MUSIC CRITIC IN THE MAKING

At risk of sounding like my Grandma here, I gotta say it, man - Kids are starting out young these days. Take LaSalle Language Academy 8th grader Cooper Staszak, for instance. Not only is he already into some pretty respectable rock music, but he's getting an early start on a career in the music biz. Cooper was at Metro last December to review the sold out show with Rise Against for his school paper. Read what he had to say here.

In other Rise Against news, if you missed singer Tim McIlrath's recent interview with Q101, click here to listen.

BRMC PUTTING SPRING IN OUR STEP

By now we're probably getting really tired of the Chicago winter. The snow, the slush, and the temperamental temperature. But don't worry, March is here with some awesome things for us: Girl Scout Cookies, the return of our regularly scheduled TV line-up, and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's new album out TODAY. Now you can have your Girl Scout Cookies, and eat them too. Or you can at least eat them while listening to BRMC's new album, Beat the Devil's Tattoo.

Black Motorcycle Club is in top form with this new album. New drummer, Leah Shapiro (ex-Ravonettes) owns the beat and Hayes knows exactly where he's going with the new album. Check out the guys when they hit town with Band of Skulls on March 25th. Tickets are still available for the 18+ show, so grab them along with Beat the Devil's Tattoo and your Peanut Butter Patties. You won't be disappointed with any of your purchases.

BE A US AIR GUITAR CHAMPION

Show of hands: how many of us have ever shred a little air guitar in our bedrooms? All of us? That's what I thought. Now, how many of us have won a world championship for it? The US Air Guitar Championships are here to make your dreams of becoming an air rock god or goddess a reality. If you think you've got enough air-rock awesomeness, head over to USAirGuitar.com and enter to compete in Chicago's regional championship at Metro. Of course, being a rock legend has its perks; If you win, you'll get a cash voucher to use on travel to the national championships. The winner of the US Air Guitar Championship will receive airfare and accommodations for the world championships in Oulu, Finland. If you're 18 or over and have the $20 entry fee and a 60-second song to rock to, you're as good as in. Space is limited, so enter now.

The Chicago Regional US Air Guitar Championship will be held at Metro on Thursday, April 15th. Bjorn Turoque (the second best air guitarist in the world), will host the competition with judges including two-time national champ, Hot Lixx Hulihan, and a few local celebs. Not ready to debut your sweet moves in public? Come cheer on your favorite contenders as an audience member. Get your tickets now for $15. The show is 18 + over and begins at 9 pm.

GOODNESS GRACIOUS! PERSON L VIDEO

Person L - "Goodness Gracious"

Kenny Vasoli has been keeping busy since the 2008 "break" of The Starting Line. Lately, the east coast singer has been rocking faces clean off with his new project, Person L. If you haven't heard them, take a listen. The indie rock sound had us doing a double take at first, but we're into it. The guys just released a new video for their aptly titled single, "Goodness Gracious".

Catch the Person L on Copeland's farewell tour this spring, which hits Metro March 14th. Get tickets for the all ages show here, but be warned: proper face protection necessary else it may be rocked clean off.

OK GO BACK WITH NEW VIDEO

OK Go - "This Too Shall Pass"

The band that brought us daring treadmill choreography in 2006 is back with another video masterpiece. OK Go just released a video for their new single, "This Too Shall Pass" on Monday. The video, which features an amazing Rube Goldberg Machine, has already reached an awesome 2.6 million views on YouTube.

Aren't sure what a Rube Goldberg machine is? Think Mousetrap: pulleys, levers, and bowling balls rolling at just the right speeds to tip over baskets and capture mice. The machine in the 3:53 minute video took OK Go and guys from Syyn Labs several months to make. Talk about a level of dedication. Check out the video above and gets tickets (on sale NOW) for the just announced OK Go show at Metro on April 17th. We don't know if there will be any treadmills or Rube Goldberg machines, but grab your tickets to the all ages show just in case.

SCOTT LUCAS COMES HOME, STARTS TALKING

Any true fan of Chicago music will recognize Scott Lucas as half of the enduring rock duo Local H. But what about Scott Lucas & The Married Men? Last month, Lucas released his debut solo album under this name, along with help from members of The Tossers, Cisco Pike, Caviar, and the Fluffers. To learn more about Scott Lucas & The Married Men, check out his interview with UR Chicago.

An Evening With Scott Lucas and The Married Men from UR Chicago.

Intrigued? See Scott Lucas & The Married Men for yourself. They will open for The Tossers at Metro's St. Patrick's Day show on Wednesday, March 17th (the REAL St. Patrick's Day). Tickets are available now; The show is 18 + over and starts at 8 pm.

HAMMERFALL ON ICE

Mix Swedish metal band Hammerfall with, I dunno let's say the '06 & '10 gold metal winning womens Swedish curling team and what do you get? The stuff of legend. Hammerfall's video for "Hearts on Fire" pits the band against their sweeping countrywomen in fierce curling combat. Trust me, curling has never been this intense.

(Disclaimer: Hammerfall will play live at Metro on March 15th; The curling team will not.)