July 2010

The next issue of the Village Voice comes out tomorrow and the cover story hits home – a profile of the Nitrous Mafia and the destruction left in their wake.

We’re less than two weeks away from what looks to be the biggest and best Camp Bisco yet, as Camp Bisco 9 runs from July 15 – 17 at Indian

Ween @ Aragon Ballrom, June 25

Words and Images: Allison Taich

On June 25, 2010 Chicago fans of the brown gathered around the city’s Aragon Ballroom to witness the triumphant return of Ween to the Windy City. It had been three long years since the eclectic-rockers had performed in the area, and it was clear they had been missed.

Over the course of two-and-a-half hours the proprietors of brown lavished fans with songs spanning their 20+ year career.

At nine o’clock sharp the guys of Ween casually strolled onstage and tuned up their instruments. The audience cheered wildly in anticipation as lead singer Gene Ween offered a brief hello. Soon after, the band set into the evening with the solemn sea tale She Wanted to Leave. Between the disenchanted lyrics of love and loss, and an eerie blue glow cast upon the stage, it felt that Ween began with the end.

As the set progressed the band journeyed onward and pumped out gem after gem from their vast catalog of original songs. Naturally, Ween showcased their trademark ability to consistently transition between a variety of musical genres and personas. Together the quintet traveled to the edges of space with the sedative Zoloft, delivered the callused fist pumping honky tonk Piss Up a Rope and even embraced the virtuous smooth jazz jam Your Party. The sleek presence of Your Party was enhanced by keyboardist Glenn McClelland’s handiwork. With each lyrical break McClelland’s fingers fluttered across the keys adding a lustrous finish to an already suave melody.

READ ON for more of Allison’s thoughts and photos from Ween…

“Hen til al hvem vil ikke lytte , al er lydløs.” – To all whom will not listen, all is silent.

Restart Game. Roll camera. Take #51.

One is forced to think about man’s place in the universe and why, incredibly, one truly needs to forget all of the philosophical adventures and “What does it all mean?” ignorant posturing, and just get on with Life…even if there are ghosts in your hospital. Enlightenment and Immortality aren’t goals; they are merely signposts on the path towards the Kingdom. We have come so far on this strange film expedition, but also appear as humble psychic urchins on a little celluloid adventure. To view the universe inside out? To see the Kingdom through the eyes of a child? Ahh…but, we are talking about a truly fucked-up place in this week’s Hidden Flick, Part I of Riget.

Created by Lars von Trier, and co-directed by the controversial filmmaker and Morten Arnfred, the eight-part Danish television series from 1994 (Part I) and 1997 (Part II), ventured into the realm of ghosts, noodle illness, terminal diseases, the mentally challenged as sage storytellers, and a fixation on demented weirdness for its own sake. You know—your usual banquet of essential ingredients for a Flick in Season 4 of our little romp through the international cinematic wormhole of movie madness. Oh, and, as mentioned, the gloves are off—sometimes, these editions will feature work that is covered on the small screen, albeit on a very wide canvas such as this eight-hour beast.

If you’ve been with us this far, you know I don’t summarize, define, illuminate, or underline the plot or storyline of a particular featured film. Instead, in glorious metaphysical critspeak, I see how the film relates to our modern times, and how the hidden truths of the written word, or sublime subtitle, or astute actor, or determined and focused director (“hey, you screwed up the alliteration”…yes, yes I did), and how that work speaks to the multiple concepts of good and evil, and time and (wait for it) space.

READ ON for much more on this week’s Hidden Flick…

Rush’s Time Machine Tour started last week and the band has won raves for tight performances and an inventive setlist this tour. The classic power ballad Closer to the Heart