Slumgullion

First, I’d like to note that today would have been my mother’s 87th birthday. She encouraged me to write from the time I was a kid, but she always called rock music “raucous din.” So who knows what she would have thought of this blog.

They’re in New York but I’m not. Steve Barton and Robert Darlington from the 1980s alt rock band Translator, are a last-minute addition to International Pop Overthrow - New York, according to a Facebook post from IPO CEO David Bash. They’ll be doing a set of Translator songs, which will likely include the FM radio hit, “Everywhere That I’m Not.”  The IPO showcases in New York are being held at The National Underground.

Back in the suburban Chicago area, power pop masters Shoes will be performing along with another legendary power pop band, the Jeff Lescher-led Green at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn tomorrow night. The show can be streamed lived gigity.tv. Shoes have quite rightly been going a lot of publicity following the release of Ignition, their first album in 18 years. Shoes are also booked for gigs at Shank Hall in Milwaukee, WI on July 26th and show at SPACE in Evanston on July 27th. Plus, they’ll be playing a show on my gazebo for my birthday on July 25th. Just kidding about that last one.

Anyone who was disappointed that the hard-edged power pop band Van Go didn’t perform at International Pop Overthrow this year, can make up for it by seeing the band, along with Velvet Cadillacs (who were at IPO -Chicago) at the Quatro de Mayo Rock ‘n’ Roll Party tomorrow night at Phyllis’ Musical Inn. Show time is 9:00 PM.

Fresh from sharing the bill with renowned punk scribe Legs McNeil, The Handcuffs have a date with with Gene Loves Jezebel and Bow Wow Wow at Reggie’s on June 27th.  The Handcuffs will also headline a quadruple bill at Beat Kitchen  on June 14th, along with Phil Angotti, The Safes, and The Differents. It’s a record release show for The Differents.

The Monkees are going back out on tour for 24 dates through July and August.

The JAC, also known as Australian power pop musician Joe Algeri, will be coming to America in late July and early August. The trip will include a stop in Chicago where Algeri will hook up with his fellow band member of international power pop trio The Britannicas, Herb Eimerman. Modern technology has enabled the two (along with Swede Magnus Karlsson) to record music together, but Algeri and Eimerman haven’t actually seen each other in 14 years.

Cheap Trick will be performing its Live At Budokan LP and The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper's at Ravinia on August 31st. Other noteworthy concerts at Ravinia this year include Heart on July 29th; The Go-Go’s and The B-52’s on June 30th; The BoDeans on June 20th; and David Byrne and St. Vincent on July 6th.