In March of this year, Chicago’s Textbook collaborated with Paper + Plastick for the release of their album called On the B-Side. Containing 16 tracks in total, the record features songs from Textbook’s entire catalog and serves as a celebration of the band’s 15th anniversary. We recently spoke with singer/guitarist Dave Lysien and bassist Rick Uncapher to discuss the album in detail. We talked about how they teamed with Paper + Plastick, as well as the distinctive format that the record’s available on. We also conversed about the band’s experiences touring the UK, some of their favorite memories from the last 15 years, future plans and more. Be sure to check out a video for the song “Just One of Those Things” after the interview. Continue Reading…
Torture Chamber Records – Release Date: 10/28/14
Last fall, Chicago’s Textbook released their fifth full-length, entitled All Messed Up. The album finds the band continuing to push the boundaries of the melodic Midwestern rock that they’re known for. Produced by Matt Allison at Atlas Studios, the recording packs a punch but also underscores Textbook’s meticulous songwriting. All Messed Up opens with “Everything I’m Not,” a catchy and concise song that’s loaded with impressive guitar riffs and a surplus of soaring backup vocals. “Looking After Me” is a mid-tempo tune that builds to an anthem-like chorus, which is anchored by a guest vocal appearance from Naked Raygun’s Jeff Pezzati. “Change My Mind” is one of the record’s more punk-leaning tracks and pleasantly reminiscent of ‘90s emo/punk act Walker. Further highpoints include “Just One of Those Things” and “We’ll Get Old,” both of which feature Dan Schafer, (Screeching Weasel, The Riverdales, The Methadones, etc.). All Messed Up is recommended for fans of The Replacements and Husker Du, as well as those that enjoy pop/rock bands like Gameface. Its lyrics often talk of heartbreak, but there’s also an underlying sense of optimism, thanks in part to a plethora of sunny-sounding melodies. Having been together since 1998, Textbook has spent many years honing their craft and this record is decidedly their strongest release yet. Take a listen to the album’s first song below, called “Everything I’m Not.”
[audio:http://www.jadedinchicago.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/01-Everything-Im-Not.mp3|titles= “Everything I’m Not”]Boss Tuneage Records – Release Date: 7/11/11
Textbook has been together for over ten years, perfecting their own style of alternative rock that’s influenced by everyone from The Replacements to Naked Raygun. Fronted by former Not Rebecca singer/guitarist Dave Lysien, Textbook has released a total of four full-lengths, and the band’s continued development is clearly apparent on Out Of My Universe. The EP was recorded by Matt Allison at Atlas Studios and sounds reasonably polished, yet retains the right amount of energy and edge. The first song, “Crowding”, is an urgent, fast-paced rocker with classic Midwestern punk inspiration, and it’s followed by “Please Reconsider”, which is a concise, melodic tune that clocks-in at less than two minutes. The title track is up next and it evokes The Hold Steady in terms of its guitar work and enjoys an extremely infectious chorus. “Laugh Out Loud” is a melancholy, mid-tempo song with a slight country influence, while “I Can’t Take You Anywhere” is pure power pop and absolutely the catchiest song on this record. The final entry, “Who’s Sorry Now”, is a fitting conclusion as it showcases nearly all of Textbook’s finest attributes. Such traits include; creative songwriting, earnest lyrics, an ample amount of backing vocals, skilled musicianship and a knack for blending various genres into a unique sound. Out Of My Universe is recommended for fans of Husker Du, Lucero, Gameface or anyone searching for quality, pop-infused rock this summer.
Textbook UK tour dates with The Magnificent:
July 16 – Leeds @ The Well
July 18 – Brixton @ The Windmill
July 19 – Cambridge @ Portland Arms
July 20 – Derby @ Victoria Inn
July 21 – Sheffield @ The Red House
July 22 – Manchester @ Gulliver’s
On August 9th, The Addisons are scheduled to release their second EP, Here It Comes Again. Recorded and produced by Mike Felumlee of The Smoking Popes, the record finds the band noticeably advancing their interpretation of Midwestern indie/punk. The Addisons’ roster consists of singer/guitarists Dave Lysien, (Not Rebecca, Textbook) and Tom Counihan, (Not Rebecca, Tom Daily). Anchoring the rhythm section is bassist Rick Uncapher, (Textbook, Dan Vapid and the Cheats, Noise By Numbers) and the newest addition, drummer Jesse Carmona, (Gods Reflex, The Braves).
When asked about recording with Felumlee, Counihan said “I’ve been playing and recording with Mike on and off for over 20 years, since I played with him in the Smoking Popes. He played drums on a bunch of my solo recordings, so it was very natural to record with him.” He added, “I just like the tones of the recordings. Mike and I have similar tastes in music, so the mixes, especially the drum sounds, are right where I like them.”
We’re streaming one of the songs from Here It Comes Again below, called “Down Down Down.” When speaking of what inspired its creation, Counihan said “The song came together really quickly. I wrote it in my car at lunch one day. I had my guitar in the back seat and I started and finished in less than an hour. I recorded it onto my phone and sent it to the rest of the band right away. The next practice we started working on turning it into a full band version. I don’t write songs nearly as often as I used to, so it was great to have it be so painless.” Take a listen to the track now and on Thursday, get the record here.
Chicago’s The Addisons recently released their debut single, called So American / Standing Outside Your Door. The band features Tom Counihan and Dave Lysien of Not Rebecca, and this project marks the first time that the two have worked together in over ten years. Their lineup is solidified by bassist Rick Uncapher, (Textbook, Noise By Numbers) and drummer Daisun Derrijk, (The Sonnets). The band recorded their introductory release in October of last year with Jeff Dean at Million Yen Studios. We’re streaming one of the tracks below, “Standing Outside Your Door,” and the single can be purchased via Bandcamp here. Also, be sure to catch The Addisons on Friday, January 20th when they play Livewire Lounge with Sweet Figurines, The Cells and Farewell Captain. The show starts at 9:00 PM and costs $10.
This Friday, February 13th, Little Dave Merriman, (Arrivals, Treasure Fleet, Textbook Committee) will play a release show for his solo album at the Rock Island Public House. The record is called Odd Bird and is coming out on Hewhocorrupts Inc. Featuring a variety of influences, including pop, folk and gospel, the album is a distinct departure from the styles of Merriman’s other projects. At Friday’s show, 50 copies of Odd Bird will be available on limited-edition purple cassettes with digital download cards. The standard yellow cassettes will also be for sale. A portion of the proceeds from the record’s sales will benefit the Dwight D. Eisenhower music program, which is where Merriman was taught by choir director Lynette “Miss K.” Mulder. Odd Bird is dedicated to her, as well as to Merriman’s grandmother, who passed away during the making of the album. Merriman will perform on Friday with his newest group, The Pantomimed Suicides, and plans to play the record in its entirety. Opening the show is an acoustic band called Al Scorch, and Ditches, which features members of Canadian Rifle and Sweet Cobra. Take a listen to a song from Odd Bird below, called “Line It in Chalk.”
[audio:http://www.jadedinchicago.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/04-Line-It-In-Chalk.mp3|titles= “Line It In Chalk”]Eastland Disaster is a new Chicago band that features singer/guitarist Dan Knapik, (Textbook, Venom Lords) singer/bassist Gina Knapik, (Venom Lords) and drummer James Farn, (Kamikaze Eyes, Duress). They’re playing this Friday, January 13th at Beat Kitchen, along with About the Mess, The Heat Tape and Dan Vapid & The Cheats. The show starts at 8:30 PM, costs $10 and is 17+. Last summer, Eastland Disaster recorded several songs with Matt Allison at Atlas Studios, some of which will appear later this year on a seven-inch for Underground Communiqué Records. Check out one of the band’s songs below, called “Still Not Over You.”
[audio:http://www.jadedinchicago.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Still-Not-Over-You.mp3|titles=Still Not Over You]Noise By Numbers recently released a video for the song “Disappointed,” which comes from their latest album and Jump Start Records debut, Over Leavitt. Noise By Numbers features members of The Bomb, Dan Vapid & The Cheats, Textbook and others. Later this month they’ll release a split seven-inch with England’s The Magnificent, and it will be available on colored vinyl via Solidarity Recordings, (USA) and Drunken Sailor Records, (UK). Take a look at the video above and order the new record here.
Asian Man Records – Release Date: 11/16/10
After nearly ten years of making music together, The Methadones have decided to split up. This 16-track release is the band’s swan song and serves as a sincere “thank you” to all of their fans. It consists of five new tracks, their half of a split with The Copyrights and songs from two out-of-print seven-inches. The five new entries represent some of the most impressive tunes that The Methadones ever composed. They were recorded by Justin Perkins at Mystery Room Studios and sound as sturdy as they do pristine. “Murmurs in the Dark” has an interesting lead and backing vocal interplay during its chorus and “Undecided” is a heartfelt pop punk ballad with especially honest lyrics. “Arial” is a beautiful song and plainly one of the Methadones’ best. “Imperfect World” and “What Do You Believe In” are notable songs from the split with The Copyrights, and “Exit 17” flawlessly concludes the record on a solemn acoustic note. This is undeniably the band’s finest full-length aside from their stellar 2004 effort, Not Economically Viable. Anyone in search of first-rate pop punk should look no further, for The Methadones provide a textbook example of how the genre is supposed to be done. They will surely be missed by many and not forgotten anytime soon.