Is there any problem more frustrating than one that involves plumbing? Whether you’re stuck showering in water that won’t drain quickly enough, leaving you standing in a pool of water up to your knees every time you want to bathe, or a toilet that just won’t flush, dealing with plumbing problems is not fun for most people. While some problems can be solved with basic tools and a little bit of a can-do attitude, sometimes you need more than just a bottle of Draino or a plunger.

When it comes to plumbing, when the going gets tough, the tough call the plumber. You want to make sure that the person coming into your home is professionally trained, knows how to fix your problem, and will be sure to clean up any resulting mess. Below are some of Chicago’s top plumbers and contractors.

John J. Cahill, Inc., 1515 Church Street, Evanston, (847) 857-7383
John J. Cahill, Inc. has been an expert plumber for the North Shore neighborhood and other parts of Chicago since 1890. That is more than a hundred years of experience! You can look to Cahill for all of your plumbing needs including installations, repairs, and maintenance services. Whether you have a problem with your hot water heater, your sewer, or your water pressure, call John J. Cahill. The company also uses high tech diagnostics, like remote video cameras!

Vanguard Plumbing and Sewer Inc., 3487 N. Keystone Ave., Chicago, (773) 633-6139
Since its establishment in 1987, Vanguard Plumbing and Sewer Inc. has been specializing in sewer and drain rodding, toilet repairs, and faucets and sink replacements, among other services. As a family owned and run organization, they are committed to treating customers like family too. They are available for last minute repairs and are known to quote fair prices. If you come home to a clogged toilet and need someone to come fix it right away, consider calling Vanguard.

Power Plumbing and Sewer Contractor, 3840 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago, (773) 248-9574
Power Plumbing and Sewer is another family owned and operated business. It has been serving the Chicago area for more than fifty years now, and specializes in full service plumbing and sewer contracting. Whether you need a plumber for a residential job, a commercial assignment, an industrial task, or work in a high-rise property, Power Plumbing and Sewer Contractor can help you. The plumbers at this business, established in 1960, are committed to meeting their customer’s needs, no matter how small or how big. Because they are so good at everything from repairs to full remodels, Power Plumbing and Sewer Contractor has even earned an award from Angie’s List – the “Super Service Award” – every year since the business joined up in 2002.

Rocket Plumbing, 3105 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago, (773) 219-1200
With a five-star rating on Yelp, Rocket Plumbing obviously knows how to properly service its customers. Rocket Plumbing serves the entire Chicagoland area, and is conveniently located at the Addison and Ashland intersection. Established in 2003, Rocket Plumbing has spent the last ten years servicing almost two thousand Chicago customers, providing services like drain cleaning, leak repair, faucet replacement, sewer rodding, and plumbing fixture upgrading. The owner, Brian, is a Chicago local who has been a plumber for more than sixteen years. He loves what he does and will do great work for you!

Fettes, Love & Sieben Plumbing & Heating Contractor, 4325 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, (773) 935-7260
Fettes, Love & Sieben Plumbing & Heating Contractor has been serving the Chicago area – both the city itself and the surrounding suburbs – since 1924. Employing approximately sixty-five tradesmen, Fettes, Love & Sieben has expert plumbers, pipe-fitters, laborers and operating engineers. They are all committed to the highest quality craftsmanship so if you are looking for a job well done, then you need to look no further than this large operation. It has received the 2012 Angie’s List “Super Service Award” as well. Whether you live in a condo, apartment, high-rise, or your own residence, these plumbers can help you!

Photo Source
This post was contributed by Jim Klossner

Are you in the mood for some great smoked barbeque? You don’t have to head for Memphis for authentic barbeque – some of the tastiest sauces, unique flavors and fun atmospheres for barbeque are located in the heart of Chicago! Here are some of the best barbeque joints in Chicago.

Smoque, 3800 N Pulaski Rd.
For some of the most authentic barbeque in town, head to Smoque, located on N Pulaski, two blocks south of Irving Park Rd. The founders of Smoque started the restaurant with one goal: bring real, authentic, wood-smoked barbeque to Chicago, and help Chicagoans learn to appreciate what real barbeque is all about. Smoque doesn’t offer any apologies for their menu: they’re all barbeque, all the time. The menu focuses around ribs, brisket, pulled pork and chicken, Texas sausage and salad, with all the traditional barbeque sides made from scratch daily: coleslaw, baked beans, fries and macaroni and cheese. Smoque’s founders use the best cuts of meats and proprietary causes and rubs to create a true barbeque destination.

Honey1, 2241 N Western Ave.
Honey1 BBQ’s motto is “real smoke and no joke” and they stay true to that motto. The first thing visitors see when they walk in the door to this classic barbeque restaurant on N. Western Ave is a glassed-in smoker full of hickory. Robert Adams, owner and pitmaster of Honey1, serves up traditional Arkansas barbeque (his wife even makes the signature sauce!). Honey 1 offers pulled pork, ribs, rib tips, beef brisket, chicken wings, fish dinners and a variety of hamburgers. The restaurant also offers Party-Packs of wings, tips, ribs and chicken wings – perfect for catering an event or feeding a crowd.

Barn & Company, 950 W Wrightwood Ave.
Barn and Company is more than just a barbeque joint – it’s an experience. Executive Chef Bob Zrenner and Consulting Pit Master Gary Wiviott, focus on brisket, baby back ribs, pulled pork, and smoked chicken. For non-barbeque fans, Barn & Company provides gourmet salads with fresh fruit and greens. The menu includes a variety of sandwiches and burgers for all palates, including a turkey burger with goat cheese; a catfish po’ boy and a brisket melt. Sides include traditional barbeque sides like coleslaw, baked beans and cornbread, with a couple healthy twists, including grilled asparagus. Barn and Company is open till 2 a.m. or later every day of the week (the restaurant is closed on Mondays) and offers events and specials daily. Every Thursday, visitors can experience live music in a variety of genres. Sports fan can watch their favorite teams (including the Bulls and Blackhawks) on what the restaurant bills “Lincoln Park’s Largest Video Wall.” Barn and Company can be reserved for private parties and events and even has an outdoor patio.

Sheffield’s Chicago, 3258 N Sheffield Ave.
For a more upscale barbeque experience, Sheffield’s Chicago is the prime destination. Sheffield’s isn’t just a barbeque joint, it’s a beer garden and a bar, and also hosts a variety of events from book readings to comedy shows. The beer garden is immensely popular; even on colder days, a line to get in stretches down the block. The barbeque portion of Sheffield’s is located in the back of the bar area. Barbeque platters include your choice of meat (Carolina pulled pork, BBQ ribs, beef brisket, smoked chicken or a combination) with made-from-scratch barbeque sauce on the side. You can choose from Memphis red, Carolina vinegar or Texas heat to compliment your meat – and a side of French fries, cornbread and Cole slaw to round out your meal. Sheffield’s also has several delicious BBQ sandwiches, salads, soups, wings and amazing desserts (don’t miss the Bourbon Blueberry Cheesecake).

Rockit Bar & Grill, 22 W Hubbard St.
Although Rockit Bar & Grill isn’t technically a barbeque restaurant, executive chef Amanda Downing has created some delicious and unexpected barbeque and wing choices to go along with cold beers and unique drinks. For an appetizer, try the bourbon chipotle maple wings, served with bacon ranch dressing. Try a different kind of bun with the BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, serviced with creamy coleslaw and a pretzel bun. For smaller appetites, try BBQ Pork Sliders on parkerhouse buns.

About the writer: Richard dobbins is a local writer and business owner specializing in BBQ.

Photo Credit: Michael Lehet

Whether you’re a self-diagnosed shopaholic or you live in fear of having to buy new clothes, there is no escaping the fact that what you wear has serious effects on how people see you. If you want to look like a serious businessman, you need to wear a professional, tailored suit. If you want to look like you’re ready for a great party, you need to look like you’re ready to have some fun. If you look in your closet and realize you aren’t prepared to dress for the situations you want to be in, then it is high time you head to the stores and go shopping. Men living in the Chicago area are in luck because there are a number of great stores nearby selling all sorts of men’s fashion items.

Balani Custom Clothiers, 55 W. Monroe Street
Got a big date and want to look sharp? Or maybe you have an important presentation at your office? Either way, the time has arrived for you to invest in a top-notch suit, custom-designed and custom-made for you. Balani Custom Clothiers is the place to go for this kind of purchase. Founded in 1961, Balani Custom Clothiers aims to provide its customers with the finest in men’s fashions, while also trying to “unwind the uptight image of custom clothing.” With customer service and quality as its top priorities, it is impossible to walk into this store and leave unsatisfied. Chicago Magazine even awarded it the title of “best custom suit”!

Barbour, 2042 North Halsted Street
Looking for something a little edgier than a great suit? Then you need to head to Barbour on Halsted Street. Barbour is a well-known brand in Britain, even though it is not yet a household name here in the United States. With its shelves fully stocked with brands like the Steven McQueen Collection, there is nothing ho hum or boring about the goods in this shop. Try an embroidered American flag jacket for something really patriotic!

Zaharoff, 110 East Oak Street
If you like looking dapper and debonair then Zaharoff might just become your new favorite place to spend a Sunday. With a three-story flagship store in Chicago, you can head to this shop for a wallet, a tie, or a great suit. This store is so committed to making its customers look great, that it even has a Marilyn Miglin boutique inside where men can get skincare seminars or consultations. In the market for some “simple luxury”? What about some “understate elegance”? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then this is the place for you.

Agriculture, 532 E. 43rd Street
Looking for some amazing clothing but don’t have the money to spend at the high-end specialty shops? Look no further than Agriculture, where brands like Takumi, Ted Baker, and Mavi are all sold at reasonable prices. And if you do want something custom made, you can get that here, too. Agriculture is also known for having one of the friendliest staffs around, so you might even make a new friend while you’re there.

DTLR, 7550 S. Stony Island Avenue
If fancy suits are not your thing, then check out DTLR. This is the store to go to in Chicago if you are looking for Nike branded items, but there are other designers and brands sold here too. The best shop in town for a wide selection of caps, t-shirts, and watches, DTLR takes trendiness to the next level. Try some new Levi’s jeans or Converse sneakers to go with your new, fun t-shirts and watches.

Article contributed by Ted Corbitt

After a Saturday night out, there’s no better way than brunch to cure that Sunday hangover. Whoever came up with the option of having both breakfast and lunch, while sipping on a Bloody Mary or mimosa, is a genius. Chicago’s brunch scene is flourishing and many neighborhood bars and restaurants have jumped on the mid-afternoon bandwagon.

The Portage

3839 N. Central Ave
(773) 853-0779

The $10 all you can drink self serve Bloody Mary bar is worth the trip out to Portage Park’s newest brunch spot. Your server brings you out a generous glass of vodka and you make your way to the bar, where two large pitchers of both spicy and mild Bloody Mary mixes await. Next to the pitchers are large stuffed olives, slices of pepperoni, green peppers, and other garnishes. With a deal like this, I thought the staff would rush customers. Lucky for me, they didn’t.

The menu is a la carte and puts a unique twist on classic American favorites. I had the chicken fried steak and two-eggs, served with hearty roasted potatoes. The portion size was generous and I spent my time filling up while enjoying a Bloody Mary…or two. If you aren’t as hungry as their main dishes call for, go for the appetizers.

The restaurant itself is fairly small but a large outdoor patio compensates for this. Prices are a bit steeper than some of the other brunch options on our list but it’s worth it. Brunch is served between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sundays, with a menu that changes seasonally. Reservations are not required but recommended.

O’Donovan’s Bar

2100 W. Irving Park
(312) 640-1156

O’Donovan’s brunch is one of the best ways to kick off an afternoon of football. Their Sunday brunch lasts until 2p.m. and is buffet style for $14. You can eat all of the breakfast, and some of the lunch, staples you want. The menu offers a wide variety of options and includes scrabbled eggs, made to order omelettes and waffles, biscuits and gravy, carved ham, cookies, a chocolate fountain and more.

There are plenty of drink specials including $5 “White Trash” Mimosas and “Fat” Mary’s, a Bloody Mary served in a large glass with a very large double shot of Fat Tire beer on the side.

Unlike many of the bars in the area, O’Donovan’s has its own private parking lot. Their outdoor beer garden and sidewalk cafe is phenomenal—large and spacious with plenty of seating, a full service bar, flat screen TVs.

Lokal

1904 W. North Avenue
(773) 904-8113

 

With brunch on both Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., there’s no reason not to check out Lokal. Located in Wicker Park, the decor is modern. The records hang from the walls, artwork displayed against the exposed brick, and a large chalkboard menu listing drink options.

Similar to The Portage, Lokal offers $7 bottomless mimosas and $9 bottomless Bloody Marys. However, their “bottomless” drinks end when your meal does and any refills thereafter are $2 each.

Temple Bar

3001 N Ashland Avenue
(773) 248-0990

A no-frills neighborhood pub, Temple Bar offers plenty of TVs, a few cozy booths, bar tables, and an ample outdoor sidewalk cafe that seats up to 90. Like Lokal, their brunch is offered on Saturdays and Sundays, only from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

There are no menu substitutions but, for being a la carte, their menu is pretty affordable with a dish never costing above $11. Also, since it’s an Irish pub brunch options include dishes that aren’t offered at other places on our list. Think fish and chips or an Irish breakfast of sausage and eggs with rashers, black and white pudding, baked beans, toast, and breakfast potatoes.

Nightwood

2119 S. Halsted Street
(312) 526-3385

Restaurants that take brunch reservations are quickly becoming my new favorite trend. There’s nothing worse than waiting an hour for brunch on the sidewalk when you’re starving and hungover. Nightwood takes reservations, and it’s a good thing since there isn’t much to explore immediately surrounding the restaurant. They’ve got a cute outdoor patio as well as tables facing the kitchen so you can watch the action if you’re too hungover to talk.

The menu changes daily to use what’s in season, so count on lots of fresh and inventive options. One thing that’s a mainstay? The bacon butterscotch donuts. Get more than one for the table to share and trust me, you will not leave disappointed. In fact you’ll leave wanting more. Even the “tots” are better than average, more like bite sized fresh hash-browns than your normal frozen tot. Brunch cocktails are simple, yet satisfying and Intelligentsia is served. Can’t go wrong with any of that.

Location: 800 W. Randolph St.
Phone: (312) 929-4580
Website: http://aucheval.tumblr.com/
Cuisine: Diner
Reservations: Not Taken

Walking into Au Cheval on a Friday night, the first thing my date and I noticed was the reel-to-reel music system sitting at the host stand. It certainly fits the vibe of this “fancy diner.” I’ve taken to calling it the “fancy diner” because, though it dubs itself a diner, any discerning restaurant patron can see this is no diner. From the dark wood interior to metal accents to the caliber of food coming out of the kitchen, this is the best diner that serves foie gras I’ve ever been to.

If you love foie gras, this is your heaven. It takes over many entrees and can be added to most dishes if you ask. I’d heard to go and get the burger, and I wasn’t disappointed. The simple burger was delicious and shone as just that — a burger. It was perfectly cooked and slathered in just enough cheese. The burger actually comes with two thin patties, but it isn’t overwhelming in size. As someone who is morally against the thin patty burger, I may have changed my moral beliefs that night. You’d be sorely disappointed to get it without a fried egg or “au cheval” as they call it. The exceptional fries come with a fried egg on top as well, and are also served with a great truffle aioli and a well executed bechamel sauce.

The take on general tso chicken was inventive and moist, but don’t expect anything you’d find at your local Chinese joint. The portion was generous, but could have used an extra ramekin of sauce.

With over 30 beers on tap and an inventive cocktail list, try a couple different things but be wary of the price tag. Most craft beers are priced high and cocktails will run you over $10.

Our service was attentive and helpful when we asked for suggestions. The place isn’t cheap, but portions are very generous and you’ll likely leave in a grease induced coma. The good kind. That said, it’ll be hard to pull yourselves out of a cozy booth at one of the few restaurants in the city these day where you can hear your party talk over the music. In fact, when we were there (8pm on a Friday) there was even a business meeting going on at the table next to us.

Come early and expect a wait, but not a long one. And when you’re on the street that houses so many great restaurants (Girl and the Goat, Maudes, etc) if you have a long wait, hop around Randolph and have drinks and apps. What a perfect night.

We can’t wait to come back for brunch.

All good things come to an end… or at least take a break until coming back next year. Such is Lollapalooza. Here’s Day 3.

Overdoz - Andrew

I started my day with this four-piece LA hip-hop collective at the small BMI Stage. Their set reminded me of early 90s hip-hop that veers to the funky side. Despite the chill vibe of their recent mixtape Live For, Die For, they performed with intense energy and crowd interaction, not to mention pulling off a handful of successful stage dives.

Trampled By Turtles - Gene

Duluth, Minnesota’s most famous bluegrass quintet (that’s got to be accurate) graced the Red Bull Soundstage on Sunday afternoon, providing Lollapalooza with one of its more relaxed sets. I found a little bit of shade, spiked some iced tea and settled in for what proved to be an eye-opening show. TBT didn’t do anything dramatic, but their songs carried an idyllic sentimentality that had me suddenly wanting to escape to country life. While that urge didn’t last long, the band made enough of an impression with their crystalline string arrangements and polished vocals to leave me wanting more. It would’ve been nice to see them bust out their usually taut, glistening cover of The Pixies “Where is my Mind?,” though.

Dum Dum Girls - Gene

Dum Dum Girls are one of those bands that sounds like they were born in the wrong decade. While their most recent Sub Pop release, Only in Dreams, evokes a lot of Mazzy Star comparisons, the Dum Dum Girls’ performance at the shady Google Play stage had more edge and elasticity than that association would suggest. Opting for a grungy, nicotine-pop closer to the likes of Joey Ramone and Iggy Pop than Hope Sandoval, Dum Dum frontwoman Kristin “Dee Dee” Gundred led her band through a tight set that, while great at Lolla, would’ve been perfect for a divey rock club.

Sigur Ros – Andrew

I was skeptical about watching this orchestral Icelandic group perform in the middle of the afternoon; I don’t think I’ve ever listened to them when it wasn’t dark out. But they were definitely one of the most compelling sets of the festival. Anticipating the issue Frank experienced at Windy City Rock, I moved up closer to the stage where the crowd was more respectful to the band, as they moved through a set that surprisingly focused more on 2005’s Takk and 2000’s Agaetis Byrjun than this year’s Valtari. The stand out for me was definitely “Hafsol,” which begins with the bassist playing his strings with a drumstick, a tale that rises and falls until its cathartic, trumpet-blaring culmination. With guitars played with bows and vocals expressed with a forehead (not to mention an actual piano, vibraphone, and various string, brass and woodwind instruments), Sigur Ros had a set that more than stood out this weekend.

Amadou and Miriam – Andrew

Guh. It took forever to get from the south side of the park to the north so I missed more than half their set (seemed like everyone was getting food at this point too). For those that were there, the husband and wife team from Mali performed to a mid-afternoon audience with still enough energy to dance (and get a conga line goin’) or simply find a spot in the shade to take in the afro-soul jams.

Florence + The Machine - Gene

I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect from the UK’s Florence + The Machine, but the last thing I saw coming was both the size and diversity of the crowd. Their unoffensive brand of soulful rock is something I’ve never minded as background music, but aside from my initial curiosity in their cover of Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love,” I’d not been impressed. And hell, even that song is overshadowed by Kim Gordon’s heroin-drawl on Ciccone Youth’s 1988 cover of the same tune. Needless to say, when I saw packs of Bud-swilling bros and mohawked punks sprinkled throughout the expected Feist-demographic audience, I took note.

Florence Welch, the vocal force behind The Machine, stunned me more than a handful of times with both her range and panache. Her band backed the fragility of her delivery with thunderous percussion and subtle harp embellishments, combining for an impressively dynamic and versatile sound. “Rabbit Heart” was layered with a spirit and punch I still find lacking on the recording, and stood out as one of highlights of The Machine’s set. A new song, “Breath of Life,” sounding crisp in its first performance, was an elegant, piano-driven ballad with a calculated unravel at the end that totally paid off. While the band’s hit single “Dog Days Are Over” was the crowd’s favorite (and deservedly so, as I found it impossible not to want to join Flo in running around onstage smiling), “Shake It Out” absolutely stole the show. Florence stretched over voice the song’s delicate angles, moving deliberately through the song until it’s end. That end found The Machine going unexpectedly dance party on the crowd, channeling Benny Benassi’s popular remix for its conclusion. Florence bounced with the crowd as her voice soared above the synths, and I came away damn impressed.

The Big Pink - Gene

Regrettably I only managed to see a couple songs by new wave-meets-5-Hour-Energy rockers The Big Pink, but what I did catch grabbed hold of the Jagermeister in my blood and shook it up. The group’s infectious hooks and airy vocals worked in perfect unision; a sonic adrenaline shot that propelled me across the park to see some of Miike Snow. I wouldn’t advise missing these guys next time they roll through town. I sure as hell won’t.

Miike Snow – Andrew

Happy to You is one of my favorite albums this year so needless to say, I was excited for this. While the band’s given up their nondescript (read: creepy) white masks, I think it’s for better effect. The electronic side of their music can sound robotic, they’re attention to subtle song-writing is entirely human. Between the crowd-surfing for “Pretender,” addicting keyboard leads, and extended outros for many songs (best attributed in “Animal”), it was a set that surpassed expectations. Not a band to miss in the future.

Childish Gambino – Andrew

After catching the beginning of Jack White, I had to go see what Childish Gambino could pull. Better known as Donald Glover (Community star, former 30 Rock writer, and part of the sketch troop Derrick Comedy), Gambino is more about rhymes than jokes on stage. Save for the seizure-inducing light show, he and the set didn’t “tank” as Hipster Runoff likes to “report“. High energy with meta-lyrics playing mostly from last year’s Camp (including emo-tinged fan favorite “Heartbeat”) and the recently dropped American Royalty mixtape.

Jack White - Gene

Pardon the blasphemy all you White Stripes fans, but this didn’t feel like a headliner to me. At least not going in. I’ve never been the biggest fan of this former garage duo; they’re fine and all, but save a few exceptions they’re awfully redundant. Seeing that imposing two-hour block on the schedule sectioned off for what I feared could be one long three-chord jam had me anxious (though not anxious enough to brave electronic duo Justice). White ended up turning in a fine performance that eased most of my concerns and had me rocking out with the rest of the muddy masses.

Infinitely more enjoyable with a full band behind him, Jack White seemed to relish in jamming with all that extra muscle. His set was a mixture of new material, stuff from his time with The Stripes and The Raconteurs, and “Two Against One,” from last year’s collaboration with Danger Mouse. In one of those is-this-obnoxious-kitsch-or-is-it-actually-kinda-cool moments, the scraggly-looking rocker switched backing bands mid-set, playing half his show with The Buzzards (an all-male ensemble) and half with The Peacocks (you guessed it, all chicks). The biggest surprise of the set was the brilliance of “Hotel Yorba,” a jangly White Stripes romp performed with a freshly Americana-twinge thanks to a standup bass, fiddle and key (courtesy of The Peacocks). While “Yorba” had the crowd unsure whether to mosh or square dance, the sweaty southern crunch of “Blue Blood Blues” left no mysteries.

White did essentially jam for two hours, but it wound up being a wonderful thing. Festival organizers might still have been smart to let RHCP close out the fest, but White’s encore of favorites like “Steady As She Goes” and “Seven Nation Army” was appropriately epic and cathartic. The star of that encore wound up being “Freedom at 21,” from his solo debut, Blunderbuss. The song’s more-intricate-than-Stripes percussion gave White new mountains to climb with his guitar and his vocals, and the resulting thunder almost justified his place as a headliner by itself.

Gene’s Lollapalooza Awards:

• Best Set for Dancing: Passion Pit, Franz Ferdinand
  
• Best Set for Being High: Sigur Ros
• Best Set for Falling in Love: Sharon Van Etten
• Best Set for Breaking Up: Dum Dum Girls
• Best New Discovery: Los Jaivas, Polica
• Delivered on Expectations: JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound, tUnE-yArDs
• Exceeded Expectations: Florence + The Machine
• Did Not Meet Expectations: M83
• Best Thing I Ate: Strawberry Lemonade cream puff from Puffs of Doom (see Andrew’s Food Recap below for more info on good eats!)
• Best Thing I Drank: The Belvedere Seabreeze at The Hard Rock Hotel
• Biggest Disappointment: Fans chanting “USA” and “Fuck The Police” during the Day 2 evacuation
• Worst shtick: Ozzy repeatedly telling the crowd, “I can’t fucking hear you!” (because it was probably true)
• Worst Decision I’ve Made In My Entire Life: Seeing Die Antwoord instead of The Head & The Heart, or, well, anyone else
• What I Want For Next Year: A DIY Stage, a Hot Doug’s stand, the Tamale Guy
• What I Don’t Want to See Back: Electronic music on main stages

Andrew’s Lollapalooza Food Recap:

I was disappointed to see Sola was no longer there, and Gene and I agree that Kuma’s, while certainly will always be Kuma’s, was actually a bit underwhelming this time around. Everyone knows how great the Lobster Corndog from Grahamwich is, so I decided to try some new bites this year, all of them turned out to be fantastic.

Chizakaya’s Japadog

I scarfed this thing down right before Frank Ocean’s Saturday night set. A bacon-wrapped hotdog with teriyaki, Japanese mayo and Godzilla toppings, while not as monstrously-spicy as that sounds, was an all-around flavor joyride.

Australian Truffle’s Grilled Cheese

I must have looked like I was enjoying this, because someone walking by actually stopped in their tracks to ask me what it was. I explained that it was the best grilled cheese I’d ever had. Three slices of thick Black Forest ham combined with rich, truffle Brie on bread that was on the grill for a perfect amount of time for that perfect crunch… it was unreal. I’ll never look at that simple sandwich the same way again.

River Valley Ranch’s Portabella Mushroom Tamales

Having just discussed with Gene how great the Tamale Guy walking around the park would be, I stumbled across this gem in the Farmer’s Market. Surprisingly filling with a nice kick in the salsa they put on it, tamales were a quick way to refuel without waiting in the lines that form along the main Chow Town blocks.

See you next year, Lollapalooza!

JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound – Gene

Local soul-gang JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound kicked off Day 2 of Lolla with a sweltering noon set. Of the few Chicago acts playing the festival this year, Brooks and co. were the singular must see. I’ve caught the group several times, and while it’d be nice to embellish and say they really outdid themselves for Lollapalooza, the truth is that they always seem to give it their all, and in that sense this performance was no different. Their cover of Wilco’s “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart” got the crowd moving, but the real show stopper was “River.” The b-side tune from the I Got High 7-inch, is a classic, majestic soul ballad that earned its right to be played before Chicago’s skyline.

For more of Gene’s thoughts on JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound, check out this review from Windy City Rock.

Chief Keef – Andrew

This rising Southside rapper took over Perry’s with his crew to kick off the day. It was a short set, but they were bouncing around the stage the whole time, and the crowd more than fully embraced their hit “I Don’t Like,” a dark but catchy tune that has a chorus that can be appropriated every time something annoys you.

Los Jaivas – Gene

My post-JC plans were kind of up in the air, but I’m glad I opted for checking out Chilean ensemble Los Jaivas in lieu of stuffing more Wow Bao down my gullet. Delicious as the fist-sized dumplings are, Los Jaivas’ blend of South American folk and prog rock was infinitely more satisfying. Drummer Juanita Parra directed the flow, mapping a snappy course for her multi-instrumentalist companions. Mixing native instruments like the charango, quena and zampoña with guitar, bass, violin, keys and a sax, the band pulled off a frolickingly epic sound like none other I’ve heard. Slower, oscillating tunes made dramatic use of the wind instruments and organs, while loopier guitar solos gave Lolla-goers the bombast needed to help shake their lingering Day 1 hangovers.

Aloe Blacc – Andrew

From machine-gun backed rap tracks to soul-jams about lovin’ everyone… you can’t say Lolla doesn’t have a diverse lineup. Highlight: Blacc got the crowd to form two soul-trains, albeit short lived. Naturally, everyone sang along to his biggest hit, “I Need a Dollar” (insert snarky comment about ticket and food prices here).

Neon Indian – Andrew

Not entirely dissuaded by the pre-show from Thursday, I still wanted to see a bit of Neon Indian’s set. Well, it still wasn’t anything too amazing, still struggling with sound issues. And then, twenty minutes into the set, the band announced they had ten minutes left before they were cut off because a massive storm was brewing. Oy, the flashbacks…

tUnE-yArDs – Andrew

Finally, we were back in action. Some sets were cancelled, but luckily Merril Garbus was still able to loop her voice and play her ukulele for us. It was her last American show for a while before she heads back into the studio. Considering she’s been supporting last year’s whokill for quite some time, definitely looking forward to new stuff. That said, always great to hear “Do You Want to Live,” “Gansta” and “Powa” before heading to the North side of the park for Franz.

For more of Andrew’s thoughts on tUnE-yArDs, check out this review from Windy City Rock.

Franz Ferdinand – Gene

I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect from the Scottish troubadours in Franz Ferdinand, but these guys more than made up for Mother Nature’s two and a half hour delay of festivities. They kicked things off with the lazery ramble of “The Dark of the Matinee,” immediately setting the tone for the next hour. Franz battered the crowd with bass-driven dance rock, only ever really pausing to soak in the scene of a giddy, mud-soaked crowd.

The band played the hits, and while “Take Me Out” and “Do You Want To” sounded fine, they were far from set highlights. “Walk Away” found the band taking a more tender, lamenting approach live, giving singer Alex Kapranos a chance to break some hearts as the sun began to set. Conversely, a wild, full-band percussion jam built itself into a torrid rendition of “This Fire.” Backed by what seemed like all of Grant Park chanting and stomping along, Franz Ferdinand snagged the chaos of the day’s earlier evacuation and funneled it into a positively blustering closer. If these guys have a reputation for being an amazing live act, I’m out of the loop. That said, from this point forward I’ll be the first to encourage anyone who has a chance to see them.

Frank Ocean – Andrew

Frank Ocean is undeniably one of the hottest artists out there right now. Having graduated from the Odd Future collective, he’s more into smooth R&B than gangsta rap, with a voice that can hit every note over the span of a few octaves. This year’s Channel Orange has received near unanimous critical acclaim. “Thinkin’ Bout You” got the camera phones and glowsticks out, but it was the tracks from his first mixtape that got the crowd most amped, including “Novacane,” “Strawberry Swing” and “American Wedding.”

Frank was obviously excited to be headlining the show, but was beyond humbled to the response from the crowd not only for appreciating the older hits, but ecstatically cheering when he mentioned his recent coming out. He closed the night out with lead single “Bad Religion” and the nine-minute tale of the life of a stripper, “Pyramids.” Naturally, the crowd begged for more, but none could be obliged, the festival already having pushed back their curfew by an hour to accommodate as few cancellations as possible.

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Gene

Likely to the surprise of no one, my thoughts on RHCP’s set start and end with Flea. The rock legend and bass savant wasted no time in stealing the spotlight Saturday, gurgling through the first of several ridiculous solos. As the crowd hooted and hollered I couldn’t help but watch Flea’s bandmates. You’d think a band just one year shy of it’s 30^th anniversary might begin to take each other for granted, but the other Peppers looked to be enjoying Flea’s madness as much as any ticket holder. His jam eventually boiled over the grunge-rumble opening of “Around the World,” and the show was officially on.

Upon returning to Grant Park after the storm, I’d mentioned to Andrew that I was glad a veteran act like the Chili Peppers was closing the festival on Day 2. As riotous as they can be, the band has plenty of mellow hits, and at their core they’re a band whose music is about beauty, transcendence, love and perseverance. I was a little worried watching the wet, booze-fueled crowd press at the festival gates, stumbling through misplaced chants of “USA! USA!” and “Fuck the Police.” Flashbacks of aggressive sets in Lolla’s past by bands like Rage Against The Machine and Tool reminded me of the dangers of over hyping an exhausted, drunken crowd. RHCP were savvy in balancing both their set and qualifying their instigation, leading to charming Flea quotes like, “Be kind, be nice, and fuck shit up. Power to the people.” The bassist is the embodiment of that dichotomy, and in that way a perfect human version of everyone’s favorite Muppet drummer, Animal. As likely to build something beautiful as he is to topple it while moshing, Flea’s energy carried the band through the funky “Suck My Kiss” and the far more somber “Californication.”

Flea-gushing aside, The Peppers’ success has often been a result of frontman Anthony Kiedis’ ability to point the bassist in a direction, to use his skills in crafting anthemic and bold alt-pop tunes. The singer’s masterpiece, 1992′s “Under the Bridge,” was by far the most moving performance of Lollapalooza. Stripped of their pomp and flash on the song, the band instead focused on nuance and emotion. Kiedis sang the ode to Los Angeles with as much sincerity as ever, and the four and half minutes RHCP spent immersed in the tune were the quietest I’ve ever heard a crowd tens of thousands strong.

The Peppers’ encore featured two moments of note: the iconic junk jam “Give it Away,” and one more speech from Flea. He thanked the crowd for their love and encouraged them to continue to support live music of all genres. He specifically urged the crowd to check out their local underground scenes and “support weird music,” which got me thinking about Lolla 2013… Perhaps Perry Farrell and crew might take the suggestion next year and add more local acts to the bill — and further yet, maybe provide a stage to celebrate Chicago’s incredible underground music scene.

That music, and that side to this city, are dear to my heart as well, so here’s a plug: If you’re reading this review you probably dig music, and you probably live in/have visited/are visiting Chicago. Check out Gonzo Chicago and diychi.org for some amazing coverage and information about our own wonderfully weird underground scene. Check out a show. Donate to some truly alternative bands and spaces, and use social media to push Lolla to give that scene its most deserving spot at the festival.