An underground rock icon and revered artist, the late, great Wesley Willis attracted and offended people the world over. Wesley Willis’s Joy Rides follows the life of the prolific and controversial artist on his journey from obscurity to fame. On December 8th, this film, which won the Gold Hugo for the Chicago Award at the 2008 Chicago International Film Festival, will be released on DVD by Eyeosaur and MVD Visual. His story is inspiring and illustrates how though determination we can overcome almost anything. Wesley Willis became an underground rock icon, revered artist and hero to many before his untimely death in 2003. Termed by some as an “outsider artist” due to his schizophrenia, the film examines Wesley’s ability to draw people in despite his intimidating facade.

A free screening on Joy Rides is taking place on Dec. 6th at Empty Bottle at 7pm.

WTF happened to the fun loving group that ditched our fair city for the hills of L.A. not that long ago. The new video from Ok Go is interesting, but song leaves me asking the same question that the title alludes to.

The UK’s Fire Records recently announced this week that they will releasing the latest album from the mysterious husband and wife duo Puerto Muerto. Drumming For Pistols, the follow up to 2008’s sparsely elegant I Was A Swallow, will arrive in February 2010. The album is dark, complex, bilingual, and clearly crafted with care. Their sound is truly unique when compared to others in Chicago, it is stripped down, raw, untamed, and at its core sensual. This Spring, Puerto Muerto will tour with a full band in North America and as a duo across Europe.

I try to eat healthy, but my weakness it Taco Bell. There is nothing more satisfying than a 7 layer burrito and an order of cheesy fiesta potatoes. Well, hopefully the folks in Scotland Yard Gospel Choir and Am Taxi feel the same way. Both local bands were among the 100 “up-and-coming rock acts” that were awarded $500 in Taco Bell Bucks. More than just free food, bands also receive important marketing support for their music. This is part of Taco Bell’s Feed the Beat program, and music fans will be able to discover each Feed the Beat band on Taco Bell’s Virtual Music Festival Web site. The site showcases their music and exclusive content created for the site. Once there, fans can listen to bands they know or discover new tunes as they stream music via the Feed the Beat Music Player. If they discover a band they like and want to purchase music, they are directed to the band’s Web site where they can purchase the song. It’s a great program, and has helped me decide where I’ll be having dinner!

The Prairie Cartel’s new album was released yesterday and here is a visual treat to go with Hey Champ’s remix of “Cracktown”. Also enjoy the mp3 of Bright Light’s remix of “No Light Escape”, and order your copy of Where Did All My People Go here.

It’s a joke right, and mere cover band mocking all that is and once was “Heavy Metal”, right? Well the more I listen the abrasive sounds of I Love Rich the less I think they are joking. This music is everything heavy metal stands for but pushing up against a territory that is near absurd. Their latest ep, I Love Rich 3: Season of the Rich, is raucous, raunchy, and filled with the traditional metal progressions. From tracks like “Everybody’s Getting Laid Tonight” to “Rise Up For Rock And Roll”, ILR embody all things rock and all the larger than life elements there in. However, for a split second I question how genuine their approach is, but then I get swept up in the fun and nostalgic aspect and start thrashing around.

Members Rich, Brewblood, Chuck E. Sleeze, and Full Throttle, will be performing Underground Lounge (952 W. Newport at Clark St) tonight with Lustkillers and Nothing to Gain.

UK video artist Sundae Girl has made cool new video for Welcome to Ashley’s track “Wild Blue Yonder”. You can catch Welcome to Ashley at Schubas on December 9th.

Chandeliers recently posted a very cool new track on their myspace page called “Candy Apple”. The track comes from a new three track single they will be releasing soon. This follows just months after the release of their latest LP Dirty Moves. “Candy Apple” is a downtempo groove with hushed vocals occasionally drifting in and out among the funky beats. Check out the track and stay tuned for more details.

In the meantime, Chandeliers will be performing a Chopin Theater on Nov. 25th as part of Cinema 16 which in sponsored by myopenbar.com. Both the entertainment and the cocktails for the evening will be complimentary, thanks to Drambuie, the fabled Scottish spiced whiskey. The boys will score three sensational and ominous short films, inaugurating the last installment of five Drambuie-sponsored Cinema 16 soirees.

Frozen Etch is actually from South Bend, but we won’t hold that against him (Adam Duckworth). This video comes from his 2008 release Vessels.

 OH,….WHEN THERES NO WHEN ELSE IN SIGHT,…IN THE CROWDED, LONELY NIGHT… WELL, I WAIT SO LONG FOR MY LOVE VIBRATION..AND IM DANCIN WITH MYSELF..OH,OH,OH DANCING WITH MYSELF..OH OH DANCING WITH MYSELF ..OMG I LOVE THAT SONG!!!!!! Who can forget the 80’s?? An era that is remembered for the Bears making it to the Super bowl, winning it! AND wrote a song about it, who can forget the Super-bowl shuffle, MTV actually made use of the M in the name and played Music on the show, when you bought cereal there was a cool prize in the box…not a CD-rom. The List is endless.

No matter what generation you grew up in, you can’t deny the awesome music of the 80’s or the remakes that artists have done since then it probably came from an artist in the 80’s. If your now humming, singing, dancing with yourself (I said dancing with yourself!!!) , having repressed memories flashbacks, or all of the above then you won’t want to miss THE LITE BRITE REVIVAL ! This saucy mix of power pop, punk, new wave 80’s cover band has an edge that separates them from the all rest which gives them room for endless creativity. I have no doubt that front woman Erica Coriliione singer of The Blissters will give each song her own unique style and flare all of her own. There catchy hooks and dynamically powerful rhythm section these guys are surely going to blow your leg warmers right off. So check them out December 11, at Uncle Fattys in Lincoln Park or Jan 8 at Penny Road Pub. And remember nobody leaves baby in the corner… – Gillian Verdico

Kid Sister brings the electro beats, the Chicago night life, and a very strange hair style with her new video for “Right Hand Hi” from her debut album Ultraviolet which drop on the 17th via Downtown Records/Fool’s Gold.

Kid Sister will be performing at House of Blues on Nov. 25th with her big brother and the rest of Flosstradamus.

 We’ve only just washed our hands clean of Halloween, yet today marks another spooky day on our calendars—Friday the 13th. Instead of staying in and watching basic cable’s inevitable array of poorly-edited horror flicks, break the curse—come to Darkroom, and catch a stellar local lineup, including Aesthetic Anesthetic, Soft Speaker, and Pool of Frogs. Soft Speaker was voted the Deli Chicago’s CD of the Month (July ’09), while Pool of Frogs snagged the title of the Deli Chicago’s September Artist of the Month—so this show comes personally recommended. In anticipation of tonight’s show, funnymen Pool of Frogs, have also released the 8th edition of their tongue-in-cheek “Bandisode” series—check it out here. (Tip: Mention “Pool of Frogs” at the door for a reduced cover charge!) Doors: 8pm, show 9pm. Tickets $8 advance, $10 at door, 21+ only. – Neph Basedow