Over the ears and through the gums

The nourishing original soundtrack of Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop goes great with a seven-course turkey meal or a late-night snack. And you'll be giving great thanks to the bands and artists who cook up the sweet sounds your ears and mind digests.

You most likely have seen the PSA commercials. "This is your brain on drugs.....Any questions!" Lombard singer and guitarist James Farber found a painful answer to the questions, but didn't use brain power quick enough to prevent a devastating loss to a part of his body after a substance experiment. He did turn the hurtful incident into a soulful punk band, James The Boneless. I talk with James about his band's upcoming release show for their debut album, X Rays. Friday, November 6th at Liar's Club. This is not music your cat will rock out to. Especially a track about Satan Worshippers and mistreatment of the felines.

After a very nondestructive stage debut, seven years ago at Krew Rock Lounge in Berwyn, The Crystal Lake four-man melodic progressive metal band Wrecked return with their second full length album, Sleeping With Knives. I've got the nightmarish title track that will cut a headbanging groove throughout the cyberwaves.

Vaudevilens recreates the bright melodic hard rock sound of their new full-length album Lights Out in the second of two studios where it was recorded. I'll get you the top tapping (if not tap dancing) details on when the four-piece led by singer & guitarist Jeff Julian lights up the stage at Joliet's Third City Sound this Saturday.

Sometimes when you sing for your supper, the results are more nourishing than the meal the music accompanies. The Chicago veteran hard rock band Lynch provided a ear watering (if not mouthwatering) treat with a Thanksgiving night jam plugged in from The Kat 105.5 on air studio fourteen years ago this week. We rock back to it.

No turkeys, just choice cuts of original Chicago area music. The menu to savor includes:

James The Boneless-Wide Awake

James The Boneless-Satan's Kitty

Take The Reins-Last Stop Motel

Wrecked-Sleeping With Knives

Testimony-Spectral Thoughts

Idol Throne-The Last Voyage

Prison City Brigade-Shitty Presents

Terminus Victor-When You're Not Invited

Vaudeviliens-Wide Awake

Lynch (in The Kat 105.5 studio-11/25/10 aired on Thanksgiving Night)

Lynch-M.A.D.

Lynch-Anymore

Lynch-Sister Mary