Slumgullion

Kinks Kollectibles. Kinks fans who collect picture sleeve 45 rpm records are in for a double treat. The band’s official Facebook page recently announced they’ll mark the 60th anniversary of their hit single “Sunny Afternoon” with a “sunshine coloured” seven-inch limited edition due out in June. The B-Side will be “I’m Not Like Everybody Else” The post also states, “And watch out for a special update!” I’ve already pre-ordered my copy via The Kinks website.

Meanwhile, Chris Stamey from The dB’s has recorded his own version of The Kinks’ “Waterloo Sunset,” which is now available on various streaming sites. Vinyl lovers will have to wait until May 8 for the seven-inch colored-vinyl edition, with a rendition of the Paul McCartney-penned Mary Hopkins 1969 hit single “Goodbye” on the B-Side. 

Chris Stamey’s take on “Waterloo Sunset” will also be on his upcoming album Modernism, which features him performing cover versions of songs by some of his favorite bands, including “Hey Bulldog” by The Beatles and “Ruby Tuesday” by The Rolling Stones. Modernism is due out June 19 via Flatiron Recordings.

The May issue of the Illinois Entertainer, with Triumph on the cover, features veteran rock critic Tom Lanham’s interview with Gary Klebe from Shoes. The article provides some basic history on the Zion, IL power pop band, before moving on to singer-guitarist’s recently released Out Loud album. I recently purchased Out Loud from the Shoes online store, and agree with Lanham’s praise for it. Shoes fans should definitely check it out.

The May Illinois Entertainer also includes Jeff Elbel’s feature story on The Claudettes, the veteran Chicago band whose adventurous music challenges critics as well fans to slap a label on it. Their next album, Garage Glamour, comes out on Pravda Records June 5, but The Claudettes have a album release show tomorrow night at the Old Town School Of Folk Music in Chicago.

The Cribs’ current tour in support of their Selling A Vibe album took them to major cities in Europe throughout April. The English alt rock trio is now in the U.S., with gigs in Minneapolis and Milwaukee this weekend, and a show at The Empty Bottle in Chicago on May 5.

The Neil Young: 80 Years On Planet Earth Celebration with Steve Dawson, Tommi Zender, Gerald Dowd, Alton Smith and John Abbey takes place at SPACE in Evanston this Monday. Soul Asylum with Jason Narducy will perform at the venue on May 15 and 16.

Metric’s 10th album Romanticize The Drive dropped last Friday, and the Toronto indie rock band’s upcoming tour with Broken Social Scene and Stars kicks off on June 8 in Austin, TX. Other cities include Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Chicago (July 24 at Aragon Ballroom), Boston, Philadelphia, and New York.

Music On Stage, which has been staging plays in Palatine, IL for some time now, will perform Lionel Bart’s Oliver! May 9 – 24 at Cutting Hall. Billed as “freely adapted from Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist,” the musical features book, music, and lyrics by Lionel Bart. I’m kind of worried about this since I’m currently working on a paranormal/romance/rock and roll novel where a local theatre group creates its own adventurous take on a Dickens novel. Cutting Hall is located at 150 E. Wood Street in Palatine.

The Ivy - Traces Of You - 2026 Tour, named after a recent album of previously unreleased Ivy songs recorded by band members Adam Schlesinger, Andy Chase, and Dominique Durand between 1995 and 2012, comes to the Park West in Chicago on May 14. The other venues on the tour are Sony Hall in New York City on May 21; the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles on May 27; and the Schellraiser Humboldt Hideaway venue in Wells, NV on May 30. Sadly, we lost Adam Schlesinger to COVID-19 in 2020.

Chicago-based singer-songwriter AJ Rosales has a solo acoustic performance coming up at the Uptown Lounge (1136 W. Lawrence Avenue) on May 7 at 8:00 pm. Rosales will likely feature songs from his recent impressive Phasedrift album.

The Greenberry Woods will celebrate the release of It’s All Good, Sugar … on June 5 at The Recher venue in Towson, MD. It’s the Baltimore-based power pop/alt rock band’s first album since Rapple Dapple and Big Money Item sparked a loyal following in the mid-1990s. The current album’s first single, “Whenever You Want Me Too,” has been picking up airplay on several rock stations.

If you know a Mom with a gypsy spirit, consider treating her to the noon Mother’s Day Brunch - The Songs Of Stevie Nicks presented by PureSoul at City Winery Chicago. PureSoul has presented several tribute events at this venue.

The 1960s band Strawberry Alarm Clock, forever known for their “Incense And Peppermints” hit single, have kept recording all this time, according to a positive review of their recent Monster / White Light album in the British rock magazine Shindig. The album is on the Big Stir Records label, and the enchanting new single “The Sky Isn’t Falling” is now available to download on various sites.

Montrose Saloon has a Power Pop On Stage event coming on June 7 that will feature The Unswept, Dolph Chaney And The Phins, and Andy Bopp. The music starts at 6:00 pm.

Jack White will spend most of June touring Europe before returning to North America for a July 10 concert in Washington, D.C. From there, he has several North American gigs, including one at the Chicago venue Radius (640 West Cermak Road) on July 23, and an outdoor gig at The Salt Shed in Chicago on July 24.

The folk-rock/acid folk-rock trio Esmerelda’s Boys, which has been picking up gigs on the Chicago club scene since forming last spring, will start recording at the Loft Studio in Saline, MI next month. Their fans can expect a single some time this summer.

Psychedelic Soul: A Journey Through Rhythm And Time recently opened at Motown Museum in Detroit, MI, and will run through September 27. The website states the exhibit will focus on the years 1967 through 1975, “when the label expanded beyond its signature love songs to embrace experimentation and socially conscious storytelling.”

 Chicago indie rock band The Handcuffs have a series of live performances scheduled for the next few months. They’ll be at the Metro Jam Festival with Sonny Landreth in Manitowoc, WI on June 20; Summerfest (as Kim Gordon’s opening act) in Milwaukee, WI on June 25; Mary’s Place in Rockford, IL on June 27; Evanston SPACE with whitewolfsonicprincess on July 28; and PravdaFest at FitzGerald's in Berwyn, IL on September 12. As posted on Facebook today, The Handcuffs have recorded two new songs in the studio for a picture sleeve single to be released some time this summer.

Graham Nash revealed during an interview with American Songwriter News that director Robert Zemeckis is wrapping up a Crosby, Stills and Nash documentary. Nash also told the music publication there are plans to put out a box set of (mostly) previously unreleased CSN material to coincide with the documentary.

The Forever Mine Festival, taking place from noon to 10:00 pm on May 23 and 24 in Union Park, will honor Chicago’s essential role in house and rhythm and blues music. Headline acts for the all-ages event include Keyshia Cole; Kelly Rowland; Kaytranada; and Shaggy. See the official website for the full lineup.

A new music documentary titled Peter Asher Everywhere Man explores the multi-decade career of the English musician and producer. Several major stars are featured in the film, including James Taylor; Linda Ronstadt; Carole King; Paul McCartney; and Robin Williams. Peter Asher Everywhere Man will be shown in select theaters on June 19.

Michael Stipe of R.E.M. has collaborated with producer/songwriter Andrew Watt on the theme song for the HBO series Rooster. “I Played The Fool,” an easygoing and well-crafted song, is available to stream on various sites.

Theater Of The Mind, the imaginative adventure crafted by David Byrne from Talking Heads and writer Mala Gaonkar, has been extended through July 12 at the Reid Murdoch Building at 333 N. LaSalle Street in downtown Chicago. Theater Of The Mind, a Goodman Theatre production, has been picking up rave reviews in Chicago newspapers.

Brothers’ Field in Long Grove, IL will stage its annual Blues Fest on the weekend of June 12 – 14. So far, I don’t see a list of performers, but that will probably be revealed soon. Blues Fest is one of three outdoor events being offered in Brothers’ Field this summer; Peace Love and Long Grove comes on July 18, and Country Fest is set for August 21 – 23.

Weekend Reminders

Weekend Reminders on Thursday posts focus on events that were previously mentioned on Broken Hearted Toy, and are taking place during the upcoming weekend. Plus, the occasional event taking place this weekend that has just come to my attention, or concert tickets going on sale.

Depending on when you read this, you could catch Tributosaurus honoring Buffalo Springfield and The Byrds at Martyrs’ on Lincoln Avenue in Chicago. The show, which is part of the critically acclaimed tribute band’s Signature Series, will kick off tonight at 7:00 pm.

Also, depending on when you read this, you could catch Brett Newski And The Bad Inventions performing at 7:30 tonight at the Hey Nonny venue in Arlington Heights, IL.

Bandcamp Friday returns tomorrow, which is when Bandcamp waives its revenue on the first Friday of the month. Or, as stated in an official email, “More of what you spend goes straight to the artists and labels you care about.”

Milwaukee-based power pop band Trolley showcased their new A Carnival Of Grey And White album at International Pop Overthrow - Chicago just over a week ago, and they’ll be back in Milwaukee this Sunday when they open for British trio The Cribs at the Cactus Club. Fellow Milwaukee residents the indie rock band Known Moons is also on the bill.

Cult Canyon, the Chicago-based band led by Josh Chicoine of The M’s fame, will headline a triple bill tomorrow night at Fitzgerald’s in Berwyn, IL. The gig will likely be a showcase for Cult Canyon’s very recently released album Smoke Tricks. Craig Benedict Valentine Badynee And The Blanks will also perform, along with special guest Jacob Augustine. Smoke Tricks is available on Bandcamp, as well as on vinyl.

The Doc10 Festival returned for its 11th year last Friday, and will run through this Sunday at the Gene Siskel Film Center in downtown Chicago and at the Davis Theatre on the north side. All of the films being screened will be documentaries selected from around the world.

Push Puppets will likely showcase songs from their 2025 album Tethered Together when they perform at FitzGerald’s Side Bar in Berwyn, IL this Saturday. The Chicago area band specializes in melodic, well-crafted indie rock.


Prog rock band McLuhan will celebrate Kentucky Derby Day by performing songs from their recently re-released album Anomaly, as well as a few new singles, at Phyllis’ Musical Inn this Saturday. The festivities will include raffles, a set by the folk rock trio Esmerelda’s Boys, and possibly everyone singing “Happy Birthday” to McLuhan founding member Neal Rosner. The fun starts at 4:00 pm; Phyllis’ Musical Inn is located at 1800 W. Division on Chicago’s north side.

Incoming

Here’s another round of incoming events, as I try to catch up with my Broken Hearted Toy duties.

Milwaukee-based power pop band Trolley showcased their new A Carnival Of Grey And White album at International Pop Overthrow - Chicago just over a week ago, and they’ll be back in their home town this Sunday when they open for British trio The Cribs at the Cactus Club. Milwaukee indie rock band Known Moons is also on the bill.

The Cactus Club gig is part of a recently started tour by The Cribs in support of their new Selling A Vibe album. They’ll be at The Empty Bottle in Chicago on May 5.

The Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band’s Land Of Hope And Dreams Tour arrives in Chicago tomorrow for a performance at the United Center just west of downtown. I’m pretty sure this critically acclaimed show sold out quite a while ago.

Music On Stage, which has been staging plays in Palatine, IL for some time now, will perform Lionel Bart’s Oliver! May 9 – 24 at Cutting Hall. Billed as “freely adapted from Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist,” the musical features book, music, and lyrics by Lionel Bart. I’m kind of worried about this since I’m currently working on a novel where a local theatre group creates its own take on a Dickens novel. Cutting Hall is located at 150 E. Wood Street.

The Doc10 festival kicked off last Friday, returning for its 11th year, and will run through this Sunday at the Gene Siskel Film Center in downtown Chicago and at the Davis Theatre on the north side. All of the films being screened will be documentaries selected from around the world.

Happy Birthday to Erich Specht, singer-guitarist for the Chicago-based indie rock band Push Puppets. As I mentioned in yesterday's post, Push Puppets have a show coming up this Saturday night at FitzGerald’s Side Bar in Berwyn, so you can wish him a belated Happy Birthday then.

Brothers’ Field in Long Grove, IL will stage its annual Blues Fest on the weekend of June 12 – 14. So far, I don’t see a list of performers, but that will probably be revealed soon. Blues Fest is one of three outdoor events being offered in Brothers’ Field this summer; Peace Love and Long Grove comes on July 18, and Country Fest is set for August 21 – 23.

Speaking of Long Grove, congratulations to Blu Fig Cafe on celebrating its third anniversary this past Saturday. It’s a classy venue with good beverages and food, as well as a friendly staff. Stop by if you check out one of the festivals being held in Long Grove during the upcoming months.

Incoming

Congratulations to David Bash and Montrose Saloon for staging another entertaining and successful International Pop Overthrow - Chicago festival. I spent a few hours at the north side venue last Friday night instead of putting together my weekly Slumgullion column. Saturday brought a major family celebration, and Sunday is when I do all my household chores. So, it’s on to another Incoming post.

The Greenberry Woods will celebrate the release of It’s All Good, Sugar … on June 5 at The Recher venue in Towson, MD. It’s the Baltimore-based power pop/alt rock band’s first album since Rapple Dapple and Big Money Item sparked a loyal following in the mid-1990s. The current album’s first single, “Whenever You Want Me Too,” has been picking up airplay on several rock stations.

Depending on when you read this, you could still catch Todd Kessler’s album release party tonight at 7:30 pm at Evanston SPACE. The Chicago singer-songwriter explores sensitive subject matter via well-crafted acoustic songs on Here Is All We Have.

The 1960s band Strawberry Alarm Clock, forever known for their “Incense And Peppermints” hit single, have kept recording all this time, according to a positive review of their recent Monster / White Light album in the British rock magazine Shindig. The album is on the Big Stir Records label, and the enchanting new single “The Sky Isn’t Falling” is now available to download on various sites.

Chicago-based singer-songwriter Rachel Drew’s A Tribute To Amy Winehouse takes place tomorrow night at Evanston SPACE. Drew will focus on Winehouse’s Back To Black album, and she’ll be supported by musicians John Szymanski; Michael Krayniak; Jason Batch; Kenn Goodman; and the Total Pro Horns.

On Wednesday night, the self-described “Chicago's twisted sunshine pop super-group” The Flat Five will perform at Evanston SPACE.

Montrose Saloon has a Power Pop On Stage event coming on June 7 that will feature The Unswept, Dolph Chaney And The Phins, and Andy Bopp. The music starts at 6:00 pm.

Chicago-based singer-guitarist Terry White will host another Songwriter Circle tomorrow night at Fitzgerald’s Sidebar in Berwyn, IL This time out, White’s guests will be Andon Davis and Chris Siebold. The event starts at 7:00 pm; admission is free.

Upcoming shows at the Hey Nonny venue in Arlington Heights, IL as this month wraps up include Chris Greene Quartet on Wednesday; and Brett Newski And The Bad Inventions on Thursday.

Push Puppets will likely showcase songs from their 2025 album Tethered Together when they perform at FitzGerald’s Side Bar in Berwyn, IL this Saturday. The Chicago area band specializes in melodic, well-crafted indie rock.


A Double Dose Of IPO - Chicago For Its Finale

International Pop Overthrow - Chicago will wrap up its 2026 run at Montrose Saloon with a pair of showcases tomorrow; one in the afternoon, and one at night. Looking at both sets for this last day serves as a reminder of the eclectic approach IPO Founder David Bash takes in choosing the acts he invites to this festival. 

The Saturday afternoon set starts at 2:00 pm with singer-songwriter Finn Swingley, who has performed as a solo act and in numerous bands over the years. He released the full-length album Pet Hates last year and The Wild Hunt in 2020. His offbeat observations are engaging, whether he’s dealing with a troubled relationship on “Ex-Lovers” or spinning a sailor’s journey on “The Captain.”
Progressive hard rock band Refrestramus will likely showcase the adventurous songs from its latest release Morri’s Rock Boutique, as well as its 2024 debut Intourist. Freetoed has performed at a number of IPO - Chicago shows in the past, with an alt rock sound that’s influenced by Wilco, Pearl Jam, and Bon Iver. Their latest album, Cure For The Common Sound, is available on Bandcamp.

The Jeremy Band, led by Kalamazoo, MI vocalist-guitarist Jeremy Morris, traditionally cuts loose with high-powered, melodic rock at one of the Saturday afternoon showcases, and that’s exactly what will take place this Saturday. His latest album, Opener Of Eyes, once again finds Morris collaborating with Ken Stringfellow of The Posies. Mrs. Smith And The Present will likely perform their catchy recent singles “Pretty Things” and “Big Man” at their IPO - Chicago showcase. They also have four solid tunes on their 2024 She’s Right Here EP to choose from. The Nobodies will close out the afternoon showcase with offbeat and satirical lyrics set to arrangements that range from the garage rock of  “You’re Making Me A Headache” to the country and western twang of  “Drunk Text My Ex.” They’ll likely showcase songs from their 2025 EP Even The Score, Vol. 1. 

The Saturday evening showcase kicks off at 7:30 pm with Einstein’s Sister. The band is a veteran of IPO Chicago and IPO - Los Angeles festivals. Their Exit Strategies EP dropped in November, 2023, and this year, they’re celebrating the 25th anniversary of their Humble Creatures album. Kerosene Stars have been releasing power pop albums since their 2014 self-titled effort, and put out the fun “Ants In The Bathroom” single last year. Their set at IPO - Chicago this Friday night will most likely also feature the catchy song titled “Kerosine” (yes, the spelling’s different), which was posted on Bandcamp last year. The Incurables released their Inside Out And Backwards album of non-stop energetic and often humorous garage rock in 2024. The highlights included “Soda Pop,” a bass-driven tribute to the fizzy beverage, and the hard-edged rejection voiced in “Go Away.”

Singer-songwriter Tom Henry is a regular on the Chicago club scene and has posted well-crafted videos for catchy songs such as “But I Loved Her” and “Bella.” He released the album Songs To Sing And Dance To last summer. Nashville, TN musician/filmaker Greg Pope will be backed by The Popmonsters at his IPO - Chicago set. He’s been recording albums since 2008, and released The Roar Of Silence last year. Pope’s knack for social satire is especially noteworthy on the catchy “Fanboy” and “Worthy Son.” As the title of their 2021 album National Absurdatory suggests, The Embryos view life through satiric glasses. That album had plenty of highlights, and so does their 2024 effort Selling What You Want To Buy. There’s the humorous country weeper “Desiree,” the 1960s flavored silly dance number “Do The Donkey,” and the blistering but catchy satire “He’s A Hypocrite. They’ll have vinyl copies of their new Full Disclosure EP, for sale at their IPO - Chicago gig. (It’s also available to download on Bandcamp.)
Who’s This Mary? once again has the honor of bringing IPO - Chicago to a close with their midnight performance. The Chicago scene veterans have also rocked IPO - Liverpool, and bill themselves as “celebrated globe-trotting power pop sons,” with a particular emphasis on Britpop.

Check the official International Pop Overthrow website for the full Chicago 2025 schedule. You’ll also find links for most of the acts who’ll be participating 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 see the band perform.

Weekend Reminders

Weekend Reminders on Thursday posts focus on events that were previously mentioned on Broken Hearted Toy, and are taking place during the upcoming weekend. Plus, the occasional event taking place this weekend that has just come to my attention, or concert tickets going on sale.

John Cowsill and Vicki Peterson will likely showcase songs from their debut album Long After The Fire, along with songs from The Bangles and The Cowsills, when they perform at The Woodstock Opera House in Woodstock, IL this Saturday. They recently opened for The Smithereens at the Des Plaines Theatre in Illinois, and were a blast. Their opening act at The Woodstock Opera House will be the multi-talented Chicagoan Dag Juhlin, who recently toured with Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy on their Celebrate The 40th Anniversary Of R.E.M.’s Lifes Rich Pageant Tour. He’s also known for his work with Sunshine Boys; The Slugs; and Sonic45.

The Black Ensemble Theater on Chicago’s north side is presenting The Jackie Wilson Story through this Sunday. Black Ensemble Theater is now celebrating its 50th season.

Metric’s 10th album Romanticize The Drive drops tomorrow, and the Toronto indie rock band is staging a release eve party tonight at the Xanadu Roller Arts in Brooklyn, NY. Metric won’t be performing, but plans to film “as many fabulous cameos of as many people as possible so with any luck you will end up in the official ‘Crush Forever’ video with the band.” Metric’s upcoming tour with Broken Social Scene and Stars kicks off on June 8 in Austin, TX. Other cities include Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Chicago  (July 24 at Aragon Ballroom), Boston, Philadelphia, and New York.

The folk-rock/acid folk-rock  trio Esmerelda’s Boys, which has been picking up gigs on the Chicago club scene since forming last spring, will start recording at the Loft Studio in Saline, MI next month. Their fans can expect a single some time this summer. In the meantime, they’re performing at Phyliss’ Musical Inn in Wicker Park tonight.

 The B-52’s are currently in a return engagement at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, NV that will continue tomorrow and Saturday. 

Paul Weller’s upcoming release Weller At The BBC Vol. 2 will be available in 3-LP or 3-CD formats tomorrow.

The Wailers will celebrate the anniversary of the Rastaman Vibration album they released with Bob Marley 50 years ago, in a 7:00 pm concert at The Old Town School Of Folk Music tomorrow. The 9:30 pm concert that same night will feature The Wailers performing their 1977 album with Marley, Natural Mystic.

Ike Reilly & The Zimmermen have a DO DYLAN event coming up at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL tomorrow night.

IPO - Chicago: Friday Night Preview

Photo from Michael Steven Cohen Facebook age.

International Pop Overthrow - Chicago 2026 will finish up at Montrose Saloon this weekend with a six-act showcase on Friday night, and a doubleheader (six acts in the afternoon, seven in the evening) on Saturday. Long-time IPO - Chicago fans will notice familiar faces scheduled for both days, as well as a few acts making their debut.

One sure thing about Mike Cohen’s set at Friday night’s IPO - Chicago show at Montrose Saloon is that he won’t have trouble finding the venue. Cohen has literally performed there 100 times as a solo act and as part of various bands. He’s also a Chicago - IPO veteran at its various locations dating back to the days when he led The Abbeys with vocalist-guitarist Jeff Janulis. As for tomorrow’s Chicago - IPO gig, Cohen noted on Facebook that he’ll “put together a set of some great songs” an will be accompanied by bass player Edward Hasse. The power pop band The Thin Cherries have released two albums and a few singles dating back to 2017, with material ranging from the mysterious “I Love Your Ghost” to the catchy though still a bit unsettling “Weird World.” The band’s vocalist-guitarist Steven Delisi has released solo music they can also perform. The Spindles have spent several years on the Chicago club scene perfecting their British Invasion flavored power pop. Their Past And Present and Wavelength albums each offer an entertaining mix of originals and well-chosen covers. Vocalist-guitarist and chief songwriter Jeff Janulis was a band mate with the above-mentioned Mike Cohen in the power pop band The Abbeys.

Judging from its Bandcamp page, Sample Quincy features the same three musicians as Bur, a band that has performed at IPO - Chicago in previous years. Certainly, the two songs on Sample Quincy’s very recently released Soup And Salad digital effort offer the same style of engaging harmonies, ornate pop, and guitar-driven rock as on Bur releases. The Minneapolis, MN band High On Stress has been recording music since its 2005 full-length album Moonlight Girls. Their soon-to-be-released album Still Here features catchy indie rock songs such as “House Of Cards” and “Over/Thru.” The Queue have been bringing their melodic Brit pop style tunes to IPO - Chicago for quite a few years now. Their song “Settle Down Your Gun” was included on the Dum Sun Records Compilation, Vol. 3 Halloween Edition last fall. Earlier efforts include the single “Love Save Us All” and the hard-edged EP Fire And Lies.

Check the official International Pop Overthrow website for the full Chicago 2025 schedule. You’ll also find links for most of the acts who’ll be participating 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 see the band perform.