Incoming

Pravda Records, which bills itself as Chicago’s longest running independent label, has announced the impressive lineup for the PRAVDAFEST 40 anniversary event coming on Saturday, August 31 at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL. The acts performing will be Nathan Graham; Steve Dawson; The Handcuffs; Diplomats Of Solid Sound; Ivan Julian with Nick Tremulis; Chris Greene Quartet; Sunshine Boys; The Service; The Slugs; Cheer-Accident; Susan Voelz; Allen Hill; Brian Krumm And His Barfly Friends; Thrift Store Halo; and The Swampland Jewels. Doors will open at noon and there will be three stages to handle all that live music. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10am.

Sunshine Boys have a show coming up next Saturday, May 25 at Gman Tavern on Chicago’s north side. Gerald Dowd will be on drums while original drummer (now author) Freda Love Smith will help out on tambourine. Sunshine Boys will be the opening act that night for The Last Afternoons—led by Rich Sparks and Brett Nevue—at their record release show. 

Steve Wynn from The Dream Syndicate has accomplished a long-time goal of writing a book, and it’s due out from Jawbone Press around August 25. Wynn describes I Wouldn't Say It If It Wasn't True as “a memoir of a life of music that begins on the streets of LA and continues along the highways and byways of rock recording and touring with The Dream Syndicate.” Autographed copies are available for pre-order on Wynn’s Bandcamp page, which also mention he has a new solo album titled Make It Right coming out around the same time as his book.

The Arlington Heights Memorial Library is hosting a 21-and-older Women Up Front Vinyl Listening Party at the Empty Corner venue at 214 East Grove Street in Arlington Heights on June 6.  Guests are invited to bring records by their favorite women vocalists, musicians, or songwriters to play, as well as a beverage. Snacks will be provided.

The Songs To Learn And Sing 2024 - The Very Best Of Echo And The Bunnymen tour has been racking up sold out shows across the U.S.A., and there’s good reason to believe the one scheduled at The Riviera Theatre in Chicago this Sunday, May 26 will go the same route. Those who want to sing along on classic new wave material such as “Lips Like Sugar,” “Rescue,” “The Back Of Love,” and “Do It Clean” should purchase their tickets soon. Other stops on the tour include Philadelphia, Boston, Detroit, Denver, and San Francisco.

Congratulations to Chicago-based band The Second Summer on their debut album undertow being released by Kool Kat Musik on CD this past Friday. It’s an impressive achievement, considering the indie label is widely known for its expertise in choosing power pop acts. You can also find undertow on group’s Bandcamp page. The Second Summer performed at Montrose Saloon as part of the recent International Pop Overthrow - Chicago 2024, will be back at that venue on June 29.

Earlier today, I ordered an “Our House” tee shirt that just became available on the official Graham Nash website. I think it was the two cats in the yard part of the artwork that won me over.