An IPO - Chicago Doubleheader

Members of The Artist Formally Known As Vince get along well together.

International Pop Overthrow - Chicago starts this Friday night at Montrose Saloon and will continue at the north side venue through April 27. Most of the acts involved are from the Chicago area, although there are some out-of-state visitors. Sunday brings a six-act afternoon showcase and a five-act evening showcase, separated by a short break.

The first set kicks off at 2:00 pm with country-rock singer-songwriter Miles Maxwell, who’ll be drawing from his 2018 album Red Ghost and several singles he’s released since then. Montrose Saloon regulars Brother Derek are back for another IPO - Chicago performance after making their festival debut last year. Their 2022 album Parade Rest finds them taking a satirical point of view while exploring various genres. Otter Petter have been crafting melodic and guitar-driven pop for 15 years, with their latest recording being the single “Movies.” They’re long-time favorites at IPO - Chicago. 

Kerosene Stars have been releasing albums since their self-titled 2014 effort, and they released a pair of new singles in 2023. “A Pretty Good Year” puts optimistic sentiment to a guitar-driven, power pop arrangement. Half Catholic looks to be making their IPO - Chicago debut this year, and they have a 2023 album titled Art In Heaven to promote. The TAFKAVINCE Band, also known as The Artist Formally Known As Vince, has been entertaining Chicago area audiences with fun, freewheeling rock for years. They recently released the two song EP February, and “Magazine,” a track from their 2023 album A Problematic Opera was voted as one of The Top Ten Glam Rock Songs Of 2023 by listeners of Elastic Glam Radio.

The Sunday evening showcase will start just a few hours later with Rollo Time, a band that’s equally impressive with the psychedelic rock of “12-17” and the Who-inspired “Spider In The Hole.” Their most recent single, “One Thing,” came out just about a year ago. Einstein’s Sister has previous experience performing at IPO showcases in Chicago and Los Angeles. Their Exit Strategies EP, which came out last November, was chosen as a favorite release of 2023 by Davenport, Iowa’s River Cities Reader publication. Big Stir Records artists Blake Jones And The Trike Shop hail from Fresno, CA and have often participated in the label’s power pop showcases.

Singer-guitarist Tim Kish has performed with Swingset and other bands in the state of Michigan. He recently released his debut album Drawn To Life, and has a knack for creating mind-altering videos for his indie rock songs. Chicago band Satellite Union draws on classic rock of years past for melodic and guitar-powered songs such as “Dirt Road” and “Leave My Heart.”

Check the official International Pop Overthrow website for the full Chicago schedule. You’ll also find links for just about all the acts who’ll be participating in Chicago this year. Even if you can’t attend in person, it’s a great way to discover new music. Many of the acts have Bandcamp pages, so it’s possible to already have some favorite songs before you've even seen the band play.

A Double Dose Of IPO - Chicago This Saturday

The Bon Mots in Action 

International Pop Overthrow - Chicago will have its first 2024 showcase this Friday night at Montrose Saloon (see my 4/15 post), and will follow that Bash (pun intended) with two separate lineups on Saturday. IPO Founder/CFO David Bash has shows scheduled at Montrose Saloon through April 27. Most of the acts involved are from the Chicago area, although there are some out-of-state visitors.

This Saturday afternoon’s showcase starts with a 2:00 pm set by Dam Destroyers. The band includes four members of The Red Wigglers, who ended their 25-year run last August. It will interesting to see if they carry on the original band’s emphasis on adventurous and often funny rock and roll with coed vocals and horn accompaniment. IPO - Chicago veterans Phil Yates and The Affiliates have four albums worth of catchy, guitar-driven pop to draw from for their 2:45 slot. The band moved here from Burlington, VT a while back, and its 2022 effort A Thin Thread is the first to feature the Chicago lineup. The Shake Ups utilized power pop arrangements to celebrate the fun of cartoon and pop culture on their Meddling Kids album, and these IPO - Chicago veterans take a similar approach in their live sets.

Mammals are self-described creators of “garagey power pop” with an emphasis on The Nerves, Buddy Holly, The Kinks and The Plimsouls. That comes across loud and clear through the assorted songs on their Bandcamp page. “In The Darkness” sounds like a Halloween song by The Ramones, and the rollicking “Expanding Heart” features impressive vocals. The Larvettes’ showcase will most likely feature songs from Happy Go Lucky Times, the three-song EP they released in 2022. Don’t let the title fool you, these guys love to spike their energetic rock tunes with bitter observations. The Jeremy Band, led by vocalist-guitarist Jeremy Morris, traditionally closes out a Saturday afternoon showcase with high-powered, melodic rock, and that’s exactly what will take place this Saturday. His latest album, Footprints, came out last month and finds Morris collaborating with Ken Stringfellow of The Posies. It’s available to order on the Jam Records website.

The Saturday evening showcase will start just a few hours later with Chicago-based musician Matt Tiegler. He’ll likely showcase catchy indie rock tunes such as “I Didn’t Get You” and the title track from his most recent album, Hands Free Down Hill. Long-time IPO - Chicago participants The Sonnets specialize in an intriguing mix of glam, mod, power pop, garage, surf, and blues. Things That Fly is the Chicago-based indie rock band led by Heidi Serwer and Karen Salmon. They served up clever and catchy tunes such as “Lucky Ones” and “Crunch Went The Snow” on their 2023 self-titled EP. 

The hard-edged power pop band MariZen is led by vocalist Mari Scott, and has a single, an album, and an EP available on Bandcamp. Those were released a while back, so it seems likely they’ll perform newer stuff too. Chicago rock scene veterans The Bon Mots have been working on new material, and their plan is to unveil some of it at IPO - Chicago this Saturday. These guys can also tap into numerous well-crafted indie pop songs from previous recordings they’ve released over the years. Routine Faces, AKA the single-named Sahara and Rob, drew upon Journey, Heart, Imogen Heap, and other artists for their emotionally complex album Us vs Them. They’ll be joined by drummer Joshua Rogers and keyboards player Kim Reuter when they wrap things up for this Saturday night’s showcase. 

Check the official International Pop Overthrow website for the full Chicago schedule. You’ll also find links for just about all the acts who’ll be participating in Chicago this year. Even if you can’t attend in person, it’s a great way to discover new music. Many of the acts have Bandcamp pages, so it’s possible to already have some favorite songs before you even seen the band play.

Incoming

Note: This is my second post for today. Earlier, I offered a preview of the opening night of this year’s International Pop Overthrow - Chicago. The six-act showcase starts at 7:30 pm at Montrose Saloon on the north side. I’m hoping to post a preview for each day of the festival.

Courtesy Patrol, one of the more recent bands to latch on to the talented and humorous guitarist-vocalist Dag Juhlin as a member, promises to “bring you musical joy in all forms - classics, deep cuts, and beyond” this Thursday night at the Friendly Tap in Berwyn. Whatever that means, it sounds like fun, and there’s no cover charge. The joy starts at 8:30 pm.

“Time To Let Some Light In,” the first single from singer-songwriter Steve Dawson’s upcoming album Ghosts, comes out on Pravda Records this Friday. In the meantime, the online Glide Magazine is offering the video premiere. Dawson is quoted as describing the song as having “gone through a lot of changes over time.” Watching the clip, it’s easy to see he was successful in switching to a more positive message for this well-crafted Americana song. The album Ghosts is due out June 7.

Stompin’ Grounds Cafe in Lake Zurich is staging one of its semi-regular live music events tomorrow night with a Spring Fling featuring acoustic music by the Face N Time band. The music starts at 7:00 pm, and the cafe promises “great treats [and] wonderful drinks” will be available for sale. Reservations are recommended. 

Chicago indie rock band Vinto Van Go, which describes its approach as, “Chicago-style psychedelic music rooted in this city’s garage rock and soul music,” has an album release show coming up this Thursday at the Epiphany Center For The Arts. The 321’s, a recently formed group that’s already busy on the local club scene, is also on the bill. In addition to live music, Epiphany Center For The Arts has art galleries, and serves drinks and appetizers. It’s located at 201 S. Ashland. The doors open at 5:00 pm, the music starts at 7:00 pm.

IPO - Chicago Kicks Off This Friday

The 21st annual International Pop Overthrow - Chicago kicks off this Friday for a nine-day run at Montrose Saloon on the city’s north side. CFO/Founder David Bash has several acts lined up, many of which fans have enjoyed at previous IPO - Chicago shows. Named after Material Issue’s stellar debut album, the festival was born in Los Angeles back in 1997. Three Chicago area bands, 92 Degrees, The Idea, and The Critics, performed on opening night of that 1997 festival in Los Angeles. So, it made sense that Chicago would be one of Bash’s first choices when he decided IPO could be a traveling event. Over the years, he’s staged versions at venues around the world. His focus for each location is on local talent, but for bigger markets such as Liverpool and Chicago, it’s not uncommon to find out-of-town, and occasionally out-of-country visitors.

IPO 24’s opening night kicks off with Alpine Subs. If that evokes a feeling of déjà vu, it’s because the six-member band was in that same spot last year. Alpine Subs have released four albums of easy-going melodic pop since 2019, with last August’s Come On Over To My House being the latest. We The Cats enjoyed a successful run in the 1990s, releasing three albums of pop, punk, and soulful music, and performing at numerous venues. Their appearance at this year’s IPO will serve as a 30th anniversary reunion. Phil Angotti was a member of The Idea back when the band played at the first IPO in Los Angeles, and has kept busy ever since. His solo set at this year’s Chicago event that will likely showcase songs from his latest and impressive album Once Around Again. Angotti is known for his Beatles tribute shows on the local club scene, and his original material shows he’s learned well from the masters.

The Spindles have spent several years on the Chicago club scene perfecting their British Invasion flavored power pop. Their 2018 CD Past And Present was an entertaining mix of originals and well-chosen covers, and they’re currently working on a new album that will be released later this year. The 321’s are a newer arrival on the Chicago scene, but are already getting noticed for delivering what they describe as “a sonic experience that is captivating and revolutionary.” One of their most recent gigs involved performing George Harrison covers at the My Sweet George tribute show at Martyrs in February. The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club has released a number of power pop/indie rock recordings over the past 10 years, and their Rolling Stones flavored “X Play” was one of the highlights on 2021 Big Blast Records compilation The Big Singles Vol.1. Their 2022 EP Vanishing Point, with its Halloween theme, was particularly impressive. Their most recent release was the catchy “Your Corvette Summer” single last year.

Check the official International Pop Overthrow website for the full Chicago schedule. You’ll also find links for just about all the acts who’ll be participating in Chicago this year. Even if you can’t attend in person, it’s a great way to discover new music. Many of the acts have Bandcamp pages, so it’s possible to already have some favorite songs before you've even seen the band play.

Slumgullion

 

“February Sky,” a brand new song from Ringo Starr’s Crooked Boy EP, is now available to download from various streaming sites. The physical EP, on black and white marble vinyl, will be available exclusively as part of next Saturday’s Record Store Day releases.

The entire list of this year’s limited-edition vinyl offerings is available on the official Record Store Day website. Once again, the selection has something to entice fans of just about every genre and era. Here’s a sampling of recording artists involved: Cannonball Adderley; Chet Baker; The Beatles; David Bowie; Jeff Buckley and Gary Lucas; Alex Chilton; Nat King Cole; The Cure;  De La Soul; The English Beat; George Harrison; Howlin’ Wolf; Ian Hunter; Chris Isaak; Elton John; John Lennon, Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman and Marty Stuart; Willie Nelson; Delores O’Riordan; OMD; Paramore; Charlie Parker; Parliament; Pearl Jam; Public Enemy; Queen; Queen Latifah; Ramones; The Replacements; The Roches; The Rolling Stones; Sonny Rollins; Linda Ronstadt; Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson; Siouxsie And The Banshees; Sleater-Kinney; Sonic Youth; Sparks; Donna Summer; Sun Ra; Supergrass; Talking Heads; T. Rex; U2, The Who; Wilco; The Yardbirds; Yes and Frank Zappa. There are tons more I didn’t mention, as well as a number of interesting various artists compilations.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the long-time, critically acclaimed South African singing group, will perform tomorrow night at Old Town School Of Folk Music on Lincoln Avenue.

Singer-guitarist Phil Angotti, along with Casey McDonough, John San Juan, and John Perrin,  will focus on The Beatles Second Album, along with other gems from the band at this Sunday’s Beatles Brunch at City Winery Chicago.

Gerald Dowd and Rachel Drew will reunite for a three-hour performance at Cary’s Lounge this Sunday, starting at 4:00 pm. Drew had a record release party for her impressive new album Old Sky New last Thursday at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, and Dowd is a member of Sonic45 and has performed with Steve Dawson, and other well-known Chicago musicians.

Stompin’ Grounds Cafe in Lake Zurich is staging one of its semi-regular live music events this Tuesday with a Spring Fling featuring acoustic music by the Face N Time band. The music starts at 7:00 pm, and the cafe promises “great treats [and] wonderful drinks” will be available for sale. Reservations are recommended.

EXPO CHGO - The International Exposition Of Contemporary and Modern Art, an annual event that’s a favorite among many art fans, has returned to Navy Pier for its 11th year and will run through this Sunday. There will be 170 international exhibitors from 29 countries.

ebertFest - Roger Ebert’s Film Festival will be marking its 25th Anniversary when it kicks off  next Wednesday, April 17 at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign, IL. Special Guests will be on hand for most of the screenings, which include Star 80; Little Indian Girl Collective Panel; Conducting Life; The Light Of Truth: Richard Hunt’s Monument To Ida B. Wells; Stony Island; The Teachers’ Lounge; Cookie’s Fortune; Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind; Little Richard: I Am Everything; The Best Man; Blackmail; Omoiyari: A Song Film By Kishi Bashi; Albany Road; and Man On The Moon. The festival runs through April 20.

Indie rockers The Telepaths and Dubble Bubble, a new act that features two members of the power pop band Triple, will share the bill at Lighthouse Tavern tomorrow night. Each is scheduled to perform a single set before joining forces for “Jamming, Chaos After.” The venue is located at 7301 N. Sheridan.

Chicago indie rock band Vinto Van Go, which describes its approach as, “Chicago-style psychedelic music rooted in this city’s garage rock and soul music,” has an album release show coming up next Thursday at the Epiphany Center For The Arts. The 321’s, a recently formed group that’s already busy on the local club scene, is also on the bill. In addition to live music, Epiphany Center For The Arts has art galleries, and serves drinks and appetizers. It’s located at 201 S. Ashland. The doors open at 5:00 pm, the music starts at 7:00 pm.

International Pop Overthrow - Chicago 2024 returns next Friday, April 19 and will through April 27 at Montrose Saloon. The schedule is now available on the official IPO website. CFO/Founder David Bash has brought his multi-act showcase to a number of Chicago venues over the years, and Montrose Saloon is a particularly good fit. I believe this will be its third time hosting.

Northeastern Illinois University radio station WZRD Chicago 88.3 will celebrate 50 years of offering freeform radio with a free of charge party at Martyrs on May 4. There will be live music by Cosmic Bull, Silver Abuse, Sons of Ra, and Charlie Otto. Martyrs’ is located at 3855 N. Lincoln Avenue.

Long-time Chicago-based rock musician Michael Steven Cohen has been specializing in classic tunes from The Great American Songbook lately, and he’ll perform Friday Night Love Songs on April 19 at Tuscan Market and Wine Shop in Arlington Heights. The romance begins art 7:00 pm.

The Neverly Brothers 20th Anniversary Tour will bring them to the Beverly Arts Center on May 4. It’s located at 2407 W. 111th Street - Chicago, IL. The trio provides a history of rock music dating back to the 1950s by performing artists such as Buddy Holly, The Beatles, and The Kinks.

Tickets went on sale today for the Paul Weller + Special Guests event taking place on September 15 at The Vic Theatre on Chicago’s north side. It’s his first US and Canada tour in seven years. Other cities in September will include Brooklyn, Boston, Washington D.C., Minneapolis, San Francisco, Toronto, and Vancouver. After visiting North America, Weller heads back across the pond for a UK Autumn Tour. It would be great if he also played some material from his days with The Style Council and The Jam. His new guitar-driven single “Soul Wandering” is now available on streaming sites, and a full-length album titled 66 is due out May 24.

Chicago fans of offbeat theatre will likely enjoy Theatre Wit’s current production of Nick Robideau’s play Inanimate, which concerns a young woman falling in love with a neon sign. Theatre Wit describes the Jeremy Wechsler-directed Inanimate as “the best (and only!) objectum-sexual dramedy of the year.” Freelance theatre critic Emily McClanathan, writing in the Chicago Tribune, says it’s “a warmhearted, expansive story about living authentically and accepting others for who they are.” J.G. Smith stars in the lead role.

This year’s Skokie Backlot Bash will be held on the weekend of August 23-25 in Skokie, IL. The lineup will be Arrested Development, Big Wade And Black Swan Theory, Tonic, Woolworthy, Tributosaurus Become The Kinks Part 2, and Thrift Store Halo.

The Time Machine - A Tribute To The ‘80s recently opened at the Black Ensemble Theatre and will run through this Sunday, April 14. Black Ensemble Theatre is located at 4450 N. Clark Street on Chicago’s north side.

Gerry’s Cafe, which recently opened in Arlington Heights, is promising to give a free small cookie to each customer who comes in wearing something blue during April to support Autism Acceptance Month. The cafe’s motto is Changing Lives One Cup At A Time and is staffed by adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Chicago-based power pop veterans Thrift Store Halo now has a cover band side project named Uncle Boogie. Fans can check it out when Uncle Boogie performs at the alliteratively named Lizard’s Liquid Lounge on April 20. I’ve never heard of this venue before, but from the photos on its website, it looks pretty cool. Plus, since it’s located at 3058 W. Irving Park Road in Chicago, I could almost walk there from the Metro Irving Park station.

 

The 40th Annual Latino Film Festival opened yesterday and will run through April 22 at the Landmark Century Center, Davis Theater, and Instituto Cervantes in Chicago. Admission for a regular screening is $15, and a 10-general-admission film passport costs $125.

The UPS for DownS Theatre Company is staging the musical Grease this weekend at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights. Megan Gray is the director. UPS for DownS  (United Parents Support for Down Syndrome) states the performance “features actors with and without Downs Syndrome, their friends and peers.”

The Bad Examples have a show coming up at the Hey Nonny venue in Arlington Heights on April 20. The Chicago band has a number of albums brimming with clever and melodic songs reminiscent of Squeeze.

The Chicago Film Society will present a screening of director Allan Dwan’s 1926 film Padlocked at the Music Box Theatre tomorrow. It stars Lois Moran and Noah Beery, and will be preceded by director Fred Guiol’s 1925 film Flaming Flappers. There will be live piano accompaniment by David Drazin. The Music Box is located at 3733 N. Southport Avenue, in Chicago.

Steve Dawson has drawn critical acclaim for his solo career, as well as for the alt rock/Americana band Dolly Varden he fronts with his wife Diane Christiansen, and his other band Funeral Bonsai Wedding. Dawson will gift his fans with his next solo effort Ghosts at some point this summer and the first single—“Time to Let Some Light In”—will be available next Friday.

The Zombies have released a collection of five one-take demos titled less is more on Spotify and Apple Music. 

A Best Of  Bruce Springsteen collection in CD, vinyl, and digital formats will be released next FridayApril 19.

The very first Off North Shore Skokie Music Festival will be held at the Skokie Sports Park on June 21 and 22. Scheduled performers include Mike Campbell and Dirty Knobs; Larkin Poe; The Bones Of J.R. Jones; and The Empty Pockets on day one; and Grace Potter; Donavon Frankenreiter; Jaime Wyatt; and JC Brooks Band on the second night.

The Sound And Vision exhibit, which features artwork by well-known artist-musicians, is now open and will run through April 21 at Mad.Kat Gallery in Rancho Mirage, CA. Participants include Joan Baez, Jon Langford, Penelope Houston, Juliana Hatfield, and Steve Wynn.

A Reader Best Of Chicago celebration will take place at 6:30 pm at the Lincoln Park Zoo on April 25. There will be live entertainment and performances by some of the award winners, as well as food and beverage vendors and other activities.

As someone who’d love to get my rock and roll/paranormal romance novel published some day and then see it adapted to film, I was fascinated with Chicago Sun-Times film critic Richard Roeper’s review of the new movie The Greatest Hits. It’s the story of a young woman who gets transported back in time whenever she hears a rock song that brings back memories of her recently deceased boyfriend. Roeper says it features a variety of recordings by current artists, including Roxy Music and Nelly Furtado. He gave it three stars.

Incoming

Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10:00 am for the Paul Weller + Special Guests event taking place on September 15 at The Vic Theatre on Chicago’s north side. As noted on the Paul Weller and The Vic’s Facebook pages, it’s his first US and Canada tour in seven years. Other cities in September will include Brooklyn, Boston, Washington D.C., Minneapolis, San Francisco, Toronto, and Vancouver.

After visiting North America, Weller heads back across the pond for a UK Autumn Tour. It would be great if he also played some material from his days with The Style Council and The Jam. His new guitar-driven single “Soul Wandering” is now available on streaming sites, and a full-length album titled 66 is due out May 24.

Proceed with caution. Indie rockers The Telepaths and Dubble Bubble, a new act that features two members of the power pop band Triple, will share the bill at Lighthouse Tavern this Saturday night. Each is scheduled to perform a single set before joining forces for “Jamming, Chaos After.” The venue is located at 7301 N. Sheridan.

This year’s Skokie Backlot Bash will be held on the weekend of August 23-25 in Skokie, IL. The lineup will be Arrested Development, Big Wade And Black Swan Theory, Tonic, Woolworthy, Tributosaurus Become The Kinks Part 2, and Thrift Store Halo.

Singer-guitarist Phil Angotti, along with Casey McDonough, John San Juan, and John Perrin, will focus on The Beatles Second Album, along with other gems from the band at this Sunday’s Beatles Brunch at City Winery Chicago.

Gerald Dowd and Rachel Drew will reunite for a three-hour performance at Cary’s Lounge this Sunday, starting at 4:00 pm. Drew had a record release party for her impressive new album Old Sky New last Thursday at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, and Dowd is a member of Sonic45 and has performed with Steve Dawson, and other well-known Chicago musicians.

Incoming

Photo from The Official Smithereens Facebook page.

Best wishes to guitarist Jim Babjak from The Smithereens for a full recovery from the micro discectomy surgery he’ll be having this Wednesday. Hopefully, it will relieve the back lumbar problems he’s experienced for years. The band’s official website states he’s expected to recover in time for their May and June concerts. The Smithereens, with Marshall Crenshaw as their guest vocalist, are scheduled to perform in their home state of New Jersey at a May 25 Memorial Day Weekend gig at Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, as well as at the Prairie Fest in Wood Dale, IL on June 28.

EXPO CHGO - The International Exposition Of Contemporary and Modern Art, an annual event that’s a favorite among many art fans, returns to Navy Pier for its 11th year this Thursday and will run through Sunday. The official brochure, which comes with the April issue of the Chicago free publication New City, promises there will be 170 international exhibitors from 29 countries. One of my favorite pieces from previous years was a larger-than-life bust of David Bowie. 

Gerry’s Cafe, which recently opened in Arlington Heights, is promising to give a free small cookie to each customer who comes in wearing something blue during April to support Autism Acceptance Month. The cafe’s motto is Changing Lives One Cup At A Time and is staffed by adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. My wife Pam and I added Gerry’s Cafe to our roster of venues for hot beverages, so I’ll have to pick something blue to wear when we visit this week.

Chicago-based power pop veterans Thrift Store Halo now have a cover band side project named Uncle Boogie. Fans can check it out when Uncle Boogie performs at the alliteratively named Lizard’s Liquid Lounge on April 20. I’ve never heard of this venue before, but judging from the photos on its website, it looks pretty cool. Plus, since it’s located at 3058 W. Irving Park Road in Chicago, I could almost walk there from the Metro Irving Park station.

 

The 40th Annual Latino Film Festival opens this Thursday and will run through Sundray at the Landmark Century Center, Davis Theater, and Instituto Cervantes in Chicago. Admission for a regular screening is $15, and a 10-general-admission film passport costs $125.

The UPS for DownS Theatre Company will stage the musical Grease this Thursday through Sunday at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights. Megan Gray is the director. UPS for DownS  (United Parents Support for Down Syndrome) states the performance “features actors with and without Downs Syndrome, their friends and peers.”

The Bad Examples have a show coming up at the Hey Nonny venue in Arlington Heights on April 20. The Chicago band has a number of albums brimming with clever and melodic songs reminiscent of Squeeze.

The Chicago Film Society will present a screening of director Allan Dwan’s 1926 film Padlocked at the Music Box Theatre this Saturday. It stars Lois Moran and Noah Beery, and will be preceded by director Fred Guiol’s 1925 film Flaming Flappers. There will be live piano accompaniment by David Drazin. The Music Box is located at 3733 N. Southport Avenue, in Chicago.