News:

Chicago=Festival Central!

If you find yourself wandering around between bands at the Pitchfork festival this weekend, stop by the CHIRP Record Fair. Bloodshot has a table of wares that'll be much cooler than all the weirdo energy drinks and henna tattoos and whatnot usually being offered.

We'll have music and merch--stuff you may even NEED to combat the likelihood of sweltering summer weather, like hats and mini coolers.   You'll even get a free BEER COOZIE with a purchase to keep your beverage cold.

Here's a grand interview with Exene Cervenka from the The Sunbreak in Seattle.  She talks about working with Ray Manzarek of the Doors, how X would jam to Carl Perkins tunes early on, why record stores are important, what her favorite albums are and so much more.  It's a great, informative read and, as we keep mentioning, that's getting rarer and rarer in the blogosphere.  There's even this little snippet that made us blush (for the record, we did NOT pay her to say this, or threaten her in any way.)

"Tell me a little about your relationship with Bloodshot Records. They're very akin spiritually to the vibe you've always been on."

Exene: "That's the first time I've ever heard of a record label being accused of spirituality--they're usually considered heartless bastards that everyone hates [laughs]. But not in the case of Bloodshot. Spirituality, indeed. They asked me to do a record, and I was thrilled to death, because I love Bloodshot Records, and they've been nothing but good to me. They really have worked hard. Everyone who works there is smart, intuitive, caring. I've done a couple of South-by-Southwests since I've been on Bloodshot. They just work their asses off to get this music out. They really believe in what they're doing, and they're awesome. Best label I've ever been on."

Just in time for Record Store Day—the DVD release of the independent documentary, "I Need That Record! The Death (and Possible Survival) of the Independent Record Store" featuring Ian MacKaye, Thurston Moore, Mike Watt ... and Rob from Bloodshot! You can pick up the DVD exclusively at independent record stores starting tomorrow. For more information, visit: ineedthatrecord.com.

Ah, Springtime in Chicago.  Time for Baseball, flowers and.....unlicensed tree-trimming!

Several of us just spent an amusing/horrifying half hour looking out the window of our little warehouse.  Next to us, between the vacant lot and the Ecuadorian restaurant, there was a large, mostly dead tree surrounded by all manner of wires, fences and US.

We couldn't believe it as they leaned ladders against the very tree they were cutting down, the puny ropes used for "stability" giving us little comfort.  We half expected it all to come crashing down on us, obliterating the warehouse and those of us unable to tear our eyes away, reducing our little empire to a footnote in the next Pitchfork posting.

After some Three Stooges-level sawing and pointing and kibbitzing, the tree made a stomach curdling cracking noise, pulled down some wires, made the telephone poles wobble drunkenly, and crashed down AWAY from us, into the solid brick wall of the auto parts store.

Just another day in the life of a little label.  It's not all fun, you know.  It can be dangerous.

We just wanted to share.

Every Wednesday during the winter months, the blog Soup and Bread hosts a soup party at the Hideout.  From 5:30 to 8, eat soup, drink beer, see friends and be convivial.  The event is free, but donations are very welcome and all donations go to various food pantries in the city to help alleviate hunger--this week it is the Franciscan Outreach.

This week, Bloodshot Rob and a few other cooks  are contributing some nifty little concoctions and will be ladling them out to the soup lover that resides in all of us.

Rob will not tell us what he is making, but promises it will have nothing to do with all the haggis he has been making us eat this week for the Scottish holiday Burns Night.

Ahhh, the end of the year.  Time for lists and resolutions.  Resolutions and lists.  The busy staffers at Bloodshot are no different, so I when I stood creepily over their desks and demanded some thoughts from them on the end of year, they obliged with the following:

The Hideout Players have scheduled two additional family-friendly performances of their fourth annual Hideout Christmas panto. This year's panto, Ho Ho Ho the Humanity: Prior to his career as a bringer of gifts, Santa Claus was a zeppelin pirate!, will re-play at the Hideout on Sunday January 3 at 3:00pm & 6:00pm.

The added shows are to benefit Burned Whale, a local, short-term charity that has been organized to help three panto cast members whose Pilsen home burned on December 17, the evening of this year's panto premiere. Both the early and late panto performances were cancelled for December 17, and all proceeds from the December 18 events were donated to Burned Whale.

In Ho Ho Ho the Humanity... the Hideout Players return with two performances of their annual pantomime, telling the little-known story of Santa Claus‚s death-defying former life as captain of the zeppelin pirate ship, Sally‚s Revenge, and his life-changing voyage to the North Pole in search of treasure.

Starring Chicago‚s newest Pantomime Dame Michael "Plus Size" Bulington as Bagatha Christie, reality TV celebrity and former Olympic wrestling bronze medalist. Also featuring Derek Erdman as Captain of the Sky Pirates (later becoming our hero St. Nick), Kenneth Morrison as the vaguely villainous Pasha and Callie Roach as Prince Terrence of Sardine-ia. Sally Timms and Nat Ward narrate as assorted Hideout regulars double as tough-nosed airbenders, swarthy pilots, polar bears and overworked pinko elves.

Directed and written by Nat Ward. Adapted and panto-fied by Jon Langford. Music arranged and performed by Rob Cruz and other talented folks.

Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended. 
Adults $12, children $5.  Floor and chair seating available.
Tix at www.hideoutchicago.com

Thank you, ye be warned.

Yes, it's that time of year.  You're all running out the clocks at work, waiting for the few precious days off that the holidays bring.  Or, you are so sick of those damn dogs barking "Jingle Bells" or hearing "Grandma Got Run Over by a Rainbow" that you wonder what's it all about?

Thus, we thought we'd answer the burning questions you have regarding what do those folks at Bloodshot love/hate about Christmas music?  Hopefully it'll add some levity and/or insight to your day, and pass a few more minutes until the boss lets you go home for the day...

JP:

Favorite: Anything off "A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector"
Most Hated: "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"
Sez JP: "Totally scarring if Santa Claus isn't your daddy. It's creepy. And weird."

Scott:

Favorite: "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" Burl Ives
Most Hated: "Sleigh Ride"  Johnny Mathis

Pete:

Favorites:

Elvis-"Blue Christmas"
Bing Crosby- "Mele Kalikimaka"
Jose Feliciano- "Feliz Navidad"
Fear- "Fuck Christmas"
Mystery Science Theater 3000- "Have a Patrick Swayze Christmas"

Most Hated: "Santa Baby"
Sez Pete: "How creepy is that song? It's about a woman seducing Santa so he'll bring her more presents. Any song that even bares the potential of giving the listener a mental image of someone having sex with Santa gets an automatic, enthusiastic thumbs down." (Boss's editorial note:  Pete is wrong.  If Eartha Kitt's version of this song doesn't put, ahem, a candy cane in your stocking, then you're kinda dead...)

Marah:

Favorites: Above all else I think I like "Christmas Wrapping" by The Waitresses, however, I also like:
"All I want for Christmas is you" by Mariah Carey
the part of "Christmas don't be late" by Alvin & the Chipmunks where they sing about just wanting a hula hoop
"Just like Christmas" by Low (best Christmas record, as a whole)
"Christmas in Hollis" by Run DMC
(Boss's editorial note:  While Marah gets major points for the Run DMC, she needs a stern talking to regarding Mariah Carey.)

Most Hated: "My LEAST favorite Christmas song (w/ a bullet this year) is the new Bob Dylan version of "Must be Santa." It makes me want to die. "

Swank:

Favorites:
“Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis” - Tom Waits
“Hard Candy Christmas” - Dolly Parton
“Holly & Her Mistletoe” - Jim Lauderdale
“Jesus On The Couch” - Otis Gibbs
“Oh It's Christmas” - Rosebuds
“Just Like Christmas” - Low

Most Hated:
“Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer” – Elmo & Patsy

Rob (Bossman):

Favorites:

"I'm Mr Heat/Snow Miser"   That's a helluva groove.

"Merry Christmas Baby"  Ike and Tina Turner (just HOLDING that record is an aphrodisiac)

"Daddy's Drinking Up Our Christmas" Commander Cody

"You're All I Want For Christmas"  Anita Ellis  (will melt the coldest of hearts)

"Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer"  Gene Autry.   Seriously, if this just doesn't make you smile and singalong, go live in your cave already...

Most Hated:

Like I said, those damn barking dogs.

"Feliz Navidad" Jose Feliciano   You know, it wasn't too bad the FIRST 9,000 times I heard it.....

"Having A Wonderful Christmas Time"  I don't who does it, but that jaunty, shitty synth pop evokes an almost primal anger in me.

Nan:

Nan does not partake in Holiday music.

Hate the malls?  Don't trust the postal service? Lazy?  Like to shope while drinking beer?

Us too.

Thus, Bloodshot is participating again in the annual HIDEOUT HOLIDAY SALE.

Get fine crafts and gifts from some of Chicago's finest crafters and artisans.  And also us.

Pick up t shirts, CDs, kiddie gifts, pint glasses, and other nifty goodies for that Bloodshot fan on your list (Or you, even.  Someone's got to look out for you, you know)

6 to 9 pm on December 15th and 22nd at the Hideout, of course.