News and Notes: RFC Presents...our last?, TOC live reviews, Sonotheque party

///Hey, so we're presenting The Long Blondes at the LSA on the 24th...don't miss this one, it may be one of our last if all this City Council bollocks goes through!

///Check out the Time Out Chicago music blog for fresh reviews of the Cut Copy/Black Kids and Robyn shows this week. Also, congrats to A.J., who was the winner of our Black Kids vinyl contest this week.

///The Empty Bottle, American Apparel and Venus magazine are teaming up tonight for a party at Sonotheque. Not only can you get in for free if you RSVP to Venus, but word on the street is that there will also be scantily clad ladies from American Apparel passing out free swag.

RFC TV: James Pants - "Cosmic Rapp"

New James Pants record Welcome out May 27th on Stones Throw

RFC TV: The Republic Tigers - "Buildings & Mountains"

Tokyo Police Club @ Metro 5/5/08

Tokyo Police Club, in support of their most recent release Elephant Shell, must have raced thru every 2 minute song in their catalog to fill the hour or so set in front of a packed Metro crowd that didn't appear to sit still for a single second of it. 

Download: Tokyo Police Club - "Juno"

Quickie Contest: Black Kids Vinyl

In honor of their Chicago appearance tonight at The Abbey with Cut Copy and to celebrate their new major label record deal with Columbia, RFC is giving away some sweet hot pink 7" vinyl of the new Black Kids single "I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You.” Drop us a line TODAY to radiofreechicago(at)gmail.com with "hot pink black kids" in the subject line for your chance to win.

The Black Kids debut record, Partie Traumatic, hits domestic store shelves on July 22nd.

News and Notes: Free downloads a plenty...

///Yesterday Nine Inch Nails released a free download of their entire new album, The Slip. Is Trent on new meds or is he just more prolific these days and feeling generous?

///And speaking of drugs, The Dandy Warhols yesterday announced they'll be self-releasing a new album this summer titled Earth to the Dandy Warhols, with a free download of the first track available now. You can go to the Dandys homepage to sign up, or you can just snag it with no strings attached at Stereogum.

///Keep tabs on the Office website this summer as they'll be releasing a new record in mid-July and will make it available as a free download for an entire month. Plus, vinyl copies are promised "for cheap."

///Actually, you know what...forget all this downloading BS, it's going to be 80 degrees and sunny today! Get your ass outside and go to a real record store!! New releases out today from Elvis Costello, Matmos, Four Tet, Republic Tigers, Last Shadow Puppets and more.   

RFC Interview: 5 Q's with Clinic!

Everyone's favorite Liverpudlian art punks, Clinic, are back on the scene with a brand new album and a full North American tour that will have them criss crossing the continent almost non-stop starting tomorrow through the end of the month. Similar to the band Elbow who we profiled last week, Clinic first broke through in the States around the turn of the millenium with a critically acclaimed debut album that hinted at massive commercial successful for years to come...however, years later they continue to be relegated to the realm of cult favorites and critical darlings. They've still got a strong fan base here in Chicago though, as they were able to add a second headlining show next Monday night at The Empty Bottle (check the status of your tix if you ordered early, you'll probably be defaulted to the early show). RFC recently caught up with Clinic lead singer Ade Blackburn via email to check out what the band has been up to lately and how they feel about continuing to have a "cult band" status.

Friday 6-pack - "Viva La Vinyl"

Bad news readers...due to rising oil prices, we've been forced to make some budget cut-backs at RFC and the "Friday 8-track" has been downsized. With gas over $4, we just couldn't justify keeping the Radio Free Mobile Unit, our beloved 1974 Gremlin with the sweet in-dash Pioneer 8-track tape deck. So, there's no reason to make any more 8-track tapes since we don't have anything to play it in. Fortunately, a six'er of cheap canned beer at the corner liquor store is still under 4 bucks, so in honor of that we bring you the new RFC Friday freature... "The Friday 6-pack."

Inspired by the good times had by all at the recent Record Store Day, I went back into RFC's vinyl vault and picked out some of my favorite b-sides and vinyl-only bonus tracks. I probably could've cheated and found digital versions of most of these on-line, but as usual, I decided to kick it old school and ripped the MP3 files directly from the actual records. Yes, you may hear a click or pop here and there, but personally I think it's worth it to get as close to the real vinyl experience as possible.   

News and Notes: Bottom Lounge Bust, The Note Put Out Of Its Misery, Benefit at Finch Gallery

///Avant-Chicago reports that the (re)opening of The Bottom Lounge will be delayed...again. As usual, city code issues are to blame. The scheduled Saturday night show with Haywood Yards has been moved to The Note, no word on any plan B for the Urge Overkill show on Friday.

///And speaking of The Note, tonight Tankboy is presenting a farewell concert for the venue as it will soon be closing its doors as a part-time rock venue. The speculation is that the 4am spot will reemerge as another preppy club catering to the gentrified crowd...which is lame, but did anyone genuinely like that place as a music venue? I'm guessing the phrase, "sweet, their show is at The Note!!" was rarely, if ever, heard around these parts. Perhaps it's for the best...   

///Also earlier on tonight in Logan Square, there's a silent auction benefit at the Finch Gallery featuring items from local artists and merchants, music by DJ Justin Rathell and free beer. Support the cause and get even more warm fuzzy feelings from the free booze.    

Peter Morén with Tobias Fröberg @ Schubas 4/26/08

Of course, everyone knows of the world famous Peter Morén of Sweden’s Peter, Bjorn, and John but what they don’t know is that he may just be the main man behind all those glorious pop songs and, if isolated from his other two bandmates, he has the capability to put on a swell show full of not only his own songs but songs from PB&J and fun covers to boot.  He’s clearly not going to disappoint anyone who sees him on this tour.

Download: Peter Bjorn & John - "Objects of my Affection"

Foals @ Subterranean 4/26/08

It seems like every week, there's a new buzz band being imported from the UK. Since the Arctic Monkeys made it big a few years ago, the world has turned its attention to the UK to find the next big thing. People in the UK are more fickle about bands than they are here in the U.S. They may like a band for a hot minute, then discard them and move onto the next over-hyped one. At the beginning of the year, several publications came out with their "bands to watch in 2008" lists. Oxford, England quintet Foals made an appearance touted to breakthrough this year. The band released its debut a few weeks ago, Antidotes, to tepid reviews. In a month they will have been forgotten overseas, which is a shame because Foals' record is solid and its live performances intense, frenetic and satisfying enough to prove just maybe Foals is more than a flash in a pan Vampire Weekend.

Download: Foals - "Two Steps, Twice"

Mini Interview: Farmer speaks with The Foals

Not to be too Anglophilic in my writing here, but there is sometimes a striking difference between the sounds created from across the blistering North Atlantic, for better or for worse. Luckily for the crowd at the near capacity Subterranean in Chicago, this was to all of ours advantage. Hailing from Oxford, England, the city of one of Western Civilizations oldest universities, (and the home of another little English band, Radiohead) the Foals made a stop here on their first proper tour of these United States.

Earth with Helen Money @ The Note 4/25/08

Although it’s technically true to say that Earth is a drone band, this genre doesn’t fully describe their sound.  There are many drone bands that tend to come off as just downright noise based or trying to be more experimental than anything else.  Though this instrumental four piece from Seattle definitely offers an alternative to your standard American pop band, they’ve created music that is effective in eliciting an emotion as well.

Download: Earth - "Engine of Ruin"

RFC Interview: Guy Garvey (Elbow)

Despite the haunting vibe he conveys in his songs and the delightfully dour look he conveys on the press photo to the right, Elbow frontman Guy Garvey is actually one of the funniest and easiest to talk to guys I've ever chatted with on a band interview. I had the pleasure of talking to Mr. Garvey on the phone last month as he was doing press for Elbow's latest quiet masterpiece, The Seldom Seen Kid, and their upcoming North American tour that brings them to Chicago tomorrow night for a headlining show at The Park West. Click on the jump below to get the full scoop on the making of the new record and how a love of flatuence jokes has been a core virtue that has kept the band together for almost 20 years.

News and Notes: Coachella, Pitchfork Fest, Fireside Bowl Project, Outkast, Amy Winehouse

///Coachella is the big news from over the weekend. BrooklynVegan has some great coverage, but make sure to hit all your favorite sites. Plus, don't forget to check out Prince covering Radiohead and Roger Waters endorsing Obama.

///Speaking of festivals, if you haven't checked out Pitchfork's line-up lately, they have the finalized list available. New additions include The Hold Steady, Caribou, and Sebadoh.

///The Fireside Bowl Project, an effort to artistically remember the rock 'n' roll/bowling haven, officially opens on May 2nd with an opening reception from 5:30pm till 8pm. Check it out at Hokin Center Gallery and Annex, 623 S. Wabash, 1st Floor, Chicago. If you can't make the opening reception go anytime Monday-Thursday: 9am to 7pm or Friday: 9am to 5pm.

///Outkast may be looking at 2009 for a new album. [Thanks, Consequence of Sound]

///In the continuing fiasco that is Amy Winehouse's life, police have given her an official caution after she allegedly found herself in a bar scuffle. [Thanks, Billboard]