Not only is Chicago one of music’s great cities, it also revolutionized a type of rock/alternative mix played in every college gym, hardcore pregame and mosh pit in the country, which I aptly name Gym Rock. Smothered in chunky guitar chords, consistent drumbeats and a near-motivational rhetoric, gym rock paved the way commercially by tapping into the 80-pound curling gym rat culture. While three Chicago bands are most archetypically associated with this genre — Disturbed, Rise Against, and Chevelle — the two I prefer and will touch on are Rise Against and Chevelle.

Rise Against
Hard Rock/Punk Rock/Hardcore

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Studded deeply in political commentary, Rise Against brings the typical characteristics of the genre in almost every song. They live and die through their lead singer Tim McIIrath. He brings heavy vocals consistently; his voice is melodic, raspy and cadenced well with the melody. While he doesn’t have the pipes Chester Bennington has, his voice is good enough to keep him out of the screamo category. The back and forth rock chords that fuel most of their songs are perfect for the fist-pumping concert-goer looking to vent his political angst against society. The lyrics are very political with general themes of revolution, self-realization and anti-war commentary. Though idealistic by nature, the music makes that last rep just a little bit easierto swallow.

Albums:
Siren Song of the Counter Culture
The Sufferer & The Witness
Appeal to Reason

Top Tracks:
Swing Life Away
Re-Education (Through Labor)
Savior

Chevelle

Alternative Rock/Metal

While originally comprised of three brothers, Chevelle has little else in common with the Children Jonas. Formed in their Chicago Burb basement in 1994, the three brothers began playing Chicago bars when Joe was only 14. In a rock age when some bands push six men on stage, Chevelle sticks to the power trio (guitar, bass and drums). Pete Loeffler acts as both lead guitarist and lead vocalist, which creates a more intimate and emotional experience. His eerie and lamenting vocal quality emanates like that of Tool’s Meynard Keenan, to whom he is constantly compared. The music also has a wavering quality to it, an ebb and flow that makes it not only unique to the commercial listener, but also the musichead alike. Their new album Sci-Fi dropped Sept. 7 and is a great representation of their growth as a group.

Albums:
Wonder What's Next
This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In)
Vena Sera
Sci-Fi Crimes

Top Tracks:
Don't Fake This
The Red
Vitamin R

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