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.

Tomorrow brings the release of The Zombies’ Begin Here (their very first album) as a remastered in the original 1965 mono mix version in LP, CD, and digital formats. It will combine all the tracks from the English and American original versions and be released on their own Beechwood Park Records label.

The official Record Store Day website has a full list of all the vinyl treasures that will be available this Saturday. See my earlier post today for a brief profile on this year’s Record Store Day 2026.

Solo artist/founding member of The dB’s Chris Stamey will get a head start on Record Store Day tomorrow when he releases a colored-vinyl picture-sleeve seven-inch single with a cover version of The Kinks’ “Waterloo Sunset” on one side and a Paul McCartney cover on the other.

Depending on when you read this, you could still catch Courtesy Patrol tonight at Friendly Tap in Berwyn, IL. The group’s Facebook page vows they’ll “bring you musical joy in all forms - classics, deep cuts, and beyond…,” at no charge. The joy begins at 8:30 pm.

Peter Howarth from The Hollies has three acoustic solo shows scheduled for this week in the UK. He’ll perform at the Chapel Arts Centre in Bath on Thursday; Settle Victoria Hall in Settle on Friday; and at Kirkby Stephen Sports And Social Club in Kirkby Stephen on Saturday. Keep in mind you can always come to visit us in the States, Peter.

International Pop Overthrow - Chicago opens tomorrow night at Montrose Saloon on the city’s north side, and will run through April 25. I posted previews of the Friday and Saturday showcases earlier this week. I’m hoping to create previews for all the IPO - Chicago 2026 showcases as the festival gets closer. Wish me luck.

The Chicago Soul Jazz Collective will showcase their latest album No Wind And No Rain with a 7:30 show this Saturday at Winter’s Jazz Club, and with a 5:30 pm show at that same venue on Sunday. Winter’s Jazz Club is located at 465 N. McClurg Court, three blocks west of Navy Pier.

The Second Summer will perform at The Village Club in Western Springs, IL this Saturday night at 7:00 pm, as the opening act for cover band Toxic Crayon. The power pop band recently posted a new single titled “I Should” on Spotify.

The 42nd Latino Film Festival opened today at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema on Chicago’s north side and will present 51 features and 31 shorts April 27.

Steve Dawson, Marian Runk, and Evan MacMillian will present a Songwriters Showcase tomorrow night at the Val’s Halla Record Store in Oak Park, IL. The event starts at 7:00 pm. admission is $10.

Cheap Trick will perform the entire At Budokan album, along with a hearty selection of greatest hits tomorrow and Saturday at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, NV.

Ratboys will wrap up their massive When The Sun Explodes US Tour with a concert this Saturday at The Vic Theatre in their hometown of Chicago. As with at least 13 previous stops on this tour, Saturday night’s show is sold out. Ratboys recently snagged a rave review in the British rock magazine MOJO for their Singin’ To An Empty Chair album.

Record Store Day 2026

Record Store Day, the annual celebration of vinyl in all its 7, 10, and 12 inch glory, returns this Saturday. Collectors hoping to snag some limited edition vinyl releases will need to get up early and stand in line outside the record store of their choice. There’s a complete rundown of all the one-time treasures being offered this year on the official Record Store Day website.

Below is a limited list of the participating artists, to show the amazing variety of music genres that will be available:

Chet Baker; The Blasters; Tony Bennett; Blur; David Bowie; Jeff Buckley; Brandi Carlile; The Cars; Ray Charles; John Coltrane; Crosby, Stills and Nash; Marshall Crenshaw; The Cure; Miles Davis; Def Leppard; The Doors; The Dream Syndicate; Foreigner; Peter Gabriel; Selena Gomez; Grateful Dead; HAIM; George Harrison; Joan Jett and The Blackhearts; Elton John; George Jones; Tommy Keene; Freddie King; Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris; John Lennon; Little Feat; Madonna; Ziggy Marley; Bruno Mars; John McLaughlin; The Meteors; Joni Mitchell; The Modern Lovers; Motorhead; The Muffs; New York Dolls; Mike Peters Of The Alarm; Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers; Pink Floyd; Robert Plant; John Prine; Ramones; The Rolling Stones; Romeo Void; Gil Scott-Heron;  Son Volt; Sonic Youth; Bruce Springsteen; Steely Dan; Rod Stewart; Stray Cats; Taylor Swift; Talking Heads; Thin Lizzy; T.Rex; Van Halen; The Walker Brothers; Paul Weller; The Who; Brian Wilson; Wolf Alice; Yes; Neil Young

So many great choices, but as for me, I’m aiming for The dB’s Cycles Per Seconds:US Tour 2024 and XTC - Live Boots - Live At Emerald City 1981.

Once you’ve perused the website and compiled your wish list, here are a few pointers for going to your chosen record store:

Bring a written list of the records you want, showing the title, artist, and vinyl format. (7-inch single; 12-inch single; 10-inch EP; LP; double-LP, box set, etc.) The stores I’ve been to keep all the records behind the counter, and some don’t want to look at a list on your phone. Be prepared for sticker shock. It’s hard to find online sites that show the prices, so, most likely, you won’t know how much these records will cost until the clerk adds them up for you. Also, there’s no guarantee the record(s) you want will be available. Popular releases sell out quickly, and occasionally, a store won’t even receive a particular record.

International Pop Overthrow - Chicago: Sunday Schedule

The 23rd annual International Pop Overthrow - Chicago kicks off this Friday for a nine-day run at Montrose Saloon on the city’s north side. See my April 13 and April 14 posts here on BHT for details on the Friday and Saturday lineups. All the acts below are from the Chicago area unless stated otherwise.

Sunday’s six-act showcase starts at 2:00 pm with a performance by LaRue DeVille. The band includes four members of The Red Wigglers, who ended their 25-year run a few years back. 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. Singer-multi instrumentalist Joe Dilillo has released four singles and an EP since 2021, with last year’s “When It Comes To Us” being the latest. His approach tends toward heartfelt, melodic ballads. Satellite Union draws on the classic rock of years past for melodic and guitar-powered songs such as “Mix Tape,” “Dirt Road” and “Leave My Heart.” The band has been keeping busy, with the IPO gig being just one of their April shows.

Milwaukee-based power pop band Trolley makes a welcome return to International Pop Overthrow - Chicago this Sunday, and they have a long-awaited album to showcase. A Carnival Of Grey And White sports a catchy title track, as well as the Elvis Costello style “As Long As I Can Find You.” Trolley was recently featured in the U.K. rock magazine Shindig, where A Carnival Of Grey And White was given four-star album review. Elephonic, also from Milwaukee, crafts an appealing power pop sound by adding cello and violin to guitars and drums arrangements. Their 2023 self-titled debut album includes melodic gems such as “Until The Sound” and “Rapid Transit.” Longtime IPO fans will be interested to learn this band features guitarist-vocalist Mike Jarvis, formerly of the power pop masters The Lackloves. Things That Fly, the indie rock band led by Heidi Serwer and Karen Salmon, create clever and catchy tunes, such as “Lucky Ones” and “Crunch Went The Snow” on their 2023 self-titled EP.

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 see the band perform.

Incoming

Ratboys will wrap up their massive When The Sun Explodes US Tour with a concert this Saturday at The Vic Theatre in their hometown of Chicago. As with at least 13 previous stops on this tour, Saturday night’s show is sold out. Ratboys recently snagged a rave review in the British rock magazine MOJO for their Singin’ To An Empty Chair album.

The Zombies will release their first album Begin Here as a remastered in the original 1965 mono mix version this Friday in LP, CD, and digital formats. It will combine all the tracks from the English and American original versions and be released on their own Beechwood Park Records label.

The Chicago Soul Jazz Collective will showcase their latest album No Wind And No Rain with a 7:30 show this Saturday at Winter’s Jazz Club, and with a 5:30 pm show at that same venue on Sunday. Winter’s Jazz Club is located at 465 N. McClurg Court, three blocks west of Navy Pier.

Chris Stamey will kick off his self-described European adventure on May 2 at the Roots Festival in Kilkenny, Ireland. The solo artist/founding member of The dB’s also has concerts scheduled in Antwerp; Madrid; Glasgow; London; and Paris. This Friday, he’s releasing a colored-vinyl picture-sleeve seven-inch single with a cover version of The Kinks’ “Waterloo Sunset” on one side and a Paul McCartney rendition on the other.

Record Store Day is this Saturday. See the official site for a full list of all the available vinyl. (I’m hoping to do a separate post on it some time this week.)

Dag Juhlin, Chicago’s man of a thousands bands, will perform with one of them—Courtesy Patrol—this Thursday night at Friendly Tap in Berwyn, IL. The group’s Facebook page vows they’ll “bring you musical joy in all forms - classics, deep cuts, and beyond…,” at no charge. The joy begins at 8:30 pm.

Peter Howarth from The Hollies has three acoustic solo shows scheduled for this week in the UK. He’ll perform at the Chapel Arts Centre in Bath on Thursday; Settle Victoria Hall in Settle on Friday; and at Kirkby Stephen Sports And Social Club in Kirkby Stephen on Saturday. Keep in mind you can always come to visit us in the States, Peter.

International Pop Overthrow - Chicago opens this Friday at Montrose Saloon on the city’s north side and will run through April 25. See my last two posts for previews of the Friday and Saturday showcases. I’m hoping to add a preview for each showcase as the festival gets closer.

Singer-guitarist Phil Angotti will perform songs by Badfinger in his 7:45 pm set at Montrose Saloon tomorrow night, followed by a “mystery set” at 9:00 pm. Montrose Saloon.

Metric has an album release party on April 23 at Xanadu Roller Arts in Brooklyn NY. Romanticize The Drive is their 10th album. Metric will shoot a video for the album’s first single “Crush Forever” at the event.

Steve Dawson, Marian Runk, and Evan MacMillian have a Songwriters Showcase this Friday at the Val’s Halla Record Store in Oak Park, IL. The event starts at 7:00 pm. admission is $10.

Cheap Trick will perform the entire At Budokan album, along with a hearty selection of greatest hits this Friday and Saturday at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, NV.

The 42nd Latino Film Festival will present 51 features and 31 shorts at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema on Chicago’s north side starting this Thursday and running through April 27.

Power pop band The Second Summer recently signed with Hardstop Records and hopes to have a new album (their second) coming out later this year. In the meantime, The Second Summer has a gig coming up at The Village Club in Western Springs, IL this Saturday.

A Double Dose Of IPO - Chicago This Saturday

The 23rd annual International Pop Overthrow - Chicago kicks off this Friday for a nine-day run at Montrose Saloon on the city’s north side. See yesterday's post for details. IPO Founder/CFO David Bash has two separate lineups scheduled for this Saturday; all acts are from the Chicago area unless stated otherwise.

This Saturday afternoon’s showcase starts with a 2:00 pm set by singer-guitarist Hannah Frank, an IPO - Chicago regular, as well as a frequent performer on the local club scene. Her repertoire includes original acoustic compositions such as “Mad Girl’s Diary” and “Is You Mine,” along with unexpected covers such as the 1939 tune “Comes Love.” Chicago music scene veterans Phil Yates and The Affiliates have four albums worth of catchy, guitar-driven pop to draw from for their IPO performance. 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.

Speaking of kids, there are four elementary students in the band Sensational Gnus, along with two teachers. They’re back for their second year at IPO Chicago. Eight-member Chicago area band The Transference explored paranormal elements, along with themes of social justice and environmental preservation via indie rock arrangements on their 2024 debut EP 100 Mirrors. Vocalist-keyboards player Laura Hollingsworth and bass player MJ Johnson are the band’s chief songwriters. Otter Petter have been releasing music for 15 years, with their latest recording being the Cobwebs EP. They specialize in melodic and guitar-driven pop songs such as “The Rest Of The World” and “Surfer Girls.”

The Saturday evening showcase kicks off with Wynded, a six-piece band from Madison, WI that promises “unique covers and originals.” Their debut EP No One Else To Blame dropped last November and features a mix of classic and alternative rock. The Band Calderisi has been performing catchy originals with tight harmonies on the Chicago club scene for a while now. I heard a while back they’ve been recording material for an upcoming release, so maybe they’ll perform some new material at IPO Chicago. The Idea was one of Chicago singer-songwriter Phil Angotti’s earliest bands, and it put him on the path to crafting clever, catchy indie rock. His IPO - Chicago set will reunite the original trio, performing old tracks, along with one new song.

Van Go is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary of performing on the Chicago club scene. Their albums are packed with hard-hitting and often satiric gems such as “Your Three Minutes Are Up,” “Invisible Girls,” and “Tell Us How You Really Feel.” Night Baby has been developing a following on the Chicago clubs scene by performing songs they describe as “Old songs that sound new again and new songs that you think you’ve heard.” Rockford, IL quartet Half Catholic has released two singles and an EP in the past few years. Their hard-edged indie rock songs such as “It Takes A Lot Of Effort To Be Alone” showcase the band’s knack for clever lyrics about individual struggles in modern society.

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.

International Pop Overthrow 2026

Photo of The Bon Mots from the official Bon Mots Facebook page.

The 23rd annual International Pop Overthrow - Chicago kicks off this Friday for a nine-day run at Montrose Saloon on the city’s north side. This is the fifth straight year Montrose Saloon has hosted the event, creating a sort of home away from home for IPO CFO/Founder David Bash after his years of booking the fest at several local venues. As in the past, he has over 60 acts scheduled to perform, many of which fans have enjoyed at previous IPO - Chicago shows.

Named after the Chicago band Material Issue’s 1991 stellar debut album, International Pop Overthrow was born in Los Angeles back in 1997. Bash has added IPO festivals around the globe over the years, with mostly local talent showcased in each city. 2026 will find International Pop Overthrow visiting Chicago, Liverpool, Stockholm, Los Angeles, San Diego, Vancouver, New York, Boston, and Toronto.

There are no newcomers among the six acts performing at Montrose Saloon this Friday night. In fact, Alpine Subs will be IPO - Chicago’s opening act for at the fourth straight year. The six-member band has released four albums of easy-going melodic pop since 2019, with the double album Up With Geese being the latest. 45 Souls consistently deliver melodic songs with harmony vocals, whether it’s on an energetic pop tune such as “It’s All Right,” or a ballad such as “Lemoncholy Melondrop.” They’ve released six EPs over the years, all of which can be found on their website. The Unswept, a Chicago band whose members hail from Sheffield, England, recently released a new EP on Bandcamp titled Bittersweet On Repeat. As on previous releases, The Unswept take an offbeat and humorous approach to describing romantic relationships.

The Mark Watson Band has done well on the Chicago club scene with an energetic power pop approach that draws on Cheap Trick and Fountains Of Wayne. Their catchy single “When Two Still Feels Alone” was included on a 2021 Big Blast Records compilation. Melodies are a priority for songwriters singer-guitarist Mike Coy and singer-guitarist Eric Chial of The Bon Mots, who’ve been performing on the Chicago scene for several years. The band can tap into numerous well-crafted indie pop songs from recordings they’ve released over the years. The power pop/indie rock band Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club has released several impressive albums over the past 10 years, and frequently performs on the Chicago club scene.

I’m hoping to post a preview of each of the IPO Chicago lineups, and you can 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.

Slumgullion

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. Those of us who’ve seen Asher’s live presentations at Fest For Beatles Fans and various venues can attest to his amazing career, as well as his often amusing descriptions of it. Peter Asher Everywhere Man will be shown in select theaters on June 19.

The Handcuffs recently announced a series of upcoming gigs via a Facebook post. The Chicago indie rock band will perform at the Metro Jam Festival 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; and PravdaFest at FitzGerald's in Berwyn, IL on September 12. The Handcuffs plan to record a pair of new songs for a vinyl and download single release some time this summer.

Thomas Dolby, who had major hits with “She Blinded Me With Silence,” “Europa And The Pirates Twins,” and other new wave gems, will open his The Iconic 80s: My Personal Recollections tour on April 14 at the Spire Center in Plymouth, MA. He’ll be at House Of Blues in Chicago on April 20; other stops include New York, Indianapolis, and St Louis.

Upcoming shows at the Hey Nonny venue in Arlington Heights, IL this month include Mud Morganfield on April 25; Chris Greene Quartet on April 29; and Brett Newski And The Bad Inventions on April 30.

Graham Nash kicked off a major tour last Saturday in Lansdowne, PA, and it will run through September 19 in Fredericton, NB. The tour includes a July 26 stop at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, IL, with Emmylou Harris as his special guest. Earlier today, I received the “Our House” mug I ordered from the official Graham Nash website.

If you know a Mom with a gypsy spirit, consider treating her to City Winery Chicago for the Mother’s Day Brunch - The Songs Of Stevie Nicks. On May 31, City Winery Chicago will present Highway Dream: 50 Years Of Tom Petty Brunch. Both brunches are PureSoul events, and will start at noon.

Singer, guitarist and quite witty English songwriter Nick Lowe will perform at The Old Town School Of Folk Music on July 13. It will be the first in a series of concerts that month that also feature Lowe’s buddies, the guitar-driven instrumental band Los Straitjackets. Other stops on the July tour include Minneapolis; Milwaukee; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Toronto; and Washington, DC.

Guitar-driven, local rockers Outronaut promise to deliver Psymphonic Surf-Noir Crime-Jazz during their May 8 show at the Side Bar at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL. The adventure starts 8:30 pm.

Chris Stamey’s upcoming album Modernism finds the The dB’s member and solo artist performing cover versions of songs by some of his favorite bands, including “Hey Bulldog” by The Beatles; “Waterloo Sunset” by The Kinks; and “Ruby Tuesday” by The Rolling Stones. Guest musicians Jody Stephens; Pat Sansone; Jon Wurster; Mitch Easter; Probyn Gregory; Wes Lachot; and Emily Frantz; as well as Stamey’s fellow dB’s band members Will Rigby and Peter Holsapple, pitched in during the recording. Modernism is due out June 19 via Flatiron Recordings.

“Days We Left Behind,” the easygoing first single from Paul McCartney’s upcoming album The Boys Of Dungeon Lane, is now available on various streaming sites. Its introspective tone is likely to drift throughout the album, which is due out May 29. A Paul McCartney And Wings exhibit will open on May 15 at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland, OH.

Issue #22 of Second Scene includes articles on The Godfathers, The Pandoras, Reckless Eric, and Big Stir Records. Led by editor-in-chief Tim Thomas, the Pittsburgh, PA indie rock music newspaper presents its reviews and articles within a colorful, eye-catching layout. Second Scene can be found in some records stores, and is available through its Bandcamp page.

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.

The Black Ensemble Theater on Chicago’s north side is presenting The Jackie Wilson Story through April 26. Black Ensemble Theater is now celebrating its 50th season.

Del Amitri has a show coming up at the Vic Theatre in Chicago on June 15. It’s the third date on the Scottish band’s first U.S. tour since 2023, following shows on June 13 in Milwaukee and June14 in Minneapolis. The other stops on the tour are Providence; Boston; New York; Washington D.C. and Philadelphia.

“It’s Been Too Long,” the first single from Ringo Starr’s next album, is now available to stream on various sites. The album, titled Long Long Road, will feature collaborations with T Bone Burnett; Sheryl Crow; Billy Strings; Molly Tuttle; Sarah Jarosz; and St. Vincent. It’s due out April 24.

Revolutionary Women In Music is now open at The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland, OH. The exhibit honors performers from the 1970s through today, with an emphasis on Punks, Rude Girls, Matriarchs, and Truth Tellers.

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.

John Cowsill and Vicki Peterson will likely showcase songs from their debut album Long After The Fire, along with a few songs from The Bangles and The Cowsills, when they perform at The Woodstock Opera House in Woodstock, IL on April 25. 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 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 in Chicago on April 24. The 9:30 pm concert that same night will feature The Wailers performing their 1977 album with Marley, Natural Mystic.

If you’d still like to be friends with Todd Rundgren—and who wouldn’t?—you have two opportunities to see him perform live in Illinois this summer. His Damned If I Do Tour kicks off at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles on June 11 and moves to the Des Plaines Theatre in Des Plaines, IL the next day. Rundgren is known for hits such as “Hello, It’s Me”and “Can We Still Be Friends?.” Other cities on the tour include Dallas, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, and Washington, D.C.

Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival is being held September 26 and 27 at Moody Center in Austin TX. An impressive variety of well-known musicians will take part, including Clapton; Trey Anastasio; Joe Bonamassa; Billy Gibbons; Buddy Guy; Sonny Landreth; Taj Mahal; John McLaughlin; Robert Randolph; Tedeschi Trucks Band; and Pete Townshend. Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival will celebrate of the 28th anniversary of the founding of the Crossroads Centre Antigua, a substance-abuse rehabilitation center for drug and alcohol addiction.

The Smoking Popes have come up with an ambitious plan to celebrate their decades-long, critically acclaimed career. Their 35th Anniversary Tour will involve performing two nights in each location, with one show being completely different from the other. Depending on the location, The Smoking Popes will appear with special guests Alien Boy, Radiator Hospital, or Nerf Herder and Alien Boy.

Sons Of The Silent Age - The Cracked Actor Cabaret is coming to City Winery Chicago, located straight west of the downtown area, on April 23. These guys have been impressing audiences around town with their David Bowie tribute for years; this particular event will feature them performing stripped down arrangements of his songs.

The B-52’s have a return engagement at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, NV on April 22, 24, and 25.