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The RIAA's most wanted

Did the feds shut down Megaupload at big content's bidding—to keep the site from launching an iTunes competitor?
Miles Raymer - 02/02/2012
Drummer Tim Daisy writes for dance troupe the Seldoms

Plus: New releases from young MCs Rockie Fresh and Calez, and a benefit celebrating the late Mat Arluck of Sweet Cobra
Peter Margasak, Leor Galil and Kevin Warwick - 02/02/2012
Gossip Wolf: Must be the burritos

Lindsay Powell of Fielded and Rand Sevilla of Sich Mang join the exodus to LA. Plus: Eternals front man Damon Locks launches an interstellar tribute to Sun Ra
Jessica Hopper and J.R. Nelson - 02/02/2012

More …

In Rotation

In Rotation: Jail Flanagan of Forced Into Femininity on pissed-off diva Xina Xurner

Plus: Reader music editor Philip Montoro on Finnish black-metal psychonauts Oranssi Pazuzu and composer Charles Joseph Smith on Rockford piano prodigy Emily Bear

Bleader: Music

Crickets / Music This week on the B Side

Posted by Miles Raymer on Thu, Feb 9, 2012 at 1:31 PM

My interview with Ninja from South African zef-rap phenomenon Die Antwoord for this week's Reader was one of the most grueling transcription jobs I've ever done, thanks to his thick accent, the speed at which he speaks, and the extent to which he will expound on the questions asked of him—not to mention the quality of the phone connection to Johannesburg via a three-way call through a publicist's office in New York. (If you ever interview him, plan on five to seven times the amount of time you'd normally give yourself to transcribe.) But the story of Die Antwoord making a million dollars off of Interscope, then walking away owning the album the label bankrolled? It's wonderful and worth the effort.

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Crickets / Music / Food & Drink The venue formerly known as Pancho's

Posted by Luca Cimarusti on Thu, Feb 9, 2012 at 12:59 PM

Township restaurant entrance

Perhaps you noticed something a little different in this week's Reader music listings—perhaps the arrival of a new venue called Township. Turns out Township isn't entirely new; it's the revamped incarnation of Logan Square standby Pancho's.

MP Shows began booking bands at Pancho's, a mostly Cuban restaurant at 2200 N. California, in October 2010, after shows at Ronny's were suddenly shut down. A couple of months ago, MP honcho Brian Peterson and former Treat owner Tamiz Ciccone bought the place, and have since overhauled the menu, beer list, and aesthetic.

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Music / Post No Bills 12 O'Clock Track: O Têrço, "Flauta"

Posted by Peter Margasak on Thu, Feb 9, 2012 at 12:00 PM

From the mid- to late 60s, Forma was one of Brazil's best record labels, releasing top-notch bossa nova with a progressive bent. Among the artists in its catalog are Baden Powell, Quarteto em Cy, Moacir Santos, Deodato, and Carlos Lyra. I had no idea O Têrço had also cut music for Forma until Brazilian reissue label Discobertas released a pair of titles by the band in late 2010. O Têrço's music was a long way from bossa nova; they're best known as one of the country's most celebrated prog-rock outfits of the early to mid-70s. But on their self-titled debut for Forma, released in 1970, they hadn't quite reached the heights of heaviness that would soon define them. There's nothing lightweight on the debut, and you can clearly hear the churning of elaborate ideas, but the psych-pop aesthetic isn't too far from what Os Mutantes were putting down a few years earlier. O Têrço still exist, but unless you have a grudge against your ears, I wouldn't bother with their recent recordings.

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Soundboard

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Scale the Summit, Elitist, Centaurus, Burn the Remains Scale the Summit got it right when they decided to forgo vocals. Lots of instrumental metal or postrock bands eventually experiment with …