Slumgullion

BHT Welcomes The Stones To Chicago. Graphic from The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

The Gene Siskel Film Center presented the Chicago premiere of The Crumbles tonight. The 2012 film concerns a pair of female musicians (played by Teresa Michelle Lee and Katie Hipol) who form a band with a male drummer. The Crumbles, which the Film’s Center’s May program describes as a “winningly good-hearted movie,” will also be shown on Monday at 3:00 PM. It’s part of the Gene Siskel Film Center’s Asian American Showcase.

My Kingdom For A Harley. The revved-up version of Shakespeare’s Richard III that drew critical acclaim during its earlier stay at the Underground Wonder Bar can now be seen at the The Den Theatre  on Milwaukee Avenue from tonight through June 30th. Director Carlos Lorenzo Garcia, a veteran of the Mary-Arrchie Theatre, has re-imagined the Bard’s royal characters as warring bikers.

Speaking of the Mary-Arrchie Theatre, its highly successful take on Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie is also coming back. Director/performer Han Fleischmann’s bold reworking resulted in sold-out shows and rave reviews during its last run. This time, it’s being staged (with the same cast) at Theatre Wit, rather than at Mary-Archie’s home base. All the people who missed The Glass Menagerie last time around will have until June 30th to catch it.

The Rolling Stones are coming to Chicago next Friday, May 31st, and then they’re going to stay here! Well, until June 3rd, for the last of their three concerts at the United Center. WXRT featured The Stones today and DJ Terri Hemmert speculated that Mick and the lads might be seen hanging out here during that time. The gazebo in my backyard is available for practice if they need it.

Too bad The Stones won’t still be in town on June 8th for the free admission, all-ages Rolling Stones Tribute Show being held at the Brother K Coffeehouse in Evanston. It’s another event organized by alt rockers whitewolfsonicprincess, who’ve honored John Lennon and Neil Young in the past. Some of the acts scheduled to join wwsp include Hannah Frank, Mr. Mo, The Alley Cats, Dave Newman, and The Rut.

In related news, The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame opened its new Rolling Stones: 50 Years Of Satisfaction exhibit at its headquarters in Cleveland today. Fans can check out 4,000 square feet of instruments, clothing, art, and other memorabilia.

Power pop band The Viaducts hope to usher in the Summer next Friday night at Phyllis’s Musical Inn on Division in Chicago. Suicide Bunnies are also on the bill. The show starts at 9:00 PM. The Viaducts, led by singer-guitarist Jimmy Rane, performed at International Pop Overthrow - Chicago last month.

Meanwhile, International Pop Overthrow opened in London tonight at the Surya venue and will stay throughout the weekend. The Len Price 3 will be performing tomorrow at 10:15 PM, and other acts include Spygenius, Dave Rave, and The 286, who bill themselves as “The UK’s only rock orchestra.” As I often do when IPO hits another town, I did some research on the London schedule and found at least two new acts, Semion and The Silver Factory, that I had never heard of before, but instantly liked. So by all means, use that IPO website as a means of discovering new music. 

Crushed Out, the hard-hitting duo comprised of vocalist-guitarist Frank Hoier and drummer Moselle Spiller, will be performing at the Paper City Music Festival in Chillicothe, OH on June 15th. Crushed Out’s 2012 release, Want To Give, was a freewheeling blend of rock-a-billy, punk and hard rock. The David Mayfield Parade and PALEFACE! are also part of the Paper City Music Festival, which will be held at the Majestic Theatre. 

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Bluegrass Singing In The Dead Of Night

Most Beatles fans are aware of the band’s affection for Country & Western music and how much it influenced songs like “I’m Looking Through You” and “I’ve Just Seen A Face.” The Fab Four also rendered their own classic versions of tunes by Carl Perkins and Buck Owens. Chicago-based duo Sgt. Popgrass is now exploring the flip side of this situation by giving Beatles songs some rustic American appeal.

“We’re two guy singers who play guitars, 12 strings, mandolin, and a mean banjo,” Graham Elvis, who bills himself as Bandmaster 1st Class, Popgrass Army USA, explained via an email. “We do all Beatle songs with a bluegrass style and instruments.”

Graham Elvis was one third of The Elvis Brothers, a rockabilly band that recorded two superb LPs for Portrait in the 1980s, and later, the Now Dig This CD on the indie label, Recession Records. The trio never achieved the success it deserved. Sgt. Popgrass isn’t the first time Graham Elvis has covered tunes by John, Paul, George, and Ringo. He was part of the trio, Not The Be@tles with former fellow Elvis Brother, Brad Elvis and singer-songwriter, Phil Angotti. Once he had the concept for Sgt. Popgrass in mind, Graham Elvis started looking for musicians who would be compatible.

“The right ‘people’ came to me in the singular form of singer/songwriter Baltimore Banjo Wizard, Jacob Panic,” he explained. Together they started “putting an energetic, bluegrass, and original twist on the classic Beatle songs that everyone knows and loves, without making the songs unrecognizable or us playing make-believe Beatles. It’s a built-in pleasure for audiences of all ages.” 

Sgt. Popgrass has recorded at least eight tracks in an ambitious effort that includes music from The Beatles’ LPs rather than just concentrating on the hit singles. Occasionally, their approach is reminiscent of the 1970s band McGuinness Flint. “Love Me Do” is predictably peppy, but it works, while the spare arrangement for “And I Love Her” has a more delicate beauty. “Rain” moves to an easy-going vibe, and “We Can Work It Out” is particularly well-suited to an acoustic guitar and banjo setting.

Graham Elvis and Jacob Panic combine for airtight harmonies throughout, and most of the tracks have passages where they cut loose on their instruments. “Blackbird” and “Cry Baby Cry” have more complex arrangements to match their lyrical content, while a more dramatic beat, edgy vocals, and a hint of Led Zeppelin’s “The Battle Of Evermore” add tension to “Helter Skelter.” It may seem odd to hear the politically charged “Revolution” in this context, but folk songs often tackled the heated issues of the time. 

“The tunes are fresh and original takes on classic songs,” Graham Elvis noted. “And we’re one of the few acts that has it’s own genre: Popgrass.” 

Sgt. Popgrass will perform at The Dustin Villarreal Memorial Benefit Concert on Saturday, July 6th, at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles. The Cavern Beat and Rick Lindy and The Wild Ones are also on the bill.

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45 RPM Memories: Jimmy The Hoover - “Tantalise (Wo Wo Ee Yeh Yeh)”

Back in 1983, Jimmy The Hoover had a moderate hit on the UK charts with the exotic “Tantalise (Wo Wo Ee Yeh Yeh).”  I’m not sure how well it sold in America, but I bought the single after hearing it played on the Chicago FM radio station, WXRT. At the time, I found “Tantalise” fit in well on a mixed cassette next to “When Lightning Strikes” by The Three O’Clock. Both songs are exuberant celebrations of finding true love.

The odd name for this bi-racial group came from its infamous manager, Malcolm McClaren, although the meaning is unclear. Maybe he was referring to the “I’m sick of the Hoover” line from Lene Lovich’s “New Toy.” Credited to the entire band, “Tantalise” immediately inspired listeners to dance along with its infectious guitars, steel drum, and percussion. “Tantalise me the way only you can do,” lead vocalist Derek Dunbar instructed a lover. “I’ve only to hear you and my heart beats like a drum.” 

Female backup vocalists that included drummer Carla Duplantier helped Dunbar make the celebratory incantation, “Wo Wo Ee Yeh Yeh” so memorable it was listed as part of the title. When my wife Pam and I got married, we found a DJ who agreed to play any records we wanted at the reception. “Tantalise” was one of the first choices that came to my mind.

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Slumgullion

Photo from The Merrylees Facebook page.

Happy Birthday to Carla Evonne, former lead vocalist for one of Chicago’s all-time best punk bands, Bohemia. Here’s a clip of Bohemia performing “Empty Room” from their debut LP, Deviations. This was one of the songs that inspired the rock and roll novel I recently completed. I’m now looking for an agent or publisher. 

Expo 76, an eclectic cover band that includes Dag Juhlin of The Slugs and Poi Dog Pondering, as well as Pravda Records founder/CEO Kenn Goodman, will playing real good for free, tonight at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn.

This Is This, a Chicago area trio that plays mostly original music, will be back at Mac’s On Slade   tomorrow night. On The Hours, The Minutes And The Days, the most recent CD by This Is This, guitarist-singer John Petitt, bassist-singer Don Torres, and drummer Eric Helge brought other genres into their melodic mainstream rock songs. As I mentioned before here on BHT, Mac’s is quickly becoming a popular choice for musicians.

Singer-songwriter Gerry O’Keefe will be playing acoustic versions of songs from his recent Whatever Suits You CD tomorrow night (Saturday, May 18th) at the Buzz Cafe Oak Park. The show starts at 6:30 PM. In my BHT review of Whatever Suits You a while back I noted, “it’s clear that O’Keefe still adores a catchy melody, especially one that’s augmented with harmony vocals and jangling guitars.” I believe at some point, he mentioned on Facebook that he might also play the Herman’s Hermits song, “I’m Into Something Good.” 

Crawpuppies, a band from Indiana that’s equally adept at power pop and mainstream rock, will be the opening act when the Gin Blossoms play at Popcorn Fest in Central Park Plaza in Valparaiso, IN on September 7th. A few years back, when I reviewed the World’s Much Bigger CD by Crawpuppies, I noted that lead singer-guitarist Chad Clifford’s vocals evoke Ian Hunter while his lyrics concerning relationships and topical issues consistently hit the mark. Crawpuppies also have a show on May 31st at Buddy & Pals in Winfield, IN on May 31st.

Luck Of Eden Hall will be in a celebratory mood at Vintage Vinyl in Evanston tomorrow afternoon starting at 1:00 PM. The occasion is the European release of the eternally psychedelic band’s Butterfly Revolutions Volumes 1 and 2. Luck Of Eden Hall will also perform a few songs as a preview of its upcoming release, Victoria Moon.

Go Time! has a record release party for its impressive new CD, Tight Like Wood, on Saturday, June 1st, at Silvie’s Lounge at 9:00 PM. When I reviewed the band’s most recent for release this past Tuesday, I noted its complex arrangements that fall somewhere between power pop and hard rock.

I mentioned in last week’s Slumgullion that the new Plastiscines single “Coming To Get You” was overly commercial, but I suspected better things could still come from the French three-woman band. And I was right.  “Ooh La La” still leans more toward techno than the garage rock that made Plastiscines so much fun in the past, but it’s a catchy tune, built on lead and bass  guitars.

Young Sinclairs, a band that incorporates the jangle of British Invasion but also delves into Bob Dylan and garage rock, has  a new video for “Didn’t You Baby.”  The song is from their 2010 release Chimneys, which is being reissued in digital format available on Amazon and iTunes.  “Hurt My Pride,” released earlier this year as a single, has been getting airplay on Little Steven’s Underground Garage radio show. Young Sinclairs vocalist Sam Lunsford’s self-titled solo debut is also now available. 

International Pop Overthrow is in full swing in the home town of The Beatles. Thirty bands are lined up to play throughout tomorrow at The Cavern Club, which means plenty of opportunities to discover new music. For example, here’s a clip of one of the participating acts, The MerryLees. There’s also a Cavern Club Tribute To Lennon/McCartney scheduled for 2:00 to 6:00 PM. IPO - Liverpool runs through Tuesday, May 21st.

Grab a bowl of cereal and get ready for the world premiere of Ralph Covert’s children’s TV pilot, Ralph’s World: Time Machine Guitar on Chicago PBS station Channel 11. The show will air tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM; Sunday at 10:30 AM; and Tuesday at 6:30 AM. Covert also has a non-Ralph’s World related show tomorrow night at the Friendly Tap in Berwyn.

A Mini Minion? Congratulations to WXRT’s PR Director Kristin Kay on the birth of her first child, Charles. Kay and her staff, or minions, as XRT morning DJ Lin Brehmer and news anchor Mary Dixon call them, are in charge of the station’s Corporate Takeover promotion and can often be seen at XRT events. Like the station’s long-time air personalities, Kay exudes a genuine friendliness that resonates with listeners. Back when I first started BHT in 2009, I attended a birthday bash for Brehmer at Arlington Park. It was a limited affair for selected listeners. Spotting Kay hanging out, I figured protocol dictated that I ask if it would all right to do a blog post about the party. Kay told me it was fine, and with a friendly tap on my arm added, “Knock yourself out!” 

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CD Review: Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra - For The Baby Doll

Chicago-based musician Nicholas Tremulis has covered a lot of ground since releasing his soulful self-titled debut in 1985. His multiple recordings include the dark but compelling Bloody Show in 1996, and his more recent work with Bun E. Carlos from Cheap Trick and John Stirratt from Wilco in the alt rock band, Candy Golde. He’s also a knowledgeable radio personality; serving as a host of WXRT’s appropriately named weekly program Eclectic Company. His latest venture, For The Baby Doll, combines roots rock with a bit of cutting edge literature. Recorded with The Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra, it might be his strongest effort yet.

  

For The Baby Doll comes packaged within a 36-page book with lyrics, a short piece by Tremulis, and a gritty, soul-baring Forward by Michael Thomas. Tremulis reaches back decades to a time when he was trying to land a record deal in L.A., and then reflects on living in one of New York’s low-rent but trendy neighborhoods. He obviously still treasures the times he spent in punk bars and strip clubs, as well as the friends he made in them. Anyone who’s into Tom Waits or the Beat Writers will feel at home reading these pages.

Tremulis employs a hip, talky vocal style for his descriptive lyrics, which gives the music on For The Baby Doll as narrative feel as well. The sparse title track depicts two lovers huddled in a door as snow blows past them , while the hopeful “Walk In The Sun Again” is a promise to a loved one that even in the toughest times, “We can find the light in each other’s eyes.” He has a cynical view of society on the soulful “Everybody Here,” observing, “Everybody here wants to get their kicks without delay/Everybody here wants a big fat fix of power play.” On the dance club song “Push It,” he evokes Dylan while describing guys, “In their wanna-be shirts and their hypocrite pants.”

Tremulis warns a lover to clean up her act on the energetic “You’re Gonna Lose (Everything You Got)” but otherwise For The Baby Doll consistently offers a sentimental but authentic take on the power of love. “Without You With Me,” written by Tremulis with Alejandro Escovedo, is a rough hewn love song with an aching melody reminiscent of George Harrison’s best work, while the old time blues of “Super Human Love” is a joyous celebration of the powerful emotion. “You’re Too Much (But Never Enough)” is just for fun; as Tremulis and his Orchestra cut loose with some freewheeling rock and roll.

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A Second Helping Of Third

2013 has been an exciting year for Big Star fans. Nothing Can Hurt Me, a feature length, critically acclaimed documentary about the pioneering power band once led by the late and legendary Alex Chilton, has been making the rounds at music and film festivals. The soundtrack, which features rare alternate and studio mixes, as well as a new mix of “September Gurls,” was one of the most coveted vinyl treasures offered for Record Store Day this past April. The CD version is available on Amazon.

Now comes the news that an all-star celebration of the Big Star 1978 gem, Third, (named by Rolling Stone as one of the 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time) will be held on June 28th at the Vic Theater in Chicago. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, at 10:00 AM CST.

Presented by Jam Productions and Chicago radio station WXRT, Big Star's Third will be a full live performance of the LP involving some very familiar and respected names on the power pop and alt rock scene. Jody Stephens, drummer with the original Big Star, tops a list that also includes Mike Mills from R.E.M.; Chris Stamey from The dB's; Mitch Easter from Let's Active; Ken Stringfellow from The Posies; Sally Timms from The Mekons; Josh Caterer from Smoking Popes; Gary Louris from The Jayhawks; and Ed Roeser from Urge Overkill.

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CD Review: Go Time! - Tight Like Wood

Note: Go Time! is having a release party for Tight Like Wood on Saturday, June 1st  at Silvie’s Lounge on Irving Park Road in Chicago.

It’s not surprising to find Go Time! pursuing a melodic sound that bridges the gap between hard rock and power pop on its latest release. The Chicago-based quartet has done well with that approach on its previous CDs, Hit It and Boneshaker. Lead vocalist-guitarist Scott Niekelski retains his distinctive, talky delivery on the 16-track Tight Like Wood, but the music is definitely more complex, with Go Time! infusing the energetic arrangements with more nuances and dimensions while Niekelski hones his songwriting skills.

The immediately engaging “The Life We Once Knew” is a prime example, with its masterful blend of acoustic and electric guitars. On “Days Of The Weak,” Go Time! builds a big sound with guitars and keyboards, while the mid-tempo “Thought You’d See” evokes R.E.M., with an additional touch of Country & Western. “In A Certain Mood” offers another guitar showcase from Niekelski and Paul Schmidt; sounding like something The Rolling Stones might have unleashed in the 1970s. In addition to these more complex songs, Go Time! also performs straight up hard rock on “The Lines Were Blurred” and “Live  Today... Die Another,” which is driven by Mark Marketti’s powerful bass lines. Throughout Tight Like Wood, Go Time! keeps the emphasis on strong melodies.

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