We've only just started 2017, and we’re already fortunate enough to be hosting FOUR local record labels showcasing FIFTEEN artists this month. Joining us in the fight against .mp3’s with Impossible Colors, Tall Pat Records, For Practically Everyone, and Pretty All Right.
1/10 | Impossible Colors ‘Down in the Trumps’: A Benefit for the Chicago Community Bond Fund: We kicked this streak off on 1/10, when Impossible Colors rolled through with a benefit for the Chicago Community Bond Fun. Civil rights lawyer and musician, Adele Nicholas, collaboratedwith artist Kriss Stress to compile a 14 track mixtape to protest against the ideology of where our political system is heading in the upcoming weeks. All proceeds of the mixtape were donated to the Chicago Community Bond Fund while ticket sales from the 1/10 show went towards helping Planned Parenthood.
1/24 | A Very Tall Pat Records Showcase: FRIENDS! FRIENDS! FRIENDS! We have a very special night planned for you on Tuesday, January 24th, courtesy of Tall Pat Records. Comm To Black is back to attack, headlining the evening, with support by local psychedelic headbangers HAIR and songwriting extraordinaire, Joey Rubbish’s newest outfit GIANTOLOGY. DJing for the night is Tall Pat’s DAD, and we all know that dads rock the hardest out of anyone so...
1/25 | Pretty All Right Night: Come through January 25 for a night of DJing, drum machines and dancing! We’re excited to host a celebration of Pretty Alright Records, Tom Owens’s decade-old label dedicated to eccentric experimental electronic music. Owens himself will spin his favorite tunes as DJ Potions to kick off the night before leading into performances by fellow locals WINSTON LASKER, SPA MOANS, and BLU SHAM.
1/29 | FPE Presents: Everyone Has A Voice: Come on, come all - literally EVERYONE is invited to FPE Record’s night, “Everyone Has A Voice”. Turning 5 years old this year, local label, FPE has released a diverse pallet of music thus far including half bro/sis duo ZIGTEBRA and classically trained songbird SYNA SO PRO. Since 2010, ZIGTEBRA has been writing positive catchy pop numbers that would compliment any Wes Anderson film. And is there anything that SYNA SO PRO can’t do? We are very pleased to host this One Woman Musical Enigma, loop artist and multi-instrumentalist on our stage.
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by Kelsie HogueNow more than ever, the act of cultivating a safe space is imperative. A safe space is simply an environment where anyone regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religious affiliation or physical/mental ability are able to express themselves freely without fear of their comfort or safety being at risk. Over the past two years, sibling duo Donnie and Madison Moore have cultivated pure fun with their monthly LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and more) show Glitter Creeps.Taking place every third Wednesday of the month at The Empty Bottle, Glitter Creeps features a broad spectrum of voices and styles, reinforcing the idea that queer nights are for everyone. To celebrate their official toddler phase we’re throwing a party for anyone and everyone on Wednesday, November 16th, featuring everyone’s favorite punk weirdo NOBUNNY, with support from PROUD PARENTS, BEV RAGE & THE DRINKS, and an interlude by drag entertainer LUCY STOOLE.I got the chance to grab some pure unfiltered sound bites from both Donnie and Madison Moore of the Glitter Creeps as well as Justin Champlin aka NOBUNNY on the importance of such a gathering within the Chicago music scene. Allow their tender musings to tide you over until the big night. See you on November 16th!
Glitter Creeps
Absolutely Not (photo by Marisa KM)
GOGGS Performing during the August Glitter Creeps (photo by Marisa KM)
Along with being at the helm of Glitter Creeps, Donnie and Madison Moore make up two thirds of local glam punk outfit ABSOLUTELY NOT. With Donnie on vox and guitar, Madison on keys and backup vox and Santiago Guerrero on drums, ABSOLUTELY NOT has carved out their own unabashedly queer and tenacious space in the Chicago music scene with multiple performances at The Bottle.Where did the idea for Glitter Creeps come from and how did it end up at the bottle?Donnie: Most of my young adult life I searched for cool rock or punk related LGBTQIA events, but the options were extremely limited. After living in Chicago for a couple of years, I found out about things like Fed Up Fest, Homocore, and Queer Social Club (QSC) night at Archie's. After attending and guest DJing a few QSC events I became good friends with Pete, who was the organizer at the time). He asked Madison and I if we wanted to take over QSC, and refresh it with a new name and style. My dreams had come true! I was now a part of organizing a night geared toward the LGBTQIA+ community with the style of music and culture that I identify with. I was was excited to provide such an event for like-minded people that had very little options. After successfully doing many Glitter Creeps at Archies, Madison and I just couldn't shake the nagging feeling of wanting to go even bigger where we could have live bands performing at our events. One day I walked my silly ass into the Empty Bottle, and had a very long, nice talk with Christen Thomas who was the talent buyer at the time, and she was 100% into the idea of Glitter Creeps. Three months later, on November 19th 2014, we launched Glitter Creeps at Empty Bottle with THE CELL PHONES, PAPER MICE, and SPACE BLOOD. What does making an LGBTQIA+ inclusive space mean to you?Donnie: Glitter Creeps is an event where everyone should feel comfortable. Gay, Straight, Black, White, Male, Female, Transgender, Genderqueer, etc, literally ANYONE with an open mind and an open heart are welcome. Obviously, the event is heavily geared toward the LGBTQIA+ community, but we're not trying to be one of those events that say they are only there for one part of the community. In my dream world, there would be something for everyone in every establishment. Unfortunately, the world isn't like that, so that's why events like Glitter Creeps are extremely necessary. It's a place where the entire LGBTQIA community are safe to express themselves fully, and feel very comfortable doing so! That same offer goes out to open minded heterosexual males and females as well! If you are supportive of all races, and all sexual preferences and identities, you are welcome at Glitter Creeps!Any memorable Glitter Creeps moments from the past two years that stick out?Donnie: Honestly, I have a favorite memory from each show. Every single band that has played Glitter Creeps so far has really given us spectacular performances. It really makes me happy beyond words to see bands going balls to the wall because they know there will be no judgement at Glitter Creeps. That's literally what I live for. I love when music is truly genuine, and performers are bringing their highest levels of expression. GET WEIRD! GET REAL! You only live once, so BE TRUE TO WHO YOU REALLY ARE!Madison: I couldn't agree more with Donnie. However, if I had to choose, I'd probably have to go with the show where, along with SODDY DAISY, our band got to open for GOGGS (Ty Segall’s latest project). Such an awesome night.Donnie: Oh yeah, duh. [laughs].What do you hope to continue/change/explore with another year of Glitter Creeps?Donnie: Honestly, we just want to keep having great bands and amazing shows. We are trying not to repeat any bands for as long as humanly possible, so wish us luck with that!What does the 2 year anniversary mean to you?Donnie: It means growth, and it means happiness. We've definitely experienced personal growth from running Glitter Creeps for two years, and hope we've helped encourage further growth in the happiness and comfort levels in punk/rock side of the LGBTQIA community as well. With bands like NOBUNNY, Micachu and The Shapes, Royal Headache, and GOGGS playing and showing mega love for the event, that light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter and brighter for the community.Any news about your band Absolutely Not?Donnie & Madison: Yes! We are working on finishing the new LP, and we just released the first single/music video from it recently!
Interview with NOBUNNY
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Justin Champlin crashed onto the scene in 2001 with his explosively lovable punk/rock n’ roll persona NOBUNNY. With gloriously crusty glam stage antics filled with costumes, nudity and a very special bunny mask, NOBUNNY has captured the hearts of cuties all over.How long have you known about Glitter Creeps and what does it mean to you to be a part of the two year anniversary?Nobunny: I met Donnie and Madison right when they started doing Glitter Creeps two years ago. I'm stoked they invited me! Any favorite Empty Bottle memories?Nobunny: Setting up an interview with a band when I was 19 and Bruce letting me in, as long as I stood on the radiator by the front door. Taking acid for free jazz improv nights. My grandmother attending a Nobunny show and commenting on how dirty the bathroom was.How integral is your live performance when writing new material?Nobunny: I don't generally think about performing live when writing. I suppose sometimes though, I think "this is gonna sound killer live"or, "this will never work live". One song at a time!Can we touch base on the Elvis impersonation time in your life?Nobunny: Elvis impersonation is a decent way to pay the bills, but Nobunny is more creatively fulfilling.
Empty Bottle Book Curbside Splendor
In case you haven't heard, a year from now (October 2015) Chicago publisher Curbside Splendor is putting out a book about us and they want your stories, photographs, and art! This is the LAST CALL for submissions: You have until December 31st, 2014 to submit something for the Empty Bottle BOOK! Journey through the dark, twisted, beer-soaked canals of your mind to come up with something YOU think the people will want to read about.Here's what Curbside has to say about the book: "We want your stories, photographs, and art inspired by the Empty Bottle, whether you played there, worked there, partied there, made love there, or got married there—we want it!" SUBMIT YOUR STORY HERE and get updates from the book's Facebook page.
I first met Juan Wauters in November last year, opening for his band The Beets at Glasslands in Brooklyn. We became quick friends and realized we had a lot in common musically. Months later he released his outstanding debut solo album North American Poetry. Soon after we played a handful of shows together in Austin for SXSW, where we did nothing but chill. Since then we've kept in touch and hang whenever the opportunity is there. Juan and homeboy Mac Demarco dropped by my last show in Brooklyn a couple months back, which is when the picture above was taken.To get down to business, Juan is one of the most unique songwriters in recent years. He has a weird philosophical take on day-to-day living in his lyrics. His live show and aesthetic is as unique as everything else he does. Backed by Matt Volz's artwork and an array of triggered lighting, he engages the audience by himself in the chillest way imaginable.This is his third Empty Bottle performance of 2014 and I could not be more excited to have him back! I caught up with my man on the phone today for a little interview action, and here's what he had to say.Jimmy: Sup Homie!Juan: Sup son! Stoked to come back to Chicago and hang!Jimmy: Let's get down to brass tax real quick. Plenty of time to shoot the shit later tonight. Gotta be a pro-journalist for a second.Juan: Whatever you want to know, bro.Jimmy: One of my favorite things about your lyrics is your take on day-to day-living, some might say it's kind of philosophical...Juan: I just like to think about myself and how to make myself better, you know? I just think about they way I think and how I am, and the way the world works. Kind of my commentary on the world's condition and the human condition. I don't know 'bout philosophical...that sounds kinda uptight.Jimmy: Chill Philosophy?Juan: Yeah man.Jimmy: Whats the main difference for you, in shifting from doing The Beets and doing solo style?Juan: With The Beets it was more of working around the set-up and instruments we were using. But right now I can go further and explore different sounds. And it has become a lot personal now too.Jimmy: Solo is great cause you can't break up with yourself...Juan: Yea man, just living drama free!Jimmy: So you're a cutie... You get hit on by the ladies at the rock shows?Juan: Haha, yeah, I don't think I get hit on too much or anything like that. Sometimes, it's chill...I dunno dude. I like to share moments with the ladies and the guys.Jimmy: You just did Europe and kept posting about how you were accepting fruit. Did people hook it up?Juan: Yeah, people brought a lot of fruit, but fruit wasn't too good in Europe. Actually, fruit is kinda bad over there. Matt Volz got some shoes. I got some shoes.Jimmy: Was Spain really chill because Spanish is your first language?Juan: Yea, that's the first time I got to play for a Spanish-speaking audience. I've been writing a lot more in Spanish recently. And I got to sing a lot of songs in Spanish. So get to communicate. But I have a lot of Spanish-speaking kids that come to the shows in the states too. They feel like they can identify with me, which is really cool.Jimmy: What's next for Juan?Juan: Going back to New York and recording a record next week that's gonna come out in March. And have a different record coming out in January, it's a 50 minute song that I did with Carmelle. That one has many different moods, but is a really weird one. It puts people to sleep, but in a good way. Very peaceful. But I can't wait to get the second album out in March. I've been ready to do this for a long time! Thats what's up son!
Written by Mr.
In a land deep below the Earth's core, where homes are built from the bones of your enemies and acid drips from cave ceilings, where the Bog of Eternal Stench is a reality and The Humungus reigns, there exists RABBLE RABBLE. The quartet emerged from the slime of the underworld to join me in an exchange of words over the obnoxious hum of a home tattoo gun and a lot of laughter. Read on and find out whose farts belong to who, why you should definitely get in a van with a stranger who's just shit on the street, and what the more mature Rabble Rabble has to say about life in the internet age. Do your research now and prepare yourselves, for RABBLE RABBLE will be summoning a vortex of demons, farts, and out of this world sonic creations that will tear through the Empty Bottle and all of our souls on the eve of Friday the 13th. It's all in celebration of the release of their new album, BRAIN HOLE, and to start their tour of the underworld off right. RSVP here for free entrance to that live music engagement.
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ASHLEIGH DYE: So Andrew this question is for you specifically: You joined RABBLE RABBLE after it had already been a band for a while - what were your thoughts upon joining?ANDREW KETTERING: Ralph actually used to be in a band that I was the front man of called THE GREAT SOCIETY MIND DESTROYERS, we actually went on tour together, RABBLE RABBLE and the Mind Destroyers, so we were kind of like brother-sister bands. It already felt like they were my family, it wasn’t a stretch. Musically it’s very different from what I was doing with the Mind Destroyers, but just playing together felt pretty natural. We kind of just popped right into it.KAYLEE PRESTON: We changed a lot as a band, too.AK: Yeah, yeah. It took a while for everyone to adjust to me.AD: Yeah, this is a two part question - how did you guys adjust to Andrew joining the band?KP: Oh, just hated him. No, it was great. Everything kind of changed, our whole sound got heavier.AK: You guys always say that, but I will say that there are two songs that you guys wrote before I joined the band that are still our heaviest songs.KP: Well sure, we were going that way.MATT CIARLEGLIO: I think you mean heavy, with the amount of riffage, but I think the main thing when Drew joined the band was that we actually started thinking about our songs structurally and musically a lot more. Instead of it being just an onslaught of fucked-upness. Like, instead of seeing who can riff the most in the smallest amount of time, lets spread it out over the course of the song and think about the dynamic.AK: Add some space and groove…RALPH DARSKI: If anything, you’ve brought a lot of groove.AK: Groove is important to me, personally.MC: Also, lots of gas.AD: That is a great segue for another question I have! Ralph, I hear you claim to know each band member by their farts.RD: It’s true!AD: Want to give us a quick description of everyone’s?KP: When do you ever smell my farts? That’s bullshit!RD: Well, that’s the thing, I know if it’s Matt’s because it’ll be a sharp, stingy one. And Drew’s just lingers, it’s just there like a funky fog. And Kaylee’s it happens and it’s gone.MC: A flash in the pan!KP: A funky fog, a flash in the pan! God, this is hilarious.AD: What are Ralph’s like?KP: SauerkrautMC: Ralph’s are like The Mist, where it’s just moist and you can feel it seeping in and then it just dries. Leaving you like, “aw man."KP: Multiply this by like 1,000 when we are on tour.AD: What’s the grossest thing that has happened on tour?MC: Things grosser than one should ever know...RD: I will say, one time we were on tour and the first night we pull up to Bloomington or something and this guys says “I’m going to take a shit right here!” And he drops his pants and just starts shitting right on the street, right on the street, first night on tour!KP: He was also wearing an America’s Funniest Home Videos shirt.MC: On our first tour we went to Indianapolis and we didn’t really know who we were staying with so we call this guy and we’re like “Hey, we’re at your house…” and he says “OK I’ll be right out.” And this guy pulls up, that we think it's the dude we’re staying with, but it’s a random stranger. And so we are all like “Let's go get some beer” and the guys yells “Yeah, lets get some beer! I’m going to take a shit right here!” And our old bandmate Todd was like “Yeah, I’ll get beer with this guy.” So after he shits on the ground they jump in his van and drive off and five minutes later the dude we were actually staying with shows up. We freaked out and told him that our bandmate Todd is in a van with a stranger who just shit on the ground.AD: And that’s why Todd’s not in your band anymore…just kidding.RD: Yeah, and I’m calling him and he’s not answering...MC: It worked out, he eventual made it back with beer and a really cool video.AD: The "Cole’s Bathroom" video you did, was that based on actual bathroom graffiti?MC: A few years ago before we wrote the song "Cole’s Bathroom," I kept getting text messages that were pretty vile like “Who’s this blah blah, I hear you want to suck my dick” and it went on for over a month. Finally someone told me that my name and phone number were all over the bathroom walls at Cole’s. So finally a bunch of my friends and myself finally scratched them all off, I can’t say for sure who it was, but I have some ideas. So, after that we wrote the song "Cole’s Bathroom."AD: So you guys have done two videos now, "Cole’s Bathroom" and the one Mark just did for "BROKE." How did you guys all work cohesively put them together?RD: The Cole’s one was pretty off the cuff, we just decided we wanted to do it and went to Cole’s after close one night. This one we did for BROKE, we worked on that for a couple weeks figuring out the story and locations before we even started shooting. We learned a lot from "Cole’s Bathroom" on what not to do to make a music video. Even with this one, we learned some more things not to do.KP: It was pretty well organized, but at the end of the night at 3 or 4 in the morning when everyone’s wasted things get a little hairy.AD: How many hours do you think you spent on it collectively, between planning, filming, and editing?KP: I wasn’t there for a lot of it because I got a concussion like the first day.AD: How’d that happen?KP: I got kneed in the face by Hannah Hazard, of Lil Tits fame. It happens.MC: It probably took over 100 hours, at least. Mark did a ton of work with all the major editing and all.AD: If you had an endless budget what kind of story line would you do?RD: Well, one that Mark brought up was sweet. Drew goes to a thrift store and finds an inter-dimensional device. But he only has enough to get the knock off brand, so he gets the generic one and we’re trying to figure it out, but it’s all in a different language. We decide “Maybe if we play music it will turn on!” So we start playing and it turns on and zaps us to different places.AD: Kaylee, I was reading an interview you did with Tom Tom Magazine where you said you like to take traditional styles and throw your own spit in. How do you keep your spit fresh?KP: The easy answer is that my boyfriend is a fanatic, a drum enthusiast to the max. I can’t get up in the morning and have a coffee without three drums videos waiting for me. I like to practice by myself a lot, too. Not with either of the bands I’m in, just to fine tune and throw some different styles into my playing.AD: So you played a lot of basement shows for a while and I hear you all had an affinity for getting people in their underwear pretty quickly. What’s your secret?MC: We played a couple shows with the SCREAMING FEMALES at the Hideout where some bras and panties got thrown on stage.RD: I think it’s easy when people are drunk and sweaty in a basement, if you start taking off your clothes, they’ll start taking off their clothes, especially if you’re playing raging music.MC: Ralph has definitely gotten naked a couple of times.KP: You have to understand from my perspective on stage that was terrifying. I just look up and see naked Ralph bending over - it was the worst.RD: Still she is in the band though, so...KP: I’m a tough bitch.MC: There was a show a while ago that we played on Cinco de Mayo with Killer Moon at the Mutiny. When you play there you get three drinks of your choice. One of those options is a pitcher of Long Island Ice Tea, so we were all pretty much blacked out when we played.KP: I don’t even remember where this story is going…MC: I remember that in the middle in one of the songs I turned around and looked at Kaylee and Ralph had his pants off and Todd had his pants around his ankles and everyone in the crowd was screaming “Take your pants off!” So we played the rest of our set with our pants off and Todd mooned everyone, I rolled around in some broken glass and ran outside with no pants on.AD: What’s the scariest thing you’ve seen happening from the stage?KP: Matt strangling someone for touching him with their bare butt!AD: From all the crazy basement underwear shows, and brawls, and just the insane amount of people in show photos I've seen it seems like you guys were pretty notoriously wild. How has that energy grown and changed for you guys over the years?RD: In a way we still have that energy, we're still passionate and excited about what we're playing, but I think we've started to move past that whole party band sort of thing. We all grew up a bit and have more things to say and express through music than just having a good time. The feeling is all still there, but we're a little more put together now.AD: Let’s say we’ve hypothetically kept all the blood and sweat that’s been spilled at your shows over the years in giant tubs and you get to use it all at once - what would you do with it? MC: Make it into soap and sell it. Rabble soap, “Made with your own sweat and blood.”KP: We could put it in the Rabble sauce! It could be the special ingredient.AD: Oooh, what’s Rabble sauce? Tell me about that.RD: Yeah, we’re going to sell it on tour. It’s a secret sauce that you put on pizza that we developed.MC: We made this up when we recorded our record with our friend Phil and we bought like 20 pizzas from Aldi and we had all these sauces and condiments and all these special ingredients, maybe they’re illegal, maybe they’re not, but we made them into Rabble Sauce.AD: You guys want to tell me about the recording process for your upcoming album, BRAIN HOLE? I know you recorded one album out in a barn somewhere, right?RD: That was just two songs, out in the barn.MC: Our last 7” was recorded in barn above an antique store.AD: Yeah, you guys put all kinds of prizes in those, right? What kind of prizes were they?RD: We had like radom family photos…KP: And someone’s professional head shots.RD: While we were on tour, this photo studio closed down next to the venue we were playing at and we put in all the photos from the shop.AD: What’s the deal with BRAIN HOLE, where did you record that?RD: We did half at our old studio practice space - it’s called Soapbox. We did the bass and drums there, the other half we did at our friend Phil Karnat's house in Kildeer, IL. AD: How are you guys feeling about BRAIN HOLE?KP: It’s the best yet.RD: I think no ones going to expect it, in a way.KP: You can actually hear your voice, that’s a big thing.AD: Is that just from you feeling more comfortable showcasing the vocals…RD: It’s mainly the quality of the recording.MC: Also, the idea we had behind it. A lot of our previous records were just off the cuff and not really produced. With this record we decided instead of just rushing through it, let's put layers on it and produce it and add sounds that we can’t really recreate live, but still have that same energy that we have live. We have cello, Emily Cross does background vocals for us...RD: We have synths, which we never play on stage. I think in terms of vocals we actually had a clear concept of what it was about, instead of it just being “Oh, this is a song about how I got drunk that one night.” We actually had an idea and wanted to use feelings about living today and being online and who are we and all that shit.AD: Yes! I always get so overly passionate when I think about how important our generation is as far as witnessing these insane technological advancements. We’re the bridge generation! We grow up when VHS’s were the top of the line and now I know 7 year olds who have iPads, babies grow up with iPhones in their faces!RD: Right, it's just insane. If you're in to all that, you will definitely get Brain Hole.AD: Do you guys write your songs collaboratively? AK: Unfortunately yes, which is what takes so long.RD: It makes it longer of a process but...AK: It does, but it also allows each of us to have our individual voice in each song.RD: It’s important. It’s always been that way. I started the band, but it’s not MY band, it’s ours.AK: Part of why everything takes longer for us, we’re some of the busiest mother fuckers in the city.AD: Yeah, you guys have other bands, multiple jobs, kids, run businesses. It's very impressive. RSVP for FREE ENTRY to Rabble Rabble's record release hereand head over to Logan Hardware Records to pre-order your very own copy of Brain Hole today!
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San Francisco math rock legends A MINOR FOREST have reunited for their first tour in 15 years and we're lucky enough to be welcoming them back to the Empty Bottle stage on Friday, May 2nd. The show is part of CIMMfest and only costs $12. Tickets are available here. Our owner, Bruce Finkelman, was a big fan and has some words about the band.A Minor Forest was a favorite of mine.They played really intricate instrumentals that you could shake your head to.Erik had long fingernails.Andee played drums backwards.The cover of one of their albums had a drawing of people having sex.I think they used to travel in a van that used cooking oil as fuel.They are returning to the Empty Bottle on Friday, May 2ndI am really looking forward to seeing the again.You should come and see them.- Bruce Finkelman (April 2014)Last week, Imposepremiered a live video of AMF playing "So Jesus Was At The Last Supper" at San Francisco's Bottom of the Hill this past November. The video/song is over 18 minutes long. There's an interview, too.Here are some old shots of A MINOR FOREST playing at Empty Bottle in 1998 - we found them in a box of old photos.This is the video from their show at Bottom of the Hill back in November 2013: