AAHH Fest 2014: Set-By-Set Review

Last night, Chicago hip-hop legend Common treated his hometown to one hell of a show, and I was lucky enough to bare witness to it all (well most of it). The name: AAHH Fest. The venue: Union Park. Let's just say I got to cross a few things off my musical bucket list last night.

Here's my rundown of possibly the greatest homegrown hip-hop concert in the Windy City's history.

(Sidebar: Much love goes out to DJs Jermaine, Vince Adams, Timbuk2, and Wayne Williams who all spun masterful sets with nothing but grown folks house and hip-hop jams.)

NFL Week 1 Recap: 5 On It

Oh football, how I missed you so much! Week 1 of the 2014 NFL season is in the books. Here are QuickBlurb's 5 takeaways from a glorious Thursday, Sunday, and Monday...featuring very little Ray Rice.

#QuickBlurb 2014 Fall TV Preview: 7 Best Returning Characters

Howdy...um...that didn't fell right, let me try that again.

Welcome to QuickBlurb's first foray into previewing this year's fall television line-up. Before we dig into the unknown, I find it best to help us remember what, or rather, who will give us comfort as summer comes to a close and we turn back into filthy couch potatoes.

Classixx @ Double Door Chicago on March 7, 2014

One of the many perks of blogging, besides my annual salary of $0, is the fact that I am constantly discovering new and exciting music outside of the realms on mainstream. One group that has slowly created a buzz on my iTunes playlists is the California nu-disco/electro duo known as Classixx.

Classixx is made up of childhood friends Tyler Blake and Michael David. That's right guys, 2 men...4 first names. For the last 4 years, Classixx has been blessing followers of the electronic music genre with a very energetic sound. Their tracks display influences from all over the music map from old school hip-hop to 60s folk music. Classixx has offered up production and remixes for a wide range of artists, including Mayer Hawthorne, Major Lazer, and Lana Del Rey.



Classixx released their debut album, Hanging Gardens, in May of 2013, and are now embarking on their first major tour in support of the album. Guess what people...they are making a stop in Chicago! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Tyler and Michael will be at Double Door on March 7th. Take a listen to some of their music posted, and if you like click here to buy tickets to the show. Have I ever steered you wrong? Don't answer that. Just listen to the music, buy some tickets, and we'll talk about it at the show next month. You're welcome.

2014 Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Festival: The Great Divide, Nick & The Ovorols, & Bigg Otis @ The Tonic Room 1/15/2014

Reviewed by: John Goodin

Alright, this was going to be my first time experiencing live bluegrass and/or blues music. I didn't know what to expect. I was excited to try something new, but fearful that it would, you know, suck, and I would be stuck at a concert that I desperately wanted to escape. Luckily, the latter did not occur, and I had a great first time experience at the Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Fest.

We (my photographer Stu and I) arrived at the Tonic Room at 8 PM. The first band was setting up and at the time there were only 4 patrons in the bar. The Tonic Room was intimate (a.k.a. small), dimly lit with candles, and everything was red. All in all, a cozy venue. We saddled up to the bar and got some drinks and we waited. An hour passed as a more people trickled in.


Like I said earlier, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Fest, but then the first band, Bigg Otis, started playing. They showcased a 3 piece ensemble of drums, guitar, and bass that makes a lot of noise. The lead singer/guitarist (Rob Blaine) howls his blues into the mic while the drums and bass (Dana Thompson and Ari Seder) keep the songs together in a tight performance. This band is a real taste of good old Chicago blues. The crowd hooted and whistled while Rob shred on his guitar, wildly bending his strings into screaming blues riffs. I couldn’t help but be drawn into this band and every song the whole crowd bobbing their heads and dancing.

The second band of the evening was Nick & The Ovorols. Another 3 piece ensemble, but with a different sound (guitar- Nick Peraino, bass-Lance Lewis, and drums-Cam Lewis). The best description I can think of is funky groove rock with blues on the side. Nick Peraino played long bluesy riffs reminiscent of Jimi (Mr. Hendrix to the uncool). My favorite song of theirs was Heed the Words I Say, a grungy slow jam with a wicked guitar solo.

As Nick & The Ovorols left stage, The Tonic Room was filling up. The crowd clamored between sets rushing the bar for drinks. The Great Divide was the last band of the night. They were a 7 piece ensemble with 2 guitars, a bass, drums, a trumpet, a trombone, and a keyboard. That wasn’t enough though. For the first 2 songs Nick Peraino from Nick & the Ovorols joined them. With 7 players, The Great Divide had a big band feel with the horns carrying the songs when the vocals dropped. They share the same lively upbeat feel with great gospel music. Everyone was moving to the sound. You couldn’t help it. Moorie was my favorite song they performed with Teddy Grossman singing his heart out over a lovely melody that had me singing “Oh, happy day! When I go to see Moorie!”

All these bands surprised me with the talent they brought, but my favorite of the night was Bigg Otis. They set the stage for the whole evening. Even though they played for only 15-20 people max, they still brought the roof down like it was the United Center. I had a blast watching each group and seeing their take on the genre. I guess you can say the CBB has a new supporter.

Week Sauce: 1/5/2014-1/11/2014

It's been a while since I've done one of these. I think the rust will show. So without any further ado, here is the best/worst of what I considered news from last week. You're welcome

Daily Throwback: Erykah Badu - Bag Lady

The Shuffle God seems to subliminally still be on his New Year's kick with this classic from Mrs. 3000, Mrs. Sense, Mrs. Electronica, Mrs. Badu. Leave that 2013 baggage behind, and create new 2014 fresh baggage. Just playing...you're welcome.

5th Annual Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Fest

You don't have to wait until summer in order to enjoy a good ol' fashioned Chicago music festival. The fest season starts next week when the 5th Annual Chicago Bluegrass & Blues Fest kicks off at the Concord Music Hall.

I know what you're thinking, "what the hell do you know about bluegrass music!?!?" Not much, but I'm sure many of you reading don't either, so this is the perfect opportunity for all of us to get familiar with this forever evolving genre.

Many people associate the term "bluegrass" as being a younger sibling to country and western music, and while that statement might hold some merit to it, country is only a small fraction of what influences can be heard in today's bluegrass. If you listen closely you will hear traditional sounds from many European countries (Ireland, England, and Scotland to name a few), a sprinkle of of folk music, and even a splash of jazz.

New Year...New Name...New Game

Happy New Year everybody! Many of you may already know that I am not one for making New Year's resolutions, so please believe that what has taken place is in no way some fake ass promise to you or myself to be better. I mean let's face it, I'm as good as it gets, so the only promise I can make is to give you more. I've had this plan in motion for while, it's just a coincidence the name change happened on January 1st, so suck it

When I started Conscious Residue, it was mainly just release therapy for myself, but the more I wrote, the more curious I grew as to what this could evolve to. I was able to provide a space for other creative and like-minded individuals to express their thoughts on various subjects and contribute great content (Dustine, Tim, and Jeff), and two others who claim they will eventually write something for the blog (I'm not going to name any names, but for argument's sake, let's just call them Allycia and DeMario). With these new partnerships, CR was able to get over 12,000 unique views in 2013.


I know what you're thinking, "12,000!?!?! That ain't shit! I seen a kitten wearing a bow-tie and tube socks on YouTube get 12 million views in 2 days." To that I say blow me. I think 12,000 views is not bad for a medium (the Internet) that is geared towards a partially illiterate audience and having a strict marketing budget of posting on Facebook. My goal is to at least double that in 2014.

Which brings me to the name change, #Culture. Even though I love the name Conscious Residue, it just didn't have that ring to it like major online media brands Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, or Grantland do. Let's face it, Conscious Residue sounds like an album title from a pretentious jazz artist or a new strand of marijuana some hippy in Montana cultivated.

Yes, technically the name #Culture dumbs it down, but it still gets our point across. In Twitter terms, the hashtag (#) means trending or the current hot topic. Not only will we showcase trending topics, but I hope to have #Culture itself trending in 2014.

We will still rant about dumb pop-culture nonsense, hit you with the standards (Week Sauce, The A.D.D. Report, Daily Throwbacks, etc...), and give you a few new things (WacGyver Podcast and live event reviews). Who knows, we might be able to get Jeff Donovan to complete his 31 Horror Movies in 31 Days reviews list...wishful thinking.

I'm excited about the work I plan to put into this blog this year, and hopefully one or two of you will enjoy the outcome. For the first time this year...you're welcome.

2014 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: LL Cool J vs. N.W.A

I haven't posted in a while, so here you go. I feel a little rusty, so if it reads a little forced, fuck off and keep your opinion to yourself. Keep in mind that I am an artist, and I'm sensitive about my shit (Badu voice). Let's get to it, shall we.

A tell-tale sign that you are getting old is when you recognize the names of majority of the nominees for the 2014 class of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This year I have actually heard music from 11 out of the 16 nominees...damn I'm old.

Not all of the acts will make the cut. Nirvana, Deep Purple, and Kiss are clear cut favorites to make it into the 2014 class. With the committee inducting a hip-hop/rap act in each of the past two years (Public Enemy in 2013, and the Beastie Boys in 2012), I'm guess that trend will continue for the 2014 inductees.

What that means is that one spot will belong to either LL Cool J or N.W.A. On paper, that sounds like an epic battle, but in actuality, I believe there is no question who truly deserves the honor. The world's premier lip-licker, James Todd Smith a.k.a. Ladies Love Cool James, is hands down better than N.W.A.

Trailer: RoboCop

Let it be known that all major Hollywood studios will not rest until every movie icon from the 1980s is remade and revamped. I can see it now..."Vin Diesel as Sylvester Stallone as Cobra" or "Zac Efron goes back in time to 1992 in a Toyota Prius time machine in Back to the Future!" I literally had to swallow back a little bit of vomit as I typed that.

It's happening people, our childhood has become nostalgic fodder to be reheated like a cheap TV dinner by Hollywood execs.  It's only a matter of time before they snatch up The Goonies and The Gremlins.

Now normally I am the first one to write-off a remake (they should have left The Karate Kid & Total Recall alone), but I must say, after watching this trailer for retooled RoboCop, I'm mildly excited about seeing the final product.  It looks like they gave the RoboCop character more of a human element, and more awareness that he has been made into somewhat of a law enforcement monster. 

The movie drops in 2014, and it should be a contender for highest grossing, and why shouldn't it be? It's got Samuel "Muthaphuckin'" Jackson in a wig. Check out the trailer. You're welcome.