I can't lie, yo, man, my city's the shit!: The music, I

I’m splitting this post up, because there are alot of musical acts that I like. I kind of split it up by likeness, even though, lots of these aren’t that similar.

There are alot of musical acts that came out of Chicago, but I don’t like them all, these are my ultimate favorites.

Alkaline Trio

Not really from the city, but still. I first heard them when I illegally took my brother’s car for a spin when he was away on vacation. I didn’t have a license, and was really bored, so I wrangled my friends and headed to IHOP. I guess at that time, my brother was going through some rage-a-hol because he had like their entire discography at the time.

Fave Songs:

This one’s a toughie. I like alot of their stuff. To name a few:

“Time To Waste”
“Calling All Skeletons”
“We’ve Had Enough”
“Mercy Me”
“Dethbed”

Chevelle

I think everyone in high school liked Chevelle. I was kind of pissed at myself that I didn’t see them when they were in town a a couple months ago. But then again, I suck at life sometimes. I forgot how I started listening to them.

Fave songs:

“The Clincher”
“Vitamin R”
“Send the Pain Below”

Fall Out Boy

I’m kind of embarrassed to say I like FOB. Especially because I didn’t start liking them until college. And that was because one of my friends was like obsessed with them. And c’mon, you gotta admit, they do have some pretty great songs… and it’s sad to say that they no longer exist. At least I still have my little sister to talk about FOB with.

Fave songs:

“Calm Before the Storm” (Take This To Your Grave album version)
“It’s Not a Side Effect of the Cocaine, I am Thinking It’s Love”
“Dead on Arrival”
“Nobody Puts Baby in the Corner”
“Hum Hallelujah”

Lucky Boys Confusion

I never really liked LBC until college, when my friend Kyllian MADE us listen to this song when he was “hardcore tipsy”. Guess what song that was ...

Fave songs:

“Fred Astaire”
“Do You Miss Me? (Killians)”

Plain White T’s

I like their unbelievably cute lyrics. Because, I mean…. Haven’t you heard “Hey There, Delilah”? They became a staple on my iPod after their music from Every Second Counts was featured in the first season for GRΣΣK. Most of my break up anthems come from them… as do songs I dedicate to people.

Fave songs:

“Figure It Out”
“Friends Don’t Let Friends Dial Drunk”
“1, 2, 3, 4”
“Revenge”
“Let Me Take You There”
“Killing Me Softly” (Lauryn Hill cover)
“Come Back to Me”
“Take Me Away”

The Academy Is…

Like Fall Out Boy, I didn’t like them until college. And I felt kind of disappointed when Fast Times at Barrington High came out because I thought their previous album, Santi, was amazing. And then it was like a poppy CD that I would have expected from The Click Five. Still love them lots though.

Fave songs:

“You Might Have Noticed”
“Skeptics and True Believers”
“After the Last Midtown Show”
“Seed”
“We’ve Got a Big Mess On Our Hands” (this is actually my ALL TIME favorite song)

The Smashing Pumpkins

I don’t think there could ever be a bad as great as the Pumpkins. And because, in my opinion, Zwan sucked the big one… there will NEVER be anything better than the Pumpkins. The Pumpkins are probably one of the only bands I’ve listened to for what seems like forever. But my favorite thing by them, will always be their double album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, as you will see from my list.

Fave Songs:

“Perfect”
“Today”
“Tonight, Tonight”
“Zero”
“Thirty Three”
“1979”
“Lily (My One and Only)” … No kidding, this song actually made me want to have a stalker.

Rise Against

Probably one of the only modern punk bands I listen to. I’ve seen them live like a bajillion times. At street festivals, radio events, and when they opened up for Bad Religion. Yes. I went to a Bad Religion concert. And I even started a mosh pit. Which I learned how to do at a Sum 41 show.

“Behind Closed Doors”
“Broken English”
“Dancing for Rain”
“Give it All” … whose video was filmed on an El train… can’t get more Chicago than that.
“Heaven Knows”
“Prayer of the Refugee”
“Swing Life Away”
“Survive”

I had to split up the list, because it’ll get long. So I’ll post the rest tomorrow.