They say practice makes perfect. One of these days, I'll learn how to take some good photos and NOT cover up the camera microphone with my fingers when I'm trying to record a song (see video below... doh).

While I may not have been on top of my game last evening, Celebration most definitely was. The trio from Baltimore ripped through quite an energetic set that was enough to get most of the crowd moving. For a Tuesday night at the Empty Bottle, getting people to dance is no small feat, a definite credit to the band. I was most impressed with drummer David Bergander. It's always fun to watch a drummer who is a heavy hitter yet restrained just enough to not lose their precision. In fact, I think I paid so much attention to the drummer and feisty frontwoman Katrina Ford that I completey neglected the guitarist/keyboard player Sean Antanaitis. Had I been paying attention, I would have noticed his "guitorgan", or "an electric guitar hand-modified so that it can produce sound through an analogue organ tone generator as well as through its conventional pickups." Although something tells me that when you spend 95% of your time on stage with your back to the crowd (which I'm not sure was as much of a calculated move as one devised that night for the Empty Bottle stage), people tend to forget your presence.

For all that I've heard about this band (and bands previous to Celebration), I certainly think they lived up to their billing as an intense live act. Maybe next time around, I'll remember to bring my A-game as well.

Thrill Jockey heavyweights, The Sea and Cake, have released their 6th full length record today, entitled Everybody. Double Time Feel has anxiously awaited this record, and from the first listen from beginning to end we are reminded why. Sea and Cake fans have a devoted following here in Chicago (and elsewhere I'm sure), and this record will do more to strengthen that notion.

The record kicks off with 'Up on Crutches', a song that exemplifies the Sea and Cake sound. A mid tempo guitar riff and a bouncy bass line give way to John McEntire's drums and an ever-so slightly overdriven guitar. As the song begins to take shape, the soothing voice of Sam Prekop starts the record on a great note.

The Sea and Cake aren't necessarily known for their innovation in terms of being a genre-defining band, but their prowess for writing consistently solid records is hard to argue with. For my tastes, Everybody represents a step up from their 2003 release, One Bedroom. The songs are very guitar-centric and rely on a rock solid rhythm section, and the just-above-a-whisper vocals of Prekop and Archer Prewitt are always the highlight.

If you are already a fan of the band, I don't think the record will do much to sway your opinion either way. The Sea and Cake will continue to sound like The Sea and Cake, and with fantastic results. I'll never understand why bands catch so much flak for producing one sound, because not every band needs to reinvent the wheel or challenge convention with every release. Everybody is such a great record because there is no filler, and it plays to the strengths of what make The Sea and Cake so revered in the city of Chicago. My only beef with the band lies in the fact that 1) they are relatively slow when it comes to releasing records, and 2) live shows are a rarity.

If you aren't too familiar with the band but you enjoy a great pop song every now and again, I'd highly recommend checking this record out. Sample 'Crossing Line' from the Thrill Jockey website, or check them out live during a 2 set evening at the Empty Bottle on May 31st.

It's a question we all ask ourselves and our friends, perhaps more often than we'd like to admit:

"What the hell is going on this weekend?"

Luckily, Double Time Feel has got the answer for you, at least for this weekend. In fact, we've asked members from 2 local bands to give you a heads up on some great shows taking place on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. This is a chance to show your friends that this weekend, you are on top of the game and callin' the shots.

Friday, 10:00 PM
The Hideout (1354 W. Wabansia)
The Narrator plays their record release show for All That To the Wall, now available on Flameshovel Records. If you are into the moodier, spazzy sounds of indie rock, this set is not to be missed. Also, opening the show will be Tight Phantomz, another band that everyone needs to see at least once in their lifetime. It's loud, it's proud, and it's pure rock and roll in every sense of the word. When the bands are done, there will also be a DJ set by members of Chicago's own Mannequin Men.

I had the chance to ask The Narrator's Jesse Woghin some quick questions about the show, booze, and dancing... here's how it went down:

DTF: What can we expect from your performance?
Jesse: Full-album streams, girlish screams and realizations of childhood dreams.

DTF: If I bought a round of shots for the band before your set (based on your recommendation), what would you pick for each member?
Jesse: James: Whisky
Jesse: Whisky / Tequila
Kevin: Tequila / Rum
Sam: Whisky
We are easy to please when it comes to booze, but are not too punk for the top-shelf. Or the middle one. We're maybe not punk enough for the rail, though.

DTF: What do you enjoy about playing music in Chicago?
Jesse: Lot of great venues with friendly folks working at them and a lot of great bands to rage the stage with.

DTF: Which member of the band is going to tear up the dance floor the most during the Mannequin Men DJ set?
Jesse: Probably James. He's got moves like Freddy Mercury. I might give him a run for his money, though. Go on. Take the money and run. Whoo hoo hoo.

DTF: Why should I come to your show?
Jesse: Dude. It's my fucking birthday. C'mon.

'nuff said!

Saturday, 3:00 PM
Hyde Park Art Center ( 5020 S. Cornell Avenue)
Locks is a duo consisting of Theo Katsaounis and Patrick Scott, although if you were to watch their set with your eyes closed, you'd swear there were at least 4 people on stage. Their experimental sound is full of surprises around every corner, and no one composition sounds like the next. In fact, each song can be a journey through a multitude of styles ranging from a electronically altered vocal loop layered over jangly rhythms, only to stop on a dime to present a bombastic drum fill with crushing guitar riffs. For this show, Locks will be joined by vocalist Carol Genetti in what is sure to be a set you won't want to miss.

In the spirit of letting the musicians speak for themselves, I asked Katsaounis and Scott similar questions about their show (and, of course, some having nothing to do with anything).

DTF: What can we expect from your performance?
Theo: Two dudes running with it as far as we can. Then when we've gone as far as our little saucers took us, we'd come back and say that 'we went there'.
Patrick: Exactly what Theo said, but with the all powerful Carol Genetti alternately shaking her head in bewilderment that we're really this ridiculous and showing us up.

DTF: What instrument best represents your personality?
Theo: The melodica. Why? Because it sounds like a harmonica, but isn't quite a harmonica. I sound like a musician, but am not quite a musician, and I have no personality.
Patrick: The sandwich, because it's a bunch of stuff all crammed together that probably wouldn't be that great on it's own but in it's unified form has made eating pretty spectacular for the past 4,000,000 years.

DTF: What do you enjoy about playing music in Chicago?
Theo + Patrick: Making our friends think they have to enjoy us by guilt trippin' them into coming to our shows. How can you not enjoy that?!!

DTF: In 5 words or less, explain how you feel about Paris Hilton doin' hard time.
Theo: Is this her sequel? (ed. note... LOL)
Patrick: I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about, and that makes me very very happy.

DTF: Why should I come to your show?
Theo: Scene points baby!!!
Patrick: Because LORDI isn't playing until August.

So there you have it... scene points to be awarded on Saturday for your attendance... this makes the show pretty much mandatory.

Simply stated, Tornavalanche bring it. As the name implies, it is full-on fury, noise, and aggression. What makes the music so thrilling to witness live is the sharpness in which the songs are delivered. It is not blazing fast hardcore where rhythm and melody tend to get lost in the shuffle, but an exacting presence that was very much on point last Friday night at the Beat Kitchen. Late last summer I was fortunate to hear a promotional copy of their current EP No Money, No Problems while on tour with my own band, and rarely did we drive from city to city without listening to it. Most of the songs from the EP were played on Friday, much to the enjoyment of those in attendance. For those who don't know, Tornavalanche utilize two drummers... a feat that only few bands try, and even less succeed at doing it well. They know when to mirror each others parts (which must be tough given the nuances of drummers), and when to complement one another. I found the most enjoyable parts of the set to be when they locked up and bashed the hell out of their kits in unison, especially in the song 'Only the Nerds Got Pissed.'

Headlining the show was Haymarket Riot. I first saw them back in 1999 (i think?) when they played a show in the town where I attended college. In those 8+ years since that show, Haymarket Riot has come to represent everything I love about punk music in Chicago. Friday's show only added to their reputation, as they played yet another high octane show. Unfortuantely, I have missed their last few Chicago shows, and with their live appearances occurring less and less these days, I was excited to hear a few new songs. The still played a few from Mog and Bloodshot Eyes, two records that are still in regular rotation for me. Before I realized it, they had performed their last song, turned their amps off, and walked offstage. I was going to start heckling them towards the end of their set to play 'Castor Oil', a personal favorite, but I did a pretty piss poor job of estimating 'end of their set'. Oh well... maybe next time. So... Kevin, Fred, Chris, and/or Brian, for your next Chicago show... play Castor Oil!

By now you have probably noticed the sweet photos accompanying this entry, and thankfully not subject to mine (although i did take a few of my own, up on Flickr as usual). These photos are courtesy of Andrew Ballantyne, and hopefully you will see more of his work here from time to time. Thanks again to Andrew for sending me the photos.

The folks over at Chicago Tourfilter are doing some great work that deserves recognition. The idea behind the site is something that I had once attempted to put together, but failed miserably. In a nutshell, its a pretty comprehensive list of upcoming shows at just about every Chicago venue worth mentioning. You can search for bands using a pretty slick user interface (w00t AJAX), and even register for an account where you can type in band names you would like to stay informed about. When the Tourfilter database picks up that band coming to town, you get a nice email reminder telling you the details of the show. I created an account last week and put in a few bands, and everything worked swimmingly. Now, you have no excuse to claim ''I didn't know!' when your favorite band comes to town. Check it out!