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Drive For Uber?

January 20, 2017 | <3 Lauren

To entice drivers to work for Uber, the company took out Craiglist ads promising an hourly rate of $21 in Chicago, a rate that less than 20% of drivers made.

In addition to the inflated hourly rates and median incomes advertised, the FTC says Uber offered to connect drivers with the “best financing options available” through its Vehicle Solutions Program, but didn’t exactly do that.

“Uber failed to control or monitor the terms and conditions of the auto financing agreements through its program and in fact, its drivers received worse rates on average than consumers with similar credit scores typically would obtain,” said the FTC in a press release. “In addition, Uber claimed its drivers could receive leases with unlimited mileage through its program when in fact, the leases came with mileage limits.”

VIDEO: Panic! At the Disco + the Roots “Death of a Bachelor” on ‘Tonight Show’

January 20, 2017 | Kevin

Panic! At the Disco’s Brendon Urie is having a very good week. Urie performed the hit ‘Death of a Bachelor’ with the hottest band in late night TV,. the Roots last night on ‘the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon’. The performance saw Fallon lose it, screaming “standing ovation!”. You don’t get that every night on a late night show.

The good news kept coming with the news that ‘Death of a Bachelor’ has gone Platinum which is no small feat in today’s streaming music world.

Panic! is SOLD-OUT on March 11th at the Allstate Arena, but you can enter-to-win tickets here.

Thank you and I love you all. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/hCWRadBtEz

— Panic! At The Disco (@PanicAtTheDisco) January 19, 2017

Oh look at you wiping the the drool off your mouth, thinking it’s over…nope, you scrolled down for EVEN MORE PATD fun. Our exclusive Lounge session with PATD from December 2016…enjoy! We know your thankful, it’s ok.

VIDEO: The ‘Pixar Theory’ connects all the movies together

January 20, 2017 | Kevin

It’s been theorized by fans of the CGI animated Pixar movies that all of them are loosely connected through hidden ‘Easter Eggs’ in every film, so it made for internet gold this week when the studio behind the whimsical cartoons posted a video this week on the ‘Toy Story’ Facebook page that confirming that it’s true. From ‘Toy Story’ to ‘Monsters Inc’ to ‘the Incredibles’ and beyond, this video viewed by more than 11 million already, shows these love letters in the background of the main story of each film that shout out to another movie. Digital Spy dug even deeper in their article with over 20 different cracked open eggs of nerdy joy from Disney digital subdivision of awesomeness.

If you want to go down the wormhole a little more, Ms Mojo also found 10 pretty surprising eggs in the PIxar films in this video.

Outdoor s’mores this winter? YESSSS!!

January 19, 2017 | Marconi🍕

(from redeyechicago.com)

Winter patio hangs just doesn’t have the same ring to it as summer patio lounging. But Park & Field is giving Logan Square a reason to sit outside in frosty winter weather: s’mores.

Armed with a basket of camping fare standards—chocolate, marshmallows and graham crackers—roasting those fluffy confections over one of the sports bar’s two huge gas-fueled fire pits in 30-degree weather isn’t such a bad idea. Promise. Grab a wool blanket, kick back in an Adirondack chair and get in on the patio action early, because it’s sure to be a hit come summer. (MORE HERE)

Can I please take a nap inside that camper after I’ve enjoyed all of the things listed please, THANK YOU!!

DRUNK PRESIDENT INAUGURATION SPEECH: It happened in 1865

January 19, 2017 | Kevin

So with the Presidential Inauguration tomorrow and everyone’s eyes on Washington, it may be easy to think about all the things that could go the wrong during the highly-watched ceremony. One of the worst Inauguration moments in American history occurred in 1865 when Abraham Lincoln’s Vice President Andrew Johnson appeared to be quite drunk during his speech. Yep, this really happened. It was bad enough that bad weather forced the ceremony into the halls of the Senate, here is the new VP all sauced up.

Johnson who would go on to assume the role of President after Lincoln’s assassination, was sick from the night before, and according to LifeScience he drank whiskey to get through his Inauguration Day duties. So by the time, Johnson got up to speak he was still boozed up. Johnson bragged while speaking about his tough times as a youth and his victories over the Confederate forces. it reportedly got so bad, former Vice President Hannibal Hamln tugged at the back of Johnson’s coat to get him to stop, but it didn’t work.

“The inauguration went off very well except that the Vice President Elect was too drunk to perform his duties & disgraced himself & the Senate by making a drunken foolish speech.” said Senator Zachariah Chandler.

So yeah, that must have been awkward….It’s like that bad Best Man speech at a Wedding you sat through but on a national scale.

NEW GORILLAZ IS HERE!!!

January 19, 2017 | <3 Lauren

Shared by UPROXX: Gorillaz returns after six years with the apocalyptic “Hallelujah Money” video, the first taste of their new record which is coming later this year.

The band has issued this song on the eve of the Inauguration of President-Elect Donald Trump to serve as commentary on a politically-charged, historical moment. #wearestillhumanz

Hallelujah Money (feat. Benjamin Clementine)

Zero F___s given by The Beastie Boys on American Bandstand

January 19, 2017 | Lou

The Beastie Boys performed on American Bandstand 30 years ago and were forced to lip-sync. You can tell by the video they weren’t thrilled about it. They did like Dick Clark’s jacket, though.

Portillo’s is offering one of the sweetest Valentine’s Day treats

January 18, 2017 | Marconi🍕

(from timeout.com)

Valentine’s Day is the time of year for heart-shaped foods, whether you’re craving pizza, chocolate or pancakes. This year, Portillo’s is getting in on the celebration—thankfully, the Illinois chain isn’t debuting a Chicago-style hot dog that has been twisted into an (even more) unnatural shape. From February 10–14, Portillo’s will be offering a heart-shaped version of its popular chocolate cake—the one that you usually consume in milkshake form. Each cake is $14.99 and can be pre-ordered on Portillo’s website for pick up at your local Portillo’s location (including the chain’s newest Chicago restaurant on Taylor Street).(MORE HERE)

Finally I know what to get myself for Valentine’s Day!!

A Music Video…Made On A Dot Matrix Printer

January 18, 2017 | Eric

A Canadian indie rock band called Young Rival thought it would be cool to make their music video on a dot matrix printer. I doubt they thought the process would take TWO YEARS. Read on after the video:

Every frame of a digitally shot video was printed out old school, on a honest-to-goodness dot matrix printer. Each frame was then scanned back into a computer in a kind of “stop-motion” animation to create what you saw above. Could modern effects have produced the same product? Yeah, maybe. But the video’s “analog” backstory is the thing that gives it energy, no?

The process wasn’t without its issues. From Vice’s The Creative Project:

“The video opens on four dot matrix printers sitting on a table, however only one of the four printers is actually shown printing, and there’s a reason for that. “We bought our first printer on ebay, and abused it with so much printing that it stopped working beyond repair. Then we bought another one on ebay, and the same thing happened. Since we are fools, we thought we’d try one more used ebay printer. Same result. We finally caved and bought a brand new one, and that is the one that held out until the bitter end.”

The printer also took FOREVER to print each page and they could only send like, 30 images at a time or else the whole thing would overload. They would have to print overnight….which meant coming in the next morning to jammed or imperfect copies.

This is why it took two years from the release of the song to get the accompanying video. And I think its worth a view. — [eric]

Wrigley Field Is A Construction War Zone

January 18, 2017 | Eric

According to a report from DNAinfo, this is what Wrigley Field looks like this week:

Yikes.

Some may consider the rebuild of the team complete, but the 1060 Project trudges on. Each offseason, Wrigley Field has checked a few projects off each year. And old girl looks GOOD. You’ve seen the improvements: The bleachers, the scoreboards, the home clubhouse…and this winter they’ve been working on the concourse behind home plate – hence, the equipment on the field.

According to the team, the field will be ready for opening day on April 10th. That’s aggressive…but you know damn well they will hit that mark.

However, some things will not.

The concession stands, for one. They might be ready to roll until May or June. That could make for a very interesting start to the season. Remember the bathroom situation from a couple years back?

Ditto for the new outdoor plaza…they expect that to be ready by summer.

The culprit of the construction cram? A deep post-season run that ultimately delivered the club’s first World Series title since 1908. So I say, let’s just suck it up and quit our bitchin’ 😉 — [eric]

The Killers get in the ring with MIke Tyson on new album (sort of..)

January 18, 2017 | Kevin

The alt rock pride of Las Vegas, the Killers are prepping a new album for 2017 and revealed some details about it in Q Magazine. Singer Brandon Flowers says the band has been working in the studio in the studio since September between various concert dates including a recent NYE gig which a cameo from a Beatle, watch that here. Flowers is apparently a big boxing fan, because there will be a track on the yet-to-be-titled album called ‘Tyson vs Douglas’ about the infamous 1990 heavyweight boxing match. “I don’t know why but I think about it all the time and i finally tried to tackle it in a song, what it meant to have this hero of mine get torn down, and then everything that happened after that.” says Flowers.

“Another is called ‘Run For Cover’ and that comes from Day & Age, so it’s 8-years-old. It started with Stuart Price, and it still sort of has his stamp on it—but we’re funneling it back through the band eight years later with a different producer. I never got the lyrics right and I think I’m gonna get it right this time. ‘Run For Cover’ looks like it’s got a good shot [of being on the album].”

Overall this album is supposed to be “heavier” than anything the band has done before, which could mean a lot of things. The most clear thing is we will get a look at the now-established band as men who lived through some things. “Now it’s about re-imagining The Killers as men now. People with life experiences and blood on their hands, seeing what we look like with callouses and lines around our eyes.” says Flowers, who stayed busy since the last Killer album 2012’s ‘Battleborn’ with his second solo album, ‘the Desired Effect’.

While your here check out my favorite Killers track, ‘Smile Like You Mean It’ from a performance on ‘Late Night with David Letterman’.

‘Beer yoga’ is a thing, now

January 18, 2017 | Marconi🍕

(from mashable.com) IMAGE: BIERYOGA/FACEBOOK

Nothing like putting down an icy cold beer. Except, of course, achieving a higher state of being and eventual transcendence of the Self through the practice of yoga.

But what if you could do both, at the same time?

Yes: Beer yoga is here. After being enjoyed by Berlin hipsters, it’s now found its way to Australian shores—a land where beer’s most definitely a religious practice, at least as much as yoga. And not in the best way.

Germany’s BierYoga A.K.A BeerYoga bills itself as the “marriage of two great loves—beer and yoga. Both are centuries-old therapies for mind, body and soul,” according to its website.

And if you think they’re just being cute, think again. (MORE HERE)

“BeerYoga is fun but it’s no joke,” founder and yogi Jhula writes. “We take the philosophies of yoga and pair it with the pleasure of beer-drinking to reach your highest level of consciousness.” But even Jhula wasn’t the first person to promote enlightenment through yoga under the influence of alcohol. The instructor told Ex Berliner they first saw it done at (American culture festival/desert apocalypse party shitshow) Burning Man.

When your 81 year old grandpa crushes on guitar

January 17, 2017 | Marconi🍕

U2: Seven Geeky Facts About “The Joshua Tree”

January 17, 2017 | Eric

U2 is adding a second tour date in Chicago…Sunday, June 4th, the day after their now sold out show at Soldier Field.

The reason I’m so up on this tour? They will be playing “The Joshua Tree” in full each night in honor of the 30th anniversary of its release.

So today, I give you NME’s Seven Geeky Facts about that record:

You can win tickets to the now sold out date on June 3rd by entering here. And don’t forget to check out Alt_Backspace on Sunday mornings with Brian — a total trip to the 80s and 90s alternative kingdom

1.15.17 – Alt_Backspace

January 16, 2017 | Web Team

1. Green Day – J.A.R.
2. Afghan Whigs – Debonair
3. Morrissey – The Last Of The Famous International Playboys
4. Our Lady Peace – Clumsy
5. U2 – In God\’s Country
6. Jane\’s Addiction – Mountain Song
7. Bad Religion – Infected
8. Siouxsie & The Banshees – Cities In Dust
9. The Posies – Dream All Day
10. The Stone Roses – I Wanna Be Adored
11. Nirvana – Territorial Pissings
12. Depeche Mode – People Are People
13. Urge Overkill – Sister Havana
14. Beastie Boys – Paul Revere

1. Pearl Jam – State Of Love And Trust
2. Big Country – In A Big Country
3. Juliana Hatfield – Universal Heart-Beat
4. Red Hot Chili Peppers – My Friends
5. Icicle Works – Whisper To A Scream
6. Smashing Pumpkins – Rhinoceros
7. Soul Coughing – Super Bon Bon
8. R.E.M. – Stand
9. Faith No More – Midlife Crisis
10. Fountains Of Wayne – Radiation Vibe
11. Nine Inch Nails – Head Like A Hole
12. Echo & The Bunnymen – Bring On The Dancing Horses
13. Lit – Miserable

Taking Back Sundays – 1.15.17

January 16, 2017 | Web Team

FULL VIDEO: World Series Champ Chicago Cubs visit the White House

January 16, 2017 | Kevin

Watch the Cubs take a day with President Obama (who is a dedicated Chicago White Sox fan) congratulate the Northsiders on their historic World Series Champion win. The best part is when Obama notes that the First Lady Michelle Obama (who is a lifelong Cubs fan) has never appeared during the various championship sports team visits, until today. If you are a Cubs fan, you will love every second of this.

MAPLE SYRUP TAFFY on SNOW

January 16, 2017 | Kevin

Yep, some people who are cold and hungry in the loathesome winter months have resorted to making snow (which apparently is healthier than expected) into delish dessert like the folks at thekitchn.com who put together this clever recipe. Yes, there is more to it than just throwing maple syrup on cold snow.

Now I am not going to lie, I am munch a tiny but of snow when I was parched as a young kid, but this still worries me because I want to try this right now. Ok, go ahead insert “don’t eat the yellow snow joke” here….

A simple search of the Tubes, shows several ways to do this to get the best results. Leave to a channel called Minnesota Cold (pronounced MIN-A-SODAAAAAA) to show off how you can do this after a snowfall and eat it right off the snow in your yard.

Who Doesn’t Love Fireworks

January 16, 2017 | Russell

I know we are still 7 months away from the 4th of July, but that doesn’t mean we can’t play with fireworks right now! Someone thought it was a good idea to light 200,000 sparklers all at once. The result is amazing! Check the video below!

B.Y.O.B. Performed By Classical Musicians

January 16, 2017 | Russell

If you ever wondered what System Of A Down’s “B.Y.O.B.” would sound like performed by three Cellists and a Bongo Drummer, well now you will know! Not going to lie, this is actually really catchy and creative! Check the video below!

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