the cleaning ladys

Blogging is hard.

2009-08-20T16:36:00.001-05:00

We hate to say we told you so, but…

2008-10-07T19:15:00.002-05:00

Here's a link to our (unfortunately) prophetic and timeless song "When the Cubs Win the World Series". And, since we wanted to cover all the bases (unlike the Cubs) here's the song we'd all be singing if they didn't have that darned curse: "They Couldn't Destroy Our Cubs."

Scott made a song.

2007-12-01T12:00:00.000-06:00

Because he cares. Get it at GreenMeansStop.com.

every kid (the shoot shoot song)

2007-05-22T16:13:00.000-05:00

Scott made this without our permission.

no time for love

2007-05-22T16:11:00.000-05:00

From 1985 or '86. Thanks to Dan and Jen for saving their VHS copy all these years.

why visit our new myspace page?…

2007-05-20T20:44:00.000-05:00

…(which is here)
Because you'll find two music players, one of them with lots of your favorites and the other one with some live rarities. By the way, the guy Tom on that page who says is our friend is really just creepy.

wild chicago

2007-05-07T11:40:00.000-05:00

Probably from around 2000. We said a lot of funny things that got cut out.

give up on my girl

2007-05-05T19:48:00.000-05:00

Thanks to a fan for posting this one!

creatures from outer space

2007-05-01T20:08:00.001-05:00

our fantastic friends

2007-03-24T17:09:00.000-05:00

Maybe they're let us join their band.

we're you tubing

2007-03-12T20:47:00.000-05:00

more videos to come, including creatures from outer space, infatuation and video highlights from needle drop - tell your friends!

Why we got into music.

2007-02-13T17:23:00.001-06:00

A lot of people ask us where we found our inspiration for the Cleaning Ladys. Now it can be told.

PS - Don't miss the follow-up video here. (Time and tide wait for no Thor.)

We're still here.

2007-02-13T15:04:00.000-06:00

We've just been busy. But here's Art to sing some songs for you:

It Ain't So

2005-06-10T19:56:00.000-05:00

Mike was nice enough to write:

Please tell me it ain't so. Come on man!
Creatures from Outer Space.
It's a classic.
I can't find it on your site!!!!!!

Mike

It ain't so, now. Click here.

FAMOUS

2005-06-10T17:59:00.000-05:00

Everything you've ever wanted to know about John and half the stuff you've wanted to know about the Ladys has been revealed in the Chicago Reader. And don't forget to c'mon out to Cary Days on July 8 to see how we're handling this extra dollop of fame (look to your left for Cary Days details).

Simmer down, simmer down…

2005-03-16T13:08:00.000-06:00

The legendary Otis Ball writes from New Jersey: OK, ya tease us and now, three weeks later, suckas are still waiting for the full show! What gives?!?!?!?
OK, so we're Karla-teasers. Here are two more songs from the yet-to-be-legendary 1982 Concert for Karla:
Party of One (mp3 and iPod/AAC) and Would You Let Me In Your Country Club? (mp3 and iPod/ACC).

ohmygod it's here!

2005-02-22T16:53:00.000-06:00

Your patience has been rewarded. Here's an mp3 and an m4a (for your iPod) of How Can You Leave Me Tonight? as performed live at the 1982 Concert for Karla. Stay tuned, at least eleven more cuts from that show are on the way!

Sir Paul

2005-02-07T15:49:00.000-06:00

Sir Paul
Originally uploaded by cleaningladys.

So we celebrated the end of our latest Borders tour with a SuperBowl get together. I guess we all thought McCartney's show was OK; at least he could still sing. But for another opinion click here.

apropos of nothing

2005-01-28T11:23:00.000-06:00

Jef checks in with:
I don't know where else to put this but here they are, The Beastles – Beatles and Beastie Boys remixes. Good, slightly insane stuff. Check it out.

To which Scott replies: Please submit a 500-word essay comparing and contrasting The Beastles with DJ Dangermouse's Grey Album.

To which Jef replies: I can do it in less than that, Scott. Dangermouse is music, Beastles are entertainment.

Wow! An actual debate, just like on the real blogs! - Scott

Our latest find

2005-01-28T10:22:00.000-06:00

Ladys-MC
Originally uploaded by cleaningladys.

To make our lives a little easier at the Algonquin gig in terms of introducing songs and relating to the audience and all, we've hired an MC to take on a lot of those responsibilities (think James Brown and the guy with the cape). Anyway we think he's a great find - click here to see his demo tape that blew us away! (Thanks to Roger for turning us on to him!) (More info here.)

also r.i.p.

2005-01-24T09:28:00.000-06:00

Rose Mary "Sonic" Woods

our first recording engineer
(don't ask us where our first three albums went…)

oh well

2005-01-23T14:25:00.000-06:00

there goes our dream of appearing on the Carson show…

Big Noise in Oak Park

2005-01-18T18:04:00.000-06:00

Another fun show last Friday. Really cold, but nice crowd. An audible gasp went through the audience when I made a wisecrack about Frank Lloyd Wright. Lighten up people. Nobody asked us to turn down and I got free coffee, so I'm happy. As always, Art had some kind of issue about a service door not being opened promptly for him. And his books weren't prominently displayed. Yes, we all know he deserves better and he'll be the first to tell you. But he sure played the hell out of that acoustic guitar - pretty funny hearing that thing do loud feedbacky solos in a Borders. For Algonquin, Jef requested "New Is New" and "Jimmy Take Your Pills." We'll talk to legal and see what we can do. Hit comments and post your request, if you dare.
See ya in Algonquin.
Scott da bass playah

another rant from our super optimistic guitar player

2005-01-14T13:02:00.000-06:00

my power went out. no tv or radio. my outside theromometer broke. i have no way of knowing the weather.

ulp! wait a minute! i take that back! what's tonight? A CLEANING LADYS GIG!!--borders in oak park.

there therefore must be....

a blizzard...

a typhoon....

super frigid temperatures....

a tsunami.....

anything to keep the great unwashed masses cocooned in their abodes. (as we've experienced many times before in our illustrious career...)

PROVE ME WRONG PEOPLE! BRAVE THE ELEMENTS!! COME OUT TONITE--SEE THE CLEANING LADYS--BORDERS--OAK PARK--8 P.M.!! FUN! SUPPRISES!! WAHOO!!

(thank you for this fine opportunity)

art collins

(the cute one)

fan mail from some flounder

2005-01-12T18:32:00.000-06:00

this was a response from the woman who booked us. she was retorting to me bitching (mildly and politely hopefully) about us getting no acknowledgement from official borders personel.

Hi Art,

I've heard from several employees who said your music was great, and I usually don't hear anything but complaints, so I know they were into it.

We had a few customers who said it was a bit too loud, but a manager should have asked you to turn it down a bit in that case. I do apologize that no one greeted you. The manager on duty should be there to greet you and make sure you have everything you need. They should also make overhead announcements prior to 8pm.

I'll touch base with the other stores to make sure they follow our standard protocol.

Thank you for the feedback. One of the drawbacks to my job is that I can't be at all of the events to make sure things are handled as they should be.

Please let me know how things go at the other stores.

Thank you,
Chris