Saturday Slumgullion

Anyone’s who’s been on the fence about buying the new Chris Franz memoir Remain In Love - Talking Heads: Tom Tom Club: Tina should check out an interview he did with journalist Scott Mervis at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (picked up by the Chicago Tribune for last Sunday’s Arts + Entertainment section). In the the article, Franz describes the dynamics of how Talking Heads created songs; the excitement of the band's first gig—opening for The Ramones at CBGB; and that bass player Tina Weymouth was the only band member who could read music. Mervis notes that Joe Strummer, David Bowie, and Andy Warhol are also mentioned in the book. As an added incentive, fans can order an autographed copy of Remain In Love from Premiere Collectibles via the official Tom Tom Club Facebook page. I’m expecting my copy to arrive in the mail any day now.

Congratulations to the staff of Fest For Beatles Fans on pulling off its first virtual edition last weekend. Credit also goes to MC Terri Hemmert, the celebrity guests, and all the musicians who participated. Understandably, the event had its glitches, but everyone pulled together with patience (and humor) as Fest For Beatles Fans was able to project the same peace and love vibe of its live events. I’ve never been able to sit for hours watching anything on a screen, so I didn’t experience all the benefits the Virtual Fest had to offer. Luckily, Fest For Beatles Fans made the entire event available to watch again for all of those of us who paid the admission.

The Flat Five will deliver their second full-length album Another World on November 13. In the meantime, fans (and several music critics) who loved this all-star, vocally dynamic quintet’s 2016 debut It’s A World Of Love And Hope, can download a new single. The playful “Drip A Drop” became available on the Flat Five Bandcamp page yesterday.

Sunshine Boys, the Chicago trio that released its stellar lull-length debut Blue Music in 2018 and came back with another impressive effort (Work And Love) earlier this year, will be performing live at SPACE in Evanston on September 5. They’ll be sharing the bill with The Bobbleheads. Love and Work is filled with more melodic songs with lyrics that can paint wistful memories or deliver a call to action.

Ary Paloma and Ellis Clark will follow their recent My Sweet George performance at the Virtual Fest For Beatles Fans with a limited-seating, social-distanced gig at Post 42 Patio in Evanston on September 4 at 7:00 p.m. As with the Fest gig and the annual My Sweet George events they stage each February, Paloma and Clark’s expertly rendered George Harrison songs will backed by a talented group of local musicians.

 

Paloma is also the lead vocalist for the garage rock/rockabilly band Amazing Heeby Jeebies. They celebrated their 10th anniversary today with a performance at the Glenwood Avenue (Mobile) Arts Fest earlier today. The event, which meets social-distancing requirements by having live bands perform on trucks that cruise though the neighborhood, continues tomorrow. There will also be video trucks showcasing local artists.

The Old 97’s have a new song titled “Bottle Rocket Baby” available to stream or buy on various sites. It’s another preview from the band’s full-length effort Twelfth, which is coming out on August 21.

 

It’s nice to see Long Grove’s downtown area continue to mount a successful comeback amidst current pandemic limitations. Once known for its antique and craft shops, the area fell on hard times but is now being led by new restaurants and cafes, such as Chatterbox, Buffalo Creek Brewing, Long Grove Coffee, and Covered Bridge Creamery. Older venues like Village Inn and Enzo and Lucia continue to maintain their popularity, along with a variety of stores. My wife Pam and I have become regulars at Long Grove Coffee, and Covered Bridge Creamery in particular. A new promotion called Long Grove Live is bringing musicians to perform at various locations throughout the downtown area.