Slumgullion

Book it, Bono. First, a happy belated birthday to Bono from U2. There was an announcement earlier this week that he has a memoir titled Surrender coming out via Penguin Books on November 1. Based on a really cool animated promo on the band’s Facebook and Instagram pages, this is going to be an interesting story. I’ve never shared this before, but back in the 1980s, whenever I was feeling particularly stressed, I would put U2’s debut album Boy on the record player, plug in my headphones, and play it at full volume. That always helped.

It was great to hear Richard Milne back in his early morning shift at WXRT this week. Welcome back, Richard.

Pravdafest, a concert event featuring Pravda recording artists Josh Caterer, Steve Dawson, Hushdrops, Boom Hank, The Slugs, The Service, Diplomats Of Sound, and The Handcuffs, takes place on the weekend of June 24 and 25 at the Sketchbook Brewing Company in Skokie. The event marks the 38th year of Pravda Records releasing indie music albums, and the label released a new 38-track compilation on Bandcamp today that offers material by the above-mentioned acts, plus The Farmers, New Duncan Imperials, The Trypes, The Melismatics, The Goldstars, Susan Voelz, The Lilacs, Sunshine Boys, The Flat Five, The Imperial Sound, Chamber Strings, Jason Batchko, and others. The original release dates for these tracks range from 1986 to 2022. All for only $10.

The Regrettes show scheduled for tonight at Metro in Chicago has been postponed due to vocalist-guitarist Lydia Night needing emergency surgery for her appendix following a recent concert in Toronto. According to a post on the band’s Facebook page, Night is doing much better, but all Further Joy Tour dates through May 24 will have to be rescheduled. 

Tellin’ Tales Theatre is staging live performances for the first time in a few years this weekend. Voicing Our Truths opens tonight at the Greenhouse Theater Center (2257 N. Lincoln Avenue) and will run through Sunday. Directed and produced by long-time member Tekki Lomnicki, the show features solo performances by artists, writers, and advocates with disabilities. After Sunday, Voicing Our Truths will continue as a live stream on Vimeo.

Congratulations to Ncuti Gatwa on being chosen as the next actor to portray The Doctor on the long-running British sci-fi television program Doctor Who. I’m not familiar with his work, but then I wasn’t familiar with any of the actors who have taken on the lead role. And I enjoyed each of them.

Singer-songwriter Michael McDermott has a release show for his latest album What In The World tomorrow, May 14, at City Winery Chicago.

The Pier Head building, where people in Liverpool board Mersey Ferries, has been renamed The Liverpool Gerry Marsden Ferry in honor of the late lead vocalist for British Invasion band Gerry And The Pacemakers. The band scored an international hit in 1964 with “Ferry Across The Mersey.”

 

The Chicago Cultural Center and the American Writers Museum will present the American Writers Festival this Sunday, May 15. More than 70 writers will be involved. Admissions is free.

Chicago-based alt rock band whitewolfsonicprincess will perform an afternoon set at Sketchbook Brewing Company in Skokie on May 22.

Journalist Caryn Rose takes an extensive look at one of rock’s most revolutionary performers in her book Why Patti Smith Matters, due out on May 31 from University of Texas Press. Described as, “A meditation on the artistry and influence of Patti Smith,” the book taps into numerous reliable sources, including an interview with Bruce Springsteen, who co-wrote “Because The Night” with her. Rose’s credentials include contributing to Pitchfork, Billboard, and the Village Voice.

Relic, an art exhibition that ‘explores what Black cultural artifacts and emblems of today will be left behind to reflect our time here and inform the future,” will run through May 27 at Arts Incubator, 301 E. Garfield Blvd. in Chicago. Curated by Ciera Alyse McKissick, it features the work of six artists.

UPDATE: I’VE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE FOLLOWING EVENT SCHEDULED FOR THE LIAR’S CLUB HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR LATER THIS SUMMER. Vocalist-guitarist Mike Skill from The Romantics has a solo gig coming up on May 21 at Liar’s Club on Chicago’s north side. He’ll be joined by fellow Romantic Brad Elvis; Chloe F. Orwell from The Handcuffs (which also includes Brad Elvis); and Ricky Rat from Trash Brats. The opening act that night will be the always-fun rockabilly/garage rock band Amazing Heeby Jeebies.

The House Theatre Of Chicago is presenting The Tragedy Of King Christophe at the Chopin Theatre through May 29. The play features original test by Aimé Césaire and is directed by Lanise Antoine Shelley.

Dag Juhlin and Jason Narducy will be performing a pair of Pete Townshend tribute shows at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights next Thursday, May 19.

Chicago-based musician Ellis Clark has embarked on a project where he’ll be looking back at some of the best songs he’s created throughout his career, and posting them on YouTube. One of the first was a cover of David Bowie’s “Rubberband” he recorded with his brother when they were in one of Chicago’s first punk bands, Epicycle.

Tori Amos recently announced on Instagram that she’ll be bringing a special guest Companion when she performs at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago on May 25.

Red Spot Rhythm Section, the Chicago-based ensemble that gave us an imaginative collection of Tom Petty covers last August, returns with a double single of 1980s U.K. new wave. Each track features a different lead vocalist; Claire Liparulo on a funky take on Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love” and Erthe St. James on a ska-flavored version of The Cure’s “Boys Don’t Cry.”

I spent some earlier this week picking out three literary agents from the list of those who will be participating in the Chicago Writing Workshop on the weekend of June 11 and 12. I’ll be pitching my YA Paranormal/Romance/Rock and Roll/Comedy novel in the hope of getting it published. I already have quite a few ideas and an almost complete outline for a sequel.