Sunday February 5th 2012 - 6PM - 1AM / $5

w/ 4Lizard Productions & More!

4Lizard Productions is an independent film company founded by Michael Schmid and Chad Foor in 2001 while residing in Austin, TX. The short film Dreams For Life was produced there, as well as a staged performance of Matt Pelfrey's Drive Angry at Fronterafest. Relocating to Chicago in 2004, we are proud to now be also working in partnership with Patrick Love. In Chicago we have produced four short films in Wives & Suicide, Toilet Pursuit, Office Conspiracy, and Green Lobster Men From Planet Z!, as well as the feature film ED & The Awakening. In 2011, we will be producing the webisode series Behind The Mask, a comedic look at the alter egos of 4Lizard Productions, as well as producing a follow up to Lobster Men entitled House of the Denerate Brain-Eating Mutant Fog Insects. 4Lizard Productions welcomes collaboration with other local talent and we strongly encourage you to contact us with any ideas.

monday FEBRUARY 6th- 7:30pm- FREE

[of the circus in the center of the universe]

w/ sign in at 7:30pm..Every MONDAY night

sign in at 7:30....open mic starts at 8:00pm...If coming any distance please phone first to ensure play time..3 songs each or about 12 minutes per musicians..1-815-787-9547..Every Monday Night... SPECIAL prime time guests at every open mic....

tuesdayFEBRUARY 7th -7:00pm - $5.00

Tuesday night's the night! Come join us at The House Cafe for Swing Dancing in DeKalb! Lesson at 7, open dancing from 8 to 11. Guest instructors , and Tom will continue as our D.J. for the evening. Meals and beer/wine are available for purchase at The House. Barb City Swing Connection is a collaboration of three long-time residents of the DeKalb area who love dancing swing (East Coast swing, Charleston, and Lindy hop) and the blues. Brenda Hart, Tom Mack, and Susan Dockus dance regularly in the Naperville and Bolingbrook area and wanted to make swing more available locally. Brenda has been dancing for a number of years, has attended classes with instructors both from the Chicagoland area and of international renown, and has taught swing dancing lessons (with Mike Butler and on herformer students of Brenda's who have joined with her to keep swing alive! See BarbCitySwing.com for information on future events as well as photos of past events. “Some people seem to think that good dancers are born, but all the good dancers I have known are taught or trained.” - Fred Astaire Hope to see you there! See BarbCitySwing.com for more information on current and future events, plus photos of past events! Susan, for Barb City Swing Connection Brenda, Tom, & Susan BarbCitySwing.com

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 8th- 8pm -Free

[of the NIU School Of Music]

w/ open jazz jam

The Ian Letts Have Sextet will be hosting a jam session at The House Cafe. Come enjoy some live music, get some food, and come jam with us! Admission is free!

thursday FEBRUARY 9th-7:30pm-$tba$

w/ UNITY the BAND

Matter of Fact Take reggae, blues, and rock... put in a box and kick it down a flight of stairs. We are Matter of Fact, a trio of friends that love music and good times. We have a mixture of styles and love to have fun with our crowd. Come and see us and good times are guaranteed. Come to The House Cafe on thursday February 9th, It will be a reggae rock/Hip Hop explosion featuring our best bros and reggae rocksters "Unity the Band" All ages. Show starts at 730 7bux at the door.

thursday FEBRUARY 9th-8pm

w/ MATTER OF FACT

Unity…the Band is an award-winning original roots reggae group based in Appleton, WI. Their intense touring schedule of varied venues around the Midwest has honed an interactive outdoor stage show with positive party vibes and the knack for drawing club crowds into the irie groove. They treat fans to old roots Reggae favs, along with original music blending influences of rock, roots, blues and re...ggae into their own unique sound. Fronted with island-smooth energetic confidence by Kai “Pita” Katobalavu on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, the band’s talents include the Nashville-experience flavored bass lines of Jason “Red” Brown, Matt Kerkhoff’s laid-back guitar riffs and vocals, the cool intensity of Dave LeBlanc’s keyboards and voice, driven by the steady ease of Kelvin Ayres behind the drum set, and punctuated with Jeremy “Chunk” Schroetter’s innovative percussion riffs.

friday FEBRUARY 10th-7pm

w/ Ellus Bellus,The Chase-Aways*Jelly Bones, Bosley Mongo, Shaken 16's, Cloud Gavin

Features lovely acts by JellyBones, Chase-Aways, Ellus Bellus, Bosley Mongo, Shaken 16's, and Cloud Gavin. It'll be a dance party and the show is being filmed, so dress funky and prepare to have fun! Chase Aways Shooting A Music Video Pt 1 @ The House Cafe ..... 7:00pm-7:30 Ellus Bellus +-+-+ 7:45pm-8:15 Cloud Gavin +-+-+ 8:30- 9:00 Shaken 16's +-+-+ 9:15-10:00 Chase Aways +-+-+ 10:15-11:00 Jelly B0nes +-+-+ 11:15-12:00 Bosley Mango

Saturday Feb. 11th - 9:00pm

w/ TBA, TBA

Hello hello from JMLS.. we will be back at the center of the universe for the second half of making it up to you! We OPEN the night up at 8:30!.. so bring all of your friends, bring all your dance partners, and let's rock. Cover is $7, and, as always, it's all ages, and ...all for fun, and fun for all. Come on down to The House Cafe on Saturday, February 11th! See you there! For more info on the band, go to: www.jakemack.com Connect with us on Facebook! Give us a like! Search, "Jake Mack and The Last Stand" To see some crazy cool vids, go to: www.youtube.com/smashthemirror727990 (more details to follow)

Saturday Feb. 11th 2012 - $12 Cover (or $10 Online!)

[of the Spook Show Entertainment]

w/ Willy Adkins, Ursula Beilski, Michael Kleen, David H. Lowery, Amelia Cotter, Rob Conover and a special performance by Macaroney Jack!

Come meet ghost hunters from all over Illinois! Here presentations from published authors on the subject, get books signed, enjoy music and have fun! Ghost hunting and the paranormal are hot topics sweeping the globe! Come share stories of your experiences and learn from many others who spend their time doing research and investigation! Its time to find out just what it is that goes bump in the night!

Sunday FEB.12 - 6:00pm

w/ You Get to Choose the Bands.....

Description $2 TO GET IN VOTE FOR THE BANDS YOU WANT TO SEE!!! ALL AGES PARTY PARTY HARTY http://www.facebook.com/groups/161687210564071/ ^VOTING PAGE^

Monday FEB. 13th-9pm

w/ Special Featured Artist @ Open Mic

***Christopher Bell*** Maybe it’s all in your head, but when you and your subconscious spend copious time alone, lost loves and regrets worn threadbare often seem to take on a life of their own. Few know better than the touring musician: “Sometimes on these long drives between cities I get caught, stuck in the past,” says 24-year-old indie-folk multi-instrumentalist Christopher Bell, “and I can't shake those mistakes and feelings. It’s like they’re sitting there next to me.” Hope and Ghosts, the newest collection of quirky pop gems from the upstate New York native, who spent 5 of the last 12 months on the road, explores these ups and downs of touring life—the heartache of past joys and regrets haunting the artist’s hopeful, blind stumble into the future

tuesday FEB. 14th-7pm

# * Tuesday, February 14, 2012 * Time 8:00pm until 12:00am Join us for a romantic night of Latin dancing! Bring your Valentine or find one on the dance floor! Salsa lesson starts at 8pm and continues all night long with the sounds of DJ Ritmo Pat, bringing you the best of salsa, bachata, merengue, cumbia and cha cha cha. No partner necessary

Thursday FEB. 16th - 7p.m.

Bring your private parts and expect to leave them! We have, Jack Baker Jason Holtzhouser, Matt Riggs, Rich Kee, Dan Friesen, Kevin Hogan, Hank Thopmson and Chris May. In addition to bringing your genitals, also bring 5 bucks to get in and some other moneys so you can get ...beer and foodstuff. Doors open at 7, show starts at 8. The reason I said to expect to leave your private parts is because you are going to laugh them off. Think of how much stuff you can accomplish without them, puzzles, learn guitar, watch whole seasons of t.v. shows, all kinds of dumb crap.

friday FEBRUARY 17th -7pm-

w/ Description Blackened Death, Arkane Daze, To A Day Yet Seen, Must Build Jacuzzi , Fists of Rage

more info coming soon Blackened Death, Arkane Daze, To A Day Yet Seen, Must Build Jacuzzi, Fists of Rage are for sure on the list! ..

SAT. FEB. 18TH - 8PM - $12 adv / $14 dos

kickstand productions present

w/ Emanuel Vinson & Guest TBA

YACHT is a musical moniker created by electronic musician and multimedia artist Jonathan Warren Bechtolt (A.K.A. Jona Bechtolt, born December 2, 1980). YACHT has since 2009 included musician, writer and media artist Claire Evans whose vocals had been featured on previous YACHT recordings (I Believe In You. Your Magic Is Real). YACHT is based in Portland, Oregon, United States.

Monday FEB. 20th -FREE-

w/ Fetured Artist @ Open Mic

Exotic Zebra Rider is a musical group from DeKalb IL. It is formed from the ashes and debris of a couple bands that had fallen apart, but like a phoenix it rises from said ashes to be a noble, majestic, and infinite creature. The four members seem to have found solace within the band and it is a powerful force that unites them. The music they create together is a clever mixture from shared interests that are all over the board in terms of genre. They draw influence from punk, blues, classical, Latin, jazz, metal, hard rock and hip hop. At the end of the day, they are the six percent.

THURS. FEB. 23RD - 9PM - $10

kickstand productions present

w/ Dastardly & David Green

If you ask Todd and Eric Fink of The Giving Tree Band how much time they spend making music, your voice will not be heard above the din of their banjo and guitar, respectively. For the Brothers Fink, there is no distinction between playing music and just plain living. No two days are ever the same, as every new moment is their most creative. Their bodies and instruments become a singularity that is just trying to get in tune, stay in tune, and add a little harmony to the grand symphony of life.

When asked to cite influences, they will rarely speak of musical figures. They will proudly recite their genealogy, and celebrate the direct bloodline flowing from Mike Fink, the legendary folk hero known for his exploits on the Mighty Mississippi River. On their mother’s side, the sol smiles down on the path that connects them to Hernando de Soto, the Spanish conquistador who first discovered the aforementioned Mississippi. And so, the Finks grew up with a sacred reverence for nature, one that often collided with a reckless passion for adventure. It is only natural that their musical vision includes a plan to canoe the entire Mississippi River while touring cities along the massive waterway.

Following their lifelong desire for a band, the Finks have extended their brotherhood into an epic collective of like-minded souls, known throughout the world as The Giving Tree Band. Further inspired by extraordinary adventurers who led impressive supporting casts, the GTB has become a modern musical version of such historical outfits as Ben Franklin and The Honest Whigs, Frank and Jesse and The James Gang, and Theodore Roosevelt and The Rough Riders.

Though the story of The Giving Tree Band is still being written, it can already be said that these musical frontiersmen are redefining “virtuosity,” which is traditionally understood as dizzying displays of technical wizardry. But what is missing from this definition is the root word--Virtue. And it is upon this foundation of Virtue that The Giving Tree Band weaves their musical tapestry--by playing every single note with integrity in order to purposefully craft each part, by playing every single part with humility in order to serve the song, by playing every single song with honesty in order to resonate with the listeners at the show, by playing every single show with gratitude in order to appreciate this special privilege in life, and by playing life with a heart full of love in order to realize that it is all music, and it is all beautiful.

friday FEBRUARY 24th -10pm-

w/ Stoned City Rebels. -Izaiah SoDope Jones-FalconTrain

Cauz N Effx Aurora, Illinois, one of the biggest cities of the state, (coming in second only to Chicago) is a microcosm of America. A unique collection of cultures and eccentricities blend together to bring creativity across all art forms, especially music. Cauz N Effx, a new band with a sound and music all its own is a shining example of Aurora’s diversity. Cauz N Effx delivers its hard driving lyrics through a very unique mix of Rock, Soul and Hip Hop. CNE’s debut CD Cauz N Effx spins seven chapters spawning from the realization of the real world that isn’t captured by the media and love that isn’t like what‘s seen in the movies. With tracks like the grunge influenced “The City”, the pop-rock infused “My Fault” and the ultimate blend of Soul, Hip-Hop and Rock in the lead single Ridiculous Creation, CNE flexes it’s uniqueness and versatility, and groundbreaking sound naturally. CNE’s prematurely started in 2005 when local hip-hop personality, Daniel ”D‘Z” Jordan foresaw a dramatic decline in quality Hip-Hop music locally and nationally, and wanted to invent a sub-genre of music solely to make the live shows ���as entertaining as power rock concerts, so that the audience could have more choices than to watch the vocalist or zone out on the instrumental, and a deeper experience than just listening to rock music“. He then, with the help of a high school friend, Marshall Precht, formed a guitar-rap duo and recorded their first track “Superhero”, sampling Red Hot Chili Pepper’s Scar Tissue. The duo later added metallic basist Vince Pacione and Lane Wright’s classical style of drum play. Become a Cauz N Effx fan on Facebook and check out the show calendar and latest band news. DZ - Vocals Marshall - Guitar Lane - Drums The Astronomical Vinchenzo Portier - Bass/Backup vocals Genre: Hip Hop/Rock Hometown: Aurora

FRI. FEB. 24TH - 6:30PM - $7

kickstand productions present

w/ Look, I'm Burning, My Deepest Dream, I, The Creator, & 1 TBA

Another Hero Dies was formed in 2008 and have been moving forward like a freight train ever since. After releasing their first EP in late 2009 and opening for numerous national acts such as Underoath, August Burns Red, Emery, Sky Eats Airplane, The Fall Of Troy, and Bless the Fall amongst many others, Another Hero Dies has no signs of slowing down. Another Hero Dies have recently signed to indie label InVogue Records and are set to release a full length album November 22nd. AHD have one message and one message only and that is life is precious and to live it to the fullest. We are all alive for a reason. Look for the band on tour soon to catch their explosive live show for yourself!

Saturday FEB. 25th- 6pm -

w/ Diver Dan, Translucid Blue , Fargo , Oli Oli Oxen Free , A-tri , DJ E-wand

Hello everyone, thanks to the amazing Jolly Baba we have been honored to host our own Allstar show in dekalb down at The House Cafe. This show includes awesome bands such as Diver Dan, Translucid Blue and Fargo. Oli Oli Oxen Free will also be there with loopy loops and ji...ngles as well as A-tri (Matt Gilleran), with amazing soundscapes and ambient loops. We are also excited to say DJ E-wand from St Charles East High school will also be djing through out the night for a non stop dancing party. This will truly be a party for anyone who is into awesome music, a good time and an awesome place to be Saturday night. The House Cafe is beautiful and has a a great atmosphere for people who have never been there. This isn't going to be a crowded small gig, this will truly feel like a late night dance social party. The Full lineup Includes: --------------------------------------------------------- - A-Tri (http://soundcloud.com/matthew-gilleran/pixst001) - Fargo (http://soundcloud.com/ryan-thomas/candid-in-color-1) - Oli Oil Oxen Free (http://oliolioxenfree.bandcamp.com/) - Translucid Blue - Diver Dan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2n4uG_2gCE&feature=related) + Dj Ewand will be djing between every band for nonstop dancing COST OF VENUE: 8$ DISCOUNTS: (If you bring party supplies ex: balloons, hats, color streamers OR dress up in an outfit you will get 2 dollars off of admission) (Adults w/ Kids is also 6$) The show starts at 6:00pm so make sure you get there early so you dont miss anything! If enough people, we will get Jolly Baba (the one and only) to crowdsurf so make sure your there, you are not gonna wanna miss it!

sunday FEBRUARY 26th-6pm-$6.00

w/ Alert, Fue, and All Is Loss

Dancing Pony Productions presents another family friendly event at The House Cafe with local favorite Fue DeKalb's winter chill will be blown away by the hot music emanating from The House Cafe on Sunday, February 26, 2012 when Alert, Fue, and All Is Loss come together and make you forget Old Man Winter. Whenever these talented bands get together you want to get off your seat and dance away the cold. This is an all-ages show with a cover charge of $6.00. ------------------------------------------------- Fue (pronounced few) is an alternative rock band from the Chicago land area. Their music blends the power of modern alt with the intense, emotional vocals of lead singer/keyboardist Joanna Rutzky. The band is rounded out with Isaac Flex on bass and brothers Tim and Aaron May on guitar and drums respectively. On February 15th, 2011 FUE released their 2nd EP "Sweet Obesession" which includes 6 brand new songs from the band. The EP shows the growth and maturity of the band's sound since the release of their "Hallelujah EP" as well as the band's growth with producer Jaben Pennell. Following "Sweet Obession" FUE will spend most of 2011 touring and working on their 3rd project which is already shaping up to be their best work to date! -------------------------------------------------

tuesday FEBUARY 28th-6:00pm-free

[of the niu school of music]

get ready for some of the areas finest jazz musicians...8 combo groups get together to play three songs each in a evening that will keep you on the edge of your seat...the jazz is jumping and the crowd is swinging..come be part of this event as we celebrate the finest in jazz performances..

thursday MARCH 1rst- Midnight Performance

w/ special late night performance recording...

Hailing from the depths of a bottle, Brew City's own Henry Berger combines a deep love of whiskey and music into an intoxicating blend of heart wrenching tales of life, love, and loss. You would not know it by looking at him, but with a deep understanding of where he is, but not so much how he got there, Henry sings every song with a certain determination to have one think 'just what happened to this guy to make him write such music as this?' Blending a bit of Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings, with the Pixies, and Jim Morrison, Henry Berger will steal your heart, stomp on it, then drown it in alcohol.

thursday MARCH 1RST-7:30pm-FREE

"Blues Jam" hosted by the House Blues Group... drums and amps provided .....bring your skillz, you call the tune, jam with the band ,makE new "blues"friends..COME PLAY OR JUST LISTEN...all ages welcome....family friendly environment.. House band includes... Jimmy Doyle - Drums, Percussion & Vocals Jimmy grew up in the 1960's on Chicago's South Side and began playing drums when he was twelve. Heavily influenced by The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and many of the bands playing the South Side circuit (he's also a big, big Sox fan too, go figure). Jimmy provides "the groove" that gives the band its feel and he enjoys being the vehicle for which listeners can express themselves anyway they feel fit. Teddy Lawrence - Harmonica Teddy began playing harp in 1975. His passion for the instrument began after hearing Magic Dick's version of "Whammer Jammer" off The J. Geils Band album "Fullhouse". "I remember when I first heard that tune. My buddies (Loren, Dan, Joe, Bob and Chuck) and I skipped school and we'd gone to Loren's' older brother Gordy's place. We hung out all day at Gordy's drinking beer (among other things) and listening to albums. That day I got a copy of both "Fullhouse" and "Bloodshot" on 8-track tape and those two tapes were all I listened to for a long time. I finally wore them out". His major influences include Magic Dick, Little Walter, Paul Butterfield, and James Cotton. The list of musicians he has sat in with continues to grow and currently includes the likes of: Jason Ricci and New Blood Ernie (Sugar Lips) Brown Pistol Pete Dave Kaye Steve Ditzell Bob Levis Link Leary The Uptown Cats The Barstool Bob Blues Band featuring Big Jim Johnson Prime Time Live Band Port Bluez Band Ken Rodd - Rhythm and Lead Guitar Ken, also known as Mr. Dark - not because of his winning personality but rather his accrued taste for dark beer, is an excellent guitarist. Dark does most of the arrangements for the band's tunes because he has the right kind of feel for putting together verse and chorus, solos, and bridges. Ken loves to play the blues and it shows, he's been "puttin' it down" for a long time. Mr. Dark is a former member of The Shades, Vertical Hold and also The Steve Brothers. Johnny and the Boomers

friday MARCH 2nd- 7pm -

* Renaissance Sound * http://www.facebook.com/pages/Renaissance-Sound/111105862306572?sk=wall +-+ 8pm-9pm +-+ +-+-+-+ * Dr. Ed & Friends * https://www.facebook.com/DoctorEdandFriends +-+ 9:15-10:30 +-+ +-+-+-+ * Bonzo Terks * http://www.bonzoterks.bandcamp.com/ +-+ 10:45-12:30 +-+ +-+-+-+ * Afternoon Moon * http://www.afternoonmoon.net/ +-+ 12:45-2:00am +-+ Come Join us for an evening of... funk/reggae/rock Free/Groove/Exploder ORGANIC~PSYCHEDELIC~PROGRESSIVE~GRASSROOTS live music and living entertainment... Making that toughest snuffaluffagus, purrrr like a kitten

saturday MARCH 3rd -7pm-

* Art of Ill Fusion * http://www.artofillfusion.com/ +-+ 7pm-7:45pm +-+ +-+-+-+ * EGI. Ethereal Groove Inc.* http://www.facebook.com/pages/EGI-Ethereal-Groove-Inc/296282884882?sk=wall +-+ 8pm-9:00pm +-+ +-+-+-+ * Casa Karma * http://www.casakarmamusic.com/ +-+ 9:15pm-10:30pm +-+ +-+-+-+ * Lake Shore Vibe * http://www.archive.org/details/LakeShoreVibe +-+ 10:45pm-12:15pm +-+ +-+-+-+ * IndigoSun * http://indigosunjams.com/ +-+ 12:30pm-2am +-+ +-+-+-+ Illinois' Premiere Reggae, Rock ,Funk,Jamband, Blues, Jazz, Psychedelic, Whatever Floats Your Boat, Multi-Genre, Psychedelic Funktronica experience....

Sunday March 4th 2012 - $5 Cover

[of the Spook Show Entertainment]

w/ Award Winning Films: Headline News, What They Say & On A Dark And Stormy Night!

Spook Show Entertainment features some of their own films in this months selection! Proceeds from this event will benefit their 5 film campaign, making it possible for them to keep high quality films coming in 2012! Join us for a great night of films and fun hosted by Mr. Willy Adkins & Jason Sullivan! Several special guests & autograph signing also!

WEDNESDAY MARCH 7th -7:30pm

"Truman's Ridge harmonies are varied, at times reminiscent of the early brother bands, and at other times showing a strong rural-gospel influence in the 3 and 4 part vocals. The lead vocals are always strong. Instrumentally the band continues to show the influence of midwestern string band and Chicago jazz and blues on its interpretation of traditional bluegrass arrangements. The rock-solid beat of the guitar and bass compliment the driving rhythm of the banjo and the compelling mandolin lead breaks. Fiddle and harmonica are also featured on some songs. Truman’s Ridge offers an exciting blend of the familiar and the unique." TRUMAN'S RIDGE FEATURES Mark Fowler on mandolin and harmony vocals. Bruce Wallace on 5-string banjo and harmony vocals. Evan Flower on upright bass and harmony vocals. Steve Sarver on 6-string guitar and lead vocals. PaSaKa Productions

friday MARCH 9th - 8pm-$tba

w/ PETE JIVE, Winnie Page and the Dirt Band, tba

Come for an evening of fun, good tune's, cheerful people and of course "the center of the universe!" The House Cafe'! Doors open at 7pm... Bring your listening ears and have yourself a good time! Cuz we're gonna bring it to yah ye-ah! OLD SOUL COMPANY As a Chicago brainchild, Old Soul Company brings back soul to modern-day blues-rock. In 2010 Old Soul Company came to fruition with the addition of their commanding lead singer, Anna Morkin. With their line up set, this four-piece continues the Chicago tradition of musical excellence. Rooted in soulful blues, Old Soul Company commands the stage with strong instrumental competency and a deep rhythm section, lead by guitarist Dakota Schmidt and backed by brothers Ryan Cooper (bass) and Kyle Cooper (drums).As if the brotherly bond wasn’t enough to create an almost tangibly thick pocket groove, the latter three members mentioned above have been solidifying their sound and style for over three years, making the ensemble a musical force to be reckoned with. From what started as a college experiment at Northern Illinois Univeristy, this group has begun to make a name for themselves around the Chicago-land area. Whether it’s a private party, bar, or venue, their exciting and honest sound will capture the audience from the first note to the last, reminding people that passionate musicians still exist.Most importantly, Old Soul Company brings back raw, gritty rock and roll, which contemporary music has long-since forgotten

SUN. MAR. 11TH - 7PM - $8

kickstand productions present

w/ Hayden & Special Guest TBA

It's really easy to play it safe and jump on board the latest trend, imitating the exact style and sound of everyone's favorite band of the week. It's really easy to play into the hands of a specific demographic, knowing without a doubt in your mind that kids will eat up every hook and pile on for every sing-a-long. But how many times can we walk down the same old roads? At some point, we need to break from this monotony and make our own roads. We need to create something for ourselves that is more than just a quick, cheap, and easy sell. Something that has many layers to dissect, discover, and enjoy. This is what Aficionado has set out to do.

Drawing influence from an array of bands ranging from At the Drive-In, to Cursive, to the Hold Steady, Aficionado has a developed a unique style they are happy to call their own. With roots in punk music, the band mixes organ, flute, and occasional horn arrangements into it's unorthodox blend of post-punk.

THURS. MAR. 22ND - $12 adv / $14 dos - 9PM

kickstand productions present

w/ Bad Veins & Deserters

Following closely in the footsteps of The Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit, We Were Promised Jetpacks are yet another hugely talented young Scottish band added to the FatCat roster. The 4-piece came to our attention when listening to some of the friends on the Frightened Rabbit Myspace page. Though recent months has seen the band tour the UK with their aforementioned friends, the four preceding years have consisted of local gigs in and around Glasgow and Edinburgh, allowing WWPJ to find their sound and hone their live performance.

Assembled in Edinburgh as high school friends in 2003, their first ever gig saw them winning their school's battle of the bands competition. Proceeding shows were after school performances around the city of Edinburgh which were well attended and fuelled the band with a hunger and ambition. If the nascent WWPJ aural template embraced light-footed compositions – few effects pedals, traditional song structures, clear-cut guitars - succeeding years have seen WWPJ soar aural heights and mine emotional depths in every sense: the band you will encounter now are a cacophonous tour de force: louder, wilder, avidly literate; fiercely melodic, yet eagerly restrained. Lyrics and vocal melodies come courtesy of Adam Thompson, everything else arises from the full group; Adam Thompson (Guitar/Vocals), Michael Palmer (Guitar), Sean Smith (Bass) and Darren Lackie (Drums).

Before even releasing a single, WWPJ have laid claim to some recent successes which bode well for the future of the band. A well recorded three-track demo was circulated and managed to pick up a KEXP track of the day over the pond, and plays on national stations in the UK were popping up on XFM, BBC and Q radio. Before the announcement of WWPJ signing to FatCat Records, a strong hint was sitting on the shelves across the UK in the form of inclusion on a recent FatCat sampler, mounted onto Plan B magazine.

A tour through September 2008 as main support for Frightened Rabbit garnered some great reviews for WWPJ. This being their first jaunt into England, healthy crowds arrived early on each evening due to the huge buzz in Scotland now filtering down south of the border. You could loosely pin some reference points onto WWPJ; the vocals reminiscent of Morrissey or Paul Banks (Interpol), clever guitar interplay similar to something you’d hear on a Billy Mahonie track, dynamically you could compare them to Mogwai, and generally Futureheads/Hot Club De Paris/Postcard/Fire Engine are all good markers.

Having received amazing critical support for ‘These Four Walls’ and two singles from the album (‘Quiet Little Voices’ and ‘Roll Up Your Sleeves’), as well as some high profile festival sets and an ecstatically-received main support set at Frightened Rabbit’s Scala show in London in April ’09, the year was a busy one for We Were Promised Jetpacks.

The band released an EP - 'The Last Place You'll Look' - in April 2010 comprising unreleased tracks and swelling, orchestrally-inspired rewrites of songs from 'These Four Walls'.

October '11 saw the release of the album 'In the Pit of the Stomach', bearing testimony to the poise, control, confidence and vigour the band now command.

SAT. MAR. 24TH - 7PM - $8 ADV / $10 DOS

kickstand productions present

w/ Real Friends, Chase This City, The Fight Night, & This Obsession

Now into their their six year as a band, A LOSS FOR WORDS is ready to break out with a second release early this Summer. Powerful, heavy and fast guitars, Punchy drums and heavy hitting vocals. Constantly winning over new fans with their intense live performance and Mikey Fresh’s good looks. They are always on the go, playing countless shows to support the release of their debut E.P “These Past 5 Years”, out off of Rock Vegas Records. In under two months they sold over a thousand copies. They hang somewhere in between Hot Water Music and Rufio, with their infectious hooks and melodies.

Tuesday March 27th - 5pm

The Revived Tour Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 6:00pm Tickets: $10 presales/ $12 Door +-+-+-+ Us, From Outside(Tragic Hero Records) http://www.facebook.com/usfromoutside +-+-+-+ A Faylene Sky(Tragic Hero Records) http://www.facebook.com/afaylenesky +-+-+-+ Palisades(Rise Records) http://www.facebook.com/WeArePalisades +-+-+-+ Send The Messenger https://www.facebook.com/sendthemessenger +-+-+-+ I Solemnly Swear https://www.facebook.com/pages/I-Solemnly-Swear/148544201845754 +-+-+-+ City Of Wight https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-City-of-Wight/204762639600654?ref=ts

Sunday April 1st 2012 - $10 Cover

[of the Spook Show Entertainment]

w/ Jeff Mudgett, H.H. Holmes America's First Serial Killer, John Borowski, Ursula Beilski

The Grand finale of the H.H. Holmes Killer weekend takes us the The House Cafe in Dekalb IL! Here you will have the opportunity to meet several great people! Filmmaker John Borowski will give an introduction to his very popular film "H.H. Holmes: America's First Serial Killer"! Then special guest Jeff Mudgett (Great Great Grandson of H.H. Holmes) will be joining us! Jeff will share tales of his actual exploration of the former location of the Murder Castle, as well as about his Great Great Grandfather, Herman Webster Mudgett, aka, H.H. Holmes, the Torture Doctor, America's first serial killer, probably the most horrible man who ever lived, as well as the present custodian of the basement at 63rd and Wallace- without a doubt, the ultimate paranormal location in the entire world. Oh, and one more thing- Jeff's going to prove to you H.H. Holmes was also Jack the Ripper... Wait did we mention he owns his mosterous relatives diaries?

FRI. APR. 13TH - 8PM - $10 adv / $12 dos

kickstand productions present

Family Groove Company is a four piece band from Chicago that is turning heads and catching ears with a sound that is uncannily fresh, and live performances that simply envelop audiences in the fun, excitement and passion that the band radiates from the stage. Growing audiences everywhere FGC plays attest to the impact the band is beginning to make, as they bring the excitement of their live performances to ever growing venues, in more and more cities across the country. Appearances at most of the Midwest's major music festivals (Summer Camp, 10,000 Lakes, Summerfest) have helped along the way, headlining appearances at other festivals (Farmapalooza, Feel Good) point to the great things to come, and the over 25,000 live CDs that have been distributed all over the country speak for themselves. Family Groove Company is a band that music fans should not miss.

SAT. APR. 14TH - 7PM - $12

kickstand productions present

w/ Special Guest TBA

LUCKY BOYS CONFUSION WILL BE PERFORMING A SPECIAL ACOUSTIC SET
Long regarded as a haven for electric blues, power pop, and even metal, Chicago served as surprisingly fertile soil for the speedy growth of Lucky Boys Confusion. The five-piece ska-punk outfit -- Kaustubh Pandav (vocals), Adam Krier (co-vocalist, guitar), Ryan Fergus (drums), Jason Shultejann (bass), and Joe Sell (guitar) -- formed in 1997 when Pandav and Krier began writing songs together. The pair drew from punk, rap, and reggae to create an infectious ska-punk sound that combines Pandav's Latin melodies with Krier's Beastie Boys-influenced rap. As the Lucky Boys' following grew in Chicago, "Dumb Pop Song," a single from Growing Out of It, found its way into regular rotation on Q101, Chicago's influential alternative rock station. With regular radio play, the band's fan base exploded and suburban house parties gave way to headlining gigs at the House of Blues and the legendary Metro. Fueled by the popularity of "Dumb Pop Song," Growing Out of It went on to sell over 6,000 copies. An EP, The Soapbox Spectacle, was released on Townstyle in March 2000 and the band eventually signed with Elektra Records. Lucky Boys Confusion's major-label debut, Throwing the Game, was released in May 2001, featuring the college radio favorite, "Fred Astaire."

Monday April 23rd - 9pm - FREE

w/ special featured aritsit at open mic