Slumgullion

As noted in a recent post on the Slicing Up Eyeballs website, the Hoodoo Gurus have a new single titled “Answered Prayers” that’s available to download on Amazon, iTunes, and other sites. The Australian power pop/garage rock band will kick off a U.S. tour next fall, and tickets for its City Winery Chicago gig on November 3 are already on sale. “Answered Prayers,” with its guitar-driven beat and Dave Faulkner’s snide vocals, is a good fit for the Gurus’ impressive repertoire, which dates back to 1981.

Tickets are also now on sale for Dave Alvin and The Guilty Ones at FitzGerald’s on January 25; the For Frankie! A Celebration Of Frankie Knuckles bash at Metro on January 19; Sarah Harmer at the Old Town School Of Folk Music on May 15; and Los Lobos and Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound at FitzGerald’s on January 17.

The Smithereens kicked off an east coast tour today in Scituate, MA, and it will continue with seven more dates in Virginia, New York, Connecticut, and the band’s home state of New Jersey. The shows will feature guest vocalists in place of the late Pat DiNizio, including Marshall Crenshaw, Robin Wilson, Ted Leo, and Susan Cowsill.

I have it on good authority that The Spindles will be performing “Bus Stop” by The Hollies as part of their show tomorrow night at the Friendly Tap in Berwyn. The band included an authentic take on The Hollies’ chiming early hit “Look Through Any Window” on its Past And Present album, so there’s every reason to believe their version of “Bus Stop” will be another gem.

The Spindles are part of an impressive holiday double bill at Friendly Tap with The Unswept. Both of these Chicago-based acts create tunes that sound like they could have sprung from the original British Invasion, and were very impressive when I saw them on the same bill at International Pop Overthrow - Chicago earlier this year.

She didn’t read the news today, oh boy. Those of us who’ve listened to progressive rock station WXRT’s morning show for decades were dealt a one-two punch earlier this week with the announcement that news anchor Mary Dixon had been let go and air personality Lin Brehmer will be moving to the mid-day shift early next year. Brehmer and Dixon have a fun, easy-going chemistry, and their in-person contact with fans at events over the years have forged genuine friendships.

The choice of Richard Milne to take over the morning show helps ease the pain; he’s also a long-time WXRT personality who’s earned the respect of listeners. But the complete absence of any news on this station, which used to win awards for its reporting in the morning, at noon, and 6:00 p.m., is a sad development. Dixon has sounded upbeat and confident on social media, as well she should be considering her talent. And Brehmer will continue to be “our best friend in the whole world” in his new time slot.

Fathom Events is bringing the Season 12 Premiere of Doctor Who to select movie theaters across America on January 5. After the screening at the Paley Center in New York, there will be a live interview with Jodi Whittaker and other cast members. The interview will be broadcast from the Paley Center to other theaters showing the episode.

If you live in New York City, you’ve got two more days to check out a pop-up version of The Beatles Store located at 163 Mercer Street. It’s a joint venture with The Thread Shop to celebrate a new partnership for the two companies. The pop-up shop will sell Beatles related clothing, toys, and loads of other branded stuff through December 22.

The Cortland Garage on Vail Street in Arlington Heights has been transformed into a Christmas-themed pop-up bar that will be open through December 31. Patrons will find tropical style drinks, along with the holiday ambience.

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Sunshine Boys and The Handcuffs will share a double bill at Reggie’s Music Joint on State Street tomorrow night. Both will perform songs from upcoming albums; both are coed, and both are among Chicago’s best bands. Sunshine Boys have a followup to their stellar Blue Music debut coming out, and The Handcuffs will be giving us album number four.

The Beatles Store, which sells the band’s official merchandise, will be celebrating its new partnership with The Thread Shop by opening a pop-up store in New York City. Located at 163 Mercer Street, the shop will sell Beatles related clothing, toys, and loads of other branded stuff from December 11 through December 22.

The California-based Wild Honey Foundation has another tribute concert coming up to raise funds for the Autism Think Tank. This time out, the foundation will gather an all-star lineup of musicians to honor The Lovin’ Spoonful. Elliot Easton of The Cars and Dennis Diken of The Smithereens have already signed on as part of The Wild Honey Orchestra, with other special guests to be announced soon. The benefit takes place February 29 at The Alex Theatre in Glendale.

Culture Canon will present a screening of I Am Trying To Break Your Heart: A Film About Wilco at the Virgin Hotel on Wabash in downtown Chicago on December 17. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., general admissionn is $12.

Upcoming performances by The Who in support of their new Who album range from a pair of Banquet Records acoustic shows at Pryzm on February 14 in Kingston, UK to a run at The Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. The Kingston show sold out in five minutes, so a second one was added; the Las Vegas shows are on May 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, and 16.

According to a recent post on the Consequence Of Sound website, the beguiling four-woman band Warpaint have started work on what will be their first album in four years.

Friendly Tap in Berwyn has an impressive holiday double bill coming up next Saturday, December 21. The Unswept and The Spindles, both Chicago-based acts that create original tunes that sound like they could have sprung from the original British Invasion, will be performing. I saw these bands on the same bill at International Pop Overthrow - Chicago earlier this year and they were both very impressive. This is being billed as a Christmas show, and it would certainly be fun to see these guys playing some seasonal classics.

The Cortland Garage on Vail Street in Arlington Heights has been transformed into a Christmas-themed pop-up bar that will be open through December 31. Patrons will find tropical style drinks, along with the holiday ambience.

Shortly after announcing a Steve Dawson and Diane Christiansen gig coming up on January 17, the Hey Nonny venue in Arlington Heights now has shows scheduled for jazz pop guitarist Joel Paterson on January 22, and Tommi Zender with The 45 featuring Len Kasper on February 16. I really like where this new club is going.

SHE (Sisters Helping Elevate The Arts) is presenting The Holidays, a new play written and directed by Katrina V. Miller from December 8 through December 22 at The Frontier on Chicago’s north side. Miller’s goal is to help bring awareness to help end Alzheimer’s disease, and a portion of the opening night performance will benefit Alz.org. The Frontier is located at 1106 W. Thorndale Avenue, tickets are available via the SHE website.

I got an early Christmas present today when my copy of the Shindig Collectors’ Edition Compendium came in the mail. Compiled from the U.K. magazine’s archives, it offers photos and articles about Donovan, The Hollies, The Monkees, The Rolling Stones, Sweet, Mott The Hoople, The Kinks, and other acts. It’s filled with fascinating quotes and memories from the musicians, and is available from the Silverback Publishing website.

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A hearty welcome to Chris Isaak, whose 2019 Holiday Tour brings him to the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan tomorrow night. As good as Isaak has been over a long career, I’d have to say my favorite album by him is still his 1985 debut effort Silvertone. It’s hard to beat a lineup that includes “Dancin’,” “Back On Your Side,” “The Lonely Ones,” and “Pretty Girls Don’t Cry.” In addition to all his hits, Isaak will probably croon a few Christmas songs at this gig.

Tickets went on sale today for Robyn Hitchcock at The Old Town School Of Folk Music on April 23; Jayhawks at The Old Town School Of Folk Music on April 18; Alanis Morissette, Garbage, and Liz Phair at The Hollywood Casino Amphitheater on July 17; Joel Patterson and The Modern Sounds at FitzGerald’s on January 10; and Soul Asylum and Local H at Metro on February 14.

Local alt rock band whitewolfsonicprincess is hosting its annual Toys For Tots event tomorrow night at The Store venue from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. They’ll be joined by Lady Stardust, The Dark Room Men, The Rut, Ex Maquina!, Parallelicopter, Baby No Name, and The Telepaths. Bring toys (no stuffed animals or guns); otherwise pay $5 at the door. The Store is located at 2002 N. Halsted.

Los Lobos will kick off a three-night run at City Winery Chicago this Sunday.

Great Moments In Vinyl, the local tribute band that features a rotating cast of musicians, will perform hit singles and the entire Something Else album by The Kinks next Wednesday night at Martyrs’ on Lincoln Avenue. This time out, the featured musicians are Phil Angotti, Steve Gerlach, Carolyn Engelmann, Jim Barclay, and William Lindsey Cochran.

Next Wednesday is going to be busy night for rock in the Chicago area. The Thurston Moore Group will be performing at the Empty Bottle and Marshall Crenshaw has sold out his show at SPACE in Evanston.

With the digital release of “Broken Gnome” on his Egomaniac Music Bandcamp page,  Australian multi-instrumentalist Joe Algeri continues his tradition of giving us a free download of a Christmas song each year. Performing under the name The JAC, Algeri once again recruited bassist-vocalist Herb Eimerman and drummer Stefan Johansson—fellow members of the international power pop group The Britannicas—to join in the fun. Also per Algeri’s tradition, “Broken Gnome” isn’t your typical cup of holiday cheer. But its offbeat sentiments are set to a catchy 1960s style arrangement, and his harmonies with Eimerman are reminiscent of The Byrds.

A recent social media post from veteran English rockers The Zombies offered a suggestion for anyone still looking for unique rock and roll type gifts this holiday season. And this one is for a worthy cause. The Wear Your Music company uses guitar strings donated by famous musicians such as Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Joan Jett, Nancy Wilson from Heart, Paul McCartney, and James Taylor to creates jewelry. The strings would have otherwise wound up as landfill, and Wear Your Music ensures the profits are donated to charities chosen by the musicians.

Earlier this year when my wife Pam and I went to Cape May, NJ for vacation, I became obsessed with Exit Zero, a bar/restaurant/store/gas station/publishing empire that I first noticed via one of their publications in our bed and breakfast. If I were going to be there on January 25, I would consider attending to the Burns Supper, $45 three-course meal meant to celebrate “the spirit of Rabbie Burns and Celtic music.”

Kelly Hogan and Andrew Sa, Phil Angotti, Paul Cebar, The Amazing Heebies, Dave Drazin, and Nora O’Connor will be among the twelve locals acts covering famous country music and rock and roll stars tomorrow night at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn. The celebration marks the official release of the 2020 edition Chris and Heather’s Country Calendar. As in years past, the calendar will feature some really cool illustrations of musicians. Admission to the Country Calendar Show is $25, the music starts at 8:00 p.m.

Critical acclaimed artist Erika Iris will be featuring some of her unique portraits of celebrities and rock stars—she uses cassette tape and videotape—at the Cheap Kiss Records sponsored Vinyl Records Warehouse Sale tomorrow from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Record collectors will find a massive selection of just about every imaginable genre at the sale, which will be located at 604 Albion Avenue in Schaumburg.

The Toy Con Charity Toy Show will be held this Sunday, December 8 at the Bridgeview Community Center in Bridgeview, IL . There will be over 60 dealers selling action figures, dolls, comics, and collectibles, and all proceeds go to the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation. Toy donations will be accepted.

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Lonnie Flowers has a new album coming out this Friday.

Last Friday’s Slumgullion was delayed due to holiday events, starting with my morning trek to Reckless Records in downtown Chicago for Black Friday Record Store Day and ending with Thanksgiving dinner with my siblings and in-laws. My side of the family has celebrated Thanksgiving on the Friday afterward for decades now. It makes it easier for everyone who hang around longer.

The employees at the downtown Reckless Records were once efficient and friendly in handling customers’ lists and ringing up our vinyl treasures. They didn’t have the boxed set of U.K. Singles by The Pretenders or the Peter Holsapple Combo Christmas single I wanted, but those issues were beyond their control. I was able to buy the other releases on my list—the “Three” 12-inch single by U2, “Cruel To Be Kind” by Nick Lowe; “Holiday-ish” by The Regrettes; “Arthur” by The Kinks; and “Gimme Some Truth” by Cheap Trick.

Tickets are now on sale for Marcia Ball and Sonny Landreth at FitzGerald’s on February 16; Robbie Fulks at SPACE on April 18; Donnie Vie and Jay Goeppner at FitzGerald’s on January 4; and Wailers at SPACE on February 21.

Lannie Flowers, a widely recognized master of power pop, has a new album titled Home coming out this Friday. Katrina And The Waves have a new album on the way as well.

As her recently released tribute album to The Police picks up steam, Juliana Hatfield is extending her 2020 tour. It still kicks off at SPACE in Evanston, IL and includes stops in Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Milwaukee, and Brooklyn. Juliana Hatfield Sings The Police is a fun album brimming with raw energy that’s definitely worth picking up. It’s available through American Laundromat Records.

Chicago-based indie rock band Fort Frances has a show coming up next Thursday at Schubas on Southport Avenue. The Waco Brothers will be at that same venue on December 27.

Kelly Hogan and Andrew Sa, Phil Angotti, Paul Cebar, The Amazing Heebies, Dave Drazin, and Nora O’Connor will be among the twelve locals acts covering famous country music and rock and roll stars this coming Saturday, December 7 at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn. The celebration marks the official release of the 2020 edition of Chris and Heather’s Country Calendar. As in years past, the calendar will feature really cool illustrations of musicians. Admission to the Country Calendar Show is $25, the music starts at 8:00 p.m.

Critical acclaimed artist Erika Iris will be featuring some of her unique portraits of celebrities and rock stars—she uses cassette tape and videotape—at the Cheap Kiss Records sponsored Vinyl Records Warehouse Sale this Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Record collectors will find a massive selection of just about every imaginable genre at the sale, which will be located at 604 Albion Avenue in Schaumburg.

The Toy Con Charity Toy Show will be held this Sunday, December 8 at the Bridgeview Community Center in Bridgeview, IL . There will be over 60 dealers selling action figures, dolls, comics, and collectibles, and all proceeds go to the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation. Toy donations will be accepted.