Slumgullion was delayed this week due to my hanging out at the Elbo Room last night for the first WNUR Power Pop Shoppe Showcase. Even though I was only able to stay for two of the three acts scheduled, it’s still safe to declare the event a major success. The Power Pop Shoppe is a weekly radio program on the Evanston-based FM station, and I’m hoping DJ Gil stages more live showcases in the future.
Last night’s opening band, Sunshine Boys, is destined to rise as a major force from the Chicago music scene. Composed of lead vocalist-guitarist Dag Juhlin (The Slugs, Poi Dog Pondering); drummer Freda Love Smith (Blake Babies, Antenna); and bassist-backup vocalist Jacqueline Schimmel (Big Hello), the trio made an immediate impact with hard-hitting, socially relevant and melodic songs. When Juhlin noted that Sunshine Boys had immediate plans to record a single, I couldn’t help wishing it would be an entire album.
It was also a treat to see The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club live after having enjoyed their studio recordings for some time now. The band’s latest effort, Don’t Buy This Record is available for a free download on its BandCamp page. I wasn’t able to stay for The Phil Angotti Band, but it’s inconceivable Angotti and friends would have put on a bad show. Angotti has a brand new solo album out titled Such Stories.
Phil Angotti will be a guest on Richard Milne’s Local Anesthetic program this Sunday night on WXRT.
Tickets are now on sale for Brian Wilson Presents Pet Sounds: The Final Performances at the Rosemont Theatre on October 6. Wilson will be joined by Beach Boys members Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin. Other upcoming shows include The Kooks at The Vic on October 11; Rhett Miller at City Winery on July 9, and the FitzGerald’s American Music Festival, which runs from June 30 to July 3 at the Berwyn club.
Great Moments In Vinyl, a collection of local musicians that performs memorable albums at the Martyrs’ club on Lincoln Avenue, will delve into R.E.M.’s Document and grammatically incorrect Lifes Rich Pageant next Wednesday, October 24.
Local musician John Moulten has been added to the lineup for Cover Palooza!, an evening of Chicago area bands that usually perform originals but will switch to cover versions for one magical evening on June 3 at the Gallery Cabaret. Van Go, 92, Red Wigglers, Deadly Bungalows, and Right Tidy’s are the other acts involved.
Nowhere Else Festival, a celebration of art music, film, and farming takes place Saturday and Sunday, May 27 and 28, about 45 miles east of Cincinnati, Ohio. Over The Rhine, a beloved alt rock/roots band that often performs in Chicago, are among the bands performing, along with Band of Sweethearts, Birds Of Chicago, Carrie Rodriguez, Carrie Newcomer, and Red Dirt Boys. A screening of the film Doctor Strange will be hosted by its director Scott Derrickson.
The Unswept, a Chicago-based band led by cousins who grew up in England, has a jangling new single titled “You Ain’t On My Mind” available for $1 on its Bandcamp page. The group has logged a number of shows at International Pop Overthrow - Chicago.
In related news, International Pop Overthrow - Liverpool runs through next Tuesday, May 23 at the Cavern Club, with many bands yet to perform.
There’s a 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. celebration on Chicago’s Riverwalk today. According to a Chicago Sun-Times piece by Miriam DiNunzio, the event will feature “walking tours, live music, a life-size fish puppet parade [and] fishing demonstrations.” I’ve never heard of a life-size fish puppet parade, and it’s hard to imagine how well it could be seen from even a few feet away.
No comments:
Post a Comment