Vintage Publication Spotlight: XBX

Before moving on to today’s ‘zine profile, here are a few quick messages.

It’ll be four bands for $5 tonight at Quenchers, at 2401 N. Western Avenue in Chicago. Music will be provided by The Sonnets, We Repel Each Other, Coma Boys, and Maxrebo. Show time is 8:00 PM.

Guster has a free concert scheduled for tomorrow at 5:30 PM. The performance will be hosted by WXRT and the Shedd Aquarium, and takes place at The Dock at Montrose Beach (200 W. Montrose Harbor Drive) in Chicago. Call 773-828-9841 for info. If you see XRT news anchor Mary Dixon, ask about her expose on all the squid orgies taking place at the bottom of the sea.

WXRT posted on its Facebook page today that R.E.M. has decided to call it quits. Very sorry to hear that.

Sarah Denton, the daughter of veteran Chicago-based rock and roll scribe Tom Lounges, will be taking part in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Northwest Indiana Walk this coming Sunday at Centennial Park. Anyone interested in helping Ms. Denton reach her $150 fundraising goal can check out AFSP’s Out Of The Darkness Community Walks page.

Originally an Indiana publication that covered alternative music in the mid-1980s, XBX was reborn as a Chicago-based ‘zine in March, 1988. Publisher Donald H. Weismantel (somehow that name doesn’t sound cutting edge) explained the XBX legacy in his Wavelengths column. Subtitled New Music And Lifestyles, the 16-page windy city debut had two feature articles, three columns (including Weismantel’s), Jim Felli’s M.T. Head comic, and a center spread of candid club photos that weren’t as sleazy as the ones you see in some publications these days.

Heidi Mendelsohn, who was listed on the masthead as Acct. Exuctive/Promotions, interviewed Ellis Clark and John Krenger of Social Act (third member Dave Ishiki was absent) about the band’s music, its chemistry, and the Chicago music scene. “It’s like a little family,” Clark told her. “When I see a band like The Insiders get signed, I don’t get jealous about it. I feel good. It gives me more of an incentive, it makes you more positive to know you can make it here.” Those of us who saw Clark blazing away on his guitar as The Handcuffs opened for Blondie last week know he’s still an active member of the family in 2011.

There was an uncredited interview with Promotional Director of Erik’s North, Steve Saban, who talked about the club’s new policy of booking progressive live bands on Wednesday nights. Robert N. Crawford’s Astroscan page covered astrology; and a calendar of concert dates for February and March listed The Dead Milkmen, The Farmers, and October’s Child at Cabaret Metro; The dB’s, also at Cabaret Metro; and Miles Davis at The Vic. The Slugs had a gig at Cubby Bear, Maybe Definitely was at Avalon, and Echo & The Bunnymen were scheduled for Northwestern University.

Tod Brown, Scott Brown, and Anthony Paulos co-wrote a column called Pieces, which among other items, speculated that Cabaret Metro co-owner Joe Shanahan wanted I.R.S. recording artists Leather Nun to perform at his birthday party. Can’t say that I’ve ever heard of Leather Nun. XBX had ads for the Cheers record store in Palos Heights; the 950 Lucky Number, Circuits, Exit, and Cubby Bear clubs; and Futonair - The New Era In Comfort.