Author Archives: Tankboy

This has been nagging at me for some time now and my feelings are incredibly mixed on the subject. On one hand I love the fact that so many bands are now being exposed to such an incredibly huge audience. On the other hand, you know, I worked a really long time to amass my music collection and attain the level of “rock snobbery” I’m at. Whatever. This article kind of helped sum up this quandary a bit. I’ve kind of gone over this a bit before and this adds another dimension since I am starting to get a little sick of everyone thinking they’re a freaking critic just because they’ve got a bunch o’ tunes on the ol’ iPod.

Meh, maybe you just shouldn’t mind me since I’m probably just being a jetlagged grumpy old man today…

Straight from the horse’s (singer/guitarist Justin Sinkovich) mouth:

Atombombpocketknife has been my principle creative outlet and extended family since 1997. After three albums, an EP, dozens of singles and compilation appearances, shows in twelve different countries, thousands of hours in studios, vans, and practice spaces; The family remains but the band must rest its head once and for all. Che is moving to Austin Texas, and mainly we feel pretty good about where we?ve been and to close a pretty decent-sized chapter in our lives.

You know what this means? Another 2,659 bands are about to sprout up featuring ex-Atombombpocketknife members. Let’s wait this out and see if that’s a good thing.

Their final show will be in Chicago at The Empty Bottle September 10.

So it’s come to this, has it?

With no new Blur material imminent Damon Albarn told the NME that he wanted Graham Coxon to return to Blur before they made another album. “I’m waiting for Graham to talk to me again” Albarn said. “I’d love to see if we could make another record. I miss playing live in something that I grew up in. I do feel it’s a shame that we didn’t stick to it. Hopefully we’ll play together soon. As musicians we need to spread peace and love.” (full story)

Graham, please call Damon. I dig The Gorillaz but I’ve gotta hear some more guitar madness Blur-stylee. PLEASE?!

(credz LHB for the heads-up on the cool timeline)

My Lolla recap is here.
Were you there too? If so discuss.

The first Lollapalooza was fourteen years ago?!

Damn I’m old.

If you’re going today, do not miss The Dandy Warhols set. Ex and current Brian Jonestown Massacre types will be joining them on-stage for a big sloppy wet kiss of a reunion.

Also, this quote from today’s Trib makes me wanna kick somebody in the teeth.

You certainly wouldn’t have seen little kids at the first Lollapalooza, which featured such dark, confrontational acts as the Rollins Band, Nine Inch Nails and Ice-T.

“The first one was angrier,” Gershon said.

“Everyone was in college,” Calabrese added. “We were loud punks.”

“Even the younger people now seem a lot less punk,” Gershon said. “It’s more of a hippie crowd.”

Speak for yourselves you fucking hippies. I’m still angry. Yaaargh!

Also, when Liz Phair sings it sounds like she’s channeling Katherine Hepburn.

I’ve got a mega-picture post about last weekend’s Intonation Festival here, but you can also peep on these excellent articles (one of which was tip-tapped onto a keyboard by yours truly) from my hometown Chicagoist site:

Pictures!
An overview!
I loved DFA1979 and The Wrens!

Also, DeRo gave the fest some love.

Mia Park has been kind enough to gather up the information below for the wakes and funerals of the three Chicago musicians killed last week.

I had the pleasure of working with both Doug and John’s bands in the past and…hell, everything I type just comes out all wrong. This is a tragedy that I just don’t have the interior mechanism to really process at the moment. It’s so fucking senseless. They will all be sorely missed.

*****Michael Dahlquist*****

From Tim Midgett: “We are having a wake for Michael Dahlquist this coming Monday. We wanted to do it while his family is still in town–they want to meet people, and we want them to see firsthand the wealth of influence he has had on people in Chicago.

Monday, July 18th – 6:30PM until ???
Electrical Audio
2621 W. Belmont, Chicago

BYO food and drink. Stuff you can share is great.

Hit the buzzer and go up the stairs. Keep going, through the first door, at least as far as the kitchen.

We want the event to be essentially unstructured but also dignified–much like Mr. Dahlquist was himself. With any luck, we will celebrate Michael’s life as much as we will mourn his death. I know his family will appreciate it.”

*****John Glick*****

Tuesday, July 19 – 1:00pm
Piser Funeral Home
9200 Skokie Boulevard
Skokie, IL 60077
773-561-1890

Burial to follow at:
Memorial Park Cemetary
9900 Gross Point Road
Skokie, IL 60076
773-583-5080

*****Doug Meis*****

Monday July 18th – 2:00pm
Unity Church
3434 Central Street
Evanston, IL 60201
847-864-8977

Billy wants his Pumpkin back and he doesn’t care who knows it.

DUFFY ADDS: WOOOOOOOOOT! The Smashing Pumpkins are one of my favorite bands, ever. And while I’ve supported all of Corgan’s other projects, it warms my heart to read this news.

TANKBOY ADDS: Since reports have surfaced that Corgan’s wishes are news to his other former bandmates, I’m going to say that the announcement may have had more to do with making a “news event” the same day his new album came out than it did with any solid plans to re-up the Pumpkins. I hope I’m wrong, but it sure don’t look good…

Pink Floyd are reuniting — including Roger Waters — for Live 8.

So I’m beginning to either think Bob Geldhof is in fact either operating under a divine directive or he’s just got a massive amount of information at his disposal with which to blackmail most bands into co-operating with him.

Either way,does anyone want to pacify my innerly-turmoiled high schooler and get me tickets and air-fare to this? that would rock.

Told.
You.
So.