Ashley Perez Hollingsworth

Cover Story: The Hives - The Best Part of the Day

When a band makes a grand return after a decades-long absence, it's a mix of emotions. There's equal parts dread and excitement, happy to return to adoring fans, yet anxious to see if anyone still cares, especially in the short attention span of the streaming age.

Cover Story: PUP * "Finding Balance"

Everyone remembers where they were in March 2020. Toronto punks PUP just started their spring tour, when suddenly they were told to pack it up and go home. Instead of spending their nights playing to fervent fans around the world, they were sitting on their couches trying to fend off boredom.

Love Metal at 20: The Album That Awakened My Love for HIM

Hello My Name is Ville Valo * Live Recap: House of Blues * Chicago

The last time Ville Valo performed at Chicago's House of Blues he was reaching the end of a lengthy chapter in his life. HIM, the band he fronted for 25 years, was calling it quits. It was the last time they'd be on that stage together; a stage Valo wasn't sure he'd ever return to.

Live Recap: Muse at Riviera Theatre * Chicago

Rivera Theatre Chicago, IL October 11, 2022 Live Review by Ashley Perez Hollingsworth Muse is accustomed to filling up arenas and stadiums whenever they tour. So, when they change gears and play the rare theater show, you know it's going to be something special.

How Fuse and 'Girl's Not Grey' Sparked A Fire Inside Me

How Fuse and 'Girl's Not Grey' Sparked A Fire Inside Me Remember Fuse Network? Before the channel was nothing but reruns of Sister, Sister and The Parkers, it was a haven for alternative kids. Dedicated to playing the newest and best in rock music, it was rose above other so-called music networks.

Heart of Darkness: A Brief History of Chicago Industrial-Part One

When Ministry released its groundbreaking album, "The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste," thirty-one years ago, industrial music was seeping into the mainstream. Moving out of the underground, the bastardization of EBM, house and synthpop infiltrated suburban homes and Billboard charts.

A journey up the mountain with Engineers without Borders | Cotter

Most of us never think twice about our access to clean sanitation systems. But that access is not a guarantee for those who live in the small community of Parque Colani in Western Bolivia. It was hard to believe that 85% of the community has no access to functioning latrines.

From Pliés and Pirouettes to Project Management | Cotter Consulting

Ballerinas are known for their grace, skill, and beauty - not traits typically associated with project management or construction consulting. But behind the leotards and tutus is years of patience, self-discipline, and a lot of structure to master the craft. I later discovered these principles are also key in construction.

Live Review and Photo Gallery: The Cure at United Center * Chicago

United Center Chicago, IL June 10, 2023 Live Review by Ashley Perez Holingsworth; Photos by Curt Baran Seven years to the date of their 2016 Chicago appearance, The Cure returned for another stunning show in the Windy City.

Stage Buzz Q&A: Ultra Q at Metro * Chicago

When Jakob Armstrong decided to end Mt. Eddy, the band he formed in high school with brothers Enzo and Chris Malaspina, later joined by Kevin Judd, and regroup as Ultra Q, he wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do.

Interview: The Soft Moon's Luis Vasquez On The Creation, Freedom, And Self-Discovery Behind...

The Soft Moon started as a personal project of multi-instrumentalist Luis Vasquez. It was a means of self-discovery never meant to see the light of day. Rather, it was a chance for Vasquez to learn more about himself and work through personal trauma he thought he buried long ago.

Stage Buzz Feature: Biffy Clyro at House of Blues * Chicago

Scottish heavy rockers Biffy Clyro are set to return to North American shores for their first US tour since 2017. It doesn't sound like a long stretch of time, but the constant delays, cancellations, and uncertainties that came with COVID make it feel like an eternity.

Interview: Emily Armstrong On The Rebirth Of Dead Sara And The Arduous Journey That Led To Their...

Dead Sara's third album, Ain't It Tragic, has been a long time coming. What was supposed to be a fresh start for the band in 2018 soon turned into a calvary of obstacles. Miscommunication, bad management, and broken promises forced the band to take a step back and re-examine how to trudge forward.

Interview: Ben Thatcher On How 'Typhoons' Helped Royal Blood Get Their Groove Back - GENRE IS DEAD!

The road to Royal Blood's new album, Typhoons, hasn't been an easy one. During the process, singer Mike Kerr faced his demons and got sober. And just when things were taking off, the pandemic nearly stopped them in their tracks.

GENRE IS DEAD! Interview With 3Teeth's Alexis Mincolla - GENRE IS DEAD!

It's lights out at the Metro in Chicago. The stage is bathed in black while the crowd buzzes, waiting in anticipation for the next moment. The music gradually gets louder prompting the crowd to start cheering and applauding. Alexis Mincolla growls "Life to life/waste to waste/I'm harbinger/the master of decay" and the crowd goes wild slamming and moshing against one another.

Concert Review: Blink-182 In Chicago 05/06/2023 - GENRE IS DEAD!

With the much-hyped return of Tom DeLonge, forthcoming new album, and their massive (yet pricey) world tour, blink-182 have a

Gallery and Recap: PUP at The Riviera Theatre * Chicago

Riviera Theatre Chicago, IL April 3rd, 2021 Recap by Ashley Perez Hollingsworth Photos by Curt Baran After two long years, PUP made their triumphant return to Chicago on Sunday night for their sold-out show at The Riviera Theatre.

Album Review: Biffy Clyro - A Celebration Of Endings - GENRE IS DEAD!

Biffy Clyro thrives on change. 25 years into their career they refuse to settle and get comfortable. Rather, they jump at the chance to try something new, expectations be damned. Always looking forward, they aren't afraid to experiment with their sound and take it to new places that keeps their music fresh and exciting.

Album Review: Creeper - Sex, Death & The Infinite Void - GENRE IS DEAD!

After releasing a stunning debut album, selling out tours around the world, and building a loyal fanbase, what's your next move? If you're Creeper you disappear completely. No one was sure if the band would return after their infamous "breakup" at their 2018 London KOKO show. The band didn't even know.

Book Review: Into The Never By Adam Steiner - GENRE IS DEAD!

Release Date: March 1st, 2020 When Nine Inch Nails released The Downward Spiral in 1994, it was an assault on music no one saw coming. Its genre-blending sound, bleak themes, and no-holds-barred attitude helped launched Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails into the mainstream.

Remembering the Present: On Chuck Klosterman's 'But What if We're Wrong?' - The Millions

By Ashley Perez posted at 12:00 pm on June 30, 2016 Chuck Klosterman is the king of pop culture. No other writer has evidently spent so much time having smart conversations about The White Stripes, "The Sims," or U2.