More Slumgullion

Starting their second life. Photo from the Catfight Facebook page.

Shake Rattle And Read has been in business at 4812 N. Broadway in Chicago for 48 years and is currently celebrating that achievement with a sale that runs through this coming Monday. All books, posters, publications, CDs, DVDs and 45 RPM records are 48% off. The store will be selling all its new and used 33 RPM vinyl for 25% off. Sounds like a good opportunity to discover why local musicians have become regular customers at this place.

Lincoln Hall will present the intriguing double bill of Alejandro Escovedo, the highly respected roots rock musician who got his start with Rank And File back in the early 1980s, and former R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck next Saturday night. The Lincoln Hall website notes that Buck plans to release a vinyl-only solo effort at some point in the near future.

The Goose Island Wrigleyville Pub on Clark Street will offer a four-band showcase next Saturday night that includes Bluefish Fellows, The Viaducts, The Mike Michalak Band, and Captain Coopersmith. The music starts at 9:00 PM.

Also, on February 22nd, Kevin Lee And The Kings will be performing at the LiveWire Lounge in Chicago, along with Pete Berwick and The Renegades, and Lynch.

There will be a power pop double bill of Van Go and 92 Degrees at Phyllis’ Musical Inn on that same Saturday night. Which means the battling bass brothers Lou and Mike Galassini will be facing off once again. Both Van Go and 92 Degrees have garnered praise here on BHT for their CDs. Phyliss’ Musical Inn is located at 1800 W. Division, show time is 9:00 PM.

Singer-guitarist Gerry O’Keefe, will be performing acoustic versions of songs from his Whatever Suits You CD next Saturday at The Buzz Cafe in Oak Park. Scott Niekelski from the band Go Time!, will be his special guest.

Fighting Back. Here’s another reason to look forward to this summer. Catfight, an adventurous copy band that had its origins in Palatine’s Durty Nellie’s club before establishing a citywide following via the outdoor festival circuit, has announced it’s getting back together. The group went through various line-up changes during its previous go-round, but it looks like the reunited clowder features three of the original members (Little Lisa, Julie, and Lori—guitarist Rose no longer lives in Illinois) along with Molly (who sang lead at quite a few Catfight gigs), and two other musicians.