sing and play sweetly as if they will always be singing within walls of tiny venues and on unknown beachy street corners with a few helpings of cheap beer. But the truth is, the change upwards is inevitable, their rise is looming and lingering and actually very immediate. Just over the short course of sitting down to write this, I have gotten an email that they have just signed to Fat Possum this morning. Feel the urgency yet? The instrumental “Vampirer” echoes this message more than any other song. “We’re here,” it seems to whisper hauntingly, “and we’re not fucking around.” It appropriately plays as intro to “Old Friend,” a clear and easy to like single. “Old Friend” is a song so well composed to be a hit, it sounds familiar the first time you hear it. Easy, simple greatness it near impossible to achieve, but the gentleman of Caveman seem to achieve it breathlessly.

This album is an undemanding journey, it slides by effortlessly with not one moment of shock or discomfort. You could loop it in your car for hours and never be bored, consistently tuning into things never before heard. The songs are repetitive in nature, like they’ve been written poetically with rehashed thoughts, drawn out and laid upon music, but never leaving the initial singular vision. It’s an album for those impatient for Local Natives to create something new-albeit darker, purging that sound with the way Fleet Foxes uses instruments to tell a grand story. It’s the kind of album that doesn’t just put you on people’s radar, but plants you there.

Songs such as “Old Friend” and “Thankful” will easily appeal to the masses, while they indulge a little more on songs such as “My Room” and a personal favorite, “Easy Water” which is sweet in it’s tiptoeing terror.

Caveman is playing Friday at Schubas, and we suggest nothing higher than that you don’t miss it. In such a small lapse of time, CoCo Beware has become one of my favorite albums of 2011, one that won’t have to fight to be brought to light in 2012. I genuinely look forward to future of these guys, one of the most exciting new indie groups, who we are honored to have join our little Freshman Honors club. Below you’ll find my interview with drummer Stefan Marolachakis, who describes the sound as “ever so dark and vibey”. Obviously I love this band.

|N
 


Who are your top three influences? Gene Clark, Fleetwood Mac, George Harrison. 
 


If you had to pick one celebrity to represent your whole band, who would it be? Amar’e Stoudemire of the New York Knicks.


How would you describe your sound in five words? Ever so dark and vibey.
 


Where do you want to be one year from now? Sitting on the beach in Mexico with a margarita, watching the waves roll in. 
 


What is the first record you ever bought? First record: the soundtrack to the Robin Hood cartoon — Roger Miller is all over that one. First tape: INXS, “Kick.” First CD: Naughty by Nature’s first album.
 


Life gives you lemons, what do you do with them? Find some iced tea and make an Arnold Palmer, of course. 

Gotye feat. Kimbra - “Somebody That I Used to Know”

This video starts off with a gross foot and pasty European skin. Had a friend not insisted that I listen to the entire song, I likely would have stopped about 3 seconds in.

Well, here I am now, posting the naked pasty European guy’s video because the song is actually really good. Gotye is joined half way through by Kimbra, a young singer from New Zealand who is the ripe old age of 21. It’s fine though, I’m not jealous. I figure my singing career will take off later in life, when my vocal chords have had a chance to age properly (and hopefully undergo a complete change because my voice now isn’t getting me anywhere).

P.S. - If you’re grossed out by feet, I recommend closing your eyes for the first few seconds…

P.S.S. - Confession: I think I have a minor foot phobia.

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Good Old War “Calling Me Names” (via Paste Magazine)

The first single from their third album due in March.

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goodoldwar.bandcamp.com

Fort Lean “Beach Holiday”

The most important thing for you to take away from this video is that that is not a wig.

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Event: Noise For Toys featuring The Noise FM, State and Madison, Archie Powell & The Exports and The ScissorsVenue: Beat Kitchen (2100 W. Belmont)Date: Friday, December 16 @ 8:30Tickets: $10 here BUT snag $5 tickets at the door with a packaged toy! There are a few things I’m always ecstatic to support: local bands, awesome charity events, holiday spirit. Some of you may remember the last time we paired up with The Noise FM, for that super exclusive rooftop event this past Summer. Alright that really has nothing to do with this event, I just like to remind people about that one time I did something besides go to music venues and dive bars with B. Anyway, the amazing Noise FM guys are putting on this event with a few other awesome local groups and it’s supporting Toy for Tots which gives gifts to needy children. I know I’m not the only one who finds myself mysteriously in the toy aisle at Target with no recollection of how I got there. Well, typically one would have to mutter something about a niece and casually stroll out, but here’s your opportunity to actually buy the shiniest toy you see and make a local kid’s day. Phoebe Buffet once proclaimed that there is no selfless good deed, and well, the nut was right. Because, while you’ll feel all warm & fuzzy for getting in the holiday spirit and giving to charity, you also get to enjoy the potential best night of your life. Win, win, kids. Also, the bands involved are highly encouraging holiday attire, and best dressed wins a prize pack from all the groups. First read our interview with The Noise FM gents below, then hit your grandma’s holiday sweater collection, grab a ticket at the link above, pick out the toy your inner seven-year-old would kill for and tell your friends. Because, it would be a little awkward to go alone. You’re welcome, | N Why should we come to your show?Alex (Vocals, Guitar, Keyboard): Do it for the kids, god bless ‘em. All proceeds and toy donations collected at the concert will go straight to children of needy families in the Chicago area. You can rock and feel good about it. Best of all, it’s a 17+ show, so you don’t actually have to deal with any kids!  Are we more likely to cry or sweat?Austin (Vocals, drums): More likely to cry or sweat at our show? Or just in general? Sweating is a must at a Noise FMshow; especially when we are accompanied by such awesome Chicago bands like on the December 16th bill. A common result of a Noise FM set is people tearing up from either how much they are sweating, or because of how intense our rock faces are.  What three emotions are audience members guaranteed to feel at this show? Alex: I predict utter joy followed by confusion and shame the next morning.  What will you be drinking onstage? Austin: A lot of homemade egg nog. Archie from Archie Powell and the Exports makes a mean egg nog. We are daring each other to chug egg nog throughout our sets to see who gets sick first. It’ll be fun.  Will you write and perform a song about The FiveThreeSix if we come?Alex: We will write and perform a song for anyone who shows up. That’s our Noise FM guarantee. You heard it here first.  Which “12 Days of Christmas” gift would you like to receive most? Austin: 2 turtle doves. Or better yet just 2 turtles… we really like pets.   Finish this sentence however you’d like: “Two elves walk into a bar…” Alex: We haven’t gotten to that level in Skyrim yet.  The best part about December in Chicago is… Austin: The beautiful weather… ugh. Nothing gets us in the celebrating mood like rain, clouds, fog, smog, ice, and extreme cold. Who doesn’t want that on their holidays?

Event: Noise For Toys featuring The Noise FM, State and Madison, Archie Powell & The Exports and The Scissors
Venue: Beat Kitchen (2100 W. Belmont)
Date: Friday, December 16 @ 8:30
Tickets: $10 here BUT snag $5 tickets at the door with a packaged toy!

There are a few things I’m always ecstatic to support: local bands, awesome charity events, holiday spirit.
Some of you may remember the last time we paired up with The Noise FM, for that super exclusive rooftop event this past Summer. Alright that really has nothing to do with this event, I just like to remind people about that one time I did something besides go to music venues and dive bars with B.

Anyway, the amazing Noise FM guys are putting on this event with a few other awesome local groups and it’s supporting Toy for Tots which gives gifts to needy children. I know I’m not the only one who finds myself mysteriously in the toy aisle at Target with no recollection of how I got there. Well, typically one would have to mutter something about a niece and casually stroll out, but here’s your opportunity to actually buy the shiniest toy you see and make a local kid’s day. Phoebe Buffet once proclaimed that there is no selfless good deed, and well, the nut was right. Because, while you’ll feel all warm & fuzzy for getting in the holiday spirit and giving to charity, you also get to enjoy the potential best night of your life. Win, win, kids.

Also, the bands involved are highly encouraging holiday attire, and best dressed wins a prize pack from all the groups.

First read our interview with The Noise FM gents below, then hit your grandma’s holiday sweater collection, grab a ticket at the link above, pick out the toy your inner seven-year-old would kill for and tell your friends. Because, it would be a little awkward to go alone.

You’re welcome,

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Why should we come to your show?
Alex (Vocals, Guitar, Keyboard): Do it for the kids, god bless ‘em. All proceeds and toy donations collected at the concert will go straight to children of needy families in the Chicago area. You can rock and feel good about it. Best of all, it’s a 17+ show, so you don’t actually have to deal with any kids!
 
Are we more likely to cry or sweat?
Austin (Vocals, drums): More likely to cry or sweat at our show? Or just in general? Sweating is a must at a Noise FMshow; especially when we are accompanied by such awesome Chicago bands like on the December 16th bill. A common result of a Noise FM set is people tearing up from either how much they are sweating, or because of how intense our rock faces are.
 
What three emotions are audience members guaranteed to feel at this show?
 Alex: I predict utter joy followed by confusion and shame the next morning.
 
What will you be drinking onstage?
 Austin: A lot of homemade egg nog. Archie from Archie Powell and the Exports makes a mean egg nog. We are daring each other to chug egg nog throughout our sets to see who gets sick first. It’ll be fun.
 
Will you write and perform a song about The FiveThreeSix if we come?
Alex: We will write and perform a song for anyone who shows up. That’s our Noise FM guarantee. You heard it here first.
 
Which “12 Days of Christmas” gift would you like to receive most?
 Austin: 2 turtle doves. Or better yet just 2 turtles… we really like pets. 
 
Finish this sentence however you’d like: “Two elves walk into a bar…”
 Alex: We haven’t gotten to that level in Skyrim yet.
 
The best part about December in Chicago is…
 Austin: The beautiful weather… ugh. Nothing gets us in the celebrating mood like rain, clouds, fog, smog, ice, and extreme cold. Who doesn’t want that on their holidays?