ChicagoVerseUniteD: Chicago Scene Salvation

In support of last week’s release of his Walk The Talk EP, William Beckett has been keeping busy as of late. In addition to multiple StageIt performances, the former The Academy Is… frontman and newly solo artist recently visited Chicago’s GRAMMY U chapter for an interview, which can be seen below.

The artist also performed an Audio Tree live session, the video for which can be seen below. Following that short film are all four streaming cuts off Walk The Talk, via the artist’s SoundCloud. And catch William Beckett live in Chicago on May 29th at Schubas (tix).

The Academy Is… frontman William Beckett has produced a series of acoustic covers for Alternative Press, including “God & Mars” from Days Away, Midtown‘s “Become What You Hate,” “Northern Downpour” by Panic! at the Disco, “1994″ from The Stereo, and Fall Out Boy‘s “Saturday.” The covers all come in support of the upcoming Fueled By Ramen anniversary events happening this Wednesday, September 7th, and Friday, September 9th, in New York. Watch the singer cover the label’s catalogue cuts below.

Days Away – “God & Mars”

Midtown – “Become What You Hate”

Panic! at the Disco – “Northern Downpour”

The Stereo – “1994″

Fall Out Boy – “Saturday”

William Beckett, he of The Academy Is…, has posted a new video cover as part of his Under The Covers series. This go round, the frontman tackles ubiquitous ’90s radio hit “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls. Find that cover below, and catch The Academy Is… as part of the Fueled By Ramen 15th anniversary celebration September 9th at Terminal 5 in New York, in addition to supporting Jack’s Mannequin on the group’s West Coast dates this fall.

Dapper The Academy Is… frontman William Beckett has posted a live cover of Wilco‘s “Jesus Etc.” at his Tumblr. Watch that acoustic performance below, and catch Beckett live this Sunday at Reggie’s Rock Club.

Up now — two new ChicagoVerseUniteD podcasts for the weekend, featuring talent performing tonight at Reggie’s Rock Club!

The Academy Is... frontman William Beckett and The Audition frontman Danny Stevens both hit Reggie’s Rock Club tonight, with both singers turning in special solo performances. In an A Side and B Side set of podcasts, Beckett and Stevens discuss what to expect from tonight’s performance, how 2009 has treated both acts, and what’s coming up for both The Academy Is… and The Audition in 2010.

ALSO: don’t miss William Beckett with Mat Devine for the Kill Hannah frontman’s Fuse TV live Q&A feature, The Raccoon Society, happening today from noon-1:30 at Angels & Kings!

CVU18: William Beckett (The Academy Is…)

CVU19: Danny Stevens (The Audition)

Click the links above to be taken to DivShare download pages, or stream CVU18 & 19 below

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During winter 2006, I hosted and DJ’d the music industry DJ night The Rock Party @ Chicago’s Lakeview Broadcasting Company. Guest DJ’s included Greg Corner from Kill Hannah (bottom image), as well as members of Plain White T’s and The Academy Is… who each made The Rock Party their after-party following hometown performances.

Sample Playlist From 1/17/07
smashing pumpkins – heavy metal machine
local h – keep your girlfriend away from me
the clash – train in vain
kaiser chiefs – i predict a riot
cold war kids – hang me out to dry
love & rockets – so alive
assassins – always wanting what you ain’t got
echo & the bunnymen – the killing moon
atmosphere – watch out
marilyn manson – i don’t like the drugs
the faint – worked up so sexual
n*e*r*d – stay together
alkaline trio – every thug needs a lady
taking back sunday – liar
Bloc Party – Banquet (The Streets Mix)
shiny toy guns – rainy monday
at the drive in – one armed scissor
misfits – where eagles dare
fall out boy – grand theft autumn/where is your boy
dramarama – anything, anything (i’ll give you)
the killers – read my mind
gwen – wind it up
NIN – terrible lie (live)
death from above 1979 – black history month (sammy danger remix)
the blood bros. – love rhymes with hideous car wreck
thursday – division st.
airiel – cinnamon
MCR – the black parade
say anything – wow, i can get sexual, too
violent femmes – do you really want to hurt me?
rise against – any way you want it
panic! @ the disco – the only difference between martyrdom and suicide is press coverage (tommie sunshine brooklyn fire remix)
the smiths – how soon is now?
the assembly – never even true
the arcade fire – black mirror
death cab – sound of settling
hold steady – chips ahoy
modest mouse – ocean breathes salty
bloc party – waiting for the 7.18
muse – starlight
MSI – straight to video (the birthday party remix)
ministry – lay lady lay
cities – writing’s on the wall (ladytron remix)
michael hutchence & bono – slide away
the afghan whigs – 66
low – california
the good, the bad and the queen – the kingdom
james – laid
the knife – we share our mother’s health (ratatat remix)
QOTSA – songs for the deaf
thrice – all that’s left
snow patrol – hands open
Smashing Pumpkins – Silverfuck