Slumgullion

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.