Victory Records is getting into the movie business.
In August, Chicago's largest hardcore label releases "Release," a self-described punk/hardcore documentary by New York filmmaker Brant Sersen. Leaping head first into the East Coast hardcore scene, "Release" splices concert footage with band interviews, with various segments covering specific topics, like violence at shows (apparently a larger problem on the East Coast than in the Midwest), straight-edge kids and the watering down of both the punk and hardcore scenes because of their relative popularity.
The roster of bands both interviewed and playing is impressive: Bad Religion, Sick of it All, Earth Crisis, Hatebreed and MxPx round out the most recognizable, but there are more than twenty-five others as well. And while some bands prove that they shouldn't open their mouths (like Ralph from 454 Big Block claiming that the music "started here in NYC," apparently forgetting about such trifles as the Stooges and MC5, both from Detroit), there are some insightful interviews with a 17-year-old promoter, a quality explanation of straight-edge by Zoli of Ignite (without a single condemnation of what the crooked-edges do), and a good smattering of talks with the hardcore kids who actually have something to say. This won't impress folks who aren't into the rock 'n' roll, but it's as good a breakdown of the East Coast hardcore scene as you'll see.
Tribute a Go-Go's
The crazy rock kids at 4 Alarm Records - who've in a very short time span put out, among others, two great records by the Pinehurst Kids and Bo Bud Greene - recently released "Unsealed: A Tribute to the Go-Go's." Twelve bands capably update and cover the proto-punk-pop SoCal girl band's hits (like the Frogs giving a twisted, sick and wrong version of the feelgood "Vacation" and the Chainsaw Kittens slowing down and warping "We Got the Beat"), as well as their lesser-known record fillers (Bo Bud Greene covering "This Old Feeling" and Monkey Paw doing "Lust to Love"). Aside from the aforementioned, Truly gives a relatively true-to-the-original "Our Lips Are Sealed," and Fig Dish calms itself down for a mellow version of "Head Over Heels." The Pinehurst Kids - who continue to impress by melding a good balance of rowdy rock and melodicism - make "How Much More" a highlight.
The record is good, but perhaps the most telling is that, according to 4 Alarm Records partner Matthew Leone, the finished product had to be run by the Go-Go's themselves before it could be distributed. Here's to the now-defunct quintet's good sense of humor - especially in the case of the Frogs.
Club driving
The helpful folks at the Empty Bottle, which over the course of the last two years has held several charity and benefit concerts, are getting out of the the club and picking up the clubs. September 18 will mark the Empty Bottle's Celebrity Charity Golf tournament, with proceeds going towards the University of Illinois at Chicago's liver transplant department.
If you're interested in playing, it'll run you $19. If you just want to watch, $7. There'll be an as-yet-undisclosed concert afterwards at the Bottle as well. For more details, call either Jaime Fleischel or Bruce Finkleman at the Empty Bottle, (773)276-3600.
Chicago Music Quiz answers
Easy:
Rick Nielson - Cheap Trick. James Iha - Smashing Pumpkins. David Yow - Jesus Lizard. Nina Gordon - Veruca Salt. Ben Weasel - Screeching Weasel.
Medium:
Janet Bean - Freakwater. Paul Barker - Ministry. John Herndon - Tortoise. Rennie Sparks - Handsome Family. Sam Prekop - Shrimp Boat.
Hard:
Kelly Hogan - Jody Grind. Tone B. Nimble - All Natural. Todd Trainer - Shellac. John Humphrey - Cash Money. Glenn Girard - Red Red Meat.
Bonus:
Duh.
If you got every single one of these right, why the hell aren't you writing about Chicago's music scene?
by Dave Chamberlain
copyright 1999 New City Communications, Inc.