Incoming

Last December, Trouser Press Books announced plans to celebrate the 50th birthday of Trouser Press magazine by publishing a book titled Zip It Up!: The Best of Trouser Press Magazine 1974-1984 in March of 2024. The monthly publication developed a loyal following by covering the best cutting-edge bands during those years. As a prelude to the book’s arrival, Trouser Press Magazine began sharing the cover of a different issue each day on social media.

Earlier today, the Trouser Press Magazine Facebook page announced that tickets are now on sale for the Trouser Press 50th Birthday Party coming to the Bowery Electric venue in New York on March 16. Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey from The dB’s will be on hand to perform, along with The Shirt Event featuring Dennis Diken from The Smithereens; the Washington, DC alt rock band Dot Dash; and DJ Steve Reynolds. As someone who’s reviewed albums by The Db’s, Dennis Diken, and Dot Dash here on Broken Hearted Toy, the lineup strikes me a a great way for Trouser Press to mark such a momentous occasion.

Happy Birthday to Robin Zander, Cheap Trick’s amazing lead vocalist and occasional solo recording artist. I can’t think of any act other than Cheap Trick that I first saw on a small stage at a Chicago area club before they went on to worldwide acclaim and best-selling albums. Cheap Trick will be the headline act at the International Beatles On The Beach festival taking place in Delray Beach, FL tomorrow through Sunday. Other performers include The Fab Faux; Gregg Bissonette; and The Weeklings. 

Brad Elvis, another widely acclaimed rock musician who started right here in Illinois, announced via a Facebook post today that The Handcuffs recently worked on two new songs at Kingsize Sound Labs. The band’s previous album Burn The Rails, was one of last year’s best efforts. Brad has also been a member of The Romantics, Big Hello, The Elvis Brothers, and Screams.

Music industry veteran Dean Brownrout has a book titled No Big Deal coming out on October 1 via Guernica Editions. Subtitled Chasing the indie music dream in the last days of the record business, it covers his teenage days as a concert promoter through to founding his independent record label, Big Deal. Brownrout describes it as “a humorous and nostalgic journey through this seminal time in the music industry.” No Big Deal has a Foreword by Ira Robbins of Trouser Press.

The Chicago-based R.E.M. tribute band Sitting Still IL will return to Montrose Saloon this Friday after making a strong impression with its performance at the venue’s Halloween tribute festival last October. Joey Acopiado, The Failers, and Saturday June Band are also on the bill this Friday.

Androgynous Mustache, a local collective of musicians that has been behind several impressive tribute shows, will bring their annual Warren Zevon Tribute show to SPACE in Evanston tomorrow night.

Marshall Crenshaw has a gig tomorrow night at City Winery Chicago. He’ll be performing with Derrick Anderson on bass, Mark Ortmann on drums, and Fernando Perdomo on guitar and vocals.