Chicago served as the setting for a virtual fairy tale of “new” music beginning in the 1980s.  Venues around town were featuring bands that played styles of music that were first desperately labeled “alternative” rock and have since morphed into what is now romantically called “indie” rock.  Phil Rockrohr discusses indie rock’s role in Chicago music history by looking at how an unlikely punk scene, a fledgling club scene, and two gay men from Colorado paved the way for a flourishing collective of indie labels.  He also examines four popular and successful, yet somewhat distinct and influential artists.  

This one-time only and truly rare experience brings together some of the better known names in Chicago’s indie rock scene from 1980–2005, such as Josh Caterer (Smoking Popes), Chris Connelly (Revolting Cocks, Ministry), Dag Juhlin (Poi Dog Pondering, Slugs), Jon Langford (The Mekons), Jeff Lescher (Green), Scott Lucas (Local H), and Rick Rizzo (11th Dream Day, Candy Golde).

The audio for this event is in two parts. The audio posted at the top of this article contains Phil Rockrohr’s discussion of indie rock in Chicago and performances by Dag Juhlin and Jeff Lescher.

The audio below contains performances by Josh Caterer, Chris Connelly, Jon Langford, Scott Lucas, and Rick Rizzo.

This program contains explicit language and adult themes.

Recorded Thursday, April 5, 2012 at the Chicago History Museum.