A Few Band Reviews...

I had a section in STRAIGHT OUTTA GUATEMALA that had a few record reviews. When I wrote the first issue of this fanzine back in 2000, I could only review a few of the records and tapes that I was listening to at the time. There wasn't any reviews of band playing local shows because I didn't occur to me , I was just going to shows to live the moment. Well, since I'm really excited of owning a camera and taking some pictures at shows I decided to make a few local live band reviews. Here they are:

1.The One A.M. Radio at Ronny's Bar on California Ave.(between Palmer St. and Lyndale St.) : Well this was an interesting show, this band has a peculiar variety of instruments as you can see in the picture. They even have a laptop that has most of the drumming and background beats. It was amazing the fact that their sound live is pretty much just how they sound in a recording. I was not disappointed at all, one of the best shows i've ever been in my whole life. They played songs from all their records which I think adds a good balance for the audience. That also showed how professional and consistent they are in their music playing. It may seem like I am worshiping them but it's just the fact that this band deserves an excellent review.

2.The Ex-Models at the Empty Bottle on Western Ave. and Cortez St. (near Augusta St.): This was a double drumming riot with double robotic motion sounding guitars and highly pitched vocals that got me dancing for a small portion of the set. At times this combination can have some melody, rythm and harmony but also it can get very distorted. Lots of electronic-like sounding danceable beats. Very good job with the lightshow on stage. Their concept of subliminal erotic messages in their lyrics makes me want to get laid with this music. Just kidding! Here you can enjoy a picture of the band with a tiny crowd watching them.

3. La Quiete in a room right next to the Red Line Tap on Glenwood St. and Lunt Ave. : This quartet from Italy play a mix of chaotic screamy hardcore with moody slow paced melodic rock. They toured the U.S. in the summer of 2006 with Phoenix Bodies from Indianapolis, In. I was really excited to watch this band, unfortunately I arrived at the show right in the middle of their third or fourth song, but I truly enjoyed the rest of their set. It's funny to mention that some people referred to them as the "handsome italians". Don't ask me why because i don't know the answer to that but you judge yourself.

what happened to the good ol' chicago music scene?

Before I moved to Chicago, Illinois about 3 and half years ago I had the idea that a few of my personal favorite and greatest bands of all time were from this state. Bands like MK-Ultra, Charles Bronson and of course Los Crudos top the list. It was an era for the punk/HC scene were aggresiveness, high speed and hard political content in the lyrics were a crucial part of it. This key ingredients create a perfect blend if you ask me and it still prevails in many bands; but not the local bands I've seen in the city except for a few like Sin Orden, The Repos or The Coughs. I guess bands, music styles and people progress in many different ways.

I think Los Crudos had one of the greatest impacts in my life, not only because they were fast and furious but also because their lyrics were in Spanish. I remember being about 16 or 17 years old and living in Guatemala City when i first got over the mail a recorded tape with five songs from Los Crudos. I played it to some of my friends that I used to hang out with at that time and we were all blowned away. We couldn't believe that the singer was shouting out words in Spanish.This has to be one of the reasons why Los Crudos became one of the most famous punk bands from Chicago, because there has never been any band in the history of punk/HC with the same energy that Los Crudos had.

I consider myself lucky that in the summer of 2006 surprisingly they decided to make a reunion show in the latino neighborhood of La Villita, on 26th street in southside Chicago. I was impressed by the large crowd that gathered together to watch this classic band. In the picture you can see the famous Los Crudos frontman Martin Sorrondeguy.

I have been to other local shows but none of the bands I've seen have left me quite an impact like Los Crudos did, except for a few like Sin Orden, The Repos or The Coughs. Im not sure if I am being too critical about the music scene or maybe not involved enough to figure out what happened to those days, but don't get me wrong i think there are some people out there that could agree with me somehow. I just wish that this city had more energetic bands like there used to be last decade when it comes to punk/HC bands. (Or maybe I need to shut up and start my own!)

Immigration March in Chicago.

On a sunny and warm day of spring in Chicago it was held the worldwide known May Day parade. As many folks may know, this holiday which is a celebration of the social and economic achievements of the international labour movement is characterized by having thousands of people organized in different ways to protest about topics that generally concern a great part of the city's population. It's been quite a few years since the main focus of this march is regarding the Immigration laws in the United States.
Various ethnic groups gathered together in three vital points of the city to end an estimated 150.000 people march today in Grant Park. It was a very educational experience for myself to be part of this massive march and here is an illustrated chronology of this event:

Gathering at union park around 12:00 pm, distribution of flyers.

Protesters prepare a few drums before the march.














Beginning the march with colorful banners.
































Some of the other banners during the march.























One of the four 20 meter mini-runs by the anrachist and socialist protesters. You can actually see the black and red flags coming forward.



























Sideview of one of the various rising waves that were held during the march, it was nice to see all that solidarity from everybody.





















And the march ended at Grant Park around 4:00 pm, anarchist member tries to settle a black flag on Abraham's Lincoln monument, i believe to symbolize and conmemorate the martyrs of the Haymarket Riot and to remember lincoln as an emancipator on the abolition of slavery in the United States. Unfortunately this ended up with an intervention of the police for disturbing public ordinance.

Now the big question is: How is this going to make an effect on a possible immigration reform accepted by the Congress of the United States? Is something that we are uncertain like usual, but hopefully reforms like the Dream Act will be passed soon.