June Will Rock Us Soon

Although summer doesn’t officially start until three weeks into the month, June always seems to herald the arrival of the season. It’s also one of the busiest months for inside and outside fun and entertainment around much of the globe. I couldn’t begin to capture all the worthwhile events coming in those 30 days, but here are a few suggestions for your consideration. No doubt, I’ll be mentioning more in the coming weeks.

1964 - Eyes Of The Storm, a book of photographs taken by Paul McCartney in the midst of Beatlemania, comes out on June 13. There are bound to be some amazing shots (such as the one above) from his point of view. The collection will also be featured as an exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery in London from June 28 through October 1.

The Chicago Reader, one of the city’s longest-running free publications, will celebrate its annual Best Of Chicago issue with a celebration at Metro and Smart Bar on Thursday, June 1. The VIP version has a 5:30 start time at nearby GMAN Tavern, with the general admission event getting underway at Metro at 7:00 pm. Joseph Chilliams, Dos Santos, Bonita Appleblunt, Lillie West, and Ryan the Person will be performing. A Pride Kickoff afterparty with DJs Rae Chardonnay, Blesstonio, and VITIGRRL at Smartbar at 10 p.m will serve as the grand finale. Tickets for the Best Of Chicago Celebration range from $20 to $125.

Ex Norwegian, a Miami-based band I praised here on various occasions for their knack of mixing power pop, psychedelia, and coed harmonies on their albums, has a new single titled “Real Bad Bunny” coming out via Bandcamp on June 2. Ex Norwegian is one of the numerous acts scheduled for the upcoming International Pop Overthrow - Liverpool festival.

International Pop Overthrow - Liverpool kicked off at The Cavern Club on May 28 and will run through June 4. A quick glance at the schedule shows familiar acts such as Lannie Flowers, the previously mentioned Ex-Norwegian, Dave Rave, The Jeremy Band, Spygenius, and The Len Price 3.

Brian Krumm And His Barfly Friends have a record release show for Krumm’s debut solo effort Just Fade Away on Friday, June 2 at Liar’s Club. His Pravda Records label mates The Handcuffs will also be on the bill, along with North Carolina hard rock/punk band Electric Frankenstein. Liar’s Club is located at 1665 W. Fullerton in Chicago.

The Old Town School Of Folk Music in Chicago will hold its Blue Jean Gala on June 2. St. Paul And The Broken Bones will perform at the event, with an After Party with Funkadesi. A Graham Nash-signed guitar will be among the items auctioned to raise funds for the venue. Participants can also bid on a trip to Ireland, a private concert by Chicago alt rock/Americana band Dolly Varden, and other options. WXRT morning drive air personality Marty Lennartz will host the evening’s festivities.

Personality - The Lloyd Price Musical, which celebrates the impressive work of Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame songwriter (“Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” “Aint It A Shame”), opens at the Studebaker Theater on June 2.

The Spindles, Go Time! and Vinto Van Go must enjoy hanging out together on the Chicago area club scene, because they’re sharing another triple bill on June 3. This time, they’ll be at QBar in Darien, IL.

Rust For Glory, a Neil Young tribute band that’s based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Young’s Harvest album on June 3 at The Broadway in Barking. They’ll be part of the venue’s Neil Young Day festivities, along with the Harvest Time documentary and a presentation by author Daryl Easlea. Admission for all three Neil Young Day events is £36.50.

A Malibu Barbie Cafe pop-up restaurant/store will open on June 7 at a top secret location in Chicago, and tickets ($35 for kids, $50 for adults) are available via bucketlisters.com. The cafe will promote the Barbie film starring Margot Robbie, which is coming out July 21.

On June 10, Amazing Heeby Jeebies vocalist Ary Paloma will celebrate her birthday when the band performs as part of a three-act showcase at Montrose Saloon. The Metalliques and Feral Faucet will also be on the bill. I’m thinking a rockabilly take on “Happy Birthday” will be in order.

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.

Tellin’ Tales Theatre’s latest presentation is titled Divercity: Refocusing Disability, and will offer performances by artists, writers, and advocates with disabilities. Directed by founding member Tekki Lomnicki, Divercity: Refocusing Disability will run at the Greenhouse Theater Center on the weekend of June 9 – 11. 

The Material Reissue and Frisbie show at Schubas on June 10 will feature Material Reissue original band members Mike Zelenko and Ted Ansani, with Phil Angotti now on lead vocals and guitar. It’ll be a rare opportunity to hear original lead vocalist-guitarist Jim Ellison’s power pop masterpieces in a live setting. Frisbie is closing in on 25 years of creating catchy rock tunes and is best known for its Subversive Sound Of Love and New Debut albums. 

June brings three of Chicago’s most prestigious art fairs, with the 57th Street Art Fair on June 3 and 4; the Old Town Art Fair on June 10 and 11; and the Gold Coast Art Fair on June 17 and 18. The Wells Street Art Fair, which adds live music to the mix and aims for a younger crowd, is another summer highlight. It takes place on June 10 and 11.

Congratulations to The Neverly Brothers on 20 years of creating an entertaining hybrid of live music and spoken bits of rock and roll history. They have three gigs coming up in June: Washington Park in Ottawa on June 17; Memorial Park in Wheaton on June 23; and the Orland Hills Community Center on June 24.

Carlos, a new documentary about the life and multiple achievements of legendary guitarist Carlos Santana, will receive its world premiere on June 17 at the Tribeca Festival in New York City. The actual release date for Carlos will be revealed at some point in the future.

The David Bowie World Fan Convention takes place in New York City on June 16, 17, and 18. but tickets are completely sold out. The event features noted Bowie collaborators Carlos Alomar, Tony Visconti, Mike Garson, George Murray and Carmine Rojas. 

Things That Fly, the Chicago-based indie rock band led by Heidi Serwer and Karen Salmon, each an accomplished singer-songwriter, has a record-release show for its self-titled EP at Martyrs’ on June 24. The event will benefit the charity organization Common Pantry.

Pete Towshend’s 1980 solo album Empty Glass and his 1977 collaboration with Ronnie Lane Rough Mix will be will be released as half-speed vinyl masters on June 23.

Peter Asher of Peter And Gordon will join Jeremy Clyde of Chad and Jeremy for a performance on June 23 at The Old Town School Of Folk Music in Chicago. They’ll perform the hits their duos scored back in the 1960s, and share memories of that era as well. I’ve seen these guys together and separately in the past, and their sense of humor plays a major part in making their shows so entertaining.

Kate Fagan from the Chicago’s beloved 1980s ska band Heavy Manners, has a solo performance coming up at the Rattleback Records store on June 28. She’ll be performing songs from her recently re-issued and expanded solo album I Don’t Want To Be Too Cool. The evening will include a Question and Answer session, a live performance, and signing.

The triple bill of Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Garbage, and Metric is coming to the Huntington Bank Pavilion in Chicago on June 27. It’s part of a two-month American tour that will also visit Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Tampa, Cincinnati, New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and other cities.

Slumgullion

For anyone interested in checking out the new Henry Diltz Music Is Love photography exhibition that opened at the Elverhoj Museum Of History And Art in Solvang today, it’s not as far away as you might think. Especially if you live on the west coast of the U.S.A. Solvang is a city in California near Santa Barbara. Diltz is one of rock and roll’s premier photographers; well known for his work with Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, The Doors, The Eagles, The Hollies, and other bands. According to the online Lompoc Record, the exhibition will cover his entire career, with a special section devoted to the late David Crosby.

This one’s a little farther away, mate. Rust For Glory, a Neil Young tribute band that’s based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Young’s Harvest album on June 3 at The Broadway in Barking. They’ll be part of the venue’s Neil Young Day festivities, along with a screening of the Harvest Time documentary and a presentation by author Daryl Easlea. Admission for all three Neil Young Day events is £36.50.

Depending on what time you see this, there might still be time to catch the four-act Big Blast Records showcase taking place at the Gallery Cabaret in Chicago tonight. I’m familiar with Dolph Chaney and The Phins, The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club, and the Mark Watson Band, but the uncertainly named Very Nearly Hardly Never Maybe, who kick things off at 9:00, are a new one on me. Their Facebook page promises “80s Beat Box Drumming, Metal Guitar, Honky-tonk bass, Blondie-esque vocals.” 

It was touching to see all the tributes to Tina Turner across social media from fans as well as some of rock and roll’s most famous musicians following the news that she had passed away. Turner’s decades-long career was a prime example of how strength and talent can overcome serious obstacles. Rock In Paradise, Tina.  

The TAFKAVINCE Band has a record release party for its A Problematic Opera album coming up at Liar’s Club this Sunday at 9:00 pm. Also known as The Artist Formally Known As Vince, these guys are long-time participants at International Pop Overthrow - Chicago, and take a fun, glam approach to rock and roll.

Indie rock singer-songwriter Juliana Hatfield will continue her string of unpredictable tribute albums on the American Laundromat Records label with the release of Juliana Hatfield Sings ELO. The 10 songs, which include “Strange Magic,” “Don’t Bring Me Down,” and “Telephone Line,” will be available on cassette, CD, and various shades of vinyl come November 17. There’s a snippet of “Don’t Bring Me Down” on the American Laundromat website and its sounds really cool.

The Chicago Reader, one of the city’s longest-running free publications, will celebrate its annual Best Of Chicago issue with an event at Metro and Smart Bar next Thursday, June 1. The VIP version has a 5:30 start time at nearby GMAN Tavern, with the general admission event getting underway at Metro at 7:00 pm. Joseph Chilliams, Dos Santos, Bonita Appleblunt, Lillie West, and Ryan the Person will be performing. A Pride Kickoff afterparty with DJs Rae Chardonnay, Blesstonio, and VITIGRRL at Smartbar at 10 p.m will serve as the grand finale. Tickets for the Best Of Chicago Celebration range from $20 to $125.

Fresh off his success with International Pop Overthrow - Chicago, CFO/Founder David Bash will cross the pond to present IPO - Liverpool at The Cavern Club from May 28 through June 4. A quick glance at the schedule shows familiar acts such as Lannie Flowers, Ex-Norwegian, Dave Rave, The Jeremy Band, Spygenius, and The Len Price 3.

Another summer season of viewing paintings and sculptures outdoors in pleasant Chicago weather is upon us. The 57th Street Art Fair takes place next Saturday and Sunday (June 3 and 4); the Old Town Art Fair and the Wells Street Art Fair will be held on the weekend of June 10 and 11; and the Gold Coast Art Fair returns to Grant Park on June 17.

Judging from all the posts on social media, the Nuggets - A 50th Anniversary All-Star Celebration Of The Nuggets Compilation event held last Friday at Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA was a rousing success. The Benefit Concert For The Autism Healthcare Collaborative was organized by Paul Rock’s Wild Honey Foundation, writer/producer Lenny Kaye, and Rhino Records. As with past Wild Honey events, multiple well-known musicians gathered to help out. According to a Facebook post from Paul Rock, the event will made available on blu-ray, etc at some point in the future.

Brian Krumm And His Barfly Friends have a record release show for Krumm’s debut solo effort Just Fade Away next Friday, June 2 at Liar’s Club. His Pravda Records label mates The Handcuffs will also be on the bill, along with North Carolina hard rock/punk band Electric Frankenstein. Liar’s Club is located at 1665 W. Fullerton in Chicago.

According to The Who’s official Facebook page, Pete Towshend’s 1980 solo album Empty Glass and his 1977 collaboration with Ronnie Lane Rough Mix will be will be released as half-speed vinyl masters on June 23.

The Old Town School Of Folk Music in Chicago, which will hold its Blue Jean Gala next Friday, June 2. St. Paul And The Broken Bones will perform at the event, with an After Party with Funkadesi. A Graham Nash-signed guitar will be among the items auctioned to raise funds for the venue. Participants can also bid on a trip to Ireland, a private concert by Chicago alt rock/Americana band Dolly Varden, and other options. WXRT morning drive air personality Marty Lennartz will host the evening’s festivities.

Carlos, a new documentary about the life and multiple achievements of legendary guitarist Carlos Santana, will receive its world premiere on June 17 at the Tribeca Festival in New York City. The actual release date for Carlos will be revealed at some point in the future.

Peter Asher of Peter And Gordon will join Jeremy Clyde of Chad and Jeremy for a performance on June 23 at The Old Town School Of Folk Music in Chicago. They’ll perform the hits their duos scored back in the 1960s, and share memories of that era as well. I’ve seen these guys together and separately in the past, and their sense of humor plays a major part in making their shows so entertaining.

Tellin’ Tales Theatre’s latest presentation is titled Divercity: Refocusing Disability, and will offer performances by artists, writers, and advocates with disabilities. Directed by founding member Tekki Lomnicki, Divercity: Refocusing Disability will run at the Greenhouse Theater Center on the weekend of June 9 – 11.

 

Liz Phair’s Guyville Tour, with special guest Blondshell, kicks off on November 7 in El Cajon, California. Phair will celebrate the 30th Anniversary of her groundbreaking Exile In Guyville by performing the entire album, along with some of her best-known songs. She’ll be in her hometown on November 18 for a show at the Chicago Theatre. Other stops on the tour include Los Angeles, Tucson, San Francisco, Nashville, and Washington, D.C.

In addition to buying his new album Now, Graham Nash fans in the New York can check out his Enduring Images photography exhibit at City Winery NYC through July 11. The photographs can be purchased through the City Winery website.

The documentary Have You Got It Yet? - The Story Of Syd Barrett And Pink Floyd  opened recently at Everyman Cinemas across the U.K, and is expected to arrive in America sometime this summer. Directed by Roddy Bogawa and Storm Thorgeson, it’s narrated by Jason Issacs and features new interviews with Pink Floyd members Roger Waters, David Gilmour, and Nick Mason regarding their brilliant but troubled former band member.

The new State Of Sound exhibit now open at Navy Pier  is a pop-up version of the award-winning exhibition that was held at the Abraham Lincoln Museum in Springfield, and celebrates Illinois-based stars such as Muddy Waters; Material Issue; Kevin Lee, Earth, Wind & Fire; Chicago; Chance the Rapper; Wilco; Shoes; and Cheap Trick. Admission is free, and you’ll find the exhibit at Festival Hall A in the lower level lobby of Navy Pier through Aug. 27.

Also, just a quick note about leaving Comments for posts on Broken Hearted Toy. I greatly appreciate people taking the time to make a Comment, and I apologize for not noticing them for quite a long while. This was an oversight on my part and not intentional. 

Incoming

Indie rock singer-songwriter Juliana Hatfield will continue her string of unpredictable tribute albums on the American Laundromat Records label with the release of Juliana Hatfield Sings ELO. The 10 songs, which include “Strange Magic,” “Don’t Bring Me Down,” and “Telephone Line,” will be available on cassette, CD, and various shades of vinyl come November 17. There’s a snippet of “Don’t Bring Me Down” on the American Laundromat website and it sounds really cool.

As noted by Chicago Tribune theatre critic Chris Jones, the unconventional and beloved A Red Orchid Theatre has announced a trio of productions for its 2023-24 season. Brett Neveu’s Revolution will have its premiere on September 7 and run through October 9, with Anna Ouyang Moench’s In Quietness kicking off a nearly two-month run on January 11, 2024. Levi Holloway’s Turret will run from April 25 through June 15, 2024, and feature perhaps the theatre company’s most famous cast member, Michael Shannon.

I remember the days when A Red Orchid Theatre would always choose an unbelievably early morning time slot at Mary-Arrchie Theatre’s annual Abbie Hoffman Died For Our Sins Festival, and still be able to draw a large crowd. It’s likely Shannon was hanging out at Mary-Arrchie any number of times when I was there, but unfortunately, I never met the Oscar nominee.

Carlos, a new documentary about the life and multiple achievements of legendary guitarist Carlos Santana, will receive its world premiere on June 17 at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. The actual release date for Carlos will be revealed at some point in the future.

Chicago-based band Made Of Stone will honor The Stones Roses, who emerged from Manchester’s sizzling music scene in 1980s England, as part of Jim Ryan’s Classic Albums Night at Reggies Music Joint this Thursday. It’s not the average tribute show, as Charlie Short and Rachel Drew will cover Richard and Linda Thompson, and Greg Jacks And Brother Help will perform Stax Number Ones. Reggies Music Joint is located at 2105 S. State Street; Admission is $10.

Peter Asher of Peter And Gordon will join Jeremy Clyde of Chad and Jeremy for a concert on June 23 at The Old Town School Of Folk Music in Chicago. They’ll perform the Top 40 hits their duos scored back in the 1960s, and share memories of that era as well. I’ve seen these guys together and separately in the past, and their sense of humor plays a major part in making their shows so entertaining.

The TAFKAVINCE Band has a record release party for its A Problematic Opera album coming up at Liar’s Club this Sunday at 9:00 pm. Also known as The Artist Formally Known As Vince, these guys are long-time participants at International Pop Overthrow - Chicago, and take a fun, glam approach to rock and roll.

Tellin’ Tales Theatre’s latest presentation is titled Divercity: Refocusing Disability, and will offer performances by artists, writers, and advocates with disabilities. Directed by founding member Tekki Lomnicki, Divercity: Refocusing Disability will run at the Greenhouse Theater Center on the weekend of June 9 – 11. 

Slumgullion

Let my love blow out the candles. Happy Birthday to Pete Townshend of The Who. As the band’s lead guitarist and main songwriter, he’s created some of most emotionally and instrumentally powerful songs in the history of rock and roll. According to The Who’s official Facebook page, Townshend’s 1980 solo album Empty Glass and his 1977 collaboration with Ronnie Lane Rough Mix will be will be released as half-speed vinyl masters on June 23.

Chicago musicians Jason Narducy and Dag Juhlin will be celebrating Townshend’s legacy at their sold out gig at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights tonight. Be careful trying to recreate those windmill guitar moves, lads.

Liz Phair's Guyville Tour, with special guest Blondshell, kicks off on November 7 in El Cajon, California. Phair will celebrate the 30th Anniversary of her groundbreaking Exile In Guyville by performing the entire album, along with some of her best-known songs. She’ll be in her hometown on November 18 for a show at the Chicago Theatre. Other stops on the tour include Los Angeles, Tucson, San Francisco, Nashville, and Washington, D.C.

Big Brother’s Vinyl, a covers band with impeccable taste in classic rock, returns to Madcats in my hometown of Palatine tonight. The music starts at 9:00 pm; Madcats is located in Palatine’s downtown area.

Graham Nash’s new album Now, which he’s described as his most personal work ever, was released today. The CD I pre-ordered from his official website just arrived in the mail about an hour ago. Nash fans in New York can check out his Enduring Images photography exhibit at City Winery NYC through July 11. The photographs can be purchased through the City Winery website.

The TAFKAVINCE Band has a record release party for its A Problematic Opera album coming up at Liar’s Club on May 28. Also known as The Act Formally Known As Vince, these guys are long-time participants at International Pop Overthrow - Chicago, and take a fun, glam approach to rock and roll.

Chris Stamey from The dBs has a new solo effort titled The Great Escape coming out on July 7. According to his website, Stamey had help from fellow dB’s Peter Holsapple and Will Rigby, as well as Don Dixon, Eric Heywood, Caitlan Cary, and other musicians. The Great Escape is being described as a return “to the electric guitar sounds and melodic lyricism that informed his classic '80s solo records.”

Ex Norwegian, a Miami-based band I’ve praised here on various occasions for their knack of mixing power pop and psychedelia on their albums, has a new single coming out June 2. “Real Bad Bunny” is available for pre-order on Bandcamp. Ex Norwegian is one of the numerous acts scheduled for the upcoming International Pop Overthrow - Liverpool festival.

Fly me to saloons and let me play among the bars. Singer-guitarist Michael Steven Cohen, who’s explored a variety of genres throughout his career, has a Folk Sinatra gig coming up tomorrow at Montrose Saloon. He’ll be performing from 4:30 to 6:30 pm.

The lineup of headline acts for this year’s Riot Fest include The Cure, Foo Fighters, and Death Cab For Cutie. The festival will take place in Douglass Park on the weekend of September 15 – 17, and also feature Kim Gordon, Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton, The Breeders, Warpaint, The Exploited, Tegan And Sara, White Reaper, Screaming Females, and Ani DiFranco.

Brad Elvis and Rob Elvis, two-thirds of legendary 1980s/‘90s outfit The Elvis Brothers, will be joining in on some songs when The Spindles perform at a power pop triple bill that also features Go Time! and Vinto Van Go at The Cubby Bear tomorrow night.

Indie label Big Stir Records has added some impressive acts to its roster with the recent signings of Graham Parker, The Cyrkle, and The Spongetones.

Squeeze and The Psychedelic Furs will tour the U.S.A. together this fall, starting with a concert on September 19 in Durham, NC. They’ll be at The Salt Shed in Chicago on September 23, and other stops include Nashville, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Seattle, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles.

Vocalist-percussionist Frank Orrall from the adventurous Poi Dog Pondering ensemble will take a different approach for his solo gig tomorrow night at SPACE in Evanston. That performance will find him spinning tales and utilizing video and audio backing tracks. He’ll be joined by fellow Poi Dog Pondering members Paul Von Mertens and Joe Sonnefeldt, as well as singer/musician/dancer Sophia De Leon Sanchez.

Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent of The Zombies are currently on a mini tour of record stores in the U.K., in which they’re performing “intimate stripped back versions” of songs from the band’s new album Different Game.

The Webstirs and Magnaphonic, a pair of Chicago bands long known for creating catchy pop songs, will be performing at The Hideout tomorrow night. The Hideout is located at 1354 W. Wabansia on Chicago’s north side.

Eric Clapton will be staging two sold out Jeff Beck tribute concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in London this Monday and Tuesday, May 22 and 23. In addition to fellow Yardbird Clapton, Beck will be honored with performances by Ronnie Wood, Rod Stewart, Imelda May, Gary Clark Jr, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, and Joss Stone. They’ll be backed by Beck’s most recent tour musicians Rhonda Smith, Anika Nilles and Robert Stevenson. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Folly Wildlife Rescue.

Congratulations to Jeff Tweedy of Wilco on selling out both his Friday and Saturday night shows at The Vic this weekend.

The documentary Have You Got It Yet? - The Story Of Syd Barrett And Pink Floyd opened this week at Everyman Cinemas across the U.K, and is expected to arrive in America sometime this summer. Directed by Roddy Bogawa and Storm Thorgeson, it’s narrated by Jason Issacs and features new interviews with Pink Floyd members Roger Waters, David Gilmour, and Nick Mason regarding their brilliant but troubled former band member.

Decoy Prayer Meeting, the Chicago-based band that specializes in rockabilly and vintage Country and Western music, has an afternoon gig this Sunday from 1:30 to 3:00 pm this Sunday at the FitzGerald’s venue in Berwyn.

“Let It Ride,” the catchy new single from Tall Poppy Syndrome, has been doing well on the indie music chart since its release on Bandcamp. The quintet is made up of pop music veterans Paul Kopf, Jonathan Lea, Vince Melouney, Clem Burke, and Alec Palao.

Phil Angotti and Friends continue their string of Beatles-themed brunches at City Winery Chicago with a Macca And Wings tribute. Only this time, it’s on a Saturday: tomorrow at noon.

Peter Gabriel launched his i/o The Tour this past Thursday in Krakow, Poland. The European tour will also include stops in Milan, Paris, Berlin, Stockholm, London, and Manchester. Gabriel will release a new album titled i/o in the near future.

Chicago Zine Fest 2023 will be held tomorrow from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm at Plumbers Union Hall. Admission is free, and the event will feature over 100 independent zine creators from around the country. This is the same building where the CHIRP Record Fair And Other Delights is held, at 1340 W. Washington Blvd., just west of downtown Chicago.

The Made Of Stone band, which honors The Stones Roses, will be part of Jim Ryan’s Classic Albums Night at Reggies Music Joint just south of downtown next Thursday, May 25. The other acts that night are Charlie Short and Rachel Drew covering Richard and Linda Thompson, and Greg Jacks And Brother Help performing Stax Number Ones. Admission is $10.

Best wishes to Paul Rock’s Wild Honey Foundation and writer/producer Lenny Kaye and Rhino Records on tonight’s Nuggets - A 50th Anniversary All-Star Celebration Of The Nuggets Compilation. The Benefit Concert For The Autism Healthcare Collaborative will be held at Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA. Kaye, the force behind the iconic Nuggets compilation, Rob Laufer, and Andrew Sandoval will lead the Wild Honey Orchestra. As with past Wild Honey events, well-known musicians have lined up to help out. According to a Facebook post from Paul Rock, the event will be recorded and later made available on blu-ray, etc.

Fest For Beatles Fans has announced the lineup for its August 11 – 13 event in Chicago. The Fest offers an eclectic mix of live music, interviews, art, photography, contests, merchandise, and a costume party. WXRT radio personality and host of the stations’s weekly Breakfast With The Beatles program, will return as Master Of Ceremonies. Following its tradition of booking guests with close ties to The Beatles, the Fest has lined up Patti Boyd, Mark Rivera, Gregg Bissonette, and The Lads From Liverpool this year.

The Pretenders recently announced they have a new album titled Relentless coming out September 1, and it’s available to pre-order. If the song “Let The Sun Come In,” which can already be streamed on various sites is any indication, the album will pack a wallop just like the band’s 2020 effort Hate For Sale.

Chicago-based filmmaker Micael Glover Smith’s 2022 romantic comedy Relative will be screened at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema on Monday, May 22.  There will be a live question and answer session afterward with Smith, four cast members, and moderator Lori Felker. The Chicago location for Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is at 3519 N. Clark St., Suite C301.

Chicago-based power pop band Thrift Store Halo will celebrate the 25th anniversary of its debut LP World Gone Mad by offering downloads of the 10 songs for 25¢ each on its official website. I still have my copy of the CD, and I recommend checking this album out. Particularly the tracks “Can’t Understand,” “Fly Me Away,” and “Change.”

Gman Tavern on Clark Street in Chicago will celebrate World Goth Day on Tuesday, May 22 with no doubt suitably dark music chosen by DJ Scary Sarah.

The new State Of Sound exhibit now open at Navy Pier  is a pop-up version of the award-winning exhibition that was held at the Abraham Lincoln Museum in Springfield, and celebrates Illinois-based stars such as Muddy Waters; Material Issue; Earth, Wind & Fire; Chicago; Chance the Rapper; Wilco; Shoes; and Cheap Trick. Admission is free, and you’ll find the exhibit at Festival Hall A in the lower level lobby of Navy Pier through Aug. 27.

Also, just a quick note about leaving Comments for posts on Broken Hearted Toy. I greatly appreciate people taking the time to make a Comment, and I apologize for not noticing them for quite a long while. This was an oversight on my part and not intentional. 

Incoming

Squeeze and The Psychedelic Furs will tour the U.S.A. together this fall, starting with a concert on September 19 in Durham, NC. They’ll be at The Salt Shed in Chicago on September 23, and other stops include Nashville, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Seattle, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles.

Brad Elvis and Rob Elvis, two-thirds of legendary 1980s/‘90s outfit The Elvis Brothers, will be joining in on some songs when The Spindles perform at a power pop triple bill at The Cubby Bear this Saturday that also features Go Time! and Vinto Van Go.

Indie label Big Stir Records has added some impressive acts to its roster with the recent signings of Graham Parker, The Cyrkle, and The Spongetones.

Vocalist-percussionist Frank Orrall from the adventurous Poi Dog Pondering ensemble will take a different approach for his solo gig this Saturday night at SPACE in Evanston. That performance will find him spinning tales and utilizing video and audio backing tracks. He’ll be joined by fellow Poi Dog Pondering members Paul Von Mertens and Joe Sonnefeldt, as well as singer/musician/dancer Sophia De Leon Sanchez.

Great Moments In Vinyl, a group of Chicago area musicians who frequently stage tribute shows, will perform Tina Turner songs at The Venue in Aurora this Friday night.

 

I was happy to see an email today from the Official Graham Nash Store stating that my signed copy his new CD Now is already on its way to me. The actual release date is this Friday.

Nash recently performed five sold out shows at The Old Town School Of Folk Music in Chicago, which will be holding its Blue Jean Gala on June 2. St. Paul And The Broken Bones will perform, with an After Party with Funkadesi. Nash signed a guitar that will be among the items auctioned to raise funds as part of the event. Participants can also bid on a trip to Ireland, a private concert by Chicago alt rock/Americana band Dolly Varden, and other options.

The Webstirs and Magnaphonic, a pair of Chicago bands long known for creating catchy pop songs, will be performing at The Hideout this Saturday. The Hideout is located at 1354 W. Wabansia on Chicago’s north side.

Congratulations to Jeff Tweedy of Wilco on selling out both his Friday and Saturday night shows at The Vic this weekend.

Jason Narducy and Dag Juhlin will celebrate Pete Townshend’s birthday this Friday night by performing his solo material and iconic songs with The Who at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights.

Decoy Prayer Meeting, the Chicago-based band that specializes in rockabilly and vintage Country and Western music, has an afternoon gig this Sunday from 1:30 to 3:00 pm at the FitzGerald’s venue in Berwyn.

Phil Angotti and Friends continue their string of Beatles-themed brunches at City Winery Chicago with a Macca And Wings tribute. Only this time, it’s on a Saturday: May 20 at noon.

Chicago Zine Fest 2023 will be held this Saturday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm at Plumbers Union Hall. Admission is free, and the event will feature over 100 independent zine creators from around the country. This is the same building where the CHIRP Record Fair And Other Delights is held, at 1340 W. Washington Blvd., just west of downtown Chicago.

Paul Rock’s Wild Honey Foundation will join forces with writer/producer Lenny Kaye and Rhino Records this Friday to present Nuggets - A 50th Anniversary All-Star Celebration Of The Nuggets Compilation. The Benefit Concert For The Autism Healthcare Collaborative will be held at Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA. Kaye, the force behind the iconic Nuggets compilation, Rob Laufer, and Andrew Sandoval will lead the Wild Honey Orchestra.

As with past Wild Honey events, well-known musicians will help out; including the members of the 1960s garage rock bands The Count Five, Chocolate Watchband, The Seeds, Love, and The Electric Prunes. Other participants include Susanna Hoffs, Elliot Easton, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Kathy Valentine, Darian Sahanaja, Carla Olson, Debbie Shair, Evie Sands, Daryl Hooper, Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey, and Peter Case. If you’re going to be in California, tickets range from $40 to $75. According to a Facebook post from Paul Rock, the event will be recorded and later made available on blu-ray, etc.

If you’re a New Yorker who can’t make it to the event listed above, Lenny Kaye has a smaller Nuggets 50th Anniversary celebration coming your way on July 28 and 29 at City Winery New York. Patti Smith, Ivan Julian, Jesse Malin, Peter Buck, James Mastro, Marshall Crenshaw,  Juliana Hatfield, and Bob Mould are the performers so far, and the house band will feature Lenny Kaye—who’s also hosting the event—-Tony Shanahan, Jack Petruzzelli, Glen Burtnik, and Dennis Diken. More acts are likely to be added. 

A Double Dose Of English Psychedelic Sixties

I’m dedicating this first item to Frank Carr. Frank and I were two of the founding members (along with David Drazin and Lake Sirmon) when the Chicago-based comedy group Famous In The Future launched in 1989, and he kept things running after I departed about two decades later. More recently, Frank has been the driving force behind the annual YippieFest, an unofficial offshoot of the Abbie Fest staged for several years by Rich Cotovsky at Mary-Arrchie Theatre. YippieFest 2023 will be held at the Pride Arts venue on August 4 – 6. Frank is possibly the world’s most ardent Syd Barrett Fan, so I’m sure he’ll be interested in the following news.

 

The documentary Have You Got It Yet? - The Story Of Syd Barrett And Pink Floyd opened at Everyman Cinemas across the U.K yesterday, and is expected to arrive in America sometime this summer. Directed by Roddy Bogawa and Storm Thorgeson, it’s narrated by Jason Issacs and features new interviews with Roger Waters, David Gilmour, and Nick Mason regarding their brilliant but troubled former Pink Floyd member. Fans can pre-order Have You Got It Yet? t-shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts at the official Syd Barrett online shop. 

Speaking of psychedelic 1960s British rock, Fest For Beatles Fans has announced the lineup for its August 11 – 13 event in Chicago. The Fest offers an eclectic mix of live music, interviews, art, photography, contests, merchandise, and a costume party. WXRT radio personality  and host of the stations’s weekly Breakfast With The Beatles program, Terri Hemmert, will return as Master Of Ceremonies. It’s a role she’s filled since 1978. See the Fest For Beatles Fans website for all the details.

Following its tradition of booking guests with close ties to The Beatles, The Fest has lined up Patti Boyd, Mark Rivera, Gregg Bissonette, and The Lads From Liverpool this year. Boyd, returning to the Chicago event for the first time in 15 years, is obviously the biggest draw, having been an integral part of the swinging ‘60s English film, fashion, and music scene. I was at The Fest for that previous appearance, and her recollections of being married to George Harrison were touching and fascinating. This time out, Boyd will be promoting her new My Life in Photos book and autographing copies. Sax player Rivera and drummer Bissonette have toured with Ringo Starr in recent years. The Lads From Liverpool are original British Invasion stars singer Billy J. Kramer, guitarist-vocalist Joey Molland from Badfinger, and guitarist-vocalist Terry Sylvester from The Escorts and The Hollies. In addition to being friends of The Beatles, all three of these lads are Fest veterans who obviously enjoy talking with their fans.

Chicago-based Fest For Beatles Fans regulars will also welcome concerts in the Main Ballroom by long-time favorites Liverpool, an amazing Beatles covers band, and The Weeklings, an offshoot of Liverpool that creates original songs inspired by The Beatles. The smaller Apple Jam Stage will offer tried-and-true performers such as Cellophane Flowers, Phil Angotti and Friends; Scott Erickson, and My Sweet George. Cellophane Flowers and Phil Angotti and Friends will also perform in the Main Ballroom.