Slumgullion

Depending on what time you see this, you might still be able to catch whitewolfsonicprincess at Montrose Saloon (2933 W. Montrose Avenue) tonight. The Chicago-based band, which describes its approach to alternative rock as “21st Century Druid Music,” went on at 8:30.

And we still like it. Mike Skill, a founding member of The Romantics, has recorded a 41st anniversary version of the band’s major hit “What I Like AboutYou” that features Patrick Harwood on harp and current Romantics drummer Brad Elvis. Skill didn’t sing lead when that irresistible single came out in late 1979 (that was original drummer Jimmy Marinos), but he certainly does a nice job on the update.

Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick will be at Antioch Fine Wine & Liquors in the northern Illinois village of Antioch tomorrow (October 22) from noon to 3:00 pm for a Rock-N Vodka Bottle signing.

The Bangles are among the music acts reissuing one of their albums on pink vinyl as part of the upcoming Ten Bands One Cause annual event staged by Red Door Community (formerly Gilda’s Club NYC). The other participants are NAS; The Black Keys; Colter Wall; Allman Brothers Band; Judah And The Lion; Senses Fail; The Turnpike Troubadours; JUNGLE FIRE; and BADBADNOT GOOD. The Bangles are reissuing their Ladies and Gentlemen . . . The Bangles! album. All 10 albums are now available for pre-order from Amazon and Record Store Day.

The CHIRP Radio Record Fair And Other Delights returns to Plumbers Hall tomorrow, October 22. All sorts of vendors will be offering vinyl, CDs, posters, buttons, and all sorts of music-related memorabilia. Live music will be provided by Neptune’s Core; Axons; 8-bit crEEps; The Purcells; Gal Gun; Bloodhype; and Judson Claiborne. CHIRP radio DJs will be spinning records from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, followed by Konstantin Jace; DJ Scary Lady Sarah; DJ Form; Suzanne Shelton; and Miss Alex White. The glam street marching band Clamor and Lace Noise Brigade, as well as Blue Ribbon Glee Club, will stage pop-up performances throughout the event. Food and beverage vendors will also be on hand. General admission at 10:00 am cost $10, and there’s an 8:00 am early admission option available for $25. The event is a benefit for the independent radio station CHIRP. Plumbers Hall is located at 1340 W. Washington Blvd., west of downtown.

Congratulations to Ray Gianchetti and the staff at Kool Kat Musik on 25 years of bringing power pop and indie rock recordings to the world. The label has a batch of new releases for sale on its website this week, including the first album from England’s The Lightning Seeds in 13 years, Boston’s soul/garage rockers The Gypsy Moths, and vintage garage rock practitioners (also from Boston) The Dogmatics.

Nightmare On Chicago Street is taking place from 6:00 to 11:00 pm tomorrow, October 22 in Elgin, so watch out for hordes of zombies staggering around the city’s downtown area. Live bands, including Chicago Loud 9, Too Hype Crew, Kashmir and Hi Infidelity will be rocking out among the chaos, and special guest Svengoolie will be there hosting a costume contest. Check the website for a number of other activities that will be taking place.

Indie rock label Yep Roc Records will mark 25 years of bringing unique artists to the world with a concert at The Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, NC tomorrow, October 22. The event starts at 5:00 pm CDT and will feature Caitlin Cary, The Old Ceremony, Chris Stamey, Dawn Landes and others. Admission is $15.

Congratulations to Cherie Colyer on the upcoming release of her new Middle Grade novel, Atticus Overheart, Fifth Grade Tutor And Monster Hunter? It will be available to order from Amazon and other sites on October 31. Colyer is a member of the same writers group that I belong to, and has published a number of novels.

The Man Who Fell to Earth: The Official Movie Adaptation hardcover graphic novel is due out on October 25. It’s based on the 1976 film starring David Bowie and includes several never-before-seen photos. You can find it on Amazon.

The Pino Farina Band will return to Durty Nellie’s in Palatine on November 12. The group recently released the funky, guitar-driven single “Microsun.”

Here’s a splendid idea for promoting authors. The New Cue, a popular U.K. online newsletter, is holding a Read This And Party - A Celebration Of 2022’s Best Music Books event on December 1 at The Social venue in London. Lush guitarist-vocalist Miki Berenyi will be among the writers on hand, and will be signing copies of her recently released memoir Fingers Crossed - How Music Saved Me From Success. A post on the official Lush Facebook page promises DJs, reading, signing, and dancing.

Halloweekend returns to Montrose Saloon next Friday and Saturday, October 28 and 29. The annual two-day event featuring local musicians masquerading as famous musicians has haunted a number of venues on Chicago’s north side for a number of years. Some performers mimic the appearance of the acts they’re covering, which adds to the fun, especially when there’s a good dose of humor involved. This year’s lineup includes Dead Freddies as David Bowie; Forbidden Kingdom as The Who; Phil Angotti as Cheap Trick; The 321’s as Nirvana; The Hurtin’ Kind as Wilco; MetroPoly as PJ Harvey; and Rachel Drew as The Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Admission for each night is $20.

In a separate event, local rockabilly/garage rock band The Amazing Heeby Jeebies will be performing as The New York Dolls at Cally’s on October 30. The band’s Facebook post promises, “a night of Halloween horror, glam, punk, psychotic inferno fire dancing and old films.” Special guests TBA. Cally’s is located at 1627 W. Howard.

 

Noted photographer Lynn Goldsmith’s latest book features portraits she took during a decade that still stands out for its vibrant music and culture. Titled Music In The ‘80s, the 352-page hard-cover book offers shots of The B-52’s, Bob Marley, Adam Ant, Bo Diddley, Bananarama, Bob Dylan, Susanna Hoffs, Aretha Franklin, Bono, Debbie Harry, Ashford and Simpson, and other stars. It’s now available from Rizzoli, Amazon and other sites.

Women’s Fest will take place on November 5 from 3:00 to 9:00 pm at the Blue Island Beer Company in Blue Island. The event will be hosted by The Edna White Community Garden, The Bloom Bar, and The B*U*B Cafe. Special guests will include WXRT early morning air personality Emma Mac, The Bourbon Belts,  Beverly Phono Mart, Sharon Baker, and Bridget Cavanaugh. Proceeds will benefit the “Crui de Sheela Scholarship for a Student Who Wants to Study the Arts and Sciences” and The Edna White Community Garden. Admission is $30 pre-sale and $35 at the door; Blue Island Beer Company is located at 13357 Olde Western Avenue.

A new book The Who - Concert Memories from the Classic Years 1964 to 1976 by author Edoardo Genzolini with help from editor and contributor Jeremy Goodwin, is now available. The listing on Amazon promises, “untold stories, hundreds of previously unpublished photographs, and uncirculated recordings clarifying the misinformation, myths, and legends.” 

Heather J. Miller, who was known on the Chicago improv scene as Heather J. Svoboda for quite a while, is marking her 11th year at the Cat Adoption Team cat shelter in Portland, OR. CAT is holding a Whisker Wonderland virtual benefit at 7:00 pm on November 11. Miller suggests making a donation of  “$11 or $111 or $1.1M” (that third figure might be her improvising) to help the shelter continue to save cats’ lives.

Sons Of The Silent Age, the dynamic Chicago-based David Bowie tribute band will be traveling to New York City next June to take part in the second annual David Bowie World Fan Convention.  Other performers involve include Bowie collaborators Carlos Alomar, Tony Visconti, Mike Garson, George Murray and Carmine Rojas.

Dream Syndicate, one of the prime members of the 1980s Paisley Underground scene in Los Angeles, have a Chicago gig coming up at Lincoln Hall on November 11.

The Chicago Reader will celebrate five decades of being the city’s best-known free paper with a 50ish UnGala at Museum Of Contemporary Art on November 30. The event will take place on three floors, with four stages with live entertainment, food and beverages from the museum’s own catering service, and raffles. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase exclusive 50ish anniversary merchandise. Tickets start at $25.

Wicked Opossum Records, a Mishawaka, Indiana independent label, will release Starstruck: A Tribute To The Kinks on December 9 on its Bandcamp page. I can’t say I’m familiar with any of the artists involved, but those who pre-order the album now get a free download of The Fatal Flaw performing “Victoria,” and it’s a worthy effort.

 

Minstrel Music, which has been selling musical instruments and providing lessons in Niles for 45 years, will hold an All-Era Reunion this Sunday, October 23 at the Curragh Pub on Chicago’s northwest side. It will run from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. 

 

Bruce Springsteen has recorded an album with 15 cover versions of classic soul songs from Motown, Stax, and other legendary sources. Only The Strong Survive will be available in CD, vinyl, and digital formats on November 11. The September issue of MOJO magazine features a cover story on Springsteen, along with a CD that offers 15 original recordings of vintage rock songs that he has covered in live performances over the years.

 

Penn Gillette’s promotional tour for his new novel Random will bring him to the Harold Washington Chicago Public Library on November 10.

Dragon’s Dream - The Roger Dean Experience, which is being billed as “an immersive high definition 4D audio/video experience” opens on November 12 at Gray Area in San Francisco and will run through January 2023. Dean, of course, is famous for the cover art he created for Yes, Uriah Heep, Badger, and other bands.