Slumgullion

My Q and A session with Ken Stringfellow of The Posies and The Disciplines can be found in the “File” section of the February issue of the Illinois Entertainer. It was fascinating to talk to this extremely active musician about touring and his latest solo release, Danzig In The Moonlight. Stringfellow has a gig at Schubas on February 9th.

This month's I.E. “File” section also has a touching item about Danstock. Editor Janine Schaults is just one of many people paying tribute to Dan Stock, an engineer at Uptown Recording known for his expertise in making bands sound their best in the studio. He’s also a member of the hard rock band, Bruiser. (I gave a thumbs up to their RightBeforeTheStopAhead CD in IE back in 2008.)

Stock has battled melanoma for the past nine years, and is reaching out to help others afflicted by the disease, with his Danstock concert next Thursday at Lincoln Hall. Proceeds will benefit the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University. Four bands who’ve worked with Stock; Board Of Governors, Farkus, Nature Show, and Carta Marina, will be performing. There will also be a silent auction. Admission is $20, and there are VIP tickets available for $100 that include dinner, reserved seating, and a goodie bag. Lincoln Hall is located at 2424 N. Lincoln Avenue. Doors open at 6:30 PM, entertainment starts at 8:00 PM. Those who want to support Danstock but are unable to attend, can send a donation to the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Peter Davison, who portrayed the fifth generation of The Doctor on Doctor Who (and had the challenging task of following Tom Baker in the role), has been announced as a guest at the Chicago Comic And Entertainment Expo (C2E2) coming up at McCormick Place in Chicago on the weekend of April 26th through 28th.

An army of power pop, 1960s, and alternative musicians are coming together at the El Portal Theatre  in North Hollywood, CA on February 16th to perform the Rubber Soul and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band albums in their entirety. The event, being presented by Wild Honey, is a benefit for The Autism Think Tank, and will include Vicki and Debbi Peterson from The Bangles; Matthew Sweet; Pete Thomas from Elvis Costello’s band; Chuck Negron from Three Dog Night; Bob Cowsill; John Wicks from The Records; Probyn Gregory from The Wondermints and Brian Wilson’s Band; Tommy Keene; Steve Barton from Translator; Carla Olson; Michael Quercio from The Three O’Clock; and several others. The flyer also promises, “and very special guests!”

Local rock trio This Is This played three impressive sets last Saturday night at Mac's On Slade in Palatine. The last time I saw the band perform was at the Borders in Schaumburg, which was the same store where I once worked in the Music department, amazing customers with my vast knowledge of recording artists. In a club setting, vocalist-bassist Dan Torres, vocalist-guitarist John Petitt, and drummer Eric Helge were able to cut loose on songs like the bluesy “I’m A Man” and soulful “Last Round” from their latest CD, The Hours, The Minutes, The Days. There were also some well-chosen cover tunes, like "Expressway To Your Heart" by The Soul Survivors. Credit goes to This Is This and Mac’s for bringing original music to a suburban scene that's all too often locked into copy bands. 

Little Steven’s Underground Garage syndicated radio show has announced a new, streamlined process for bands to submit songs for airplay. CDs are not accepted, but MP3’s and a website link can be sent to mail@undergroundgarage.com  If you want to know how exciting it can be to have your song played by Mr. Van Zandt, just ask the Milwaukee-based power pop band Trolley. Their “I Woke Up” was a designated “Coolest Song Of The Week.” Trolley, by the way, has a brand new digital album, titled Last Chance Dance.