Friday, December 14, 2018

Slumgullion

Congratulations to 2019 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductees The Cure, Def Leppard; Janet Jackson, Stevie Nicks; Radiohead, Roxy Music, and The Zombies. I was particularly pulling for The Zombies, not only because their catchy blues and jazz infused pop songs were ahead of their time, but because I had the honor of doing a phone interview with Zombies frontman Colin Blunstone for the Illinois Entertainer a few years back, and he couldn’t have been nicer.

Perhaps no act deserves the ahead-of-their-time description more than Roxy Music; and The Cure, like last year’s inductee The Cars, played a huge role in helping new wave become an enduring genre rather than simply a fad.

The RRHOF is not without its critics, and for a lot of discerning rock fans, the failure to induct Todd Rundgren was inexcusable. If you’d like to tell him that in person, he’s kicking off a tour in April. He’ll be at the Athenaeum Theatre in Chicago on April 23 and 24. Other stops on the tour include Atlanta, New York, Boston, and Toronto.

Welcome to legendary English guitarist Richard Thompson, who has arrived in Chicago for performances tonight and tomorrow at Thalia Hall.

The 20th Annual Animation Show Of Shows started today at the Gene Siskel Film Center and runs through December 27. The 15 animated short films come from France, USA, Germany, Brazil, The Netherlands, and Spain.

Wild Honey, the California based concert promoter that regularly stages benefit concerts that bring together well-known musicians to pay tribute to The Beatles, Big Star, Buffalo Springfield, and other artists, has another show in the works. Wild Honey Orchestra Perform The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society will be held on February 23 at The Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA. Special guests will be announced soon.

Tickets went on sale today for Bad Examples at FitzGerald’s on February 8; Adrian Belew at Old Town School Of Folk Music on April 4; King Crimson at the Auditorium Theatre on September 10; Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes at SPACE on April 10; and Rachel Yamagata at City Winery Chicago on January 29 and 30.

Tickets are also on sale for Van Morrison at the Chicago Theatre on April 24 and 25; Gang Of Four at SPACE on February 13; The Chills at The Empty Bottle on February 27; Alice Peacock at SPACE on May 18; Marshall Crenshaw and The Bottle Rockets (two shows) at Old Town School Of Folk Music on April 6; Neko Case at The Vic Theatre on April 26 and 27; Queen and Adam Lambert at the United Center on August 9; and Jenny Lewis at the Riviera Theatre on March 30.

Durty Nellie’s in Palatine is hosting a Benefit To Feed The Hungry  from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. this Monday. Wall Of Denial, a Stevie Ray Vaughn tribute band, is hosting the event with benefits going to the Schaumburg Food Pantry.

Chicago’s rollicking and always fun rockabilly/garage rock band The Amazing Heeby Jeebies will have a residency throughout 2019 at Montrose Saloon, playing every second Sunday. The band promises special guests and lots of surprises.

First, there was Head Over Heels, the Broadway play featuring songs by The Go-Go’s, and now there’s a new book of crime fiction inspired by the band’s music. Edited by Holly West, with a forward by Go-Go’s member Jane Wiedlin, Murder-A-Go-Go’s includes tales based on “Our Lips Are Sealed,” “Skidmarks On My Heart,” Head Over Heels,” “We Got The Beat,” Lust To Love” and other tracks from Go-Go’s albums. Authors include Lori Rader-Day, Susanna Calkins, Greg Herren, Lisa Alber, Eric Beetner, Nadine Nettmann, and Travis Richardson. The anthology, which features an illustration of the band members in full Sam Spade mode on the cover, is available from Down and Out Books. Net proceeds will benefit Planned Parenthood of America.

I received my copy of The Alternate Boot, the new album from Chicago alt rockers whitewolfsonicprincess yesterday, and I’m looking forward to exploring its provocative sounds. Wes Hollywood is simultaneously releasing the full album Dynamite and the four-song EP Lipstick. Both efforts feature the exquisite power pop we’ve have come to expect from this Chicago act. Plus, there are new hard-hitting albums from Van Go and Norwood Park All Stars. Please consider giving the gift of local music this holiday season. There’s plenty of great stuff to share.

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