Don't cover our underground scene, man! (Psst, here's a press release for our next event...)

Our cover package on Chicago's underground cultural scene is making big waves, as we suspected it would. Fearful scenesters are all over the comment boards attacking us for ruining their hidden gardens of fun, even though we approached the venues respectfully and without revealing their locations. We are mindful of the fact that too much public scrutiny can kill an underground scene, but we are even more mindful of the fact that we are here to serve readers. We cover the cultural life of Chicago with more breadth and depth than any other media outlet, and we're not about to deprive readers of a glimpse into the city's underground culture as it currently exists.

The angry trolls, one of whom, a passionate fan of the Mortville space, has created a Facebook page personally attacking one of our writers, clearly don't understand our mission. They also aren't aware of a key fact: Many of these underground venues ask for press coverage. Yep, it's true.

Miles Raymer mused on the uproar at the Reader's music blog, and the Reader's Philip Montoro opined in the comments, "It's a pretty safe bet that nobody at Mortville sent any promotional material to Time Out Chicago." That was about as safe a bet as picking the Yankees to win this year's World Series. In fact, Mortville itself has sent us multiple press releases for events. A sampling, with the address redacted:

"We are having an art show at our gallery, Mortville, on April 10 from 7-12. Located at [REDACTED].  It's a group show called 'the 5 dollar store' in which artists make products that fit into a convenience store.  Most artwork is 5 dollars or less.  Some of the artists' involved include: Sara Heymann, Clayton Bond, Josh Rubens, Erin Soule, Hector Serna, Ryan Fenchel, Tom Hill, Alyssa Fanning, Leah Grimaldi, Curtis Lubbe, Sarah Elizabeth Miller, and much more."

"We are having an opening for an installation by Sara Heymann and Mortville members on May 30th, from 8pm till 1am at MORTVILLE located at [REDACTED]. We will be remaking The Slow Club, where Dorothy Vallens sang in the movie Blue Velvet with Chicago bands Percolator, the Nothingheads, and pisspisspissmoanmoanmoan playing on stage.  $5 suggested donation. More info at [REDACTED]. thanks!! MORTVILLE"

"Mortville is an art/music space located at [REDACTED] that creates theater-set-like installations and has bands come and play in them.  The opening of their 4th installation, The Apocolypse, will be on Nov. 5th, 2009.  With live performances by: I love you (from kansas city, MO) The Tanks (Iowa City) sadhu sadhu, suckling pig and far things. The installation will feature edible dead bodies and those that were left behind to roam the earth. Doors will open at 9.  There is a $5 sug. donation.  for more information, please visit [REDACTED]. The closest subway line is [REDACTED], and then walk one block south."

So, I think all the enraged scenesters should chill out a bit, maybe at their favorite underground venue. And if they've forgotten the address, they can just check a press release...