In Defense of Philip Seymour Hoffman

Addiction is a disease. The brain of the addict is different than the “normal” human brain. It craves escape. Numbness. A reprieve from reality.

Japandroids in Chicago: They Yell Like Hell to the Heavens

  Like Muse or the Black Keys, here’s the story of a band that could find itself – out of nowhere and after some further evolution – all of a sudden playing arenas within a matter of just a few years. Japandroids – this year’s indie rock breakout stars – clobbered a crowd of 1,200 […]

Nirvana Reunite: Bittersweet Without Kurt, Historic with Paul McCartney

  It has been said that Kurt Cobain was my generation’s John Lennon. I believe it to be true. But last night fans got their fix of Nirvana with another Beatle on board – Paul McCartney. Yep… hell froze over last night. Nirvana reunited. Minus Kurt Cobain of course. But with Paul McCartney on vocals. […]

Rock ‘N’ Roll Gift Guide

  The metalhead. The indie rocker. The audiophile. The punk rocker. In the age of streaming, you can’t buy the music fan on your list a CD – well I guess you can, but so few of us are using CD players these days. Check out these ideas that are a bit outside the norm. […]

Matt + Kim = Happiness And Cheer

  Matt and Kim on the big screen. See the them playing in the darkness below.   Matt and Kim have more fun on stage than any band in recent memory. And for the crowd, the feeling is mutual.  Not even the Flaming Lips or Polyphonic Spree hold a candle to the band’s spunk, energy […]

Sleigh Bells: Joan Jett Reincarnated

Singer Alexis Krauss Delivers One of This Year’s Best Shows   She’s got a singing voice as smooth as ice cream. She can scream with the best of ‘em. Her speaking voice is like Marilyn Monroe. And she’s got a style and stage presence we haven’t seen from a female rocker since Joan Jett or Exene Cervenka […]

Everyday Is Halloween

The ConorTV Playlist Vol. 7     You will not find “Thriller” on my Halloween playlist. Nor will you find “The Monster Mash” or “The Munster’s Theme.” Iron Maiden? Check. The Misfits? Check. Ministry? Check. Indie rock songs about vampires and ghosts? Check. Even some Johnny Cash. I hope you enjoy this alternative Halloween playlist. […]

The Dazing Power of John Darnielle

The Mountain Goats Win Over Chicago Fanboys and Fangirls With Ease     He is the only guitarist who wields an acoustic like it’s an axe. And that axe delivered a drop-dead ravishing performance Saturday night at the Vic Theatre in Chicago. The genius behind the Mountain Goats –  John Darnielle – is also the […]