Orbital: Live Festival Date at Radius Chicago with Tone Ranger Greg Haus

3/27/2024

Writing and Photography by Bobby Talamine
Edited by Fiza Javid

Radius Chicago Saturday - March 23, 2024

Orbital-
Phil and Paul Hartnoll.
A show in Chicago, only amongst three dates total before their appearance at Coachella this coming April.
How lucky are we.
Even though they don't go on until a bit after midnight, like most prominent EDM artists are prone to do.

I assume it makes things more "Festival Like", like their promo for the show suggests.
The other title for the tour- from their web homepage- "Orbital: Green/ Brown Album Tour 2024".
Yes, their set at Radius included prominent songs from both albums, dating back to the "Green Album"- dating back to 1991, then followed by the "Brown Album", which was released in 1993.
Guess what?
They don't sound dated whatsoever.

Songs included from both albums were mostly buried in the set, such as "Belfast", "Chime", "Lush" (which was the encore), "Impact (The Earth is Burning)" (With a Greta Thunberg sample), and "Halcyon and On and On" (Samples: Bon Jovi and Belinda Carlisle).

The bulk of the set is on their latest release- "Optical Delusion", from February of 2023- and they are equal to the heavy hitter bangers of the past- the Hartnoll brothers having not skipped a beat.
When they're ready to release any songs whatsoever, whether they be album cuts, single promos, extended remixes- all of it is well thought out, sent forth with polish and clean, ready for the brave new world to pounce and discover and always wanting more.
The overall stage aesthetic- a simple setup, machines prominent, synths and sample prominent, elegant steal table to hold all the equipment, along with a shelved vertical rack to Paul's left.

The rest is a clean stage, with of course a gigantic LED backdrop immediately behind the Hartnoll brothers, ever evident to display exquisite graphics and video, making you fully immersed in the world of their sound and visuals.
It works on so many levels, including the gigantic PA brought in for this show- the breakbeat thumps and twists and turns equal in amazement from the soundboard towards the back as to like eight rows of people deep from the stage.
Ventured everywhere possible on the main floor, including the pit, to capture Phil and Paul doing their thing, head led flashlights full on throughout the proceedings.
Orbital- their catalog, that beautiful catalog from over the years - just so approachable, even for ambient fare.

They succeed so well with captivating and solid melodies- melodies with a message, both environmental and also political.
The Hartnoll brothers expand and expand sonically, year after year, without losing their initial innocence without confounding expectations and going all out aggressive- (even though the occasional song ("Dirty Rat") can induce that claim.
But it's not like that throughout their catalog- they pounce when they feel the need to.
It truly depends on their desires to convey whatever message of angst comes to mind- and proceed from there.

As for "Dirty Rat", sung by Jason Williamson of Sleaford Mods- a juggernaut of a song, with a bit of punk rock, but still a full on ranging dance track- the kind of song where you want to mix it up a bit with your next door neighbor standing right next to you.
A song of caffeinated energy, and lyrics that have a bite, and breakbeats and mixes with a punch.
That song, number four on the setlist, just amped up everything on the main floor where I was standing- people moving to the beats manically like me.
Damn good fun- the kinda of song that should never end- just extend extend, with Jason's gnarly face prominently displayed on the LED screen behind the brothers.
The festival show was like this in overall feel visually, with bangers such as "Satan/ Beelzedub", followed by "Requiem for the Pre- Apocalypse", amongst others.
All of these songs with a solid message - intellectual exercises involving left brain/ right brain- meant for everyone, especially the connoisseurs of all things "electronica".
Can't give a higher recommendation than that.
The Hartnoll brothers are that good, that well thought out, that polished.
All the while by the looks of things, having fun and a damn good time, equal to their fanatical fanbase on the main floor.
That show could've gone on all night I tell ya- and they have the albums dating back to 1991 to back that up, with again, nothing dated whatsoever.
Gotta love the Hartnoll brothers.
Opener Greg Haus-
Got there nice and early, when the doors opened at 10pm to catch his set.
A well thought out mix for that hour he had.
Had a nice exchange on my Facebook page with Greg, posting some photos of him performing and such.
But Greg said it best in response, and I would rather he explain things on his approach opening for Orbital: "About 2/3rds of my set were '90's and early 2000's electronica, progressive house and trance tracks, which seemed appropriate for the crowd. Orbital were absolutely phenomenal".
That's Greg for ya- Well thought out, wearing his heart on his sleeve.
All n' all- a most memorable night throughout, with a sophisticated venue such as Radius, and a PA with a wallop.

Bobby Talamine - JBTV Music Television Chicago

Orbital, The Green/ Brown Tour 2024, Paul Hartnoll, Phil Hartnoll, Greg Haus, JBTV Music Television, Fiza Javid, Bobby Talamine

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Alkaline Trio: Blood, Hair, And Eyeballs - the Tour 2024 - with Drug Church, and Worriers

3/18/2024

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Writing and Photography by Bobby Talamine
Edited by Fiza Javid

Saturday - March 16, 2024

Matt Skiba.
Dan Andriano.
Atom Willard.
All decked out in business suits.
And ready for business.

Business at hand-
"Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs" related- their latest release from this past January.
Lots to say apparently, up to the present day, all shock / horror style, like diving into local and national news with depictions of violence of all shapes and sizes, local, national, worldwide.

Refreshing to know that they're as confused and confounded as we are, not having answers on the current state of affairs, and maybe writing new songs to depict this, and commence on a tour to accentuate like minded feelings can help ease the mind a bit.
At least for a couple hours or so.
But the tensions are evident, horrorlit high energy punk set to mighty and pounding backbeats.

Take your pick on songs that are true to this- opener "Hot for Preacher", "We've Had Enough", "Take Lots with Alcohol", then into "Bad Time", also from their latest release, let alone "Mr. Chainsaw", and of course, "Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs", deep into their set, which by this time your ears are ringing, you're a sweaty mess in a massive ballroom, ventilation be damned, welcome to the Thunderdome, and good luck surviving.
Although all of this with surrounding sophisticated polish- lighting, PA, overall feel and vibe.

But the message matters, even in professional looking suits and attire.
No time to waste, as Matt Skiba, ducks, dodges and weaves, both guitar and vocal, scathing at a moment's notice.

The other two- Dan on Bass and vocal, and of course Atom on drums, provide the necessary machine gun backbeats to make you shiver and quake.
Controlled chaos throughout.
Time to let loose- massive moshpits when it's appropriate, body surfers coming and going.

Lyrics depending on song, encounter nervous breakdowns of multiple sorts, inspired by real time CNN- ish events, all coming at you of nowhere, on a 24 hour cycle.
It's like there's no chance you can get off this bullet train, heading to inevitable armageddon.

I know- a lot to take in, especially from the ground up pop punk to intelligent hardcore (and yet pop sensibilities) punk advanced.
But it's not like these are dumb numbnuts kinda guys-
They wear their hearts on their sleeves, know some shit, definitely have some brains, have grown up lots, and again, are as world weary as we are.
To make sense of this, through deeply personal songs, and diving deep into nutty behavior of the psychotic mind, let alone making some sense of harsh realities all around- they succeed.
They succeed on many levels.

And we're right there with them, a blood army of sorts, when given the call, as a communal group, we can make you pay attention, and get you off your ass to take action.
"Are you in- or are you Out?", as they say.
Guess what- even for an older guy like me- I'm all in.
Especially with these guys at the helm.
As for Blood Church-
Lots to say as well.

Lead by lead singer Patrick Kindlon- also a band with a message.
Mostly though, even the hardcore / brazen messages unfold musically and lyrically, Patrick knows how to make a bit of sense through all of this, between songs especially, insisting that we all have some fun, and making sure time and time again to pay attention to the headliner Alkaline Trio, and their message, and not to waiver, or go take bathroom breaks.

Stay focused. That's Patrick's message- and to me- that's a classy guy, who's also volatile, like the rest of the band.
They know how to punish and hurt as well, and like Patrick says- both performing and writing songs- "This is all made to order. No Buffet".
Damn right.
Learn how to pivot accordingly.

Openers Worriers have a cool sense of things as well, led by Lauren Denitzio- with solid songwriting and a band that delivers a variety of punches as well.
All well and good, this triple bill of fun and games.

Bobby Talamine - JBTV Music Television Chicago

Alkaline Trio, Matt Skiba, Dan Andriano, Atom Willard, Drug Church, Worriers, JBTV Music Television, Fiza Javid, Bobby Talamine

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Live Review: Ministry: "Hopiumforthemasses" Tour 2024 - With Gary Numan & Front Line Assembly

3/16/2024

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Writing and Photography by Bobby Talamine
Edited by Fiza Javid

Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom Chicago
Thursday - March 14, 2024

The main tell right off the bat with Al Jourgensen and his juggernaut of a band Ministry-
And the constant push and pull to maintain relevance:
The first three songs from the setlist.

"B.D.E." Followed by "Just Stop Oil". And then "Goddamn White Trash".
Hard hitting the three of them, from Ministry's latest release, and the tour in support of-
"Hopiumforthemasses".
It's furious sounding. It's lyrically compounding". It's a Doc Martens boot stomping thrashing of sorts.

The Aragon, especially on a Thursday night- well those in attendance were not necessarily youngins- not the bodysurfer types from back in the day- intense push and pull off a heated main floor such as the Aragon from let's say anything 1988 and forward related- that kind of has seen its day so to speak.

Not that this is a bad thing- had the show been more intimate, such as the Riviera or something similar- my assumption is the main floor would've been more intense, more wilder.
Again, this is not a knock whatsoever.

The music, the band, the overall feel is different from early Minsitry, unhinged behavior not like years and years before.
Which brings me to Al Jourgensen- and Al Jourgensen up close.
From the pit- he's downright animated.

Like a wicked doomsday preacher with a message- play the part of scary, by all intent and purposes scary, but with a wicked sense of humor thrown in for good measure, but the tent revivals revolve around a six piece band with a message to say, like dropping carpet bombs from B-52's, the flying fortresses of "scare".
Yeah- no time for bullshit.
The setlist proves this.

Even after the third song, we're still diving deep into current releases and the latest release with songs of good measure and a solid message to say- "Aryan Embarrassment", "New Religion", and especially "Alert Level"- a song with stomping riffs, and a message of "How concerned are you?"- Still an important question to the present day.

Still, as always politically minded, and questioning everyone and everything.
It's not until the middle and latter part of the set that we get to classic Ministry, and still, with his current band, they punish, and punish some more.

The whole damn set is like this- a relentless juggernaut of amped energy and intense electric.
And even for troublesome Aragon acoustics- have to say Al's sound engineer knows a thing or two in how to conquer that beast, from pit to back of the main floor.
Getting back to my point of Al and all of his mannerisms (current day)- I could see clearly the shock, the spite, the fear laden mannerisms from Al's demeanor, up close and personal.
Same with the one's who arrived early to get front rail positioning, maybe even 6 or 7 rows deep.
But this is lost unfortunately, from the back of the main floor, and witnessing thereof.
From there, great visuals, great audio.

But not intimate, to see Al convey quite clearly what is deeply personal lyrically wise.
These current songs- they're protest upper cut wallops, with a heavy duty message.
From a main floor such as the Aragon, it works on some levels to re-wire your brain- and I guess for the late arrivals, it doesn't.
Again, not a knock on Al whatsoever- I guess what I'm saying for the dates remaining on this tour through early April- get your ass to whatever venue early- just to see Al up close and personal, and witness that firsthand.

You won't be disappointed.
To sum up- Ministry and Al Jourgensen- Immense pleasure in lashing out.

Same goes with Gary Numan, and also openers Front Line Assembly.
Setlists that were both whittled down a bit, more concise, more attack laden, no time for fillers.
For Gary Numan- more up front and center, main vocals being the precedent, delivery and angst intact.
His band proves this, having been with Gary for around ten years or so now.
They're delivering, having fun no doubt, allowing Gary to feel more relaxed, not nervous on possible mishaps, and to dive deeper and deeper into the songs, both old and new- making everything current day relevant- "Metal" in particular.
That song has "menace" now written into its veins, along with the newer material.
And again, same goes for Bill Leeb and Rhys Fulber of Front Line Assembly, packing a wallop with a full band- bludgeoning drums provided by Jon Siren and wicked guitar from Matthew Setzer.
A full band- able to trailblaze away through songs such as "Vigilante", "Mindphaser", and especially "Killing Grounds" and "Millennium".
As a full on touring band- they certainly know a thing or two on change, let alone pivoting to up the ante in energy, coinciding with terrific visuals.
Just heavy swing, with big gnarly beats throughout.

Bobby Talamine - JBTV Music Television Chicago

Al Jourgensen, Ministry, Gary Numan, Bill Leeb, Rhys Fulber, JBTV Music Television, Fiza Javid, Bobby Talamine

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THE JBTV BLOG

Orbital: Live Festival Date at Radius Chicago with Tone Ranger Greg Haus

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Alkaline Trio: Blood, Hair, And Eyeballs - the Tour 2024 - with Drug Church, and Worriers

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Live Review: Ministry: "Hopiumforthemasses" Tour 2024 - With Gary Numan & Front Line Assembly

Al Jourgensen, Ministry, Gary Numan, Bill Leeb, Rhys Fulber, JBTV Music Television, Fiza Javid, Bobby Talamine

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