Slumgullion

Brian Epstein seriously considering managing The Beatles.

Here’s a friendly Broken Hearted Toy welcome to Wolf Alice, who will be coming to Chicago for a sold-out concert this Monday at the Vic. The U.K. band is touring in support of their recently released album Blue Weekend. It’s an impressive collection of melodic and atmospheric tracks, along with a few high energy numbers that give lead vocalist-guitarist Ellie Rowsell an opportunity to cut loose with a ferocious howl.

This coming Tuesday, November 9, The Cavern Club in Liverpool will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the day Brian Epstein came to check out The Beatles at that venue. The festivities start at noon with Clark Gilmour performing early Beatles and Merseybeat material. Victoria McDermott will perform as Cilla Black and Beatles Complete will be playing songs by The Beatles.

Tickets are now on sale for Graham Nash’s March 25 and 26 shows at SPACE in Evanston.

The Chicago-based power pop band The Spindles will be back at Montrose Saloon this Saturday night, along with Dolph Chaney and Daddy Burger Swag. The music starts at 8:00 pm. I deliberately put this after the Graham Nash item because Spindles guitarist-vocalist Jeff Janulis is an avid fan. He once organized a Nash Mob where a large group of people suddenly began singing “Teach Your Children” on busy corner in downtown Chicago. Actually, I made up that last part.

Anyone into classic rock will want to spend some time in Whoville this holiday season, and I don’t mean the happy village that got ripped off by The Grinch. The official website for The Who just sent an email inviting fans to check out its online shop. Remember the overloaded sleigh at the end of The Grinch Who Store Christmas? That’s what you’d need to pack up all the cool merchandise this iconic band has for sale. Most of the items aren’t guaranteed to arrive by Christmas, but maybe if you order now, there will be a chance. If only every band was as imaginative and fun with its marketing.

The 27th Annual Black Harvest Film Festival opened today will run through December 2 at the Gene Siskel Film Center. 28 feature films and documentaries will be shown, along with six short film programs.

Over The Overlords, the first full-length release from Chicago-based punk pioneers Naked Raygun in 31 years, is now available to pre-order on vinyl and CD from Wax Trax! Records. The album includes “Living In The Good Times,” which became available earlier this year as a video clip. Long-time member bassist Pierre Kezdy passed away from cancer in 2020, shortly after Over The Overlords was finished. The album is available as a standard LP and a double LP that includes four previously unreleased live recordings.

Balin Schneider’s Out Of Time  - The Story Of Material Issue will have its world premiere next Sunday, November 14 at the SU 22 Film Festival in Minneapolis, MN. Original band members Mike Zelenko and Ted Ansani will take part in a Q and A afterward.

The 20th Annual International Pop Overthrow - New York takes place next Friday, November 12 at the Arlene's Grocery music venue. IPO founder David Bash named his multi-act power pop/indie rock showcase after the song “International Pop Overthrow” by Material Issue. There will be 20 acts  on the bill.

I stopped by The Music Room in Palatine today to pick up the November issue of the Illinois Entertainer. As I’ve mentioned previously, I was checking out the long-time monthly publication online during the COVID-19 lockdown, before finding a print version at the Reckless Records location downtown. I’m assuming it’s available at other record stores and live music venues in the Chicago area. This month’s issue, with Depeche Mode’s Dave Gahan on the cover, includes an article about the Material Issue documentary, an interview with Chip Z’Nuff  from Enuff Z’nuff; a review of the 25th Anniversary Edition of R.E.M.’s New Adventures in Hi-Fi and Gahan’s new album of cover versions, Imposter. Full disclosure: I wrote for the Illnois Entertainer for several years.

The 10-inch vinyl version of Ringo Starr’s new four-song EP Change The World is now available on the Fest For Beatles Fans online store. The record includes “Let’s Change The World,” “Just That Way,” “Coming Undone,” and a cover of “Rock Around The Clock” featuring Joe Walsh on guitar. The EP is also available as a cassette, CD, and as a digital download. As always, the Fest For Beatles Fans online store is loaded with lots of cool Beatles merchandise.

The Chicago Underground Film Festival, which bills itself as the longest running underground film festival in the world, kicked off today and will run through Sunday, November 7 at the Logan Theater, at 2558 W. 16th St., Stage 18.

DOC Chicago is presenting a short film showcase online and in person at the Cultural Center today through Sunday. Admission is free but those interested in attending an event in person need to register at in advance.

Long-time Chicago-based band Hushdrops will be having a listening party for their album The Static at Delilah’s on Tuesday, November 9. Band member John San Juan and musician/Pravda Records boss Kenn Goodman will serve as DJs, and there will giveaways, Pravda swag, and raffle tickets. The listening party runs from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am. Delilah’s is located at 2771 Lincoln Avenue.

The Power Pop Shoppe Showcase, a live performance extension of the Power Pop Shoppe show Kirk Fox hosts on radio station WNUR 89.3, will be coming to Montrose Saloon next Saturday, November 13. The three acts participating are Gal Gun Band, Golden Richards, and The Dry Look.

The Social Act will return to Martyrs’ on Lincoln Avenue for a performance on Friday, November 19. The show starts at 8:00 pm.

Tickets are now on sale for Nick Mason’s Saucerful Of Secrets - The Echoes Tour show coming to the Chicago Theatre on February 4, 2022. The Pink Floyd drummer/founding member will be performing the band’s early material, joined by Dom Beken, Gary Kemp, Guy Prett, and Lee Harris.

The Chicago TARDIS, an annual convention that rightfully celebrates the many years Doctor Who has been around, will take place at in Westin Chicago Lombard on November 26 – 28. This year’s guests include Colin Baker; Sylvie Briggs; Lauren Cornelius; Frazer Hines; Neve McIntosh; and Clem So. 

Barb’s Precious Rescue and Adoption Center in Palatine is having a benefit/open house from 1:00 to 4:00 pm next Saturday, November 13. Having watched workers from this no-kill, cage-free cat shelter gently remove two young mothers and their eight kittens from our neighborhood, I’m looking forward to supporting them at this event. Guests will be able to take a guided tour of the newly remodeled facilities, sign up as volunteers, take part in a raffle, and buy t-shirts, tea towels, tote bags, and masks. Donations of money and kitten food are welcome. Barb’s Precious Rescue and Adoption Center is located at 313 N.Quentin Rd.

Tickets are now on sale The Ho Ho Ho Show starring Kate Fagan taking place December 23 at the AllWays Lounge And Cabaret. Any ardent Fagan fans who love her work with the Chicago-based ska band Heavy Manners will have to shell out some bucks for airfare because AllWays is located in New Orleans. 

Apparently, a lot of people can’t live without Regrettes. The L.A. band by that name quickly sold out its upcoming shows in California on November 24 in Santa Ana and November 27 in San Diego. It would be great to see a new album from these guys, since their first two were so impressive.