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Music, Music Feature Nov 25, 2020
Video
A eulogy for Danny’s Tavern

For decades, this cozy candlelit bar in Bucktown nurtured a devoted and welcoming community of music lovers—but it couldn’t survive the pandemic.
- By Jacob Arnold
- Tags: Music Feature, Danny’s Tavern, Bucktown, Danny’s, Sheer Magic, Play, Hot on the Heels, Danny Cimaglio, closed, closure, Angie Hebda, Terry Alexander, Michael Noone, Peter Nelson, 1951 W. Dickens, Sheree Rose, Ike Hobbs, Martin Giese, Dave Rodman, Tom Billings, My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult, Wax Trax!, Eric Puls, Scott Harris Mia Francesca, Kevin Stacy, Ken Kordich, Okno, Soul Kitchen, One Off Hospitality, Jeff Parker, Damon Locks, Joshua Abrams, Ben Vida, Beau Wanzer, Claude Rains, Foster Grant, Courtland Green, Supreme Court, Kim Ambriz, Warren Lee, Empire State Soul Club, Scott Craig, Mark Henning, Dante Carfagna, Jamie Hodge, Shaun Pauling, Richard Smith, Rik Shaw, Deadly Dragon Sound System, Great Silence, Dave Bramble, Tony Janda, Big Tony, Stephen Sowley, Melissa Grubbs, Wayne Montana, Eternally Yours, Bob Davies, Brian Kelly, Alex Horn, Nanodust, Ray Rodriguez, DJ Ray_Rod, Marc Hellner, Marc Arcuri, Chandeliers, Brian Case, Bobby Burg, Joan of Arc, Joe Proulx, Love Boat, Chris Johnson, DJ Shoulders, Adam Gruel, Jen Kienzler, DJ Quick Paw, Peace Party, Naomi Walker, Jocelyn Brown, John Herndon, Soft Pow, Josh Berman, Jason Adasiewicz, Anton Hatwich, David Boykin, Isaiah Spencer, Reminder, Town and Country, Jim Dorling, Liz Payne, International Anthem, Uncanned Music, Scottie McNiece, Makaya McCraven, Junius Paul, Nick Mazzarella, Ben LaMar Gay, Hans Ballard, Night Moves, Off Chances, Ross Winston, Lono Brazil, Disco Unusual, Chances Dances, Jamie Hayes, Tanja Buhler, Party Line, Video

Music, Music Review Nov 25, 2020
Recommended
Rob Mazurek’s latest with his Exploding Star Orchestra finds hope in the cosmos
- By Bill Meyer
- Tags: Music Review, Rob Mazurek, Exploding Star Orchestra, Dimensional Stardust, International Anthem, Nonesuch, jazz, Marfa, Millennium Park, Damon Locks, Chad Taylor, Mikel Patrick Avery, John Herndon, Recommended

Music, Music Feature Nov 19, 2020
Video
John Herndon of Tortoise has a deal for you

The influential drummer and artist shares the engrossing story of his upbringing—but mostly in hopes that you’ll give his new solo music a chance.
- By Melissa Locker
- Tags: Music Feature, John Herndon, drummer, Tortoise, A Grape Dope, Five Style, Poster Children, Isotope 217, Arthur King Presents A Grape Dope: Backyard Bangers, Backyard Blenders: The Remixes, Laetitia Sadier, Four Tet, Jeff Parker, Roberto Carlos Lange, Helado Negro, Stereolab, Jennifer Gutowski, Maestro Subgum & the Whole, Timothy Leary, Grateful Union Family Trust, Earth Guild, Camille Shafer, Azule, Precious Wax Drippings, Video

Music, Music Feature Dec 6, 2017
Slideshow Video
The Third Coming of the Jesus Lizard

On the eve of their latest return home, the band talk about why they chose Chicago—and how they became its most beautiful noise-rock monsters.
- By Kevin Warwick
- Tags: Music Feature, Jesus Lizard, the Jesus Lizard, Metro, reunion, David Yow, Duane Denison, David Wm. Sims, Mac McNeilly, Blue, Shot, Down, Liar, Goat, Head, Pure, Inch, Touch and Go, Corey Rusk, Pitchfork Music Festival, All Tomorrow’s Parties, Primavera Sound, The Jesus Lizard Book, Fly on the Wall, 7 vs. 8, Puss, Nub, Seasick, Capitol Records, Steve Albini, Tar, John Conroy, Joe Shanahan, Lounge Ax, Julia Adams, Mike Greenlees, Rainbo Club, Humboldt Park, Leo’s Lunchroom, Jim Kimball, Tomahawk, Denison/Kimball Trio, John Forbes, Mount Shasta, Slint, King Kong, Exit, Brendan Murphy, Rapeman, Scratch Acid, Cargo Cult, Rey Washam, 86, Phantom 309, Quimby’s, Gary Held, mpty Bottle, Ken Vandermark, Edge of the Looking Glass, Martin Atkins, Bangkok Bangkok, Pegboy, Didjits, Rifle Sport, Flour, Dreamerz, Czar Bar, John Herndon, Casey Rice, Dan Koretsky, Doug McCombs, Stacy Sargent, Rick Rizzo, John Haggerty, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Billions Corporation, Kaleidoscope, Foodworks, John Brannon, Negative Approach, Michael Gerald, Killdozer, U.S. Maple, Slideshow, Video

Music, Music Feature Feb 8, 2017
Audio
Chicago musicians speak up about the Affordable Care Act

Before the ACA, musicians were uninsured at more than twice the average rate—and with Trump pushing a repeal, they’re already suffering.
- By Lee V. Gaines
- Tags: Music Feature, Affordable Care Act, ACA, Obamacare, insurance, health care, repeal, health insurance, medical insurance, uninsured, preexisting condition, Matt Piet, Che Smith, Rhymefest, Helen Money, Alison Chesley, Racetraitor, Daniel Binaei, William Steffey, Lakshmi Ramgopal, Lykanthea, Jonathan Zeng, Grant Park Chorus, Chicago Fringe Opera, William Ferris Chorale, Natalie Grace Alford, Matthew Oliphant, Ensemble dal Niente, Lyric Opera, Chicago Philharmonic, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Blaine Welsh, Press, Erin Page, Alma Negra, Reivers, Eiren Caffall, Kami de Chukwu, Kami, Leather Corduroys, Carl Hauck, Sunjacket, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Trump, Future of Music Coalition, Help Musicians UK, Kevin Erickson, Medicaid, mandate, exchange, John Herndon, Tortoise, Audio

Music, Gossip Wolf Aug 23, 2016
Simulation celebrate a new tape at ESS’s Summersonic festival

Plus: Tortoise drummer John Herndon and artist Jennifer Gutowski marry at Rainbo, and Bric-a-Brac Records takes over East Room for Scummer Slam 2016.
- By J.R. Nelson and Leor Galil
- Tags: Gossip Wolf, Eye Vybe Records, Simulation, Nalumbanet, Whitney Johnson, Matchess, Laura Callier, Lulu Callier, Gel Set, ESS, Experimental Sound Studio, Summersonic, Avery Young, Melina Ausikaitis, Homme, John Herndon, tattoo, Tortoise, Jennifer Gutowski, married, wedding, Rainbo Club, Bric-a-Brac Records, Scummer Slam, Wet Wallet, Tweens, Savage Beliefs, Goethe Elementary School, Keith Herik, Gina Herzik

Best of Chicago, Introduction Jun 20, 2012
Best of Chicago 2012

An exhaustive exploration of our city and all its eccentricities
- Tags: Introduction, "Moneyworth", Best of Chicago 2012, bourbon, cannabis, deadlines, exploration, John Herndon, marijuana, Meaghan Garvey, pot decriminalization, Tortoise

Best of Chicago, Music & Nightlife Jun 20, 2012
Critics' Picks
Best Tortoise Side Project

John Herndon's tattoos
- By Miles Raymer
- Tags: Music & Nightlife, Best of Chicago 2012, Tortoise side project, John Herndon, tattoos, Misfits tattoo, Tortoise band, Critics' Picks

Blogs, Bleader Apr 12, 2012
This week on the B Side

The nonthreat of Tumblr, El-P and Million Dollar Mano talking rap music, our guide to CIMMfest, and more
- By Miles Raymer
- Tags: Music, Tumblr, John Herndon, Million Dollar Mano, Treated Crew, El-P, Company Flow, Gold Star, Susan Stursberg, Serengeti, Bang on a Can, Behemoth, Disappears, Ceremony, Bassnectar, Miguel Zenon, CIMMfest

Blogs, Bleader Mar 26, 2012
Rob Mazurek's new Pulsar Quartet debuts starting tonight

Rob Mazurek's new Pulsar Quartet, featuring superb New York pianist Angelica Sanchez, kicks off a four-night Whistler residency.
- By Peter Margasak
- Tags: Music, Post No Bills, Pulsar Quartet, Rob Mazurek, the Whistler, Angelica Sanchez, John Herndon, Matthew Lux, Ken "Bundy" Brown

Blogs, Bleader Mar 26, 2012
Video
I got a John Herndon tattoo

From the department of coming through on blog promises
- By Miles Raymer
- Tags: Style, Swag, Music, Misfits, Tortoise, John Herndon, Danzig, tattoos, punk, video, Video

Blogs, Bleader Sep 1, 2011
This week on the B Side

Jazz Fest, cool tattoos, picks from guys who make cool t-shirts, and more
- By Miles Raymer
- Tags: Crickets, Music, Chicago, Chicago Jazz Festival, African Festival of the Arts, North Coast Music Festival, Of Montreal, Wilco, Autumn Defense, Pat Sansone, Davey Pierce, Bob Nanna, Braid, Threadless, Tortoise, John Herndon, Flosstradamus, Josh Young, Chrissy Murderbot

Music, Gossip Wolf Sep 1, 2011
Needle drop, Tortoise style

Drummer John Herndon tattoos you. Plus: J2K of Flosstradamus eyes the door, and Chrissy Murderbot collects remixes of “Pop Yo Back.”
- By Jessica Hopper and J.R. Nelson
- Tags: Gossip Wolf, Tortoise, John Herndon, tattoos, Devo, Jeff Parker, Josh Young, J2K, Flosstradamus, DJ Autobot, Curt Cameruci, Kid Sister, Chrissy Murderbot, Loose Squares, DJ Lil'Tal, Squire of Gothos, Sonido Rampage y Nader, Machinedrum

Blogs, Bleader Aug 29, 2011
John Herndon continues to be amazing

Tortoise drummer expands into giving insanely brilliant tattoos
- By Miles Raymer
- Tags: Music, John Herndon, Tortoise, Chicago, tattoos, visual art, Archer Prewitt, Sof' Boy

Music, Soundboard Jul 21, 2011
Soundboard, July 21-27

Juke Fest 2011, Wild Flag, Thee Oh Sees, Bon Iver, and other notable shows
- Tags: Soundboard, Claw Toe, Timber Timbre, Marissa Nadler, Juke Fest 2011, Sonny & the Sunsets, Gillian Welch, Wild Flag, Monument, Thee Oh Sees, Bon Iver, Cass McCombs, Starlicker, Rob Mazurek, John Herndon, Jason Adasiewicz, Empty Bottle, Schubas, Smart Bar, the Vic, Subterranean, Chicago Theatre, Hideout, Illinois Centennial Monument

Music, Three Beats Jul 21, 2011
Three Beats: Chicago vs. Atlanta on a new cassette comp of local psych

Plus: A transformed Singer returns for a second album, and Parallax Sounds, a doc on Chicago architecture and music, needs your support
- By Leor Galil, Peter Margasak, and Kevin Warwick
- Tags: Three Beats, 'Spective Audio, Atlanta, Vital-Sound I, Nicholas Zettel, Cyrus Shahmir, the N.E.C., Sovus Radio, All the Saints, Implodes, Killer Moon, Leavitt Ours, Cinchel, Singer, Mindreading, Drag City, Rob Lowe, Adam Vida, Ben Vida, Todd Rittmann, Dead Rider, Unhistories, Ben Russell, A Spell to Ward Off the Darkness, Parallax Sounds, Giancarlo Grande, Augusto Contento, Kickstarter, Hideout, Ken Vandermark, John Herndon, Tortoise, Steve Albini, Shellac, David Grubbs, Gastr del Sol, Jason Adasiewicz, Bob Weston, Ian Williams, Battles, Damon Locks, Wayne Montana, Eternals

Blogs, Bleader Jun 27, 2011
The jazz in Jaga Jazzist

The group plays Lincoln Hall Wednesday, and has much in common with Tortoise, including several members who play high-level jazz.
- By Peter Margasak
- Tags: Music, Post No Bills, Jaga Jazzist, Tortoise, Lincoln Hall, Mathias Eick, Jeff Parker, John Herndon, Oystein Moen, Andreas Mjos, Erik Johannessen, Torstein Lofthus, Gard Nilssen

Blogs, Bleader Nov 10, 2009
Video
What Would Tortoise Buy?

Members of Tortoise, interviewed at Amoeba Records in LA, respond in their particular style.
- By Peter Margasak
- Tags: Music, Post No Bills, Tortoise, Amoeba Records, record shops, Los Angeles, John Herndon, Douglas McCombs, Video

Blogs, Bleader Aug 3, 2006
Powerhouse Sound, indeed

Powerhouse Sound blows up the Hideout
- By Peter Margasak
- Tags: Music, Post No Bills, Powerhouse Sound, Ken Vandermark, Jeff Parker, John Herndon, Nate Mcbride

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For decades, this cozy candlelit bar in Bucktown nurtured a devoted and welcoming community of music lovers—but it couldn’t survive the pandemic.

The influential drummer and artist shares the engrossing story of his upbringing—but mostly in hopes that you’ll give his new solo music a chance.

On the eve of their latest return home, the band talk about why they chose Chicago—and how they became its most beautiful noise-rock monsters.

Before the ACA, musicians were uninsured at more than twice the average rate—and with Trump pushing a repeal, they’re already suffering.

Plus: Tortoise drummer John Herndon and artist Jennifer Gutowski marry at Rainbo, and Bric-a-Brac Records takes over East Room for Scummer Slam 2016.

An exhaustive exploration of our city and all its eccentricities

John Herndon's tattoos

The nonthreat of Tumblr, El-P and Million Dollar Mano talking rap music, our guide to CIMMfest, and more

Rob Mazurek's new Pulsar Quartet, featuring superb New York pianist Angelica Sanchez, kicks off a four-night Whistler residency.

From the department of coming through on blog promises

Jazz Fest, cool tattoos, picks from guys who make cool t-shirts, and more

Drummer John Herndon tattoos you. Plus: J2K of Flosstradamus eyes the door, and Chrissy Murderbot collects remixes of “Pop Yo Back.”

Tortoise drummer expands into giving insanely brilliant tattoos

Juke Fest 2011, Wild Flag, Thee Oh Sees, Bon Iver, and other notable shows

Plus: A transformed Singer returns for a second album, and Parallax Sounds, a doc on Chicago architecture and music, needs your support

The group plays Lincoln Hall Wednesday, and has much in common with Tortoise, including several members who play high-level jazz.

Members of Tortoise, interviewed at Amoeba Records in LA, respond in their particular style.

Powerhouse Sound blows up the Hideout

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