Incoming

A few new items and some important reminders:

Whether you want to call it A Very Good Thing or A Very Good Idea, a post just hours ago on the official Out Of Time: The Material Issue Story social media sites brought some welcome news. The Balin Schneider directed documentary will have its theatrical release in Chicago later this month before moving on to New York City, Los Angeles, and other U.S. cities. I was among the Chicagoans who saw an early screening of Out Of Time at Lincoln Hall on December 2, 2021, and was impressed with how Schneider captured the amazing success and unfortunate fall of Material Issue. The trio of Jim Ellison, Mike Zelenko, and Ted Ansani should always be remembered as having created some of the best rock and roll (and videos) in the 1990s. Details on where and when Out Of Time: The Material Issue Story will hit Chicago screens should be coming soon, and today’s official post promises, “Streaming, merch, collectibles and blue rays will follow.” 

The Reckless Records Belmont and Wicker Park locations in Chicago will host listening parties for the new This Is Why album from Paramore tomorrow (February 7) at 5:00 pm. There will be giveaways, as well as an opportunity to win a grand prize. This Is Why will be available for sale at the stores next Friday.

The Chicago Independent Venue League’s CIVL Fest 2023 kicks off this Wednesday (February 8) at Carol’s Pub and will move on to include 15 other locations around the city through February 26. The event helps fund Venue Staff and Artist Mental Health Programs; Venue Safety Initiatives; and Equal Access And Equity Campaigns. Rosa’s Lounge; Reggies; Beat Kitchen; Lincoln Hall; Berlin; Hideout; Old Town School Of Folk Music; Metro; Annoyance Theatre; Promontory; Sleeping Village; Hungry Brain; Quarry Event Center; Harold Washington Cultural Center; and Patio Theater are the venues joining in. See the official website for a full list of performers.

You should go: The Clash tribute band London Calling will perform two sets at Martyrs’ on February 22. In other tribute news, Tributosaurus will become Stevie Wonder at that same venue this Thursday and Friday (February 9 and 10).

Chicago-based power pop band Thrift Store Halo will be part of a triple bill with indie rockers Turning Birds and psych rockers The Means (of production) this Saturday, February 11 at Gallery Cabaret. Showtime is 9:00 pm; Gallery Cabaret is located at 2020 N. Oakley in Chicago.

The Webstirs will have a vinyl release party for their latest, self-titled, album this Friday (February 10) at FitzGerald’s Sidebar in Berwyn. There will be no cover charge. In an earlier review on BHT, I stated, “this self-titled, sixth album from The Webstirs proves they can still be counted on for clever lyrics set to catchy arrangements.” And in that same opening paragraph, I added, “As with their fellow Chicagoans The Bad Examples, these guys seem to draw inspiration from Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook’s well-crafted compositions for Squeeze.”

Denny Laine will bring his Acoustic Songs And Stories show to City Winery Chicago on February 19.