Slumgulllion

Here They Come. The Second Disc website is reporting that The Monkees will release Good Times!, their first album of new material in 20 years, on June 10. The concept behind this effort certainly sounds promising. Some of the songs have been written especially for the band by current artists like Noel Gallagher and Ben Gibbards, while others will be composed by Neil Diamond and Carole King. The title track springs from a 1968 composition by Harry Nilsson, and will feature his voice along with Mickey Dolenz. So far, Mike Nesmith has not been involved in the project. Good Times! is being produced by Adam Schlesinger from Fountains Of Wayne, and arrives in time to help The Monkees celebrate 50 years of performing.

Depending on when you're reading this, there might still be time to catch The Handcuffs tonight at the Township bar on Chicago's north side. They'll be sharing a triple bill with Razorhouse and the self-described power trombone trio Les Vikq.

According to a recent issue of the Chicago newpaper Red Eye, this year's Grammy Awards ceremony will include a celebration of the impact David Bowie had on music, fashion, and culture. Lady Gaga, who has often cited Bowie as a major influence, will be a major part of the tribute.

Two of the biggest names from Chicago's alt rock scene will share the bill on April 14 in the posh setting of The Civic Opera House. The Smashing Pumpkins will perform In Plainsong: An Acoustic-Electro Evening with special guest Liz Phair. Tickets went on sale earlier today.

Tickets are now on sale for The Zombies show on May 29 at The Arcada in St. Charles. Founding members Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent, along with returning members Hugh Grundy and Chris White, will perform classic hits like "Tell Her No," "She's Not There," and "Time Of The Season," along with tracks from the recently released Still Got That Hunger album.

Other upcoming shows at Arcada include The Bodeans next Friday, February 12, Creedence Clearwater Revisited on Febrauary 20, and a Rock Of The 80s triple bill of The Smithereens, The Motels, and The Tubes on April 8.

The Hypocrites theater group will be staging local actor Hans Fleischman's inventive and critically acclaimed take on The Glass Menagerie at The Den Theatre through March 6. Fleischman's version of the Tennessee Williams play was a huge hit for the Mary-Arrchie Theatre a few years back.

BeatleJuice, the nine-piece band that won the Battle Of The Beatles Bands competition at last year's Fest For Beatles Fans - Chicago, will be performing on February 20 at Peggy Kinnane's in Arlington Heights.

Graham Nash's upcoming shows on May 11 and May 12 at City Winery - Chicago went on sale earlier this week. His new solo effort This Path Tonight comes out in April.

Indie rock band Fort Frances will also be at City Winery - Chicago. They've got a record release party for Alio coming up on April 21.

Tickets are also now on sale for New Order's upcoming gig at The Chicago Theatre on March 16.

Metric has a gig next Friday, February 12 at The House Of Blues. The band is touring in support of its latest release, Pagans In Vegas.

Peter Case, a founding member of the essential bands The Plimsouls and The Nerves, will be performing next Saturday, February 13 at the Old Town School of Folk Music.

Chicago Blues: A Living History, a local ensemble of veteran musicians, is seeking to fund its third album Alive And Kicking via a KickStarter campaign. The two-CD set will come with a 36-page booklet, and feature Felton Crews, Billy Flynn, Johnny Iguana, Matthew Skoller, and Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith. Chicago Blues: A Living History is also dedicated to uniting older and upcoming musicians in order to honor the genre's history and secure its future.