This family has played music for their neighbors for 105 straight days

This awesome family has been playing music and dancing to try to cheer up their neighbors during quarantine.

And they’ve been going for 105 days straight!

Wow, have we really been in quarantine for 105 day? I might be going crazy!

Ali lost a bet, so we dropped her out of a plane.

You may have remembered that Ali promised to go skydiving if she lost in Know it Ali for the week.

Well she dropped the ball, so we dropped her out of a plane!

It’s my first time. Be gentle. 101 WKQX @cody_vacina @maci.gustavo Chicagoland Skydiving Center #tandemskydive #🪂#🤟

Posted by Ali Matta on Friday, July 3, 2020

Posted by Ali Matta on Friday, July 3, 2020

Theres even video! Check it out!

 

Gone in 30 Seconds: Remembering San Diego’s epic fireworks failure.

Back in 2012, San Diego had four barges worth of fireworks lined up and ready to celebrate Independence Day with an epic computer-timed display to last 18 minutes.

Instead, it went only 30 seconds.

A glitch and a well-placed camera captured one of the biggest fireworks debacles known to the Internet, which you can relive below (and before you ask, no — there were no major injuries reported from this).  In fact — if you are curious to read more about how this celebration went up in smoke (LITERALLY), you can flip through this oral history compiled by Thrillist.

Here’s hoping you end the Fourth of July with the same amount of fingers/toes that you started with.  — [eric]

7.5.2020 Alt_Backspace

Hour 1

  • Social Distortion – Story Of My Life
  • The Clash – This Is Radio Clash
  • Soho – Hippychick
  • Oasis – Live Forever
  • Martha And The Muffins – Echo Beach
  • 311 – All Mixed Up
  • Matthew Sweet – Sick Of Myself
  • Siouxsie And The Banshees – Cities In Dust
  • Rancid – Ruby Soho
  • James – Sit Down
  • Radiohead – High And Dry
  • The Pursuit Of Happiness – I’m An Adult Now
  • Rage Against The Machine – Testify

Hour 2

  • Pearl Jam – Wishlist (Live)
  • The Cure – In Between Days
  • Buffalo Tom – Sodajerk
  • Smashing Pumpkins – Ava Adore
  • Echo And The Bunnymen – Seven Seas
  • Sublime – Doin’ Time
  • Fountains Of Wayne – It Must Be Summer
  • Morrissey – Everyday Is Like Sunday
  • The Breeders – Cannonball
  • X – 4th Of July
  • Sponge – Molly
  • R.E.M. – Man On The Moon
  • G.Love And Special Sauce – Cold Beverage

Top 5 bands I’m excited to see when we can see bands again

The phrase ‘when this all over…’ has popped up on our collective feeds recently as we continue to endure the COVID-19 pandemic. So when we get the green light and the good news to have fun together in big groups, alternative music lovers will flock to the shows to see our beloved bands again. The post-pandemic party will be one for the ages. Here are 5 bands I am most excited to see when it’s safe to see bands with a lot of people again. 

Now my list may be different from your list, so hit me up on social media and share YOUR picks you are patiently waiting to see again.

  1. RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS

Life long Pepper fanatics rejoiced a few months back when we learned that visionary guitarist John Frusciante was rejoining RHCP for the second time, ushering in new music with a central force in the band on their classic albums ‘Californication’, ‘Stadium Arcadium’ and ‘Blood Surgar Sex Magik’. Now imagine seeing Frusciante back in the fold on stage with this Lollapalooza headlining act. 

  1. HELLA MEGA TOUR: GREEN DAY, WEEZER, FALL OUT BOY

This may be cheating cramming three excessively awesome bands into one slot but August 2020 for me was going to be all about this magical day at Wrigley Field seeing the rock music equivalent of seeing the Avengers assemble. This White Sox fan was pumped to go to Wrigley, ok?! That’s where I was heading into this summer which has been postponed to August 15,2021.

  1.   RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE 

With the civil unrest in the world, one of the loudest politically-influenced bands in alternative music needed to return to raise the ruckus. That’s what it felt like with the news of  Zach De La Rocha getting back together with Tom Morello and company in one of the biggest music news stories of the year. The United Center shows sold out in minutes, the demand to see this band now was through the roof in an election year. That atmosphere alone would be worth a lot, so of course they added a second show too. They are both delayed to next July.  

  1. THE KILLERS

The sweetest sons of Nevada have always held onto me with their Bruce Springsteen for millennial vibes and undeniably catchy yet meaningful songs. Their latest album ‘Imploding the Mirage’ was due to come out at the end of May but like almost everything in music this year, it’s been delayed. Hearing ‘Mr. Brightside’ with thousands of people roaring to the Madhouse on Madison, our collective voices shaking the foundation of the UC, I fantasized about that a lot. 

  1. MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE at RIOT FEST 2021

Since 2013, emo kids have grown to emo adults but they waited patiently for the Black Parade to come back, and it did in a big way in late 2019 to build anticipation for a world-conquering reunion tour that would bring the influential band to Riot Fest. And with 2020 being very 2020, we have it delayed until 2021 with many great bands joining MCR in the first wave of announced acts. They are a special group whose lasting stories of heartache in character-driven lyrics and Queen meets punk grandeur have found a whole new generation of fans who never got to see them live in their previous run. Hopefully we can belt out “I AM OK NOW!” together in Douglas Park next fall and really mean it.

 

First socially distant music venue opening in the UK

Consequence of Sound reported this week on a big game-changer in our pandemic times, as the Virgin Money Unity Arena, the first socially distant music venue is set to be opened in Newcastle later this summer.  It resembles a drive-in without cars. The venue design looks to be open air with isolated viewing areas on elevated platforms with significant space. You can pre-order food and drink.

The venue is not open just yet, but lineups featuring “household names”  are set to be announced on July 7th.

It will be interesting if other music hot spots around the world like say a certain city in the Midwest that is really missing Piqniq, Lolla, and Riot Fest was to open similar venues.

Virgin Money Unity Arena

 

With regulations with COVID-19 and recent surges in cases across the United States, it will be a long time before we have a normal concert experience. Here is a look at the first concert held in the United States in Arkansas at Temple Live and how the venue ran the show.

So is Hamilton on Disney+ delivering on the hype?

Many people have wanted to see it, but they simply could not get the super-expensive tickets on Broadway but ‘Hamilton’ hit the Disney+ service yesterday for millions to feel the game-changing musical with the original cast for the firs time. So does this film which captures a few live performances in 2016 deliver on the expectations? Did filming it take away from it’s grandeur or add to it? Here are several reviews from trusted sources on YouTube who point out that some production issues may take away the thrill of the live experience.

 

 

These pro athletes are getting paid millions for nothing

We hear the same complaint about pro athletes who have any grievance with their leagues: “You get paid millions of dollars to play a sport!” That jaded sports fan sentiment has been going on for years, but wait until those fans see this video from the Pat McAfee Show (subscribe to the podcast now) where the former NFL player breaks down pros who are getting paid on deferred contracts to do nothing. That’s millions for absolutely nothing.

These deals spread out the money from previous deals over decades, extending wealth for players well beyond their careers. Here is a graphic that McAfee’s team pulled together this graphic

Chicago Fire hosting drive-in watch party outside Soldier Field

Chicago Fire are getting into the drive-in theater game this Wednesday as they literally get back into the game of soccer with the World Cup-styled ‘MLS is Back’ Tournament down in Florida. The team organized a really fun, free, and safe alternative to watching the game with a big group of of people with a big screen in the area near Soldier Field. Make sure to read the info below if you want to attend,as you will have to register for a spot this weekend and they are limiting the lot to 300 vehicles. This first round match is against Nashville SC.

Chicago Red Stars, our city’s National Women’s Soccer League team has been back on the pitch for a while now, becoming the first pro team in town to return to play amidst the pandemic.

The Fire shared the following info about the drive-in watch party here:

The Waldron Deck will open at 8:00 p.m. CT to allow fans to arrive early. The match will be displayed on two large screens on the Waldron Deck.

Fans who wish to attend the Drive-In Matchday event must register in advance at chicagofirefc.com/drive-in. Chicago Fire season ticket holders, registered supporters’ groups, corporate partners and the Chicago Fire Juniors will have an exclusive opportunity to register from 4:30 p.m. today until 9:00 a.m. CT on Saturday, July 4. The general public will have access to registration beginning at 9:00 a.m. CT on Saturday, July 4. The watch party is free, however fans are encouraged to donate $10 to support the Chicago Fire Foundation’s P.L.A.Y.S. Program.

Capacity for the Drive-In Matchday will be limited to 300 vehicles who register on a first come, first serve basis. Please note that registration does not guarantee entry and fans are encouraged to arrive early on Wednesday. Each vehicle will receive a Continental Tire snack box with water, popcorn and candy to complement their viewing experience. Additionally, fans in attendance will have an opportunity to register to win a Continental Tire scarf.

During the event, fans will be required to adhere to local and state COVID-19 guidelines, which includes the use of a face mask for anyone outside of a vehicle. Additionally, hand sanitizer will be easily accessible, and the restrooms onsite will be sanitized and cleaned regularly. Fans are encouraged to bring their own food and beverages. Cooking devices and alcohol will not be permitted.

Helping your dog deal with fireworks

So maybe your dog is already freaking out, because the pop, bang, and booms down the block with the holiday fireworks. Inside Edition did this piece on how to keep your dog calm and safe during this hectic day. Share this with any dog lovers you may know so they don’t have worry about their pups running off.

  • Lots of Toys: More toys mean more distractions.
  • Proper Identification: July is a month that is very common for dogs to run away from home when they are scared, so doublt check that your dog’s ID is up to snuff.
  • Give them a lot of space in-doors with plenty of water

 

Mystery person parachutes from building in Chicago

Chicago Tribune reported today on a wild site that was filmed on social media late last night, with a unknown

Michael McLean who filmed the clip at 2:30 in the morning, said the flying parachute person “turned left around the Aqua Tower … and then they went in front of Blue Cross Blue Shield building, they went in front of the Mariano’s and they landed in Lakeshore East park,”. That’s quite maneuvering in the air. almost like something out of a movie.

The parachuting person evaded being arrested for the breathe-taking sunt according to McLean, who said he was glad to see that. “I’m rooting for him.” he said.