Dave Chamberlain

The lads who bring us Horizontal Action--a magazine that features gritty rock `n' roll profiles and reviews alongside a smattering of hardcore pornography--again aim their guns at the annual Blackout event, so named because of the effect alcohol tends to have on the magazine's publishers and friends during this three-day event. For this year's endeavor, HA follows the formula that's worked so well in the past: a modicum of local bands (Vee Dee, Busy Signals), a solid headliner for day two (The Reigning Sound) and a massive sendoff for day three, featuring The Pagans, lured out of retirement. The Cleveland-based garage-punk band was a vanguard of snotty, growling and offensive rock `n' roll, ala The Devil Dogs, twenty years before said sound became all the rage. Never playing at breakneck speeds, and with a stronger sense of tunefulness than most of what might be termed punk rock of the day, The Pagans are likely more popular now than they were in their, um, heyday during the seventies. The wonderful world of Crypt Records made an effort to reissue The Pagans records (plus some added accouterment), releasing both "The Pink Album" and "Shit Street" in 2001. But this show (Saturday) represents a chance to catch this semi-legendary band that likely won't be back anytime soon. In fact, it's a little surprising that these guys are even still alive, much less playing. The Horizontal Action Blackout 2005 takes place May 19-21 at the Empty Bottle, 1035 North Western, (773)276-3600. (2005-05-17)

Also by Dave Chamberlain

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Following up 2003's off-the-hook brilliant "Anxiety Always," the two-person grown-up team Adult. comes back with "D.U.M.E.," a six-song EP on local record label Thrill Jockey and a major hint that--unlike so many acts--the best is yet to come
(2005-05-03)

Tip of the Week
Rock `n' roll DJs are notorious for doing the Undertones a grave disservice: consistently playing the Northern Irish band's "Teenage Kicks," while ignoring the lads' extensive, though perhaps less crowd-pleasing, catalog
(2005-04-26)

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Dizzee Rascal contradicts everything the UK tourist board would lead us to believe
(2005-04-26)

Tip of the Week
I thought Desmond Dekker was dead
(2005-04-19)

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(2005-04-19)

Tip of the Week
(2005-04-12)

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(2005-03-29)

Tip of the Week
(2005-03-22)

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(2005-03-15)

Tip of the Week
(2005-03-08)

Tip of the Week
(2005-03-01)

Tip of the Week
(2005-02-22)

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