Slumgullion

Damaged Gods, a Gang Of Four tribute band, will be performing at Liar’s Club on Fullerton Avenue in Chicago tomorrow night. Sadly, we lost Gang Of Four founding member Andy Gill at the beginning of this month, so I’m sure they’ll be a few toasts in his honor at Liar’s. Three other acts —The Handcuffs, Sugarpulp, and Tiberius Strange are on the bill tomorrow night as well.

The Handcuffs will likely be performing new songs at Liar’s since they’re putting the final touches on their fourth album. Coming up on April 18, they’ll be part of a one-two punch with another of Chicago’s best bands—Off Broadway—at Reggies Rock Club on State Street.

Tickets are now on sale for Nick Lowe’s Quality Rock Roll Revue and Los Straitjackets at Park West on June 13; Laura Marling at the Old Town School Of Folk Music on April 16 and 17; the American Music Festival at FitzGerald’s on July 5; and Beatles tribute band Fab Faux at Park West on May 30.

Welcome to everyone who’s in town for C2E2, which has returned to Chicago for another weekend run at McCormick Place. This year’s celebrity guests include Mark Ruffalo; Erin Moriaty; Stephen Amell; George Takei; Isa Briones; Laz Alonso; Walter Koenig; and Emily Bett Rickards, as well as several popular artists and writers. Lots of fans dress up as their favorite sc-fi, graphic novel or film heroes and villains, so it’s like a huge Halloween party with celebrities guests where you can buy action figures, posters, t-shirts, comic books graphic novels.

Perhaps not coincidentally, Wizard World Comic Con just announced the first round of guests for its annual event at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont August 21 – 23. So far, the list includes James Marsters; Kate Mulgrew; Emily Swallow; and Patrick Warburton.

Temple Of Geekdom – An Improvised Adventure, which opened recently at The Second City, has added extra shows to coincide with C2E2 tonight and tomorrow.

Record Store Day U.K. has named The Big Moon as its 2020 Ambassadors, which comes as no surprise if you’ve been checking out English rock publications. The four-woman band has been getting a lot of favorable press for its debut album Walking Like We Do.

The west coast charity organization Wild Honey is staging another all-star benefit tomorrow night at The Alex Theatre in Glendale, California. The Lovin’ Spoonful – A Celebration Of The Music will include original band members John Sebastian, Steve Boone and Joe Butler, along with Micky Dolenz, Dave Alvin, Carnie Wilson, Dennis Diken, Susan Cowsill, Marshall Crenshaw, Don Dixon, Marti Jones, Elliot Easton, Darian Sahanaja, The Three O’Clock, Carla Olson, Wednesday Week, Annette Zilinskas, and other musicians. The event will benefit The Autism Think Tank.

The 21st Chicago Irish Film Festival - Films From The Land Of Story Telling  runs today through Sunday at the Society For Arts - Gallery Theatre; Logan Theatre; and Willmette Theatre.

The English Beat’s aptly titled Still Can’t Stop It! 40th Anniversary Tour kicks off in the U.K. on June 3 in Brighton. I still have their debut album I Just Can’t Stop It! in my record collection, as well as a pin with the band’s dancing ska girl logo.

The Evanston Literary Festival is returning for what its organizers are calling their “Sixth Edition” beginning on May 9 and running through May 17. Events will take place at the Evanston Public Library and other locations around town.

The eccentric and always engaging singer-songwriter Dawn Landes has written the music and lyrics for a new musical titled Row (book by Daniel Goldstein) that will have its premiere at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts on July 30. Landes based her songs on Toni Murden McClure’s novel A Pearl In The Storm.

Anyone familiar with the The Empty Hearts knows each member comes from a well-known band. Wally Palmar is from The Romantics; Clem Burke is from Blondie; Elliott Easton is from The Cars; and Andy Babiuk is from The Chesterfield Kings. But even they had to be psyched when Ringo Starr helped out on play drums for their new song “Remember Days Like These.” The seven-inch black and blue splatter vinyl single quickly sold out on Little Steven Van Zandt’s Wicked Cool label, but can be streamed on various sites.

Incoming

Wild Honey, the west coast organization that’s so nice in putting on all-star concerts to benefit worthy causes, is presenting The Lovin’ Spoonful – A Celebration Of The Music this Saturday night at The Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA. Original band members John Sebastian, Steve Boone and Joe Butler are participating in the tribute concert, along with several pop, power pop and indie rock musicians, including Micky Dolenz, Dave Alvin, Carnie Wilson, Dennis Diken, Susan Cowsill, Marshall Crenshaw, Don Dixon, Marti Jones, Elliot Easton, Darian Sahanaja, The Three O’Clock, Carla Olson, Wednesday Week, and Annette Zilinskas. The event will benefit The Autism Think Tank.

Congratulations to Ellis Clark, Ary Paloma Jeebie, and the Martyrs’ music venue on Lincoln Avenue for staging another successful George Harrison Birthday Tribute last Saturday night. The annual event involves local musicians, and is at its best when several of them are on stage at the same time. In addition to Ellis and Ary, participants who performed during the two hours I was there included Phil Angotti; the Sandalwood Sitar Ensemble; Chloe F. Orwell, Phoenix; Jay Goeppner; Thom Klein, and Kenn Goodman. Proceeds from the event will help fund the MusiCares charitable organization.

The Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier will present a poetic and pop music mashup when director Daryl Cloran’s adaptation of As You Like It returns on April 30. Originally conceived by Cloran and the Bard On The Beach Festival at CST’s Courtyard Theater, As You Like It is described in the company’s brochure as a “high-spirited, music-filled adaptation [that] infuses Shakespeare’s comedy with hit songs of The Beatles.” It runs through June 21, and tickets are already on sale.

Regular customers of Chicago’s long-running record store Dusty Groove on Ashland Avenue might want to check out the Chicago premiere of director Danielle Beverly’s film Dusty Groove: The Sound Of Transition. The premiere takes place at the Chicago Cultural Center this Friday, February 28 at 7:00 p.m. Described as “a documentary about love, loss, and our deep personal connection,” it will be available for streaming and on DVD in June.

Be a celluloid hero. The Chicago International Film Festival is accepting entries for its 2020 event, which runs from October 14 through 25. The Early Bird Deadline is April 6; Regular Deadline is June 15; and the Late Deadline is July 6.

Emma Draves and Project Bound Dance with guests Nine Worlds Music Ensemble will present The Nearest Place at 7:30 this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night at Links Hall on Western Avenue on Chicago’s north side.

The Regrettes - How Do You Love?

Teenage band The Regrettes made their mark in 2017 with a debut album that combined vintage punk with the 1960s girl group sound. Feel Your Feelings Fool featured lead vocalist-songwriter Lydia Night taking down jerky guys, dismantling body shaming, and confronting sexism with lines like, “I’ll still kick your ass even in my skirt.” So at first, it’s disappointing to hear that gritty voice praising blueberry eyes, dimples, and baking cookies on the follow-up How Do You Love?. The new album definitely focuses on dating, but after a few careful listens, it’s clear Night is on top of her game.

Starting with the spoken word piece “Are You In Love?,” the album guides listeners through the ups and downs of a typical relationship. “I Dare You,” with its playful, Motown arrangement, and the energetic “Coloring Book” capture the uneasy euphoria of those first romantic inclinations, and “Fog” could have been a Ronettes hit single in the early 1960s. “Pumpkin,” which has more of a ballad feel, gets pretty close to syrupy (it’s a boyfriend’s nickname) but otherwise The Regrettes make these songs relatable and fun.

How Do You Love? is just as believable exploring the inevitable fractures that afflict relationships, particularly on “Dead Wrong,” which sports a new wave 1980s keyboards arrangement, and the hard-edged hint at reconciliation “More Than A Month.” Ultimately, the title song closes the album by deciding that none the emotions involved with love make any sense. But The Regrettes consistently keep the rollercoaster ride interesting, particularly on high-energy tracks like “Dress Up” and “Stop And Go.”

The Doughboys - Running For Covers

The Doughboys formed in 1964, called it quits in 1968, and came back to stay in 2000. The New Jersey quartet has been releasing albums on a regular basis, still specializing in vintage garage rock. On the recently released Running For Covers, The Doughboys revisit a few of their own early hits and reinvent some by their mid-1960s contemporaries. The album is a blast, as band members Myke Scavone, Richie Heyman, Mike Caruso, and Gar Francis apply guitar-driven muscle to pop, soul, and blues material.

That approach is particularly successful on Neil Diamond’s “Solitary Man,” which retains the romantic angst of the original while clearly making it The Doughboys’ own. “96 Tears” by ? And The Mysterians was already unique, so it makes sense that the new version here remains faithful to the original. The Doughboys are adept at handling songs by the major acts—a thundering take on The Rolling Stones’ “Play With Fire” and a spacey rendition of “It’s All Too Much” by The Beatles—and also succeed with more obscure artists.

Other highlights include a garage/roots rock take on The Band’s “The Shape I’m In” and the rollicking bluegrass of Herman’s Hermits’ “My Reservation’s Been Confirmed.” The classic blues number “Your Mind Is On Vacation” and the jazz standard “Moanin’” benefit from some spirited harmonica playing. The Doughboys’ own “Rhoda Mendelbaum” remains one of the most oddly named songs in rock but still packs the garage rock sting of the original.

Slumgullion

Tomorrow night (February 22), several Chicago area musicians will gather at Martyrs’ on Lincoln Avenue for the annual George Harrison Birthday Tribute Concert. The event will once again be hosted by Ellis Clark and Ary Paloma Jeebie, with bluegrass impresario Ken Mottet serving as MC. Clark was a founding member of Epicycle, one of Chicago’s first punk acts, as well as Social Act. He’s also a successful solo recording artist and producer. Ary Paloma Jeebie is the lead vocalist for Amazing Heeby Jeebies, a garage/rockabilly band.

Returning performers include Sandalwood Sitar; singer-guitarist Phil Angotti; singer-guitarist Chloe F. Orwell from The Handcuffs; Phoenix; Frankie B; and Soulkeeper Gerald McClendon. If previous years are any indication, the selection of Harrison material performed will range from hit singles to deep tracks and rarities. It’s also fun seeing musicians from different groups join together on stage. The music starts at 8:00 p.m. The George Harrison Birthday Tribute Concert will benefit uninsured musicians and the MusiCares nonprofit charity organization.

Depending on when you read this, you could still catch an evening of local power pop tonight at Montrose Saloon with Phil Yates and The Affiliates, whose name alone will tell you they approach the genre with humor and wordplay. The Spindles and singer-songwriter Brother Derek are also on the bill. I haven’t seen the latter, but I know The Spindles have performed “Look Through Any Window” and “Bus Stop” by The Hollies at their live shows. Their latest album Past and Present includes “Look Through Any Window,” along with a batch of catchy originals.

Temple Of Geekdom – An Improvised Adventure opens on February 24 at The Second City and will run on Monday nights.

Tickets went on sale today for Nielsen Trust featuring Rick Nielsen and Scott Lucas at Chop Shop on April 3; Al Jardine at City Winery Chicago on March 31; Flat Five at FitzGerald’s on March 27; Shellac and Loki’s Folly at Lincoln Hall on March 10 and 11; Corky Siegel’s Chamber Blues featuring Ernie Watts and Goran Ivanovic at City Winery on March 1; Bad Examples at FitzGerald’s on May 29; and Jeff Tweedy at The Vic on May 15 and 16.

Last Friday night’s double bill of Tommi Zender and The 45 at Hey Nonny was another example of how the Arlington Heights venue is bringing acts normally associated with Chicago’s north side music scene to the usually tribute-band-obsessed northwest suburbs. Each of the artists I’ve seen perform at Hey Nonny has made a point to thank the owners and the audience for supporting original music. Zender, backed by a talented band performed songs from his impressive latest album More Songs About Time and earlier releases. The 45, led by Chicago Cubs broadcaster Len Kasper on bass (he also composed all the songs), is a new band on the local scene. Kasper’s bandmates—Dag Juhlin, Matt Spiegel, Liam Davis, and Gerald Dowd—have extensive experience in other groups. Like Juhlin’s Sunshine Boys, the songs by The 45 resonate musically and emotionally even when heard for the first time. I'm looking forward to when their debut album comes out later this year.

The Chicago premiere of director Danielle Beverly’s film Dusty Groove: The Sound Of Transition takes place at the Chicago Cultural Center next Friday, February 28 at 7:00 p.m. Described as “a documentary about love, loss, and our deep personal connection,” it will be available for streaming and on DVD in June.

Be a celluloid hero. The Chicago International Film Festival is accepting entries for its 2020 event, which runs from October 14 through 25. The Early Bird Deadline is April 6; Regular Deadline is June 15; and the Late Deadline is July 6. Best of luck to all the aspiring filmmakers out there.

Music Box Theatre on Southport is hosting its annual Cat Video Fest tomorrow and Sunday. In addition to celebrating the endless ways cats find to amuse, challenge, and astound their humans, another benefit is that the festival supports local animal shelters. Chicago Tribune columnist Nina Metz has a full article about it in today’s edition. The Cat Video Fest admission price ranges from $8 to $12.

You can sense the winter season is in its death throes when info on Record Store Day and International Pop Overthrow – Chicago starts trickling out in emails and on social media.

The Second Disc website—always an essential resource for keeping up on upcoming album releases—recently posted writer Sam Stone’s preview of the David Bowie I’m Only Dancing double live album that will be part of this year’s RSD vinyl treasures. It features songs recorded at concerts in Detroit and Nashville in 1974. This year’s Record Store Day is on April 18.

As for IPO - Chicago, singer-guitarist Michael Mazza’s band The Walkdown has announced it will be offering free CDs of a new single titled “The Distance (Gets In The Way)” at its performance at the annual festival in April. The song is on the upcoming EP Future Tense. This year’s International Pop Overthrow - Chicago takes place at the Live Wire venue on Milwaukee Avenue from April 17 through April 25.

Saturday Slumgullion

Page spread from Beacon Arts Centre brochure.

Excuses, excuses. I wasn’t able to post Slumgullion last night because my wife Pam and I went out for a Valentine dinner at the Seasons 52 restaurant in Schaumburg. Good food and friendly service. It’s worth mentioning again that I would have never been able to have this blog without my wife Pam setting it up for me over 10 years ago.

Tickets are now on sale for Decemberists and Fruit Bats at the Auditorium Theatre on August 11; Steve Dawson and Funeral Bonsai Wedding with Quartet Parapluie and Louis Bardales at the Old Town School Of Folk Music on May 8; Struts and The Regrettes at the Riviera Theatre on May 29; Heartsfield at FitzGerald’s on April 11; and Portland Cello Project Presents Purple Reign at SPACE on April 2. Yep, that last one is a mix of classical and Prince music, and from the clips I saw on the PCP website, it’s pretty amazing.

I Love Jennifer Eccles – The Hollies Story was performed tonight at the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock, Scotland. Presented by Treble Clef Productions, it covered the British Invasion band’s entire career, starting with Graham Nash and Allan Clarke meeting as schoolboys. The Beacon website states, “This highly entertaining show for all ages is packed with hit after hit, performed by a talented young band and hosted by a seasoned narrator.” If the talented young band doesn’t mind flying to Chicago to perform Jennifer Eccles, I could be the seasoned narrator.

Tommi Zender, a singer-guitarist who’s performed with several musicians on the Chicago club scene, will be at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights tomorrow, February 16. He’ll no doubt be showcasing songs from his new album More Songs About Time, an engaging mix of introspective acoustic ballads like “Learn To Be Alone” and more energetic fare like “Echo Chambers In The Hall Of Mirror.” “No Good For Your Health” is a clever message to a woman about the guy she’s dating. Chicago Cubs broadcaster/musician Len Kasper will also be performing at Hey Nonny that night with his band The 45. A recent social media post from Kasper indicates his original tunes will be hard-edged and energetic.

Next Saturday night, several Chicago area musicians will gather at Martyrs’ on Lincoln Avenue for the annual George Harrison Birthday Tribute Concert hosted by Ellis Clark and The Big Parade with Ary Paloma Jeebie. A number of favorites are returning, and there will be some interesting newcomers. If previous years are any indication, the selection of Harrison material will range from hit singles to deep tracks and rarities.

Hello, Cruel World. Several well-known new wave, alt rock, and punk acts will perform on May 2 at the Cruel World Festival on the grounds at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles. The lineup includes Morrissey; Bauhaus; Blondie; Devo; Psychedelic Furs; Echo and The Bunnymen, Violent Femmes; The Church; The English Beat; Publice Image Ltd.; Gary Numan; Missing Persons; Berlin; and Marc Almond from Soft Cell. Fans can register for presale tickets on the festival’s website.

Temple Of Geekdom – An Improvised Adventure opens on February 24 at The Second City and will run on Monday nights. According to the post card I picked up at Reckless Records downtown, there will be extra shows during this year’s C2E2 run at McCormick Place on February 28 and 29. Now why they would connect geeks with C2E2?

Actor Matt Smith is catching some flak on social media for cancelling a scheduled appearance at C2E2 for the second year in a row, due to a scheduling conflict. I met Smith at an autograph session at the Ace Comic Con on Navy Pier a few years back (shortly before meeting his Doctor Who co-star Karen Gillan for an autograph—an epic afternoon) and I give him the benefit of the doubt. He called me ‘mate’ and was very open and friendly with the people coming up to his booth. Still, I can relate to the disappointment of those who were looking forward to meeting him at C2E2 these past two years.

It will be a rollicking evening of bluesy and Americana rock and roll tomorrow night (February 16) when Marcia Ball and Sonny Landreth join together for a double bill at FitzGerald’s.

WXRT is bringing another live music event to the Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove. This time out, the station is co-sponsoring (with Classic Cinemas) a Poi Dog Pondering concert on February 20.

The Right Tidys were absent from the Chicago club scene for a while, but now they’ve reunited under the abbreviated name Tidy and have a live gig coming up. They’ll be at Montrose Saloon on Monday, March 30, with Erica Loftus in her familiar lead vocalist role.

The House Theater Of Chicago’s production of Verboten continues its run at the Chopin Theatre through March 8. Written by Brett Neveu with original songs by Jason Narducy, Verboten is set in 1983 and concerns a teenage punk band aiming to rock out the Cubby Bear venue. Nathan Allen is the director.

The extremely clever magicians Penn and Teller will host an Aids Walk and Run in Las Vegas on March 20. The event will include a run, a walk, and a festival featuring various acts. Anyone interested in taking part can find info a AFANLV.org.

Incoming

The Who is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its iconic Live At Leeds album with a show tonight at the PRYZM venue in Kingston upon Thames in England. Congratulations, lads!

I wasn’t able to post a Slumgullion column last Friday due to my being at the Hey Nonny venue in Arlington Heights to catch Rachel Drew and Rob Newhouse followed by The Imperial Sound. Singer-songwriter Drew and former Elvis Brothers member Newhouse combined for terrific harmony vocals on set of original tunes (and few covers) as well rollicking versions of the Elvis Brothers songs “Hey Tina” and “Santa Fe.”

Considering Drew’s versatile singing, it was no surprise when she announced she would return as a guest vocalist with The Imperial Sound. Her style was perfectly suited to the mixed bag of soul, rock, and jazz from their 2018 debut The New AM. Drew and lead vocalist-guitarist Rick Mosher combined on songs like “Ain’t Crawling Back,” a clever take on a guy not quite over his ex, and the film noir inspired “The Quarry.” A three-piece horn section and Kenn Goodman’s keyboards also keep things lively.

Tickets are now on sale for Rhett Miller from The Old 97s at SPACE in Evanston on May 15; Bauhaus at the Aragon Ballroom on July 25; Heaven 17 at Park West on May 8; Todd Snider at Park West on April 10; House Of Love at Subterranean on May 11; Ike Reilly Assassination at FitzGerald’s on March 20; and NRBQ at SPACE on May 2.

NRBQ member Casey McDonough will be doing a Valentine’s Day show this Friday at Honky Tonk BBQ. It's located at 1800 S. Racine in the Pilsen neighborhood.

The Psychedelic Furs will kick off a tour of southern U.S. states on April 13 in Key West, Florida and finish up in Scottsdale, Arizona on April 30. They’ll be in London on May 14 for a concert in the Albert Hall. The Furs have new material to showcase at these gigs, to go along with past hits like “The Ghost In You,” “Heartbreak Beat,” and “Love My Way.” A brand new album titled Made Of Rain is due out in May and a video of their single “Don’t Believe” is now available to watch on The Psychedelic Furs website. The duo Elettrodmestico, which features Jane Wiedlin from The Go-Go’s and Pietro Stracci, will open for The Psychedelic Furs on the April tour dates.

The Right Tidys were absent from the Chicago club scene for a while, but now they’ve reunited under the abbreviated name Tidy and have a live gig coming up. They’ll be at Montrose Saloon on Monday, March 30, with Erica Loftus in her familiar lead vocalist role.

FitzGerald’s has an International Women’s Day Festival planned for March 7 that will include performances by Sandra Antongiorgi; Naomi Ashley; Cathie Van Wert; and Katie Todd. The Festival will also feature Cathy Richardson’s Goddesses Of Rock. In addition to her own music, Richardson is also known for her critically acclaimed portrayal of Janis Joplin.

Hey Nonny Brings The Imperial Sound

The Imperial Sound, a relatively new band made up of Chicago music scene veterans, will be back at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights tomorrow night, February 7. Their 2018 debut album The New AM offered a consistently engaging mix of soul, jazz, blues, and rock, with a dash of supper club ambience. Songs like “Ain’t Crawling Back” and “Yesterday” featured guest female vocalists so it should be interesting to see how those are performed at Hey Nonny. The Imperial Sound has been known to have special guests at its live shows. Singer-songwriter Rachel Drew and former Elvis Brothers member Rob Newhouse will be the opening act. The music starts at 7:30 pm.

It was nice seeing Hey Nonny get some press last Thursday via Selena Fragassi’s interview with Chip Brooks in the Chicago Sun-Times. Brooks’ comments affirmed my belief that he and co-owner Chris Dungan are aiming for a northwest suburban version of popular Chicago clubs like Schubas and Evanston’s SPACE. Booking bands like The Imperial Sound is definitely a move that direction. Singer-guitarist Tommi Zender with The 45 (featuring Chicago Cubs Len Kasper) will be coming to Hey Nonny on Sunday, February 16.

Hot Stove, Cool Music Returns To Boston

Spring training kicks off later this month, but baseball fans in Boston can celebrate the sport and help a worthy cause this Saturday, February 8 at the Paradise Rock Club. That’s when The Foundation To Be Named Later will host its annual Hot Stove, Cool Music charitable event. Formed by Theo Epstein and his brother Paul shortly after he led the Red Sox to their first World Series since 1918, TFTBNL combines baseball and rock music in a uniquely fun way to raise funds to help disadvantaged youth in Boston. Epstein established a Chicago version of The Foundation after he moved here to bring the Cubs a World Series Championship.

The indie rock band Letters To Cleo will be performing at the Paradise this Friday, along Tanya Donnelly and Gail Greenwood from Belly, Peter Gammons, and The Hot Stove All-Stars. Fans can also check out Band Of Their Own, a rotating group of well-known women musicians that’s become a regular Hot Stove feature. Saturday’s lineup includes former Runaway Cherrie Currie; Donnelly, Greenwood, and nine other perfrormers. Limited edition BOTO t-shirts will be available for sale at this gig only. The music starts at 7:30 p.m.

As in past years, there will be a Chicago version of Hot Stove, Cool Music taking place in Wrigleyville sometime in June. I caught last year’s bash at Metro and it was a night of positive vibes and great rock and roll.