Slumgullion

The Pretenders, The Bangles, The Go-Go’s, The Muffs, The Runaways, Julianna Hatfield, The Pandoras, The Photos, Letters To Cleo, Eve’s Plum, Holly And The Italians, Josie Cotten, The Primitives, Textones, The Darling Buds, The Rebel Pebbles, and nine other women bands are featured on a new CD titled Girls Go Power Pop! on the Ace Records label. The energy level remains high throughout, and there are a few fun cover versions along with the originals. It’s an extensive collection, although I immediately thought of The Aquanettas as being missing, and there are probably several other women or woman-fronted groups who deserved to be honored. Perhaps a Volume 2 is in order. Girls Go Power Pop! is available for pre-order on the Ace Records website or on Amazon.  

The Cavern Club in Liverpool is open again after five months of being shuttered due to the pandemic. Those of us who aren’t able to fly to England, can enjoy the 200-plus videos the iconic venue has put together for the Virtually International BeatleWeek event on its Facebook page. It began yesterday and runs through Tuesday. The U.S.-based Blac Rabbit, Jay Goeppner Band, The Fab Four, Beat-Lele, Rachel Sage, Chad Clifford, and Hard Days Night are among the many acts participating. Most of the shows are Beatles-related, but it looks like The Who, The Kinks, and Small Faces will get some love too. The full schedule is available on The Cavern Club Facebook page, but keep in mind the listings are in England time.

Depending on what time you read this, you can catch a vintage concert of  The Clash on WXRT tonight at 9:00 pm. It’s another impressive edition of the Chicago FM station’s ongoing Live From The XRT Concert Archives series. The show was recorded when The Clash performed at the Aragon Ballroom in September of 1979, shortly before the release of London Calling.

 

The first of three 2020 RSD Drops takes place around the globe tomorrow. Participating Chicago area stores include Reckless Records, Laurie’s Planet Of Sound, Dusty Groove, Vintage Vinyl, and Val’s Halla. The official RSD site has the entire list of limited-edition releases coming out this year, so make sure you’re looking at the Aug 29th section when putting together your wish list. The now-customary social distancing and mask-wearing rules will apply, and some stores will be selling official RSD face masks. This year, more than ever, it will be important to have a written or printed list ready to hand over; store employees won’t want to look at your phone. The remaining Drops will be on September 26 and October 24. 

Limited spaces are still available for the My Sweet George George Harrison Tribute at the Post42 Patio in Evanston next Friday, September 4. This good-hearted event, organized by Ary Paloma from Amazing Heeby Jeebies and Ellis Clark from Social Act and Epicycle, has been a blast each time I’ve seen it at Martyrs’ or The Fest For Beatles Fans - Chicago. Past My Sweet George shows have featured various guest musicians, but I’m not sure how this one will play out. Tickets are available at Post42.

The online music magazine Rock Cellar has added a new section devoted to new releases by independent artists. The current batch is a mixed bag covering various genres. Independent artists hoping to snag a review in Rock Cellar’s new section can download a form and send it to mike@rockcellarmagazine.com.

The Ronnie Wood documentary Somebody Up There Likes Me will be on screens starting September 18 at virtual cinemas across America, and will available on DVD October 9. Directed by Mike Figgis, the film covers Wood’s successful career as a musician and artist, with clips that include Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Imelda May, and Rod Stewart.