Local Loft Episode 348

As we rock our way into a new season, don't FALL back on your support of the Chicagoland area's original Metal, Punk, Alternative Rock & Power Pop scene.

You'll always be caught up, with one listen to every Local Loft episode. From continuous all day mega band festivals like Punk Rock Tacos, to major album release shows, we cover the gamut. 

Singer Tony Engel and Drummer Ron Thomas have come a long way since the melodic hard powerhouse band they co-founded, Veilside. BlockChain Coalition is a much different sound that mixes progressive rock & 70s power pop (think Cheap Trick with a much more melodic and symphonic edge) BCC is working on their second full length album, the follow up The New Normal (which took the 2023 Best Original Chicago Area Rock Album during last year's Year In Review). To give the new record a more metal edge, they've invited veteran guitar shredder David Demon Shankle to wail away on at least one track. I'll discover this from all five BCC members, as I talk with them before they reveal a lot of new music during a Saturday night headline gig at Tony D's Sports Bar in Elmwood Park. Another revelation involves GraveReign, the progressive Metal band Tony and Shankle first unleashed on the world in 2021, with their debut album, Destination Aftermath. A second forthcoming album will feature not only Demon, but the drummer he played with on his debut for the 80s/90s New York national progressive Metal band, Manowar.

Continuing to rock into his mid 70s, Jim Peterik still is making his name known with the multi artist supergroup World Stage, as singer/frontman for the legendary Ides Of March, & as an acclaimed songwriter. A recent unused demo Jim gave to veteran Roseland Chicago rockers M & R rush becomes their new digital single next Monday, October 7th. But was first released on their 2018 album Between The Lines. I preview it for you, with a brand-new Ides Of Narch tune from the new World Stage album Roots And Shoots Volume 2.

Holly Smith continues to be one of the most prominent and versatile female singers in the Chicago original music scene. Her new duo, Pop Killers puts a hard-edge Rock spin on modern Top 40 music of Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and more. She began her journey with In 2 The Inferno, a grunge alternative band, who made a surprising return, seven years ago this week at Cullen's Pub in Oak Lawn. We rock back to it.

Rock ahead, don't fall behind with the most comprehensive coverage of the original Chicago music scene. The playlist this time around:

BlockChain Coalition-This Time (Live from Tony D's Elmwood Park 9/28/24)

BlockChain Coalition-Dirty Little Liar

GraveReign-Destination Aftermath

M & R Rush-Reckless Love (co-written by Jim Peterik)

Survivor-Rebel Girl (original 1980 Scotti Brothers 45 vinyl pressing)

Jim Peterik & Ides Of March-We Can Fly

The Bishop's Daredevil Stunt Club-I Saw A Ghost

In 2 The Inferno (interview from Cullen's Pub, Oak Lawn 9/28/17 Local Loft Episode 67)

In 2 The Inferno- To The City

Into The Inferno-Rescue (live from Cullen's Pub Oak Lawn 9/28/17)