Blog

By: John Matthew Simon

Chicago was once the proud and esteemed Hog Butcher of the federalist guild known as America. Though, over the years the slaughterhouses have closed shop, the blood dried up, and the industrial means dwindle to a trickle. Nonetheless, the persistent attitude, assuaging assertion, and golden machine-gun-swagger have grinded along. Through these recent troubled times we have watched our so-called “Political Machine” take the White House, our cultures entrepreneurial aspirations become internationally respected, and our musical prowess grow to become the curators of a 100+ music festivals, including arguably the world’s finest festival, Lollapalooza. Yet, a few of us underground rockers wanted more. Inspired by long days and nights in the venerable Phantom Manor Studio recording Bully in the Hallway’s sophomore release “Crooks and their Castles”, my band mate and close friend Billy Kenefick sought to revitalize the fervent rock mojo of years past. What more could represent such a glorious time then a day of rabble-rousing Rock N’ Roll, the delicious caramel reflection of a roasted swine, the bottom of the barrel burn of firewater, and the cracking swoosh of canned American beer. Billy made it his summer’s mission to pull this off… And pull it off he has. Join us this Saturday, September 24^th for a full day of music and BBQ at Ethyl’s Beer and Wine Dive on the Near West Side at Racine and Congress, a block away from the Racine Blue Line stop. There will be plenty of pork, veggies and vegetarian minded dishes, Templeton Rye whiskey, and cheap beer to kick-off at 1pm. Following at 3pm are six terrific local Indie-Rock/Rock acts… including the Americana explosiveness of Elephant Gun, the tried and true boogie of the Chicago Stone Lightning Band, the wistful indie-pop of The Record Low, the power-punk prowess ofBully in the Hallway, the psychedelic-drive of Secret Colours, and finally… headlined by the rowdy garage rock ofMannequin Men. Rain or shine we will party in a style that would make Anthony Bourdain elated and proud.

Get your PRESALE tickets now for $10, by clicking here… or pay $15 at the door the day of.

Buying $15 a wristband gets you: All you can eat buffet featuring roasted pig, vegetarian items, exclusive drink specials (CHEAP BEER!!!), and a full day/evening of LIVE music! This event is rain or shine, All-Ages and Dog-Friendly!!!

Doors/Food starts at 1pm

Elephant Gun - 3:00pm

Chicago Stone Lightning Band - 4:00pm

The Record Low - 5:00pm

Bully in the Hallway - 6:00pm

Secret Colours - 7:00pm

Mannequin Men - 8:00pm

Rock N\’ Roll Pig Roast MixTape

Paul Blair (aka DJ White Shadow) has quite the impressive resume, especially if you’re into Gaga’s most recent release and gender-queer outcry. Even if you’re not a fan of the Lady and her frank birth rights, DJWS has been producing electronic club hits under his personal label long before the Monster Queen requested to collab. Working out of the Second City, DJWS dropped his latest mixtape, I’m Killing Me, yesterday and it’s available over at his new spash page made by VEOBA in exchange for an email. The mixtape is 5 solid tracks that keep feet moving, heads bobbing, and whatever else party peoples partake in on the dance floor. Check it out!

Chitown’s stellar pop princesses, YAWN, are going to reverberate eardrums at the end of the summer. This is a fact despite how dazed and confused their promo tosses your visuals and melts your cerebrum. The blooming high-school buddies have been cooking up tribal infused, trippy tunes and scattering taste-sized portions of their forthcoming debut, Open Season, around the interweb, and Veoba couldn’t be more aroused. If you haven’t dosed yourself with the LP’s first single “Acid”, go grab it here. Now Josh Patterson (aka The Druid Beat) has crafted a digital pamphlet of the seasonal soundscape YAWN is releasing at the end of August. Read More…

Chicago’s Union Park maxes at around 18,000 concertgoers, and given Pitchfork’s unmistakable position in the music industry, not every buzzing diehard was able to attend this year’s 6th annual self-titled festival. Even if unfortunate followers couldn’t physically sport their deck fashions on festival grounds, Pitchfork’s live stream provided adequate footage of the hourly happenings with front-of-stage, VIP (not to mention air-conditioned) locales. As if that wasn’t enough, everybody and their mothers tapped away at keyboards to digitally cascade semi-biased reviews and tweets about the weekend; including the concert highs, overrated lows, and those random unmentionables. Read More…

The first dose of White Denim‘s “Drug”, left listeners high off warped guitars, groovy electronics and angel-dust vocals; a psychedelic track that kept the bowl in a steady rotation and the hippies dancing barefoot amongst sun soaked lawns. Though it’s been a few months since the Austin outfit released their fourth LP on Downtown called D, Bjorn remakes the single before the come down reaches full, disillusioned effect. Check out the remix below and grab it here.

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Still suitable for teenaged garage hangouts, Bjorn’s rendition of “Drug” puts a leash on instrumentals and sheds light on the song’s hypnotic lyrical component. We can and will take, talk, ingest, and smoke drugs for the duration of this scorching season even in the midst of untimely overdoses (RIP Winehouse). Just remember kids always have a buddy when you’re taking a trip and don’t forget to hydrate. Cool.

My first dance with Lucy could have translated into a Skins episode from the original UK runs, the type where melting profiles flare under neon lights and at least 1 chick nearly overdoses on good times. Despite being scared shitless that I would hallucinate for the rest of my existence, hearing only wobbling dubstep repeat like a soundtrack to my burning brain, I dove into another trip with my good pal a few weeks later. If Neon Indian taught this responsible user a thing or two it’s that one’s company certainly makes or breaks an acidic adventure. Read More…

Specs and features of musical instruments only rack the brains of concerned players and enthusiasts alike. It’s not normal for mere fans to ponder the ins and outs of a band’s equipment unless you’re a designated groupie, and even when that’s the case, the skill of a musician determines his/her worthiness despite the flashy tools they tow around. But since VEOBlog halfheartedly focuses around content of the melodic variety, Pete Hilton introduces a woody, backwood aspect to the instruments that make music possible.

Though not completely opposed to faux riffs and synthesized chords, Hilton devotes long days and after-hour nights towards customizing instruments in his NY quarters. His life has centered around music since his youth, but after exhausting faulty, manufactured pieces and straying from the path of permanent ink artist, Hilton honed his woodworking abilities to create a personal line of stringed pieces aptly named Hilton Guitars. Read More…

Looks like Theophilus London hung up his flat-brim and decided to dress classy in a fedora and complimentary velvet suit for his debut LP Timez Are Weird These Days. The Brooklyn rapper clearly straddles fashion tastes and blends musical genres from current and past decades; mixing 80′s synth pings with melodic loops and smooth, battling vocals. But with an album name sounding similar to something Grandpa would mutter at the dinner table, it’s refreshing to hear London’s single “Why Even Try” get a RAC makeover. Listen below and grab the remix here.

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The not-so-fat Fat Tony returns to Veoba blog with his latest video taken from the rapper’s 2010 debut RABDARGAB. Despite its lack of Cheetos, Fritos, and other fatty fat foods that were chewed off in “You Ain’t Fat”, the Texas rapper still spits about his personal ventures and perpetual goal of returning home all high and confused. Read More…

With Pitchfork around the corner and hipster enthusiasm reaching an all time high, it only seems necessary to highlight some of the acts Chicago will feast their eyes and ears on this weekend. Philly natives, Sun Airway, will take the blue stage Saturday afternoon and pour out their whimsy bliss-pop, mostly made from drum machines and swelling synths, to a crowd of black framed spectacles. Read More…