As Vocalo.org continues to reimagine what Chicago’s South-side and NW Indiana want from their speakerbox, they’ve added bigger names and fresher faces. Hit It Or Quit It is a new podcast hosted by local feminist and Chicago Reader columnist Jessica Hopper, along with JR Nelson. The podcast is produced by Michael Catano, and you can follow them on twitter @hititpodcast, via email at hititpodcast((@))gmail.com, or at vocalo.org/hitit . So far, there are three downloadable pods, each with their own special guests. I was called to be the “queer on the street” or “gay in the club” or “light in the loafer” and we chatted about Chicago’s best queer dance parties, banging records for this summer and what I like about community. HIOQI #3 also features call-ins from Cody Critcheloe of SSION and Rock critic Nick Sylvester, but I come in at about the 20 minute mark. Cool! Can’t wait for more pods from Hopper and Nelson, they were a nice pair of hosts really attuned to Chicago’s landscape. No wonder they called me! Click here to go to the pod.
Kansas City, Ssion‘s home, was the scene of some sort of pink carpet premiere when Casey Spooner, Jeppe, Hunx and Chicago’s Rita Bacon attended the unveiling of BOY, Cody Critcheloe’s new movie. I’ve been trying to find official details (length, starring, plot, etc) but it’s not jumping out at me on these internets right this second. What we do know is that Cody’s been wetting his whistle making a slew of music videos for his band, each getting more interesting and more entertaining than the previous ones. This extended player should be rewarding, if not downright brilliant and Chicago’s getting it chance October 1st, when BOY screens at the Smart Museum in Hyde Park. SEE YOU THERE! Cody’s also DJ-ing at Berlin that night.
It’s been a long time since Ssion‘s latest full length, Fool’s Gold came out, but you wouldn’t know it from their set last week opening for Fischerspooner. A stage reminiscent of their recent music videos, Cody Critcheloe full of charisma and working that dirty-ass fu man chu, band as hot as their own leather collars, not to mention the powerful Woman. I mean, the story behind the music really should have VH1 knocking on their door, too complicated for this post. But when it all boils down to an indie-queer scene that is looking for a band that speaks to them, knows the history, keeps the funk (read: B.O.) and has the songs to back it up, there is no one doing it better than Ssion right now. No one. This Thursday at Berlin is where it’s at, another win for Stardust.
It’s not a secret how much I love Ssion. Almost two years after its completion, the band is still riding high off of the success of their last album Fool’s Gold. Leader and visionary Cody Critcheloe has really been taking advantage of the attention on the record and the richness of material embedded in the songs to flesh out his talents as a video director. This video for the song “Bullshit” is no exception (I’m counting 8th music vid, not to mention all the out-takes and snippets, there is supposed to be a tour documentary in the works) to the rule that all Ssion videos are fun, edgy, sexy and queered. From the many set pieces to the “backing band” Waiting 2 Exhale (composed of Madonna, Roseanne and Courtney Love), Critcheloe’s love for art, the Woman, and comedy is a pleasure to behold. Check out an “interview” with the backing band below.
Jeppe, aka Senior from the much missed Junior Senior put his new track “Big Boy” up on his myspace a couple of months ago. This week, the song got remixed by Ssion, (pronounced “shun” for once and for all, people!) who also happened to have one the best records of 2008. Ssion add a stronger beat, some staccato synths and just make it clubbier. Good gays, very good gays. I also wanted to post Ssion’s “Credit in the Straight World,” which I never did but is basically TPR’s anthem. Download links below.
Lot’s of people raving about this new video by Ssion. Cody Critcheloe’s writing and directing has really taken sharp turns, making unexpected but senseful decisions. I know when TPR interviewed them earlier this year, Cody seemed very comfortable among his extra-bohemian bandmates, speaking eloquently about his current incarnation and his vision for the band. Make no mistake, Ssion is his baby, and it’s growing up to be quite the queer heavyweight. ANYWAY, the big news for me was not the above music video, but his new cover of Young Marble Giants by-way-of Hole’s “Credit in The Straight World.” Be on the look out for the new Street Jizz 12″ out on September 1st (on Chicago’s very own Sleazetone) with remixes by Norrit, Nick Zinner (of Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and Hawnay Troof.
Yesterday was a huge day for Ssion, the almost-plushie band who has put out consistently good records since 1999, either self released or on a label here or there. 2007′s Fool’s Gold was no exception and is set to be re-released on Sleaztone Records on February 12th. Glass Candy touched the stove with a new remix that Pitchfork highlighted yesterday, so to be sure, Ssion will own 2008. Big Stereo and Discobelle dutifully followed with their own posts, I’m doing the same. As of this second, you can’t get Fool’s Gold at their website anymore, so while we wait, here are some mp3′s old and current. I’ve already blogged about this record, but a small band like Ssion can’t get enough.
