Kik Axe Music and Entertainment

Chicago ''heavy electronic outfit'' CYANOTIC have just released MedPack Vol. 1, a new EP created at their new Glitch Mode Recordings studio space in downtown Chicago. The tracks can all be streamed below, or downloaded directly from the Glitch Mode site on a pay-what-you'd-like basis. You can also throw the band a ''like'' over on Facebook, since you're probably logged in there right now anyway.

I missed this when it happened last week, but when CORPKA/Kik Axe Music owner Scott Licina told me about an episode of blatant disrespect for Santa Claus, I had to find it online. Channel 32 here in Chicago, otherwise known as WFLD or FOX CHICAGO used to be a cool place where you could turn to watch shows like SON OF SVENGOOLIE, HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE, or THE REAL GHOSTBUSTERS. Now it's a place for discrimination against the North Pole's most famous resident.

As I've been saying all year, 2011 really is ''The Year that Pop-Punk Strikes Back.'' Alongside quality releases from genre heavyweights like NEW FOUND GLORY, YELLOWCARD, and UNWRITTEN LAW, comes YOUR NAME ALL OVER IT, the debut-ish release from Chicago outfit KNOCKOUT KID. Not to be confused with their self-released effort of the same title, this new EP hit iTunes this week via THC:Music/Rocket Science Ventures.

They're currently prepping for the November 1st release of their new music video The Other Side starring Horror Icon SYBIL DANNING (watch the trailer below), but Chicago's THE LAST VEGAS got into the Halloween Spirit early with their Halloween Bash performance at THE DOUBLE DOOR last night. THE LAST VEGAS got in touch with their feminine side by performing in full costume as THE RUNAWAYS.

Styx' entire career has been encapsulated within the 16 tracks of Regeneration, Volume I & II, now available digitally or on double-disc CD  via Eagle Rock Entertainment. Now, Kik Axe Music and Eagle Rock are hooking up three lucky readers to receive this set on CD! Details on the album and how to enter below...

Official Press Release: Scott Lucas & the Married Men are in the studio this month to record the follow-up to their 2010 debut George Lassos the Moon and last fall's The Absolute Beginner's EP. The Local H frontman's seven-piece "solo" band laid down tracks at Steve Albini's Electrical Audio studio, with producer Andy Gerber (the Tossers, Smoking Popes, the Effigies) and engineer Greg Norman (Neurosis, Pinebender, Russian Circles). The band is finishing the album at Gerber's Million Yen Studios, with renowned metal producer Sanford Parker (Bloodiest, Pelican, Yakuza) lined up to mix it. An early 2012 release on a to-be-determined label is planned.

Back in January, WEEZER brought it's Memories Tour to a close in Chicago with a sold-out two-night stand at The Aragon Theater. There, the band performed their 1994 BLUE ALBUM on the first night, followed by their 1996 PINKERTON on the second (read the Kik Axe Music™ report here) - both nights also including a collection of greatest hits and fan favorites. To close out the 2011 Red Bull RIOT FEST last night, WEEZER returned to Chicago with an encore performance of the BLUE ALBUM, as decided by a fan vote. Sadly, the performance came just one day after the unexpected death of former bassist Mikey Welsh, who was in Chicago to see his former band perform. WEEZER frontman Rivers Cuomo stepped onto the stage at the Congress Theater kicking a soccer ball amidst the darkess before taking to the mic for a dedication:

Last night, the 2011 Red Bull RIOT FEST remained in full-effect for a final night of rock throughout the city. I made another trek down to the Congress Theater where WHITE MYSTERY, TEENAGE BOTTLEROCKET, and URGE OVERKILL were suppporting WEEZER. Arriving a tad on the late side, I missed the 'Mystery, and had just missed out on the photo pit for 'Bottlerocket. Having been a big fan of URGE OVERKILL throughout the years, I was looking forward to catching guitarists/vocalist Nash Kato and Eddie Roeser rocking out in the city from which the band was born. Along with drummer Brian Quast and bassist Mike Hodgkiss, the foursome brought a great set, despite the sound mix in the crowd being sub-par, and quite a few rabid WEEZER fans throwing up the "=w=" handsign while chanting their heroes' name during UO's set. The band responded by bringing the quality rock, while Kato was seen throwing up the ''=w='' himself.

Friday night at Red Bull RIOT FEST brought with it a much buzzed-about DANZIG LEGACY performance at the Congress Theater in which Glenn Anzalone (aka Glenn Danzig) and his current backing band of PRONG guitarist Tommy Victor, former TYPE O NEGATIVE drummer Johnny Kelly, and SAMHAIN's Steve Zing on bass would perform a collection of songs from every era of Danzig's career. The set filled with DANZIG and SAMHAIN classics would be completed by an appearance by Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein for a brief set of songs from THE MISFITS.

Those awaiting details on the secret shows for Saturday and Sunday at the in-progress Red Bull RIOT FEST, wait no more! Chicago is getting crazy as CRO-MAGS, MUSTARD PLUG, STRIKE ANYWHERE, LIONIZE, and MARKY RAMONE'S BLITZKRIEG get ready to tear it up late night style!