Slumgullion

They really don’t just come anytime. Australian band The Hoodoo Gurus (pictured above) will make their long-awaited return to the Chicago area with a sold-out concert at City Winery - Chicago on Sunday, May 14. These guys apply their garage rock/power pop expertise to tales of outer space aliens, tribal sacrifices, and ghosts, as well as tangled relationships. Starting with their Stone Age Romeos album in 1984, lead vocalist-guitarist-chief songwriter Dave Faulkner and his mates have recorded classics such as “Leilani,” “Dig It Up,” “Mars Needs Guitars,” “Come Anytime,” and the baseball-themed “Where’s That Hit?” Their 2022 effort Chariot Of The Gods included the hard-hitting “World Of Pain” and “Don’t Try To Save My Soul,” along with the more nuanced and clever “Settle Down” and “My Imaginary Friend.” I’ve previously seen The Hoodoo Gurus at Metro and The Abbey. I wish I had seen one of those Hoodoo Gurus/Bangles double bills.

If I’m remembering correctly, the opening act for The Hoodoo Gurus that night at The Abbey was The Goldstars. The Chicago-based band’s song “Purple Girlfriend” has been posted on Broken Hearted Toy a few times as a Halloween song. Dag Juhlin was a member of the The Goldstars, and if you’re familiar with Juhlin, you know he’s a good match for a Hoodoo Gurus gig.

Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights will present the Rico! Santana Tribute Band tonight. Doors open at 6:30 pm, the music starts at 7:30 pm. Two weeks from now (May 19), Jason Narducy and the previously mentioned Dag Juhlin will celebrate Pete Townshend’s birthday at the same venue. Most likely by performing his best solo material and iconic songs by The Who, and maybe with a Union Jack cake.

The self-described “surf-noir-crime-jazz” instrumental band Outronaut will share a double bill with The James Dean Joint, which calls its approach “rock and roll stoned on soul,” tonight a the G-Man Tavern on north Clark Street. Outronaut goes on first, at 8:30.

The Phil Angotti Trio will cover classic rock tunes by Chris Isaak, Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly tonight at the Reclaimed Bar on Western Avenue on Chicago’s north side.

Last Night And The Night Before, written by Donnetta Lavinia Grays and directed by Valerie Curtis-Newton, continues its run at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago through May 14.

Singer-songwriter Rob Schultz will be back at Merkle’s Bar And Grill for another solo acoustic show tomorrow (Saturday) from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Located at 3516 N. Clark, the venue is near Wrigley Field and will follow the Marlins vs Cubs afternoon game.

Scott Niekelski, lead vocalist for the hard-edged pop band Go Time!, has an acoustic gig tomorrow night at the Miskatonic Brewing Company in Darien, IL. The music starts at 6:30.

Chicago’s David Bowie tribute band Sons Of The Silent Age has a 10th Anniversary Show coming up on May 13 at Metro that will also be a fundraising event. A portion of the proceeds will go The NorthShore University HealthSystem’s Integrative Medicine Program. Tickets are available at the event website, and there is a also a raffle and silent auction.

I’ll confess to being one of those snobs who regards Navy Pier as being strictly for tourists. Maybe because it can’t compete with my fond memories of when ChicagoFest was staged on the old Navy Pier. Occasionally an event will lure me back, like when I got to meet Matt Smith and Karen Gillan from Doctor Who at an Ace Comic Con a few years back. The new State Of Sound exhibit now open at Navy Pier is another such occasion. It’s 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.

Hey now, hey now, this is going to be a good concert. Crowded House will be performing at the Chicago Theatre on May 15.

The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame has announced Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, George Michael, Willie Nelson, Rage Against The Machine, The Spinners, DJ Kool Herc, Link Wray, Chaka Khan, Al Kooper, Bernie Taupin, and Don Cornelius as its 2023 Inductees. I have no quarrel with any of these choices since they were all successful representatives of their particular genre. Like many people though, I have favorite acts that continue to be overlooked, such as The Bangles and Squeeze. Maybe next year.

There’s an interesting interview with Susanna Hoffs from The Bangles about her This Bird Has Flown novel in the May issue of the Illinois Entertainer, although I’d have to subtract points for the (unnamed) writer not knowing that while The Bangles did break up in 1989, they later got back together. All four Bangles were involved with the 2003 album Doll Revolution (which I reviewed for IE back then) and Hoffs, Debbi Peterson, and Vicki Peterson recorded Sweetheart Of The Sun in 2011. That Bangles trio took part in the 3 X 4 Paisley Underground album with The Three O’Clock, Rain Parade, and Dream Syndicate in 2018. Although they don’t perform or record on a regular basis, The Bangles (sans bassist-vocalist Michael Steele) technically are still together.

That same May issue of the Illinois Entertainer features writer Tom Lanham’s lengthy interview with Daniel Ash from Love And Rockets. The band will perform at the Riviera Theatre in Chicago on June 6.

Local alt rock/avant-garde band whitewolfsonicprincess will bring its self-proclaimed 21st Century Druid music to Montrose Saloon tomorrow (Saturday) as part of a three-act showcase with Model-K and Justin Sconza.

Things That Fly, the Chicago-based indie rock band led by Heidi Serwer and Karen Salmon, each an accomplished singer-songwriter, has a debut album coming out on May 14. A record-release show at Martyrs’ on June 24 will benefit the charity organization Common Pantry.

Continental Drifters, the critically acclaimed alt rock/country band whose members include Peter Holsapple, Susan Cowsill, and Vicki Peterson, will perform at The New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival this Sunday, May 7.

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 on May 19. 

The Museum Of Broadcast Communications, whose exhibitions have honored Saturday Night Live, Johnny Carson, and the history of rock and roll on television, is holding a TV And Radio Experiences Auction via CharityBuzz to raise funds. 40 For 40, which celebrates the Chicago museum’s 40th anniversary with 40 media-related opportunities, will run through May 16. The MBC needs money to move from its current 360 N. State Street location to a new home. Participants can bid on having lunch with Henry Winkler, attending TV show tapings, joining a radio broadcast, or several other choices.

If you’re in the market for a heart of gold, check out The Rachel Drew Band Does Neil Young show at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn tomorrow (Saturday) at 9:00 pm. General admission is $15.

The Chicago Critics Film Festival opened today and will run through May 11 at the Music Box Theatre on the city’s north side.

Congratulations to Emily Long on being named as the new Executive Director of the Gene Siskel Film Center in downtown Chicago.

Go Time! and The Spindles, two veteran acts on the Chicago club scene, will share a double bill at The Cubby Bear on May 20.

Cash For Kids - Chicago’s Only Johnny Cash Festival will take place tomorrow (Saturday) at the Irish American Heritage Center on the northwest side. The charitable event will feature performances by Iron Horse, Hayden Thompson, The Hoyle Brothers, Eddie Clendening, The Blue Ribbon Boys, Hodie Snitch, The Amazing Heeby Jeebies, The Ramblin’ Redeemed, Stephen Davern, John Kimler, Geneieve Hayward, and Wild Earp and The OK Chorale. Admission is $20 presale, $25 at the door. The music starts at 3:00 pm. Proceeds benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.

Congratulations to avery r. young on being named as first poet laureate.

Chicago Zine Fest 2023 will be held on May 20 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.

Metro recently announced a July 16 concert by Cheap Trick that’s being billed as Metro’s 40th Anniversary Finale. Robin Taylor Zander, son of Cheap Trick’s vocalist Robin Zander and an occasional fill-in for the band, has a new album out titled The Distance. It’s available on various streaming sites. The younger Zander cites his Dad’s group as a major influence, as well as The Who, The Beatles, David Bowie, T.Rex, and Elliot Smith.

Earth/Percent, whose mission to act as “a charity providing a simple way for the music industry to support the most impactful organisations addressing the climate emergency,” has launched a major fundraiser. The Earth/Percent X Earth Day Compilation Album features new/exclusive/unreleased material from 60 artists from around the endangered globe, and is available as a digital album for £25. A vinyl version is also now available. The artists involved include Michael Stipe featuring Gaelyn Lea; Cvurches And Robert Smith; Nile Rodgers And Chic; Brian Eno; and Coldplay X Her. 

The Spring Lincoln Roscoe Art And Craft Fair will be held next weekend, May 13 and 14 on Lincoln Avenue Avenue, between Roscoe School Streets. In addition to paintings, sculptures, jewelry, there will be live music and food vendors.

You really got me on the bus. As part their 60th Anniversary celebration, The Kinks are offering 

 The Journey bus tour, which takes passengers “back to the Davies’ home turf; the  parks they played on, the houses they lived in, the school they attended and the pub where they played their first ever gig.” The 90-minute tour ends with a visit to the location of the band’s Muswell Hillbillies photo session, which is just around the corner from Archway tube station.

Natalie Merchant will be showcasing songs from her album Keep Your Courage when she performs at The Chicago Theatre on May 19.

 

The Long Grove-Killdeer Garden Club will hold its annual Plant Sale on May 20th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at 3847 Old McHenry Road in Long Grove. It’s probably pretty close to downtown, so you could stop for lunch or coffee at one of cafes or restaurants.

Finally, 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.