Saturday Slumgullion

Metric released a new single titled “All Comes Crashing” this past Thursday, as well as a video to go with it. It’s a preview of the band’s upcoming album Formentera, which is due out July 8. Presale tickets go on sale Tuesday, May 3 for Metric’s Doomscroller Tour, which includes an October 18 date in Chicago.

Congratulations to International Pop Overthrow CFO/Founder David Bash, promoter August Forte, and Montrose Saloon manager Eric Chial on the successful return of IPO to Chicago. Next up for Bash is an eight-day IPO run at the Cavern Club in Liverpool starting Sunday, May 15. He’ll have two separate, multi-act showcases each day; one in the Cavern Pub and one in the Cavern Club. I won’t be giving a day-by-day preview of this event like I did for Chicago, but I do firmly hope that one day I’ll be at Liverpool IPO in person.

 

Phil Angotti, who performed tonight at Montrose Saloon as part of the IPO Chicago finale, has a record release bash for his latest effort Once Around Again coming up at Martyrs on Thursday, May 26. Joining Phil and his special guests onstage will be a series of paintings and illustrations created by local artists for each song.

This Monday night, May 2 at 6:00 pm, the Goodman Theatre will present the 13th annual August Wilson Monologue Competition, featuring 21 high school students chosen as finalists from the Chicago area. Participants will perform monologues from Wilson’s Century Cycle collection of 10 plays exploring African American history.

Patti Smith has a concert coming up this Wednesday, May 4 at Metro on Chicago’s north side. It’s part of the iconic music venue’s 40th anniversary celebration.

Vocalist-guitarist Steve Hackett, who’s performed with Genesis and GTR, as well as on solo projects, has a gig coming up this Thursday, May 5 at the Copernicus Center on Chicago’s northwest side. The venue is a short walk away from the Jefferson Park Metra/CTA station.

Tickets are now on sale for Pravdafest, the June 24 and 25 event celebrating the Chicago-based indie record label Pravda’s 38 years of showcasing unique artists. It’s being staged in collaboration with Sketchbook Brewing Company, who will introduce a new Sketchbook beer called Pravda38. Josh Caterer, Steve Dawson, Hushdrops and Boom Hank are scheduled to perform on the 24th and The Slugs, The Service, Diplomats Of Sound, and The Handcuffs are scheduled for 25th.

Vocalist-guitarist Carla Olson, who formed The Textones in 1978, before moving on to a successful career as solo recording artist and producer, has just released a rampaging cover of The Who’s “I Can See For Miles” on Bandcamp. Olson can also be heard performing “Here Comes That Train Again” with Stephen McCarthy from Dream Syndicate on the upcoming various artists compilation Americana Railroad.

Roger Daltrey will embark on a solo tour dubbed Who Was I in the UK starting June 20 in Bournemouth, BIC

Kurt Baker and Bebe Buell have recorded a cover of “Blood And Roses” one of the countless power pop classic originally recorded by The Smithereens. This stellar version is out on the Wicked Cool, and available to stream or download.

 

Prince: The Immersive Experience, comes to The Shops At North Bridge In Chicago on June 9. The official website promises 10 multidimensional spaces, and an opportunity to “step inside the iconic Purple Rain album cover.” All ages are welcome.

Olivia Harrison has a 104-page hardcover book titled Came The Lightening - 20 Poems About George coming out in the fall. It will be available in autographed Collector’s and Deluxe editions from the high-end Genesis Publications, which means they’re gorgeous, well-crafted, and expensive. Both are available for pre-order on The Fest For Beatles Fans website, at $180 and $450, respectively. 

IPO - Chicago 2022 - The Finale

International Pop Overthrow - Chicago is scheduled to wrap up its 2022 run with a six-act showcase tomorrow night at Montrose Saloon. From what I’ve been told, there will be changes to the 8:15 and 9:00 pm slots. Hopefully, there will further information regarding this on the Montrose Saloon Facebook and Instagram pages. For the time being, here’s a look at the Saturday night showcase as it stands now. 

Singer-guitarist Phil Angotti is known for his tribute shows to The Zombies, Squeeze, Bee Gees, etc., as well as for performing on the Apple Jam Stage at Fest For Beatles Fans - Chicago. But it would be a  mistake to overlook the original music he’s released on the series of impressive albums over the years. His most recent efforts, Still Life and Such Stories, offered more introspective fare, but “The Lamp,” his contribution to the Big Blast Singles 21 compilation, was a funny and genuinely psychedelic gem. The Darren Cooper-led power pop band Three Hour Tour will be performing songs destined to be on their upcoming album Junk Mail, as well as selections from their four previous releases. Cooper’s approach can range from the lighter 1960s feel of “No Guarantee” to the punchy “Afterlife.”

Forbidden Kingdom is a brand new act, as well as a family affair. It features Eric Chial from Bon Mots on guitar and his son Gustaf on drums; Ellis Clark from Social Act on keyboards and his son Andrew on bass; and Jared Chase Eisenmann on guitar. All five members sing. Forbidden Kingdom is currently recording its debut album. King Mixer, AKA Eric Howell, will bring the 2022 IPO - Chicago festivities to a close with help from his band mates and The King Mixer Horns. His latest single is the fun and soulful rock and roll tale “Riding With Martha.” Howell has also created what he describes as “the world’s first (and only) audio drama of The Beatles early years.” It’s available on Bandcamp.

Most of the 60+ acts that performed at International Pop Overthrow this year were local, although there were some out-of-state visitors. It’s still worth checking the official website for the full schedule. You’ll also find links for just about all the acts who participated in Chicago this year. Even if you weren’t able to attend in person, you can still use the site as a great way to discover new music.

IPO Chicago - The Penultimate 2022 Showcase

I think I’ll write a song about a cactus.

International Pop Overthrow - Chicago will wrap up its 2022 run at Montrose Saloon with a pair of showcases tomorrow; one in the afternoon, and then the finale at night. Here’s a look at the Saturday afternoon showcase.

 

Michael Steven Cohen has explored a variety of musical styles throughout his performing career, and I have the CDs and downloads to prove it. He crafted power pop as a member of The Abbeys, pursued a harder-edged sound with Pop Dollys, and performed 1960s covers with the Everly Hillbillies. Tomorrow’s gig will feature his latest passion; doing nifty covers of 1950s love songs and standards. Abby Lyons shows up frequently on YouTube, performing easygoing songs on ukulele or piano. They often exude an off-kilter charm, whether she’s offering advice on taking care of a cactus or clinging to a relationship her friends tell her is beyond saving. She’s also been known to cover a Disney song or two. The Embryos have released a number of albums since 2017, and their latest—National Absurdity—is a good example of how they set imaginative concepts to melodic mid-tempo arrangements. “Twisted In My Game” particularly stands out for its engaging arrangement and clever lyrics.

Close to 10 years ago, The Shakes Ups hit upon the fun concept of combining power pop with their favorite animated shows. The band’s Facebook page depicts the six members in Saturday morning cartoon form, and an album available on their website titled Meddling Kids pays homage to Scooby-Doo. These guys have also completed a season of their own podcast series, Ignore City, which is available on several platforms. Singer-guitarist Erich Specht from the Palatine, IL (my town) band Push Puppets will be performing as a solo act at Montrose Saloon. It seems logical he’ll be previewing songs from the upcoming Push Puppets album titled Allegory Grey (due out in September) since he’s the group’s chief songwriter. Specht is comfortable putting his complex lyrics to power pop, 1960s pop, or blues rock. Psychedelic guitar slinger Jeremy Morris is from Kalamazoo, MI, and he’s traveled to a lot of IPO showcases well beyond Chicago. The Jeremy Band traditionally closes out a Saturday afternoon showcase when he’s here, and his high-powered, melodic rock will do just that tomorrow. His latest album, Emerald Vision, is available from the Jam Records website.

Most of the 60+ acts that performed at International Pop Overthrow this year were local, although there were some out-of-state visitors. Check the official website for the full schedule. You’ll also find links for just about all the acts who participated in Chicago this year. Even if you weren’t able to attend in person, you can still use the site as a great way to discover new music.

IPO - Chicago: Friday On My Mind

International Pop Overthrow - Chicago will wrap up its 2022 run at Montrose Saloon this weekend, with a showcase on Friday night, and a pair of showcases (afternoon, and evening) on Saturday. Note: There was already a TBA listed as the last act on Friday night, and based on a Facebook post from IPO Founder/CFO David Bash a few hours ago, it looks like the 7:30 slot is now vacant. (On a related note, I wasn’t aware that Amazing Heeby Jeebies were added to Wednesday night’s lineup when I posted my preview. I definitely would have said nice things about them.)

So unless a replacement is found for the 7:30 slot tomorrow, the opening act will be Alpine Subs at 8:15. The six-member group released Through The Blinds, its third full-length album, earlier this year. It offers melodic pop songs such as “Still You Sleep” and “Harvest Lake.” Long-time IPO participants Too Much Saturn have been releasing catchy singles since their debut album Moving Forward Sideways came out in 2013. The most recent is “STOP Thief,” which grooves with jangling guitars and harmony vocals.  

The Locals are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. The hard-edged trio released its latest effort Minutes, Seconds, Degrees in 2019, and it includes aggressive tracks such as “Eyes Wide Open” and “The Willful Suspension Of Disbelief.” The Steve Ramone Band’s big, melodic rock songs feature Ramone’s strong vocals while being propelled by guitars and keyboards. “Our Love,” in particular, feels like a hit single, and other strong tracks include “Time To Go” and “Sunny Day.” Chip Z’nuff will be performing with The Steve Ramone Band as a special guest.

 

International Pop Overthrow runs through this Saturday, April 30 at Montrose Saloon. Most of the 60+ acts involved are local, although there are some out-of-state visitors. Check the official website for the full schedule. You’ll also find links for just about all the acts who’ll be participating in Chicago this year. Even if you can’t attend in person, it’s a great way to discover new music.

IPO - Chicago - Thursday's Lineup

Thursday night’s showcase will find International Pop Overthrow - Chicago heading into the home stretch of its 2022 run at Montrose Saloon. All five acts scheduled are from the Chicago area.

Singer-songwriter Andrew Robert Palmer describes himself as “a regular guy doing a very small thing,” but you’ll realize that’s an understatement when you’re laughing at the cryptic, Dylanesque rhymes in “Revelation At Walt’s Grocery Store.” Sure, a lot of his material is just him on acoustic guitar, but Palmer’s approach works, whether he’s proclaiming south suburban pride or paying homage to Cat Stevens. Musician/producer Aaron Williams has been performing for a number of years and his band has released two albums. His peppy new wave song “Hey Mindy” was used in the indie comedy film Mind Over Mindy. Williams seems equally at home performing with a band or going the acoustic solo route, so it should be interesting to see what he’ll be doing at Montrose Saloon.

 

Golden Richards deliver on their promise of  “big guitar power pop rock” on the eye-catching video for “Shake Your Hair.” It’s the latest in a series of singles the trio—lead vocalist-guitarist Billy Richards, rhythm guitarist Gil Golden, and vocalist-keyboards player Maryann Magic— have been releasing since 2020. Golden Richards also augment their catchy tunes with clever, funny lyrics. Rolling Numbers have a brand new website to promote their self-described “Cosmic American” approach, which often involves setting imaginative, nontraditional lyrics to melodic country and western arrangements. The quintet’s latest, self-titled album came out earlier this year, and they’ve added a new single called “Best Of Luck” since then. Drew Neely And The Heroes lean toward the lighter side of melodic pop music on a recent series of singles named for various women, as well as on their 2019 album This Could Be You Vol. 1.

International Pop Overthrow runs through April 30 at Montrose Saloon. Most of the 60+ acts involved are local, although there are some out-of-state visitors. Check the official website for the full schedule. You’ll also find links for just about all the acts who’ll be participating in Chicago this year. Even if you can’t attend in person, it’s a great way to discover new music.

What A Difference A Day Makes (And Other News)

It was a rookie mistake. The past few years of scaled-down RSD Drops had lulled me into thinking it would be okay to show up for a full-out Record Store Day at the downtown Reckless Records only a half hour before it opened. But after a brisk walk from the Metra station, I encountered a line of people that snaked around the side of the building and down the alley. I didn’t have much hope of snagging the “Sunday Girl” single by Blondie that was at the top of my wish list.

But all went well. The Reckless Records staff did its usual friendly, efficient job and customers struck up friendly conversations while waiting outside. Two guys directly in front of me discovered they were both Phish fanatics. I was able to buy the Blondie 45 as well the U2 12-inch “Celebration” single. Record Store Day was back to normal again.

Vocalist-guitarist Carla Olson, who formed The Textones in 1978, before moving on to a successful career as solo recording artist and producer, has just released a rampaging cover of The Who’s “I Can See For Miles” on Bandcamp. Olson can also be heard performing “Here Comes That Train Again” with Stephen McCarthy from Dream Syndicate on the upcoming various artists compilation Americana Railroad.

Metric has a single coming out this Thursday, according to a quick teaser post on Instagram.

The Animals have a new vinyl collection coming out on May 20 titled The Animals Mickie Most Years. It’s a limited vinyl edition featuring four U.S. albums, plus a rare 12-inch EP of “I Just Wanna Make Love To You.”

Late last week, I was saddened to learn that Lou Galassini, bassist for the Chicago indie rock band Van Go had passed away. I think, like a lot of people who knew him through the Chicago music scene, I kept rereading the Facebook post hoping I was just misunderstanding what it said. It didn’t seem possible. Lou was a big, friendly guy.

One night at Martyrs’ on Lincoln Avenue a few years back, he and his wife Erica Loftus, who’s also a local musician, noticed me standing by myself and invited me to join them at their table. We only knew each other from International Pop Overthrow events, but that night, we talked like old friends. On another occasion, we hung out together at Durty Nellie’s in Palatine during a Minstrel’s music store reunion there. From the numerous comments I read on Facebook, Lou was great at connecting with people that way. I also read there will be an event to honor him later this year. I’m betting it will be well-attended.  

Wednesday Won’t Be Your Usual IPO - Chicago Experience

Tomorrow night’s three-act, $15 event is unlike any other International Pop Overthrow showcase taking place in Chicago this year. Or in any year, as far as I can recall. But it’s a welcome curveball from IPO founder David Bash (he’ll love the baseball reference) coming a bit past the midpoint of his festival’s nine-day run at Montrose Saloon.

The Figgs definitely qualify as a national act, and they’ll be preceded tomorrow night (April 27) by the impressive Chicago area bands Bon Mots and Sunshine Boys. For people who don’t already have tickets, I recommend calling ahead to make sure you can get in. If it has sold out, that would be only the second time for an IPO - Chicago event. The other time being a showcase featuring Material Reissue at the Abbey Pub.

As I stated in a Broken Hearted Toy review of The Bon Mots’ album Best Revenge (See June 16, 2014 in the archives), melodies are a priority for songwriters singer-guitarist Mike Coy and singer-guitarist Eric Chial. Their guitar playing had a harder-edge on Best Revenge than on their debut le Main Drag, which I favorably reviewed for the Illinois Entertainer.

The trio Sunshine Boys features vocalist-guitarist Dag Juhlin, whose resume includes The Slugs, Sonic45, and Poi Dog Pondering; Freda Love Smith from Blake Babies and Jacqueline Schimmel from Big Hello. They’ve released two superb albums filled with melodic indie rock songs and compelling lyrics.

Saratoga Springs, NY natives The Figgs have been creating guitar-driven music for 35 years. They’ve released over a dozen albums and their tours have brought them around the world. Their 25-song 2019 release Shady Grove shows they can rock with wild abandon but also explore more nuanced material. They have a brand new effort called Chemical Shake coming out on May 6, but might bring some copies to Montrose Saloon.

International Pop Overthrow runs through April 30 at Montrose Saloon. Most of the 60+ acts involved are local, although there are some out-of-state visitors. Check the official website for the full schedule. You’ll also find links for just about all the acts who’ll be participating in Chicago this year. Even if you can’t attend in person, it’s a great way to discover new music. 

IPO - Chicago - The Tuesday Night Showcase

International Pop Overthrow - Chicago started last Friday night at Montrose Saloon on the city’s north side and will continue at that venue through April 30. Most of the 60+ acts involved are local, although there are some out-of-state visitors. Here are the five acts scheduled for Tuesday night, April 26.

Alain Quinn is a singer-songwriter who describes her compositions as a fusion of jazz, funk and “dreamy pop.” There’s also a bit of vintage supper club ambience that certainly shows through on the cinematic video for “Strange Fascination.” Quinn is currently working on her next album. Led by Mike Vinopal, Local Motive creates easy-going rock songs with a definite blues flavor. Their debut effort Superconductors came out in 2015, but they plan to release a couple singles soon as a preview of their Slice Of Life album, which is due out May 27. August Hotel has offered an intriguing blend of keyboards and guitars on a series of releases dating back to 2017. There’s a 1980s hit song feel to their work, especially on “Disaster And Delight” and “Train Song” from their 2020 effort Stations.

The Artist Formally Known As Vince is actually a quintet that describes its freewheeling performances as “glam trash rock n roll.” Vocalist-guitarist TAFKAVince and vocalist Lauren Kurtz make for a flamboyant Rocky Horror Picture Show style duo, rising above the energetic arrangements. Check out the band’s On Display album for some prime examples. Country and Western duo The Anna Maze captures the heartache of broken relationships and lonely barflies via Anna Maze’s emotionally charged vocals. She and Jim Licka are supported by various musicians on their recordings, the latest of which is That’s What I Want ‘Em To Say.

Check the official International Pop Overthrow website for the full schedule. You’ll also find links for just about all the acts who’ll be participating in Chicago this year. Even if you can’t attend in person, it’s a great way to discover new music.

Let’s Start The Week Rocking

International Pop Overthrow - Chicago started last Friday night at Montrose Saloon on the city’s north side and will continue at that venue through April 30. Most of the 60+ acts involved are local, although there are some out-of-state visitors. All five acts on Monday night’s showcase are from the Chicago area.

The evening starts with singer-songwriter Christopher Elam, who’s crafted a melodic, atmospheric sound on a series of recordings where he pretty much does everything himself. That approach works fine, especially on “Madeline” and “Hello Reality” from his 2018 album Notes From The Borderline. The four-piece band Innkeepers brought a guitar-driven energy to the catchy alt songs on their 2021 album Red Dawn. Look for them to be just as lively at Montrose Saloon. Led by singer-songwriter Jon Raleigh, Rollo Time has notched several performances at IPO - Chicago. Drop by the power pop quartet’s website for free downloads of the energetic gems “New Block On The Kid,” “Spider In The Hole,” and other songs.

Singer-songwriter Rob Schulz continued his knack for putting political and social satire to catchy melodies on his most recent album Tragedy And Comedy. Schulz will be joined by drummer Nick Kitsos and bassist Klem Hayes when he performs at Montrose Saloon. The seven-piece coed band Red Wigglers ended a 12-year absence from recording with its adventurous 2018 release Let’s Canoodle. There’s a good variety of musical approaches as well intentions, and Red Wigglers often augment their indie rock sound with trombone, trumpet, and sax.

Check the official International Pop Overthrow website for the full schedule. You’ll also find links for just about all the acts who’ll be participating in Chicago this year. Even if you can’t attend in person, it’s a great way to discover new music.

Sunday Brings Another IPO Doubleheader

International Pop Overthrow - Chicago started this past Friday night at Montrose Saloon on the city’s north side and will continue at that venue through April 30. Most of the 60+ acts involved are from the Chicago area, although there are some out-of-state visitors. Tomorrow afternoon’s showcase is a prime example of how CFO/Founder David Bash strives to mix power pop with other genres when booking acts.

Chicago-based singer-songwriter Hanna Frank incorporates jazz, soul, and spoken word into her compositions. Her seven-inch 45 single “Comes Love” is available on her website. Catherine Tecktiel first came to IPO - Chicago via the impressive Magatha Trysty alt rock band, and now performs as a solo artist. The Chicago native is a powerful vocalist who creates piano-driven originals.The Midwest Theory, AKA singer-songwriter Chloé Steffens, performed with the bands This Side Up and Belmont Cross, before setting out on a solo career. The songs on her This Is Personal EP are spare but effective reflections set to acoustic guitar.

The Memphis-based Your Academy heralds, “The resurrection of Memphis power pop” and boasts members of The Scruffs, Dwight Twilley's band and crash into june. The quintet is particularly impressive on the energetic “Better Nature” on its 2021 self-titled debut. Chicago natives The Pickpockets are most notable for the inventive ways keyboards player Kiri Klawitter and guitarist Brian Baseggio twist their vocals around each other. Klawitter also handles vocals on her own, and the band’s indie rock songs are consistently energetic. Milwaukee singer-songwriter Nick Maas creates light and appealing songs like “For Your Love” and “No More” under the name Cabin Essence.

Sunday’s evening showcase kicks off with Packy Lundholm. The Chicago singer-songwriter recently released Volume 3 - Ten For Ten, as part of his ambitious Track Sabbath series of elaborate pop albums. Kansas City-based singer-guitarist Brent Windler offers easy-going songs such as “Around The Bend” on his debut album New Morning Howl. One of his recent gigs was a John Prine tribute show. Vee Sonnets and The Sonnets have been mixing “mod power pop glam punk garage soul blues in a blender” at their high energy shows for a number of years now. You can expect a wild time tomorrow night at Montrose Saloon.

The Walkdown’s lead-vocalist-guitarist Michael Mazza is a familiar face to IPO - Chicago fans, even if this a relatively new act. That’s because he previously led the band Collectors for a number of years. “The Distance (Gets In The Way),” the first single from The Walkdown, as well as a pair of demos, find Mazza continuing to take a guitar-driven approach. Kerosene Stars have been rocking the Chicago club scene for over 10 years and released a few EPs along the way. The band embarked on a new series of singles with “Where Have You Been?” in 2021. They’re the final act on tomorrow night’s showcase.

Check the official International Pop Overthrow website for the full schedule. You’ll also find links for just about all the acts who’ll be participating in Chicago this year. Even if you can’t attend in person, it’s a great way to discover new music.

Slumgullion

This beauty will be available at your local record store tomorrow.

What an awesome feeling to be able to talk about International Pop Overthrow - Chicago and Record Store Day arriving at full power on the same weekend. IPO - Chicago kicks off a nine-day run tonight with a six-band showcase at Montrose Saloon. See my 4/16 post for a rundown on this event. I’m hoping to post a preview for each of the showcases. The traditional Record Store Day we came to love for so many years returns tomorrow, after the series of smaller RSD Drops that were held in 2020 and 2021. And it looks like Chicago will have pleasant standing-in-line-outside temperatures.

The list of limited-edition vinyl releases for Record Store Day is available on the official website and the first thing regulars will notice is that it’s a full seven pages. There will also be an RSD Drop on June 18, and those releases are in the same list with the April ones. Keep that in mind when you’re making a wish list or you might end up asking for a record that won’t be available for a couple more months. As always, RSD offers an ambitious mix of rereleases and never-before-available items in pretty much every genre—rock, soul, country, hip hop, blues, classical, and jazz. Come prepared with a list of the records you want to buy; depending on how a particular store’s employees feel, they’ll either ask you to read it out loud or hand it over to them. Under no circumstances should you stand at the counter and dither.

Chicago-based alt rock band whitewolfsonicprincess will carry on its Record Store Day tradition of performing on the sidewalk just outside of Vintage Vinyl in Evanston. You can catch them from 10:30 to 11:30 am. Check with your favorite record store to see if they’re having any in-store performances.

Chicago photographer Bill Sosin will be showcasing his work from 5:00 to 7:00 pm tomorrow, April 23 at the Chicago Art Source/Gallery 1871 at 1871 N. Clybourn on the 2nd floor. Artist Melissa Herrington will also be displaying her work at the exhibit.

The Cine Youth Festival 2022, which bills itself as a “celebration of the next generation of filmmakers from around the world,” takes place this weekend at Facets on Fullerton Avenue. 

The Petty Hearts - The National Tom Petty Tribute Show comes to the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights tomorrow night, April 23.

Vocalist-guitarist Steve Hackett, who’s performed with Genesis and GTR, as well as on solo projects, has a gig coming up on May 5 at the Copernicus Center on Chicago’s northwest side. The venue is a short walk away from the Jefferson Park Metra/CTA station.

Patti Smith has a concert coming up on May 4 at Metro on Chicago’s north side. It’s part of the iconic music venue’s 40th anniversary celebration. Other major events are expected to be announced.

Mud Morganfield, the son of Muddy Waters, has a performance coming up at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights on June 4. 

 

It’s hard to imagine Lennie from John Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice And Men dancing around the farm but after reading Catey Sullivan’s article about the upcoming Of Mice And Men ballet at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, it sounds plausible. Sullivan recently interviewed choreographer Cathy Marston in the Chicago Sun-Times. Marsten approached the people at The Joffrey Ballet about performing her adaptation, and they agreed to work with her. Of Mice And Men opens on April 27, in a shared run with George Balanchine’s Serenade.

Olivia Harrison has a 104-page hardcover book titled Came The Lightening - 20 Poems About George coming out in the fall. It will be available in autographed Collector’s and Deluxe editions from the high-end Genesis Publications, which means they’re gorgeous, well-crafted, and expensive. Both are available for pre-order on The Fest For Beatles Fans website, at $180 and $450, respectively. 

As noted in a recent article by Sheryl Devore in the Chicago Tribune, the Sock Monkey Museum has finally opened in Long Grove, IL. There were many times over the past few years when my wife Pam and I would sit outside the Covered Bridge Creamery sipping our lattes while looking at the building across the street with its Sock Monkey Museum Coming Soon sign. It became a sort of running joke with us that it would never arrive. Not that we were champing at the bit for such a thing, but as Devore explains in her article, there is an interesting history behind these creatures. Covered Bridge Creamery will return from its winter hibernation on April 28. In related news, there will be a Revive Handmade Market at Long Grove this Sunday. In addition to 100 handmade makers, there will be food trucks, workshops and live music.

A Double Dose Of IPO This Saturday

International Pop Overthrow - Chicago has its first 2022 showcase this Friday night at Montrose Saloon (see my 4/16 post), and will follow that bash (pun intended) with two separate lineups on Saturday. IPO Founder/CFO David Bash has additional shows scheduled at Montrose Saloon through April 30. Most of the 60+ acts involved are from the Chicago area, although there are some out-of-state visitors.

This Saturday’s first showcase starts with a 2:00 pm set by singer-songwriter Frederick Julius, who describes his approach as lo-fi indie pop with harmonies. His album Fixers and Elixirs earned a nod from Bash as one of the best albums of 2019. The Davenport, Iowa acoustic pop duo Douglas And Tucker return to IPO - Chicago for a performance at 2:45. Matt Specht, a Wisconsin native and guitarist/piano player with the indie pop band Rainy Day Crush, will perform at 3:30.

IPO - Chicago veterans Phil Yates and The Affiliates have three albums worth of catchy, guitar-driven pop to draw from for their 4:15 pm set. They’ve been known to take a humorous approach with their lyrics. Minneapolis band High On Stress adds a bit of country twang to their indie rock music, and their 5:00 pm set will likely showcase tracks from their 2020 album Hold Me In. The Thin Cherries are led by adventurous rock musicians Steve Delisi (Phenomenal  Cat) and Mark Lofgren (The Luck Of Eden Hall). Their latest single, “Weird World” has been picking up airplay on local stations. They’re the last act of the afternoon set, going on at 5:45 pm.

 

The Saturday evening showcase starts at 7:30, and as with the afternoon version, each of the six acts will have a 45-minute set. Bash is pretty good at keeping things on schedule, so you can do the math on starting times. Big Blast recording artists The Mark Watson Band kick things off things with their energetic power pop music. (Watson will be back on stage later that night, as he’s now also a member of The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club.) Power pop band The Queue has a new six-song EP titled Get Out Of Now, and recently performed live on radio station WZRD.

The Unswept features cousins Charlie, Ryan, and Liz O’Brien, who, legend has it, performed in Sheffield, England before moving to the Logan Square neighborhood in Chicago. Their clever material combines the original British Invasion with a more modern edge. They might just have copies of their new album Fast Casual for sale at Montrose Saloon. The Burkharts will be coming from Buffalo, NY for their IPO gig. Their new single “Be Your Lover” features Beach Boys harmonies set to an energetic power pop arrangement. Penthouse Sweets are celebrating 20 years of fun and often wild performances on the Chicago rock scene, and have recorded four albums of rough-edged indie rock. The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club continues its tradition of creating energetic power pop with its recently released new single “Hold You Up.” It’s a preview of their upcoming Big Blast Records album Please Stand By.

Check out the International Pop Overthrow website for the festival’s full schedule. 

IPO - Chicago 2022: Next Friday’s Kickoff

International Pop Overthrow - Chicago, which has been absent for two years due to COVID-19, returns next Friday for a nine-day run at Montrose Saloon on the city’s north side. CFO/founder David Bash has over 6o acts scheduled to perform, with many of them being favorites among long-time IPO fans. Named in honor of Material Issue’s stellar debut album, the annual multi-act festival is also held in Phoenix; Liverpool; Los Angeles; San Diego; Vancouver; Arlington, TX, and other cities.

Friday night’s six-band lineup starts with singer-guitarist Dolph Chaney. He’s on the Big Stir label and was named Woody Radio’s 2020 Artist Of Year. The hard-edged power pop band Go Time! is well-known on the local scene and has released several albums. The Milwaukee-based sextet Elephonic plays original symphonic pop.

The Spindles have spent several years on the Chicago club scene perfecting their British Invasion flavored power pop. Their critically acclaimed 2018 CD Past And Present was an entertaining mix of originals and well-chosen covers.The Tambourine People is a trio that describes its approach as sunshine pop-influenced music, and is offering its Tambourine Love album in CD, vinyl, cassette, and eight-track formats. Chicago power pop band Gal Gun offers catchy, guitar-driven songs on its 2020 album Critical Hit.

I’m hoping to provide previews of other IPO - Chicago lineups, if time and my off-kilter schedule allow. The full list of bands involved can be found on the International Pop Overthrow website with links for most of the acts.

Slumgullion

Tickets are now on sales for L7’s concert on October 15 at Metro in Chicago’s Wrigleyville neighborhood. The band will perform the entire Bricks Are Heavy album to honor its 30th Anniversary, along with other material. Patti Smith has a concert coming up there on May 4. The gigs are part of Metro’s 40th anniversary celebration.

When The Who perform on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS tonight, it will be to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Teen Cancer America. Founding members Pete Townshend and Roger Daltry started the charity organization in 2012 to help young people they felt were overlooked when it comes in cancer treatment.

The Chicago-based indie record label Pravda is staging Pravdafest in collaboration with Sketchbook Brewing Company on June 24 and 25. The event will celebrate Pravda’s 38 years of showcasing unique recording artists, and introduce a new Sketchbook beer called Pravda38. Josh Caterer, Steve Dawson, Hushdrops, and Boom Hank are scheduled to perform on the 24th and The Slugs, The Service, Diplomats Of Sound, and The Handcuffs are scheduled for 25th. That’s what you call an impressive lineup.

Wilco will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of its groundbreaking Yankee Hotel Foxtrot album with a 2022 tour that includes concerts on April 22 and 23 at the elegant Auditorium Theatre in Chicago. Band leader Jeff Tweedy will discuss the album on WXRT’s new series On The Record series this coming Monday, April 18, at 8:00 pm.

Chicago photographer Bill Sosin will be showcasing his work from 5:00 to 7:00 pm next Saturday, April 23 at the Chicago Art Source/Gallery 1871 at 1871 N. Clybourn on the 2nd floor. Artist Melissa Herrington will also be displaying her work at the exhibit.

The Cine Youth Festival 2022, which bills itself as a “celebration of the next generation of filmmakers from around the world,” will take place next weekend, April 22 – 24 at Facets on Fullerton Avenue.

So you think he’d be fun? Well, you’re probably right. Robin Hitchcock will bring his eclectic and melodic repertoire to the Old Town School Of Folk Music next Thursday. April 21.

Next Saturday, April 23 will mark the 15th Anniversary of Record Store Day, with limited-edition LPs coming to retail outlets across the globe. Vinyl junkies can show their appreciation by ordering a copy of author Larry Jaffee's new book Record Store Day - The Most Improbable Comeback of the 21st Century.

Tickets are now on sale for the hour-long Prince: The Immersive Experience, which opens at The Shops At North Bridge In Chicago on June 9. The official website promises 10 multidimensional spaces, and an opportunity to “step inside the iconic Purple Rain album cover.” All ages are welcome.

The Petty Hearts - The National Tom Petty Tribute Show comes to the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights next Saturday, April 23. Five days later, Shout! - The Mod Musical opens and will run through June 11.

My nephew Joe Flamm will celebrate the first anniversary of his Croatian-Italian restaurant Rose Mary in style on April 20. Joe was the Season 15 winner of Top Chef on the Bravo Channel, and he’s invited some fellow competitors to join him for a special event at the Fulton Market area restaurant. Chefs Joe Sasto, Carrie Baird, Adrienne Cheatham, and Tyler Anderson, who’ve all gone on to great success since the competition, will be on hand. The price is $150 per person, and 20% of all tickets will be donated to Alex’s Lemonade Stand in its battle against childhood cancer. On a related note, Joe had a guest appearance as a judge on the current season of Top Chef last night.

 

Not a Chef Show. That’s the description given by the official Seinfeld Facebook page regarding the Seinfeld Food Truck Tour. I’ve never heard of it before but apparently it’s been going on for at least a decade, and Junior Mints are on the menu. The Seinfeld Food Truck Tour will visit Chicago this year on the weekend of April 29 – May 1, but I wasn’t able to learn exactly where. Other cities on the tour include New York and Los Angeles (4/22 – 4/24) obviously, there’s more than one truck; Dallas (5/6 – 5/8); and San Francisco (5/13 – 5/15). The numerous comments in response to the Seinfeld Facebook announcement were pretty much all catch phrases, such as, “No soup for you!” Speaking of which, I met Larry Thomas, the actor whose terse delivery made the Soup Nazi so memorable, at the Wizard World Comic Con in Rosemont a few years back. I told him he must be one the most imitated actors ever from a sitcom, and he seemed to agree. 

Saturday Slumgullion

Rumbar Records is releasing a tribute album to The Go-Gos titled If You Gotta Go-Go, Go-Go Now on April 21 that will feature 24 acts covering songs originally recorded by the recent Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductees. As the Rumbar Bandcamp page notes, some of the acts involved aren’t very well known, but there are a number of power pop favorites (and even an actual Go-Go), such as Josie Cotton; Mike Skill/Nikki Corvette; The Coolies with Clem Burke and Kathy Valentine; Natalie Sweet; Paul Collins Beat and Holly and The Italians.

This is actually not the first time The Go-Go’s have been honored with a tribute album. The indie label 4 Alarm Records released the 12-track CD Unsealed in 1999. 

The above-mentioned Mike Skill still performs and records with The Romantics, but has also been known to release solo music. He has another recording coming out on April 15. It’s a cover of Wilson Pickett’s 1965 soul hit “In The Midnight Hour,” but Skill recently explained on Facebook he wanted to recreate the garage rock version he heard decades ago by the Grosse Pointe, MI group The Wanted. Sounds like a fun idea.

Meanwhile, Romantics drummer Brad Elvis has a new album with his other band, The Handcuffs, coming out on June 3. The Chicago-based indie rock group has just released “I Cry For You,” the first single from Burn The Rails. I’ve been listening to an advanced copy of Burn The Rails, and while all the material is strong, I’d agree that “I Cry For You,” with its mysterious Patti Smith vibe, is a good choice for the first single. The video was recently featured on the Glide Magazine site .

The Unswept have a new album titled Fast Casual coming out on April 22, and it’s now available for pre-order in digital and CD formats. One of the tracks, “Got Lucky,” is already available to download. It features a rare and certainly appealing lead vocal from band member Liz O’Brien, propelled by jangling guitars. Consistently fun in a vintage British Invasion vein, The Unswept is one of the many bands I’ve discovered at International Pop Overthrow - Chicago. It’s great to see the annual event is coming back this year, running from April 22 through April 30 at Montrose Saloon on the city’s north side.

In addition to The Unswept, The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club will also be showcasing a new release at IPO - Chicago. It’s likely other bands will perform new stuff as well. It’s not too soon to check out the full schedule on the International Pop Overthrow website.

It’s also not too early to check out the list of limited-edition vinyl releases for Record Store Day 2022, which is coming on April 22. The ones that immediately jump out at me are the “Sunday Girl” seven-inch EP by Blondie; Wireless World by Nick Lowe; Spirit, Power and Soul by Johnny Marr; New Improved Kim Shattuck Demos by The Muffs; Explosions In The Glass Palace by The Rain Parade; and More Hot Rocks (Big Hits And Fazed Cookies - 50th Anniversary) by The Rolling Stones.

According to the Facebook page for Irish punk/pop pioneers The Undertones, there’s a documentary about them in the works. The band also continues to tour.

Tickets are now on sale for the hour-long Prince: The Immersive Experience, which opens at The Shops At North Bridge In Chicago on June 9. The official website promises 10 multidimensional spaces, and an opportunity to “step inside the iconic Purple Rain album cover.” All ages are welcome.

The Petty Hearts - The National Tom Petty Tribute Show comes to the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights on April 23. Five days later, Shout! - The Mod Musical opens at on April 28 and will run through June 11.

Wilco will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of its Yankee Hotel Foxtrot album with a 2022 tour that includes shows on April 22 and 23 at the elegant Auditorium Theatre in Chicago.

Tickets are now on sale for OUT OF SPACE, the Evanston venue SPACE’s appropriately named outdoor festival held being this summer at the Canal Shores Golf Course. The schedule finds Jenny Lewis and Trampled By Turtles on August 4; Elvis Costello And The Imposters, with Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets, and Nicole Atkins on August 5; Lucinda Williams and Waxahatchee, with Liam Kazar on August 6; and Buddy Guy, with Big Head Todd and The Monsters frontman Todd Park Mohr, and Bobby Rush on August 7. 

  

Vocalist-guitarist Steve Hackett, who’s performed with Genesis and GTR, as well as on solo projects, has a gig coming up on May 5 at the Copernicus Center on Chicago’s northwest side. The venue is a short walk away from the Jefferson Park Metra/CTA station.

Patti Smith has a concert coming up on May 4 at Metro on Chicago’s north side. It’s part of the iconic music venue’s 40th anniversary celebration. Other major events are expected to be announced.

You definitely won’t find Precious Moments figurines and kids’ clothing at this one. Schubas, one of Chicago’s best-loved music venues, will be holding a Garage Sale on May 1. In addition to being able to buy various gig posters, furniture, and kitchen equipment, visitors can enjoy offerings from local vendors and DJs spinning tunes.

Congratulations to my nephew Joe Flamm on the first anniversary of his Croatian-Italian restaurant Rose Mary. Joe was the Season 15 winner of Top Chef on the Bravo Channel, and he’s invited some familiar names from that show to join him for a celebration at the Fulton Market area restaurant on April 20. Chefs Joe Sasto, Carrie Baird, Adrienne Cheatham, and Tyler Anderson, who’ve all gone on to great success since the competition, will be on hand. The price is $150 per person, and 20% of all tickets will be donated to Alex’s Lemonade Stand in its battle against childhood cancer. On a related note, Rose Mary is one of the 23 venues recently added to the prestigious Michelin Guide Chicago.