Slumgullion

Chris Connelly from Sons Of The Silent Age channels David Bowie.

That rescheduled Sons of the Silent Age David 75: The Stellar Stages Of A Future Legend David Bowie birthday show takes place tomorrow night, May 28 at Metro on Chicago’s north side. Tickets are still available for this event, which will also feature acclaimed Chicago-based actor Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy paying tribute to T-Rex. Proceeds from this show will benefit cancer patients at NorthShore University Healthsystem Integrative Medicine.

The Regrettes have announced new dates for their Further Joy Tour now that vocalist-guitarist Lydia Night has recovered from her appendix troubles. The dates start with a 7/23 concert in Salt Lake City and end with an 8/20 date in San Francisco. Notably missing from the list is a new date for Chicago, but there is a note at the bottom of a recent email from the band: “As for Chicago, we will be back soon for our headline show and promise to keep you posted. (*we will refund all tickets previously purchased for the Metro at point of purchase).”

Phil Angotti’s record release bash for his new album Once Around Again at Martyrs last night drew a good-sized crowd that included a number of local musicians. As often happens with Angotti’s shows, a rotating cast of special guests joined him onstage. His new songs had immediate appeal, especially the hard-driving “Priscilla” and melodic “Mystery Street.” “Mr. Harris Tweed,” an obvious nod to one of Angotti’s favorite acts—The Bee Gees—offered some irresistible fun.

The Fest For Beatles Fans - Chicago lineup has been revealed. This year’s featured guests are Gregg Bissonette; Peter Asher; Billy J. Kramer; Chris O’Dell; Laurence Juber; the Beatles Tribute band Liverpool; and The Weeklings, which is an offshoot of Liverpool. Jeff Lubin and Cellophane Flowers will make their Chicago debut via the Apple Jam Stage on Friday night. I could swear I’ve seen a band named Cellophane Flowers in Chicago before but maybe that was a different Cellophane Flowers. Phil Angotti And Friends will be performing on the Main Stage on Friday night.

Chicago area Anglophiles might want to make a trek to the far north side next Sunday, June 5 for the Platinum Jubilee Street Party in Jarvis Square. The Queen Elizabeth inspired event kicks off at 3:00 pm, and participants are encouraged to wear costumes. Mind Games, a new Beatles and British Invasion tribute band from Ary Paloma and Ellis Clark of My Street George, will be performing. The Jubilee is being sponsored by R Public House, at 1508 W. Jarvis Avenue.

Beatles fans in Manhattan, NY can check out the Wonderwall Communications production of I’ve Got A Feeling: A Celebration Of The Beatles’ Rooftop Concert on June 5 at The Cutting Room. The all-woman tribute band Magical Mystery Girls will be performing.

The music documentary Fanny - The Right To Rock opened today in theaters around the country. Directed by Bobbi Jo Hart, it honors the groundbreaking, hard-rocking all-woman band from the 1970s. Hart mixes vintage footage and recent interviews with the band members, as well as clips of current rock stars explaining how they were influenced by Fanny.

Chicago-based power pop band The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club has released another single on Bandcamp as a preview of their upcoming album Please Stand By. The four-minute “Fifty Foot Woman” is a harder-edged effort from these guys, with bratty vocals and extended, guitar-fueled jamming.

Burn The Rails, the long-awaited fourth album from The Handcuffs is available for pre-order on Bandcamp. While the Chicago alt rock band has been justifiably praised for tapping into 1970s glam rock (particularly Mott The Hoople), that ability is just a fragment of The Handcuffs’ repertoire. As on their previous release, Waiting For The Robot, the new Burn The Rails offers a variety of approaches. There’s a hint of vaudeville on the playful “I’m Happy Just To Be With You,” while the recently released single “I Cry For You” recalls vintage Patti Smith.

The Telepaths and whitewolfsonicprincess will be sharing a double bill at the SaveMore Lounge on Lincoln Avenue tomorrow night. The music starts at 9:00 pm.

Michael Steven Cohen and MC5 will be performing at Montrose Saloon this Sunday, May 29 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.

The Famous In The Future comedy group will host an in-person return of the three-day performing arts festival YippieFest at The Den Theatre in August. I'll have more details soon.

Great Moments In Vinyl, a rotating collective of Chicago area musicians that pays tribute to famous rock and roll albums, will perform the debut effort from Crosby, Stills and Nash at City Winery Chicago on June 5 at noon.

Beatles fans will finally be able to buy a DVD or Blu-Ray copy of director Peter Jackson’s critically acclaimed documentary The Beatles: Get Back now that whatever issues were complicating things have been worked out. The release date is July 12.

 

The House Theatre Of Chicago’s presentation of The Tragedy Of King Christophe at the Chopin Theatre finishes its run this Sunday, May 29.

Kevin Lee and The Kings, a veteran Chicago act, released the five-song EP Lightning Strikes on May 6. It offers more of the hard-edged but melodic rock sound Lee has specialized in throughout his career. The seductive “Ruby Red Lips” has a tribal beat, while the energetic “Smashed To Pieces” and “Best Is Yet To Come” calls to mind Cheap Trick.

The Chicago Writers Bloc New Plays festival continues its run at the Raven Theatre through June 14. Tickets are $10.

The Writing Workshop Of Chicago will once again be in a virtual format when it takes place on the weekend of June 11 and 12. The Workshop offers a number of informative seminars, and participants can also schedule one-on-one meetings with literary agents. 

Michael Glover Smith’s latest film Relative will have VIP World Theatrical Premiere events at Music Box on June 8 and the Gene Siskel Film Center on June 10. The film stars Wendy Robie of Twin Peaks fame, and concerns the complications that arise at family get-together for a college graduation. Including the graduate bringing a last-minute date. Smith specializes in exploring personal relationships, with touching and humorous results. 

Pop Aid, the 3-CD benefit album featuring new and previously unreleased tracks from an international cast of power pop bands, will be coming out soon. The album will support World Central Kitchen’s efforts to feed people in the Ukraine.