'Autumn is royal, while Spring is clown." (XTC-Season Cycle-1986)

As the weather warms up, and daylight sticks around for an extra hour before an almost 8 pm sunset, choosing which Chicagoland area bands to check out in numerous shows and venues, can like a circus at any time of year, be a real juggling act.

With every listen to each Local Loft, you'll find out how to best balance your time, by discovering which Chicagoland metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop band jas staying power. Which one's music leaves a good lasting impression.

With a 22-year proven track record, veteran Rockford hard rockers Solar put an indelible image in your ears and especially your subconscious. mostly, it's the powerful, and intimate vocal style of Stephanie Jennings. But also, an exquisite duo singing harmony of Stepanie and husband/guitarist Brad Jennings. Solar will release Frantically Calm, their fourth studio album, this Saturday, March 29th. They'll play the whole thing at their hometown release show at Whiskey's Roadhouse, with Convoy and Wunderlich. Stephanie joins me with all the details of the new album, including an exclusive to Local Loft spin of the first single, the title track.

With a name like King's X, the late 90s/early 2000's power metal trio leadby Doug Pinnick can be considered underground Rock Royalty. Progressive power pop band BlockChain Coalition is looking to leave a huge lasting impression on new and old fans, as they co headline with the veteran rockers in McHenry during Fourth Of July weekend. I've got the scoop.

As one singer silently (Dan Hardman, with very little announcement he was departing the band) rocked out of metalcore quintet A Silent Truth, word got around loud and clear that another screamed his way in to fill the vacancy. They made their return at a west suburban hybrid metal/punk venue, which would be forever silent, as the COVID lockdowns quieted down, Brauerhouse in Lombard. We mosh and body surf our way back eight years ago.

Fire up your device of choice, and spring onto total pogo action with the blooming like a rose original Chicagoland original music soundtrack of.

Solar-Frantically Calm

Solar-Deep Within

Wunderlich-Shiver

Yakuza-Capricorn Rising

Gilded Cages-Something For Nothing

Dee Jay Nelson & Sheer Velocity-Gas Can Vapors

BlockChain Coalition-All That I've Known

Automatic Monster-Tormenta

Convoy-Nuthin' Left

A Silent Truth (interview from Brauerhouse in Lombard-3/17/18 Local Loft Episode 78)

A Silent Truth-Voiceless

A Silent Truth-Chemical