MK ULTRA

Arc Iris Schubas, 4/14, 8 PM, on sale Fri 2/28, noon.

Iggy Azalea House of Blues, 4/27, 7 PM, all-ages, on sale Fri 2/28, 10 AM.

Blackstone Rangers Hideout, 5/9, 10 PM.

Terry Bozzio Martyrs’, 10/5-6, 8 PM.

Break Anchor Township, 4/18, 6 PM, all-ages.

Jimmy Buffett & the Coral Reefer Band First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, 6/28, 8 PM, on sale Mon 3/3, 10 AM.

Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound, Alfonso Ponticelli & Swing Gitan FitzGerald’s, Berwyn, 3/28, 8:30 PM, on sale Fri 2/28, 11 AM.

Vladislav Delay Empty Bottle, 4/8, 8:30 PM.

Die Antwoord Riviera Theatre, 6/3, 7:30 PM, all-ages, on sale Fri 2/28, 10 AM.

Eels, Chelsea Wolfe the Vic, 5/24, 8 PM, on sale Fri 2/28, 10 AM.

Alejandro Escovedo & the Sensitive Boys FitzGerald’s, Berwyn, 4/5, 9 PM, on sale Fri 2/28, 11 AM.

The Faint Metro, 5/23, 9 PM, on sale Fri 2/28, noon.

First Aid Kit, Willy Mason Park West, 6/4, 7:30 PM, all-ages, on sale Fri 2/28, 10 AM.

5 Seconds of Summer, Jackson Guthy Riviera Theatre, 4/17, 7:30 PM, all-ages.

Flamin’ Groovies House of Blues, 5/9, 8 PM.

G-Eazy Bottom Lounge, 3/16, 8 PM.
Gord Downie, Sadies Lincoln Hall, 5/10, 9 PM, on sale Fri 2/28, noon.
Grieves, Son Real Subterranean, 5/23, 8 PM.

Hellogoodbye, Vacationer Lincoln Hall, 4/15, 8 PM, on sale Fri 2/28, noon.

Vicci Martinez Schubas, 4/9, 9 PM, on sale Fri 2/28, noon.

J Mascis Subterranean, 6/6, 10:30 PM.

Jessica Lea Mayfield, Dylan LeBlanc Empty Bottle, 5/9, 9 PM.
Miss May I Beat Kitchen, 4/29, 7:30 PM, on sale Fri 2/28, 10 AM.

Connan Mockasin, Kirin J. Callinan Empty Bottle, 5/7, 8:30 PM, on sale Fri 2/28, 10 AM.

Mowgli’s Bottom Lounge, 4/23, 7 PM, on sale Fri 2/28, noon.

Ms Mr, Preatures Metro, 6/14, 8:30 PM, all-ages, on sale Fri 2/28, noon.

Mustard Plug, Planet Smashers Subterranean, 5/9, 8:30 PM, on sale Fri 2/28, 10 AM.

Neon Trees, Smallpools Riviera Theatre, 5/13, 6:30 PM, all-ages, on sale Fri 2/28, 10 AM.

New Mastersounds House of Blues, 6/7, 9:30 PM, on sale Fri 2/28, 10 AM.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Fear of Men Empty Bottle, 4/28, 8:30 PM, on sale Mon 3/3, 10 AM.

Panic! at the Disco, Walk the Moon FirstMerit Bank Pavilion, 7/25, 7:30 PM, on sale Fri 2/28, 10 AM.

Polica Lincoln Hall, 6/6-7, 9 PM, 6/6 is 18+, on sale Fri 2/28, noon.

Jim Post FitzGerald’s, Berwyn, 4/12, 6 PM, on sale Fri 2/28, 11 AM.

Slackers Double Door, 5/4, 8:30 PM, on sale Sat 3/1, noon.

Alice Smith City Winery, 5/2, 8 PM, all-ages, on sale Thu 2/27, noon.

Staind, Theory of a Deadman the Venue at Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, 5/30, 8 PM, on sale Fri 2/28, 10 AM.

Standells Mayne Stage, 5/13, 8 PM.

Steep Canyon Rangers City Winery, 5/18, 8 PM, all-ages, on sale Thu 2/27, noon.

Stylistics, Emotions, Chi-Lites Arie Crown Theater, 5/10, 8 PM, on sale Fri 2/28, noon.

Subdudes House of Blues, 5/30, 9 PM, on sale Fri 2/28, 10 AM.

Tegan & Sara, My Midnight Heart the Vic, 6/17-18, 7:30 PM, on sale Fri 2/28, 10 AM.

To Kill a King Beat Kitchen, 3/30, 8 PM.

Tourist Schubas, 3/22, 10:30 PM, on sale Fri 2/28, noon.

Greg Trooper FitzGerald’s, Berwyn, 4/17, 8 PM, on sale Fri 2/28, 11 AM.

Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole Mayne Stage, 3/14, 9 PM.

You Me at Six House of Blues, 5/13, 5:30 PM, all-ages, on sale Fri 2/28, 10 AM.

UPDATED LISTINGS
David Crosby City Winery, 7/21, 8 PM; 7/22, 8 PM, all-ages.
Hawkwind Logan Square Auditorium, 3/7, 8:30 PM, Canceled. This year is the 40th anniversary of the release of Space Ritual, a live double LP from British space-rock pioneers Hawkwind. It documents a …, $28, $25 in advance.

Queens of the Stone Age, Chelsea Wolfe Aragon Ballroom, 5/5, 8 PM; 5/9, 8 PM, all-ages, 5/9 is sold out, 5/5 is on sale Fri 2/28, 10 AM.

Diana Ross Chicago Theatre, 4/29-30, 8 PM, all-ages, 4/30 is sold out, 4/29 is on sale Mon 3/3, 10 AM.

Jeremy Spencer Empty Bottle, 3/9, 4 PM, canceled.
 

Frozen North Records (via Arctic Music) are extremely honored to announce the signing of The Electric Hellfire Club for the iconic band’s first new album release in over a decade.

The EHC, who has an extensive catalog– including 10 releases on Cleopatra Records over the course of their twenty-plus year career–will release their new studio album, entitled “Tech Noir”, worldwide on FNR. The album will be a conceptual, double-album release, and is currently in pre-production. Further announcements in regards to the album to follow.

Says EHC frontman/vocalist/ringleader Reverend Thomas Thorn: “Tech Noir is the album every EHC fan has imagined might someday come to be: a dark journey heralding a return to the electro roots and musical diversity the band was originally known for. This is our Magnum Opus – a high voltage symphony that will leave no doubt the Black Flame still burns. While forces conspired to tear us apart and I once bitterly declared that Ravensbrück and I would re-unite to write new chapters in the EHC saga only “when Hell freezes over”, that denunciation has become prophecy. That time is now. The spiritual current of arcane energy we call Electric Hellfire is flowing again. Hell has frozen over.”

PRONG‘s new album, “Ruining Lives”, will be released through Steamhammer/SPV in Scandinavia on April 23, in Germany on April 25, in the rest of Europe on April 28 and in the U.S./Canada on May 13. It will be made available as a limited digipak version including one bonus track and poster, as a double gatefold colored vinyl version including one bonus track and the CD in cardboard sleeve, as a standard version and download.

“Ruining Lives” is the follow-up to the acclaimed 2012 release “Carved Into Stone” and continues to show the band on an upward trajectory, proving that despite having a long, illustrious career PRONG can still make records that matter and re-invent themselves without negating their roots.

With Tommy Victor in the producer’s chair and Steve Evetts (HATEBREED, SICK OF IT ALL, SEPULTURA) once again coming in to put his trademark shine on the record, “Ruining Lives” has turned out to be a monster of an album. From the first riff assault of the opener “Turnover”, the album takes you on an angst-filled roller coaster ride that marries some very old-school “Beg To Differ” elements with post-punk, industrial metal, hardcore thrash, all the while retaining a modern and current feel. Fans of the bands legendary, genre-defining “Cleansing” era and new fans alike will be thrilled.

Says Tommy Victor: “This is the fastest written and recorded PRONG album ever and it has more great songs than any previous PRONG record. I am particularly proud of the vocal performance and I think we captured some outstanding sounds on this album.

“There’s a little bit of a throwback element here.

“‘Ruining Lives’ is almost a ‘Force Fed’ type of song.

“The album is a hybrid between New York hardcore and some very modern, song-oriented work.

“You will find some ‘Rude Awakening’ but also some solid, crushing riffs.

“I feel we have captured the best elements of PRONG on this album.

“‘Come To Realize’ is something new — we have never approached this kind of time signature. It really is math metal meets pure hardcore with a crazy-ass riff.

“What’s exciting about the whole album is you have your hooks, your riffs and something innovative that makes the album very current.

“This qualifies as the hybrid nature of PRONG: marrying post-punk, industrial metal, hardcore thrash and modern elements — all of that with hooks and not just a bunch of screaming.”

“Ruining Lives” digipak track listing:

01. Turnover
02. The Barriers
03. Windows Shut
04. Remove, Separate Self
05. Ruining Lives
06. Absence Of Light
07. The Book Of Change
08. Self Will Run Riot
09. Come To Realize
10. Chamber Of Thought
11. Limitations And Validations
12. Retreat (bonus track)

Jewel-case track listing:

01. Turnover
02. The Barriers
03. Windows Shut
04. Remove, Separate Self
05. Ruining Lives
06. Absence Of Light
07. The Book Of Change
08. Self Will Run Riot
09. Come To Realize
10. Chamber Of Thought
11. Limitations And Validations

Vinyl version track listing:

LP1 Side 1

01. Turnover
02. The Barriers
03. Windows Shut

LP1 Side 2

01. Remove, Separate Self
02. Ruining Lives
03. Absence Of Light

LP2 Side 1

01. The Book Of Change
02. Self Will Run Riot
03. Come To Realize

LP2 Side 2

01. Chamber Of Thought
02. Limitations And Validations
03. Retreat (bonus track)

On April 19, PRONG will release an exclusive single for “Record Store Day” celebration with the new track “Turnover” on side A and a pig remix version of “Revenge Best Served Cold” by Raymond Watts on Side B. The single is limited to 3,000 copies and comes in a green/white marbled vinyl version. The worldwide digital release of this single is April 21.

Bill Aucion center

 

The partner of original KISS manager, the late Bill Aucoin, has issued a statement regarding the controversy over the band’s induction into the 2014 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons have pulled the plug on a KISS performance at the band’s April 10th induction following news that they would not reunite and perform with original members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss at the event.

Eddie Trunk reports Aucoin’s former partner, Roman Fernandez, has released the following statement regarding the situation:

“I’m going on record. I normally stand by the sidelines quietly watching the scrimmage in silence, but now, I feel I have to speak up.

My late partner, Bill Aucoin, bothered enough in 1973 to wager his entire career as a successful television producer and bet all the money he had, as well as money he didn’t have, on 4 kids from the streets of New York. He unfortunately can no longer speak for himself on the subject of KISS and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Bill Aucoin gave KISS their start, as well as some of the best years of his life. KISS would, in fact, despite all his other successes, come to define Bill in the eyes of millions of fans and in the eyes of the industry. An industry that to a great degree didn’t give KISS the time of day when it mattered the most. No one did except for Bill, Sean Delaney and Neil (and Joyce) Bogart. All no longer with us except for Joyce. But, Bill and I spoke about this subject on several occasions before he passed. Bill Aucoin was not the type to reflect in regret, and he harbored no animosity. But he was convinced that due to politics within the board of the Hall of Fame, the day would never come that saw KISS inducted. I’m pretty certain he was OK with that.

But had Bill been alive to see the day it was announced that the group would indeed, despite every notion to the contrary, be inducted, might have been a nice parting gift for him. But it’s done. He’s gone. It could have just as easily been Paul, Gene, Peter or Ace. But they’re still here. And I’m pretty sure this is what Bill might have said in light of all this nonsense: ‘(….unintelligible noises) Look it, find a compromise, put everything aside for one night, be the larger than life rock stars you know you are, and then…. Onward and upward!’

I don’t believe Bill would begrudge any reasoning for the band members feeling however they may about one another. But, I also believe he would have recognized this as one singular night to put unresolved issues aside. Bill is no longer with us. If Paul, Gene, Peter or Ace were not here, this conversation would not even be possible. Life is too short to waste such a precious opportunity. If for no other reason, do it for Bill Aucoin. And for Sean. And for Neil. Love to all members of Kiss past and present. Onward and Upward guys.”

Information Society Photo credit: Wil Foster/rockcandyphoto.com
“On this record we were aiming to make a classic INFORMATION SOCIETY album, something that people would have no trouble identifying as Information Society,” says synth player Paul Robb of the aforementioned band. Gearing up for the release of their new longform single “LAND OF THE BLIND” on March 4, 2014 via HAKATAK International, it marks the reunion of the original founding members of the band, Robb (synths), Kurt Larson (vocals) and James Cassidy (bass, keyboards). “The great challenge in making this record was to stay true to the sound our fans know and love, but still move forward and incorporate all the influences we’ve acquired since the last time we recorded together.”

A perfect slice of modern pop, “Land of the Blind” is a swirling electronic dance gem and the EP contains the Brazilian-flavored “Marcos Carnaval & Paulo Jeveaux Club Mix”, the darker “Aesthetic Perfection Mix”, the bright and airy “Whiteqube Mix” and the hard dance “Inertia Mix”. Huffington Post premiered the lyric video of the original version this morning and it can be viewed here: tinyurl.com/insoc-huffpo.

 

Fans of the shockingly bizarre cult film Liquid Sky will be delighted to find a cover of the centerpiece song “Me And My Rhythm Box” is included as a bonus b-side. “Land of the Blind” is the first taste of the forthcoming new album _Hello World which will be released Summer 2014. “This was really the most relaxed process we’ve ever experienced while recording an album,” Robb explains. “It might have something to do with the fact that we’ve been working on it on and off for over a year with no sense of urgency, or label-imposed deadlines.”

 

Originally forming in 1982 within the synthpop and New Wave world, Information Society (a.k.a. “InSoc”) initially broke into the mainstream via the Latin underground with the 1985 freestyle dance single “Running” which twice became a Top Ten Billboard Dance chart hit – once in 1986 and then again in 2001. Proving its continued endurance, InSoc’s original label Tommy Boy Records is releasing a remix record of “Running” in early April, 2014, nearly three decades since it was first released. The band continued their winning streak with multiple Top 40 hits including their Number One smash, “What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy)”, “Walking Away”, “Think” and “Peace & Love, Inc.”. Their infectious appeal translated the world over with Japan, Spain, Mexico and their native US leading the charge. Brazil, especially, became one of their continued main markets, where they are signed to the major label LAB344. Coincidentally, Berlin-based label Mannequin Records will be releasing a special expanded vinyl repressing of their debut The InSoc EP in May, 2014, again reinforcing just how seminal and relevant they were back then and still are.
With their first new music released since 2009′s Modulator EP, InSoc is getting ready to get back into the mainstream with brand new music and a US tour planned for later 2014. And even though they’ve been together for over 30 years, there are no signs of slowing down. “We’re looking forward to getting in front of the fans with some new songs,” Robb concludes. “As James Cassidy would say, ‘We’re going to melt some faces’.
Information Society is Paul Robb (synths), Kurt Larson (vocals) and James Cassidy (bass, keyboards). Their new longform single “LAND OF THE BLIND” will be released in the US by HAKATAK International on March 4, 2014. Their new album _Hello World will be released Summer 2014.