Slumgullion

Susanna Hoffs has just released a cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Under My Thumb” that’s available on various streaming sites. Hoffs posted a fun black and white video on Facebook that superimposes her swinging ‘60s dance moves over a vintage Stones performance. “I LOVE the Rolling Stones,” she commented, along with a winking emoji below the clip, “but thought this little number was due for an update.” There’s also a remix version with a techno beat that’s even more fun. Hoffs is set to release a full album of covers in April.

Look for a few Irish songs to find their way into the mix when WXRT air personality Emma Mac spins tunes at House Of Blues in downtown Chicago tomorrow (Saturday) from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. A limited supply of WXRT t-shirts will be given away.

Following on the heels of her well-received If These Walls Could Sing documentary about Abbey Road Studios, Paul and Linda McCartney’s daughter has a photography exhibition titled Mary McCartney: Can We Have A Moment? at Sotheby’s London. It runs through April 2. The Women’s Wear Daily website describes the 30-year selection of photos as “intimate, and comical, . . . while others are more styled and dramatic . . .”

Steve Dawson and Diane Christiansen, the husband and wife team that leads Dolly Varden, will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of their Duets album with a show tomorrow night (Saturday) at the Chicago venue Judson And Moore Distillery.

 

Graham Nash, Nancy Wilson from Heart, Lyle Lovett, Bettye LaVette, Bruce Hornsby, Natalie Merchant, Glen Hansard, Ingrid Michaelson, and Peter Asher will perform at the Michael Dorf Presents The Music Of Paul McCartney at Carnegie Hall on March 15.

The alt tock band whitewolfsonicprincess will host a fundraising gig at its Evanston recording studio at 826 Custer Avenue in Evanston tomorrow (Saturday). Proceeds will go toward an upcoming album titled Seeds Of Light. It’s always fascinating to hear how this group, founded by Carla Hayden and James Moeller, blends musicianship and mysticism. The music starts at 6:45 pm, with a suggested donation of $20 or $25.

As noted by publisher Ira Robbins on Instagram, this week marked the 49th anniversary of the first edition of his Trouser Press magazine. The Who were on the cover. Trouser Press is still available, in online format. I have a few vintage printed copies (not the premiere) in my collection.

Congratulations to Michael McDermott on selling out all three of his upcoming March gigs at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights. Next Tuesday, March 14 brings the Classical Blast In Kilts show to Hey Nonny.

The Cure’s 2023 tour will bring them to the United Center in Chicago on June 10. Other dates include New Orleans, Houston, Phoenix, San Diego, Cleveland and Philadelphia.

So, don’t go expecting to see Richie Cunningham. KB Productions will perform Samuel Beckett’s absurdist play Happy Days from March 17 through April 2 at City Lit Theater in Chicago. The nifty promo card I picked up at the information desk in the Block 37 mall downtown offers this description of Happy Days from The New York Times: “One of the most unsettling and unforgettable plays in the modern canon.” Jon Dambacher is the director of KB Productions’ version, and Kayla Boye is its star. City Lit is located at 1020 W. Bryn Mawr.

Michael Rikfors, former lead vocalist for the late 1960s Swedish band Bamboo, and for a short time, The Hollies, has a live CD with some new songs coming out in April. He’ll embark on a short local tour to promote it.

International Pop Overthrow - Chicago will once again take place at Montrose Saloon on the city’s north side. The annual festival, which features power pop and indie rock, will run from April 21 through 29. Each night offers a showcase of at least five (more often six) acts, and there are additional afternoon showcases on Saturday and Sunday. Admission to a showcase is $10, which is definitely reasonable for that amount of live music.

John Blaney, boss of the adventurous U.K. indie label Mega Dodo, is also an author and has a book titled A Howlin' Wind - Pub Rock And The Birth Of New Wave coming out on the label’s book imprint Paper Jukebox. In a press release, Blaney notes that pub rock fell out of favor “in an extinction caused by the meteor strike of punk in 1976.” But he adds, “Pub Rock had laid a lot of the groundwork for punk, however, and Stiff Records, formed to capture the sound of the punk and new wave bands, emerged from the Pub.”

Describe The Night, a new time traveling thriller written by Rajiv Joseph opened this past Thursday at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago and will run through April 9. It’s being directed by Austin Pendleton, who like Joseph, is a Steppenwolf ensemble member.

The Ugly Things fanzine will celebrate four decades of supporting indie music with a 40th Anniversary Weekender at Casbah and Whistle Stop venues in San Diego on August 25 and 26. An Instagram posts promises bands, DJs,special guests, exhibitions, and a record swap.

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical runs through April 2 at the James M. Nederlander Theatre in  downtown Chicago. Naomi Rodgers and Zurin Villanueva will alternate in the lead role.

Paisley Underground fans will be glad to hear The Three O’Clock is releasing a 40th Anniversary remastered, expanded edition of its debut EP Baroque Hoedown on May 12. It features the five original songs and four bonus tracks.

Stompin’ Grounds Cafe in Lake Zurich has a St. Patty’s Day Music Night coming up on March 14 with live music by the Face N Time band. The performance will take place from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Tickets are available on the cafe’s website.

The 60th Anniversary Celebration of The Kinks kicks off March 24 with the release of the Kinks - The Journey Part 1 album. The songs were chosen by Ray and Dave Davies and Mick Avory. The package includes a two-sided poster and three art cards with all 2-CD purchases pre-order from official Kinks store.

XTC fans who’ve longed to hear the eccentric English group’s masterpieces performed live can come close to that experience when EXTC performs at City Winery on March 23. The band features XTC drummer Terry Chambers backed by veteran musicians vocalist-guitarist Steve Hampton and bass player-vocalist Matt Hughes. Tickets are now on sale.

The Linda Retrospective, an exhibit of Linda McCartney’s photography, opened at The Center For Creative Photography in Tucson, AZ last Saturday and will run through August 5. Paul McCartney’s 1964: Eyes Of The Storm book of photographs is coming out in June. Its publication coincides with an exhibit running from June 28 through October 1 at the National Portrait Gallery in London.

Tony Richards will be doing some masterful strumming at his Solo Jazz Guitar event coming Thursday, March 27 at the Savannah Supper Club. Check out some of his posts of Facebook for a preview of his work. Savannah Supper Club is located at 2116 W. Roscoe St. in Chicago.

The February issue of MOJO notes that author Bob Stanley has book titled Bee Gees: Children Of The World coming out in June. “It’s an extraordinary story of one of the most successful pop groups in history, and I didn’t feel it had been told properly,” Stanley is quoted as saying.

A Night For Tina, a benefit to help Tina Juhlin cope with costs while she undergoes cancer treatment, will be held at Simon’s Tavern on March 15. The evening will feature performances by EXPO ’76, The Webstirs, Gerald Dowd, Phil Angotti, and Sunshine Boys (featuring Gerald Dowd). The event will run from 7:30 to 10:00 pm.