Slumgullion

Note: For information on PRAVDAFEST, Pearl Jam at Wrigley Field, Irish Days in Long Grove, The Northman Riverwalk schedule, and a few other weekend events, check out yesterday’s Weekend Reminders post.

Congratulations to Pop Art Sports Cards on its fifth anniversary of creating rock and roll trading cards that mimic the baseball cards many of us collected as kids. To mark the occasion, PASC is offering Limited Edition packs of 15 trading cards that include a stick of gum. Much like in the days when I spent my weekly allowance on baseball cards from the corner store. Fans who order a PASC Limited Edition pack can choose each of the 15 cards, so there’s no danger of your favorite player not being included.

I’ve purchased PASC sets of The Kinks; Crosby, Stills Nash and Young; The Bangles; Heart; The Hollies; Cheap Trick; and Pink Floyd in the past, but it took a while to choose the players for my 15-card package. Like a manager assembling a winning team. Finally, as you can see by my sub-amateur photography above, I decided on performers from a variety of genres and eras. Anyone interested in assembling their own team can contact Pop Art Sports Cards at popartsportscards@gmail.com or check out the Pop Art Sports Card public Facebook page. The price for a 15-card pack is $35.

Smoking Popes plan to release a Live-In-Studio 30th Anniversary vinyl edition of their second album Born To Quit on September 27. The Chicago-based alt rock band, led by vocalist-guitarist Josh Caterer, is performing at the Troubadour in West Hollywood this very night. The Get Up Kids will be the opening act for a tour that wraps up with shows in Chicago at Metro on October 10 and 11.

 

The Hopscotch Music Festival will take place on September 5-7 in Raleigh, NC, with an extensive list of performers that includes St. Vincent; The dB’s; Ducks Ltd.; Guided By Voices; Chicano Batman; and Ty Segall (solo acoustic). The event will also feature comedy acts, local vendors, and VIP parties. 

Chicago-based singer-songwriter Steve Dawson will start a fall tour on September 7 in St. Louis, MO. He’ll perform in his home town on September 15 and nearby Arlington Heights, IL on September 28.

 

Autographed copies of Neko Case's new memoir The Harder I Fight the More I Love You are available to pre-order from Premiere Collectibles. Case is a member of The New Pornographers indie rock band, as well as a successful solo artist.

As noted on various websites and social media posts, Oasis has a reunion tour titled live ’25 coming up next summer. There has also been a meme that lets people name a different reunion (Rockpile being one example) they’d rather see than Oasis.

A new DVD titled Taking The City By Storm - The Birth Of Milwaukee’s Punk Scene, is now available for $26. Billed as “A documentary focusing on the progression of Milwaukee’s Protopunk, Power Pop, Punk and New Wave,” it was produced by Judy Simonds and Clancy Carroll and directed and edited by Doug LaValliere. The DVD is available at Irving Place Records, the retail store run by long-time musician Terry Hackbarth. People who aren’t Wisconsinites can send a direct message to the official Taking The City By Storm - The Birth Of Milwaukee’s Punk Scene Facebook page.

V–U2, a new, immersive film featuring concert footage from U2’s extensive run at the mind-altering Sphere venue in Las Vegas will be screened exclusively at the Sphere starting September 5. 

Chicago: Home Of House, an exhibit honoring the city’s pivotal role in widespread success of house music over the past 40 years, runs through the end of October. 

The forever-suave Roxy Music frontman and solo performer Bryan Ferry will release the 81-track Retrospective - Bryan Ferry 1973 – 2023 on October 25. Available on colored vinyl or as a 5-CD deluxe box set, it will include new and unreleased recordings, along with extensive liner notes and rare photography. It’s currently available for pre-order from his official website.

The 19th Annual Lakeview Festival Of The Arts will be held on September 14 and 15 on Chicago’s north side. Local power pop band The Spindles, who add an occasional Hollies cover to their catchy originals, are among the many live music acts scheduled to perform at the Lakeview Festival Of The Arts. 

Steve Wynn from The Dream Syndicate has accomplished his long-time goal of writing a book, and it’s due out from Jawbone Press now. 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.” There are a few autographed copies left for sale on Wynn’s Bandcamp page, which is also where you can pre-order his a new solo album  Make It Right.  

The 10th Annual Super Nova Ska Festival will be held on the weekend of  September 13 – 15 at Fort Monroe in Hampton, VA. British pioneering ska act The Selecter, still led by Pauline Black, will be the main draw with its performance on the last day. Other acts include Roy Ellis with The Aggrolites; Skavoovie and the Epitones; Five Iron Frenzy; and Catbite. A total of 38 acts, from 8 countries are scheduled to appear.

Red Spot Rhythm Section, a Chicago-based band whose previous recordings offered covers of well-known songs reinvented with reggae and ska arrangements, has just released a new album titled Twilight. This time out, it’s a mix of covers and original material composed by band member Joshua Siegal. The title track was originally recorded by The Band, and there are also spirited renditions of Paul Simon’s “Boy In The Bubble,” Nick Lowe’s “Peace, Love And Understanding,” and Steve Goodman’s “City Of New Orleans.” Red Spot Rhythm Section also  impresses with originals such as the easy-going “Nothin,” acoustic “Never Told Her,” and the more blues-oriented “Time.” Twilight is available on Bandcamp. 

Jeff Lynne’s ELO The Over And Out Tour throughout the USA is now under way and will wrap up in California with shows on October 23 and 25 at Sacramento and Inglewood respectively. Lynne will perform at the United Center in Chicago on September 27 and 28.

Activities of Daily Living, the most recent release from Glasgow power pop/indie rock band Aerial, is now available in CD format from by the America-based label Kool Kat Musik. In a review this past May on Broken Hearted Toy, I noted, The songwriting duo of Colin Cummings and Mackie Mackintosh once again craft clever, off-kilter lyrics set to well-crafted power pop arrangements, particularly on energetic gems such as the title track, “An Encore And A Cover Song,” and “Bad Tattoo.”

When Nick Lowe releases Indoor Safari, his first album in 11 years on September 13, it will be “POWERED BY” his long-time collaborators Los Straitjackets. He’ll hit the road with them for a fall tour starting with two nights (October 10 and 11) in New York City and ending with a pair of shows (November 2 and 3) in Minneapolis. Lowe and Los Straitjackets will play Lincoln Hall in Chicago on October 29 and 30. 

T Bone Burnett now has a pair of shows lined up for The Old Town School Of Folk Music this fall. He’ll perform at the venue on October 19 and October 20.

Music industry veteran Dean Brownrout will have a book release party for his No Big Deal memoir at the Marble + Rye  bar/lounge in New York on September 30.

It’s been 60 years since The Kinks released their ground-breaking single “You Really Got Me.” The Brit Invasion band is celebrating with a 7-inch single PYE Records limited edition that’s now available for pre-order. Only 1964 copies will be created. 

Weekend Reminders

Today’s post is focused on events taking place this weekend that I’ve mentioned previously on Broken Hearted Toy. This gives readers an extra day’s additional notice, and since the events won’t be repeated in tomorrow’s Slumgullion, helps streamline my Friday post. Slumgullion won’t be entirely new. I’ll keep mentioning upcoming events up to and including the Thursday prior to the weekend they take place.

Actually, here’s a brand new item pertaining to this weekend. Tickets go on sale tomorrow morning for the Cheap Trick concert coming to the Blue Gate Theatre in Shipshewana, IN on December 11. It’s part of a winter tour that also includes stops in Nashville, Macon, Tampa, and Tulsa.

Pearl Jam will likely showcase impressive songs such as “Wreckage,” “Scared Of Fear,” “React, Respond,” and “Running” from their 2024 album Dark Matter when the Pearl Jam Dark Matter World Tour comes to Chicago for concerts tonight and Saturday nights at Wrigley Field.

PRAVDAFEST, the 40th anniversary celebration for Pravda Records, will take place this Saturday at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL. The impressive lineup includes Nathan Graham; Steve Dawson; The Handcuffs; Ivan Julian with Nick Tremulis; Sunshine Boys; The Service; The Slugs; The Chamber Strings (Chloe F. Orwell, Tim Fowler, Carolyn Engelmann, Anthony Illarde, Jason Walker, and Ellis Clark paying tribute to the late Kevin Junior); Susan Voelz; Allen Hill; Brian Krumm And His Barfly Friends; and Thrift Store Halo. The doors open at noon, with entertainment scheduled across three stages. General admission is $40, and there’s a VIP option that includes a t-shirt and 40th Anniversary CD for $60.

Chicago-based, guitar-powered instrumental band Outronaut will open for garage rock/rhythm and blues specialists The Nubile Thangs this Saturday night at the north side Chicago venue Beat Kitchen. The music starts at 8:00 pm.

 

The 17th annual International Pop Overthrow - Vancouver opens tonight at the Lana Lou’s venue and will showcase power pop and indie rock acts through late Saturday night.

The Northman Riverwalk has another full weekend of live music coming up to go along with its impressive, outdoor view of downtown Chicago. Tomorrow’s show kicks off at 6:00 pm and features Chicago-bred power pop masters Dolph Chaney And The Phins. On Saturday at 3:00 pm, the trio Honey Whites will pay tribute to the ground-breaking Boston-based alt rock band Morphine. Things will get pretty strange at 6:00 pm on Saturday with the self-described “psychedelic lounge band from Dimension Zero” The Metalliques and its imaginative costuming. Sunday has two shows instead of one, probably due to the Labor Day weekend. Miss Barbara Clifford And The Shakin’ Tailfeathers will play what they want from the 1950s and 60s at 3:00 pm, and the Tex Mex Americana Roots quintet Los Gallos Band takes over at 5:00 pm. The Northman Riverwalk is located on the Chicago River at 233 N. Riverwalk. 

The annual Irish Days festival will take place this Saturday through Labor Day in Long Grove, IL. Several acts will  perform at the outdoors event, including Academy Of Irish Music; Shannon Rovers Pipe Band; the Without U2 tribute band, and the always wild and funny The Larkin And Moran Brothers. There will also be Irish dancers, food and beverages.

Incoming

Brotherly love is back in fashion. Definitely Maybe. As various websites and several people on social media have noted, Oasis has a reunion tour titled live ’25 coming up next summer. So far, the only shows that have been announced are located in the U.K. and Ireland. 

Pearl Jam will likely showcase impressive songs such as “Wreckage,” “Scared Of Fear,” “React, Respond,” and “Running” from their 2024 album Dark Matter when the Pearl Jam Dark Matter World Tour comes to Chicago for concerts this Thursday and Saturday nights at Wrigley Field.

Hello there, ladies and gentlemen. The Hard Rock Casino in Rockford, IL, which offers a definite nod to hometown heroes Cheap Trick, will be have its grand opening this Thursday. 

The annual Irish Days festival will take place August 31 – September 1 in Long Grove, IL. Several acts will perform at the outdoor event, including Academy Of Irish Music; Shannon Rovers Pipe Band; the Without U2 tribute band, and the always wild and funny The Larkin And Moran Brothers. There will also be Irish dancers, food and beverages.

Happy Birthday to Dolph Chaney, the vocalist-guitarist and Big Stir Records recording artist who’s become quite popular with his backing band The Phins on the Chicago club scene. 

Whether you drop by after work on a weekday, or at your leisure on the weekend, The Northman Riverwalk continues to offer live music and food outdoors with an impressive view of downtown Chicago. The venue’s Wednesday live DJ series continues tomorrow with Johnny Price, AKA DJ J.P. GUNNz spinning soul, disco, pop-dance, and house music. Visitors on Thursday can discover why Down Beat magazine strongly recommends the freewheeling jazz sound of drummer Jimmy Bennington. Both of the previously mentioned performances start at 5:00 pm. Friday’s show kicks off at 6:00 pm and features Dolph Chaney And The Phins. The band’s power pop expertise is Chicago-bred, but has been getting noticed nationwide via its albums. And, it would be entirely proper to wish Dolph a happy birthday even if it will be four days after the actual date. On Saturday at 3:00 pm, the trio Honey Whites will pay tribute to the ground-breaking Boston-based alt rock band Morphine. Things will get pretty strange at 6:00 pm on Saturday with the self-described “psychedelic lounge band from Dimension Zero” The Metalliques and its imaginative costuming. The Northman Riverwalk is located on the Chicago River at 233 N. Riverwalk.

 

For those who can’t wait until Saturday afternoon to see the Honey Whites, the band will also be paying tribute to Morphine tomorrow (Wednesday) night at Montrose Saloon. They’ll be part of a double bill with Made Of Stone, who’ll be performing songs by the U.K. band Stone Roses.

 

Sixteen chefs from successful Chicago area restaurants will compete in the Hamburger Hop event taking place September 27 on the Harris Theater Rooftop. A Judges’ Choice Award will be determined by a panel of eight judges; and there will also be a People’s Choice Award. Joe Flamm of Rose Mary restaurant, BLVD Steakhouse, and being my nephew fame will serve as host, along with James Beard Award nominated chef and cookbook author Adrienne Cheatham. Joe and Adrienne were finalists on Season 15 of the Bravo series Top Chef, and are both very cool people. Hamburger Hop will also feature DJs and a variety of spirits will be available. (Special thanks to Ryan of the local indie rock band The Unswept for calling this event to my attention.)

Slumgullion

Note: Check out yesterday’s post for events taking place this weekend.

PRAVDAFEST, a 40th anniversary celebration for Pravda Records, will take place a week from tomorrow at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL. Considering Pravda Records is Chicago’s longest running independent label, it’s no surprise the lineup for this event is so impressive. The performers include Nathan Graham; Steve Dawson; The Handcuffs; Ivan Julian with Nick Tremulis; Sunshine Boys; The Service; The Slugs; The Chamber Strings (Chloe F. Orwell, Tim Fowler, Carolyn Engelmann, Anthony Illarde, Jason Walker, and Ellis Clark paying tribute to the late Kevin Junior); Susan Voelz; Allen Hill; Brian Krumm And His Barfly Friends; and Thrift Store Halo. The doors open at noon, with entertainment scheduled across three stages. General admission is $40, and there’s a VIP option that includes a t-shirt and 40th Anniversary CD for $60. 

Judging from various social media posts, PRAVDAFEST was featured in a short bit on WGN News today, and there’s a PRAVDAFEST preview in this week’s edition of the Chicago Reader. I subscribe to the longtime free paper, but since it usually hits my mailbox on the weekend, I haven’t seen the latest issue yet.

A new DVD titled Taking The City By Storm - The Birth Of Milwaukee’s Punk Scene, is now available for $26. Billed as “A documentary focusing on the progression of Milwaukee’s Protopunk, Power Pop, Punk and New Wave,” it was produced by Judy Simonds and Clancy Carroll and directed and edited by Doug LaValliere. The DVD is available at Irving Place Records, the retail store run by long-time musician Terry Hackbarth. People who aren’t Wisconsinites can send a direct message to the official Taking The City By Storm - The Birth Of Milwaukee’s Punk Scene Facebook page.

Hello there, ladies and gentlemen. The Hard Rock Casino in Rockford, IL will be have its grand opening on August 29. Hard Rock is known for displaying a huge guitar outside its venues, and this particular instrument has a distinct checkerboard pattern that honors hometown heroes Cheap Trick. Rick Nielsen was on hand for the unveiling, and the memorabilia at this particular Hard Rock will highlight Illinois, as well as global musicians.

V–U2, a new, immersive film featuring concert footage from U2’s extensive run at the mind-altering Sphere venue in Las Vegas will be screened exclusively at the Sphere starting September 5. 

Pearl Jam will likely showcase impressive songs such as “Wreckage,” “Scared Of Fear,” “React, Respond,” and “Running” from their 2024 album Dark Matter when the Pearl Jam Dark Matter World Tour comes to Chicago for concerts on August 29 and 31 at Wrigley Field.

Singer-songwriter Caroline O’Boyle will perform at the Hideout Inn tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon in a benefit for Free Street Theater. The music starts at 3:30 pm; Hideout Inn is located at 1354 W. Wabansia Avenue. 

The forever-suave Roxy Music frontman and solo performer Bryan Ferry will release the 81-track Retrospective - Bryan Ferry 1973 – 2023 on October 25. Available on colored vinyl or as a 5-CD deluxe box set, it will include new and unreleased recordings, along with extensive liner notes and rare photography. It’s currently available for pre-order from his official website.

The 19th Annual Lakeview Festival Of The Arts will be held on September 14 and 15 on Chicago’s north side. Local power pop band The Spindles, who add an occasional Hollies cover to their catchy originals, are among the many live music acts scheduled to perform at the Lakeview Festival Of The Arts.

 

Steve Wynn from The Dream Syndicate has accomplished his long-time goal of writing a book, and it’s due out from Jawbone Press right about now. 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.” There are a few autographed copies left for sale on Wynn’s Bandcamp page, which is also where you can pre-order his a new solo album  Make It Right. 

Red Spot Rhythm Section, a Chicago-based band whose previous recordings offered covers of well-known songs reinvented with reggae and ska arrangements, has just released a new album titled Twilight. This time out, it’s a mix of covers and original material composed by band member Joshua Siegal. The title track was originally recorded by The Band, and there are spirited renditions of Paul Simon’s “Boy In The Bubble,” Nick Lowe’s “Peace, Love And Understanding,” and Steve Goodman’s “City Of New Orleans.” Red Spot Rhythm Section also impresses with originals such as the easy-going “Nothin,” acoustic “Never Told Her,” and the more blues-oriented “Time.” Twilight is available on Bandcamp.

Critically acclaimed band NRBQ started its nine-date, east coast tour this past Wednesday with a concert in Gloucester, MA and tonight’s gig at Broad Brook Opera House in East Windsor, CT is sold out. NRBQ has upcoming shows in Northampton, MA; New York, NY; Woodstock, NY; Natick, MA; and Plymouth, MA. 

The guitar-powered instrumental band Outronaut will be rocking out at the north side Chicago venue Beat Kitchen on August 31.

Activities of Daily Living, the most recent release from Glasgow power pop/indie rock band Aerial, is now available in CD format from by the America-based label Kool Kat Musik. In a review this past May on Broken Hearted Toy, I noted: The songwriting duo of Colin Cummings and Mackie Mackintosh once again craft clever, off-kilter lyrics set to well-crafted power pop arrangements, particularly on energetic gems such as the title track, “An Encore And A Cover Song,” and “Bad Tattoo.” 

Chicago: Home Of House, an exhibit honoring the city’s pivotal role in widespread success of house music over the past 40 years, runs through the end of October.

International Pop Overthrow - Vancouver will showcase power pop and indie rock acts on the weekend of August 29 – 31 at the Lana Lou’s venue at 362 Powell Street.

Unless you’re among the many fans who’ve already snapped up Pete Townshend’s Complete Live Albums 14-CD boxed set, you might be out of luck. The merch page on The Who’s official website currently shows the short but polite message: Sorry Sold out. Priced at a reasonable $109.80, the set offers “all the Eel Pie live shows compiled in one place,” ranging from 1985 through 2001. The songs are an impressive mix taken from Townshend’s solo efforts and classics from The Who, along with rarities. Complete Live Albums is also available in digital format on various sites.

 

The Doobie Brothers - The 2024 Tour will make a stop in Tinley Park on August 25 for a concert with special guest Steve Winwood at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheater.

Jeff Lynne’s ELO The Over And Out Tour throughout the USA kicks off tomorrow, August 24 in Palm Desert, CA and will wrap up in that same state with shows on October 23 and 25 at Sacramento and Inglewood respectively. Lynne will perform at the United Center in Chicago on September 27 and 28.

Tellin’ Tales Theatre, the Chicago-based theatre group whose mission is “to shatter barriers between the disabled & non-disabled worlds,” needs three more kids for an upcoming production of its Six Stories Up series. “If you know of middle schoolers who would like a complete theater experience, please steer them our way,” a recent Facebook post from Tellin’ Tales requested. The show is scheduled for November 8, 9, 10 & 15, 16, and 17. Anyone interested can write to Tekki@tellintales.org.

When Nick Lowe releases Indoor Safari, his first album in 11 years on September 13, it will be “POWERED BY” his long-time collaborators Los Straitjackets. He’ll hit the road with them for a fall tour starting with two nights (October 10 and 11) in New York City and ending with a pair of shows (November 2 and 3) in Minneapolis. Lowe and Los Straitjackets will play Lincoln Hall in Chicago on October 29 and 30. 

 

T Bone Burnett now has a pair of shows lined up for The Old Town School Of Folk Music this fall. He’ll perform at the venue on October 19 and October 20.

Music industry veteran Dean Brownrout will have a book release party for his No Big Deal memoir at the Marble + Rye  bar/lounge in New York on September 30.

It’s been 60 years since The Kinks released their ground-breaking single “You Really Got Me.” The Brit Invasion band is celebrating  with a 7-inch single PYE Records limited edition that’s now available for pre-order. Only 1964 copies will be created. 

Weekend Reminders

Photo from the official Debbi Peterson Facebook page.

Today’s post is focused on events taking place this weekend that I’ve mentioned previously on Broken Hearted Toy. This gives readers an extra day’s additional notice, and since the events won’t be repeated in tomorrow’s Slumgullion, helps streamline my Friday post. Slumgullion won’t be entirely new. I’ll keep mentioning upcoming events up to and including the Thursday prior to the weekend they take place.

But first, Happy Birthday to Bangles drummer Debbi Peterson. I did a phone interview with her regarding the Everything album back in 1988 for the Illinois Entertainer, and she was very informative and fun. “Some Dreams Come True,” a song she co-wrote with Walker B. Ingleheart for that album, remains one of my favorite Bangles songs. Peterson and and The Minus 5 have a cover of The Continental Drifters song “Who We Are, Where We Live” on the upcoming We are All Drifters: A Tribute To The Continental Drifters album that’s due out in late September. “Who We Are, Where We Live,” a powerful reflection on the loss of a loved one, is now available as a digital single on Bandcamp.

The Northman Riverwalk has another full weekend of live music coming up to go along with its impressive, outdoor view of downtown Chicago. Actually, depending on when you see this, you could catch the duo of singer-songwriter Al Rose and guitarist Steve Doyle from 5:00 to 7:00 pm tonight. The 321s, a new wave/post punk/Brit pop trio that’s been building a solid reputation in local venues, will perform tomorrow from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Saturday’s 6:00 pm show will feature Kerosene Stars performing original, guitar-driven power pop tunes carefully selected from albums they’ve released over the past 10 years. On Sunday, singer-songwriter Jon Goldfine, who’s well known as the bassist for the bluegrass band Henhouse Prowlers, will perform from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. The Northman Riverwalk is located on the Chicago River at 233 N. Riverwalk.

 

The Old Town School Of Folk Music will host a Fretboard Summit tomorrow through Sunday.

Described as a 3-Day Guitar Extravaganza, the event will feature Blake Mills, Joe Henry, Colin Hay, and Valerie June.

The 41st Annual Port Clinton Art Festival takes place this Saturday and Sunday in downtown Highland Park.

Guitarist Joel Paterson and pre-bebop jazz guitarist Jonathan Stout will join forces this Sunday at the Old Town School Of Folk Music. Paterson is equally at home performing jazz, Beatles songs, and depending on the season, holiday classics.

Funkadesi and Arrested Development will be the headline acts when this year’s Skokie’s Backlot Bash returns to downtown Skokie, IL tomorrow. Saturday’s live entertainment will include Woolworthy and Tonic; and Thrift Store Halo and Tributosaurus Becomes The Kinks Part 2 will perform on Sunday. As always with the Backlot Bash, admission is free.

YippieFest returns for its sixth year of freewheeling, in-person entertainment this weekend (August 23 – 25) at Chopin Theatre on Chicago’s north side. The long-running sketch/musical comedy group Famous In The Future is once again serving as host, and will perform a revue titled The Chicago Seven (Sketches) at 7:30 on Saturday. Other performers include the 420 Shakespeare comedy/improv group; standup comic Mabel Fleming; Beast Women Performance Revue; Rotate Theatre Company; an Ernie Kovacs tribute by Michael Bratta; piano player/comedian David Drazin; Masters Of Sketch skit/improv group; Bonnie Bagdon’s Mary Todd Lincoln monologue; The Mike Felton Band; Wet Pizza improv comedy group; and the live music duo Dark Room Men. The full schedule of 30-plus participants can be found on the event’s official website. All proceeds will go to charity. YippieFest is modeled after the late Mary-Arrchie Theatre’s long-running Abbie Hoffman Died For Our Sins Festival. Chopin Theatre is located at 1543 W. Division. Full disclosure: I was a member of Famous In The Future for many years.

Incoming

It will be just like they never left. V–U2, a new, immersive film featuring concert footage from U2’s extensive run at the mind-altering Sphere venue in Las Vegas, will be screened exclusively at the Sphere starting September 5. Subscribers to the band’s official website will have first crack at tickets during a pre-sale that starts tomorrow (Thursday) at 10:00 am PT.

Radio personality Richard Milne, whose multi-year stay at WXRT included hosting the Sunday night Local Anesthetic program, and serving as the station’s early morning DJ, will drop by WZRD Chicago 88.3 FM tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon. He’ll spin some songs and talk with DJ Meagan Panici between 1:00 and 3:00 pm. If WZRD isn’t available in your area, the show is available for streaming. 

Funkadesi and Arrested Development will be the headline acts this Friday when Skokie’s Backlot Bash returns to downtown Skokie, IL. Saturday’s live entertainment will include Woolworthy and Tonic; and Thrift Store Halo and Tributosaurus Becomes The Kinks Part 2 will perform on Sunday. As always with the Backlot Bash, admission is free.

Guitarist Joel Paterson and pre-bebop jazz guitarist Jonathan Stout will join forces this Sunday at the Old Town School Of Folk Music. Paterson is equally at home performing jazz, Beatles songs, and depending on the season, holiday classics.

Red Spot Rhythm Section, a Chicago-based band whose previous recordings offered covers of well-known songs reinvented with reggae and ska arrangements, has just released a new album titled Twilight. This time out, it’s a mix of covers and original material composed by band member Joshua Siegal. The title track was originally recorded by The Band, and there are also spirited renditions of Paul Simon’s “Boy In The Bubble,” Nick Lowe’s “Peace, Love And Understanding,” and Steve Goodman’s “City Of New Orleans.” Red Spot Rhythm Section also impresses with originals such as the easy-going “Nothin,” acoustic “Never Told Her,” and the more blues-oriented “Time.” Twilight is available on Bandcamp. 

Incoming

YippieFest returns for its sixth year of freewheeling, in-person entertainment this weekend (August 23 – 25) at Chopin Theatre on Chicago’s north side. The long-running sketch/musical comedy group Famous In The Future is once again serving as host, and will perform a revue titled The Chicago Seven (Sketches) at 7:30 on Saturday. Other performers include the 420 Shakespeare comedy/improv group; standup comic Mabel Fleming; Beast Women Performance Revue; Rotate Theatre Company; an Ernie Kovacs tribute by Michael Bratta; piano player/comedian David Drazin; Masters Of Sketch skit/improv group; Bonnie Bagdon’s Mary Todd Lincoln monologue; The Mike Felton Band; Wet Pizza improv comedy group; and the live music duo Dark Room Men. The full schedule of 30-plus participants can be found on the event’s official website. Proceeds will go to charity. YippieFest is modeled after the late Mary-Arrchie Theatre’s long-running Abbie Hoffman Died For Our Sins Festival. Chopin Theatre is located at 1543 W. Division. Full disclosure: I was a member of Famous In The Future for many years.

As noted by AP national writer Hillel Italie (and picked up in this past Sunday’s edition of the Chicago Sun-Times), vocalist-songwriter Maurice Williams recently passed away. Back in 1960, Williams wrote and sang the chart-topping single “Stay” with backing by The Zodiacs. It was later recorded by The Hollies, The Four Seasons, and Jackson Browne. Rock In Paradise, Maurice.

Hello there, ladies and gentlemen. The Hard Rock Casino in Rockford, IL will be have its grand opening on August 29. Hard Rock is known for displaying a huge guitar outside its venues, and this particular instrument has a distinct checkerboard pattern that honors hometown heroes Cheap Trick. Rick Nielsen was on hand for the unveiling, and the memorabilia at this particular Hard Rock will highlight Illinois, as well as global musicians.

According to a recent Instagram post from the New York Times, the mercilessly satiric The Onion website will soon return to offering a printed edition as well. The yearly $60 subscription translates to $5 per month.

Whether you drop by after work on a weekday, or at your leisure on the weekend, The Northman Riverwalk offers live music and food outdoors with an impressive view of downtown Chicago. Jackie Rob DMi, a DJ who’s well known at the House Of Blues venue for his ability to draw from various sources, will visit The Northman tomorrow (Wednesday). Thursday brings the duo of singer-songwriter Al Rose and guitarist Steve Doyle; and The 321s, an acoustic new wave/post punk/Brit pop trio that’s been building a solid reputation in local venues, will perform on Friday. At Saturday’s 6:00 pm show, Kerosene Stars will perform original, guitar-driven power pop tunes carefully selected from albums they’ve released over the past 10 years. The Northman Riverwalk is located on the Chicago River at 233 N. Riverwalk. 

There’s still time to catch a few major outdoor art events in Illinois before summer 2024 is officially over. The 41st Annual Port Clinton Art Festival takes place this Saturday and Sunday in downtown Highland Park, and the 19th Annual Lakeview Festival Of The Arts will be held on September 14 and 15 on Chicago’s north side. Local power pop band The Spindles, who add an occasional Hollies cover to their catchy originals, are among the many live music acts scheduled to perform at the Lakeview Festival Of The Arts. 

Saturday Slumgullion

Forever-suave Roxy Music frontman and solo performer Bryan Ferry will release the 81-track Retrospective - Bryan Ferry 1973 – 2023 on October 25. Available on colored vinyl or as a 5-CD deluxe box set, it will include new and unreleased recordings, along with extensive liner notes and rare photography. It’s currently available for pre-order from his official website.

EXPO ’76 has a 2:00 – 5:00 pm outdoor performance tomorrow (Sunday) at Theater On The Lake on Chicago’s lakefront. These guys have years of experience creating original music on the local club scene, and always deliver an amazing variety of material as a covers band. Theater On The Lake is located at 2401 N. DuSable Lake Shore Drive.

Jeff Lynne’s ELO The Over And Out Tour kicks off next Saturday, August 24 in Palm Desert, CA and will wrap up in that same state with shows on October 23 and 25 at Sacramento and Inglewood respectively. Lynne will perform in Chicago on September 27.

The guitar-powered instrumental band Outronaut will be rocking out at the north side Chicago venue Beat Kitchen on August 31.

 

Activities of Daily Living, the most recent release from Glasgow power pop/indie rock band Aerial, is now available in CD format from by the America-based label Kool Kat Musik. In a review this past May on Broken Hearted Toy, I noted: The songwriting duo of Colin Cummings and Mackie Mackintosh once again craft clever, off-kilter lyrics set to well-crafted power pop arrangements, particularly on energetic gems such as the title track, “An Encore And A Cover Song,” and “Bad Tattoo.” 

Chicago-based singer-songwriter Steve Dawson will start a fall tour on September 7 in St. Louis, MO. He’ll perform in his home town on September 15 and nearby suburb Arlington Heights, IL on September 28. Before any of those dates, he'll be part of the PravdaFest event at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn on August 31. Dawson recently released a video of the song “Leadville” from his latest album, Ghosts.

Unless you’re among the many fans who’ve already snapped up Pete Townshend’s Complete Live Albums 14-CD boxed set, you might be out of luck. The merch page on The Who’s official website currently shows the short but polite message: Sorry Sold out. Priced at a reasonable $109.80, the set offers “all the Eel Pie live shows compiled in one place,” ranging from 1985 through 2001. The songs are an impressive mix taken from Townshend’s solo efforts and classics from The Who, along with rarities. Complete Live Albums is also available in digital format on various sites.

 

Tellin’ Tales Theatre, the Chicago-based theatre group whose mission is “to shatter barriers between the disabled & non-disabled worlds,” needs three more kids for an upcoming production of its Six Stories Up series. “If you know of middle schoolers who would like a complete theater experience, please steer them our way,” a recent Facebook post from Tellin’ Tales requested. The show is scheduled for November 8, 9, 10 & 15, 16, and 17. Anyone interested can write to Tekki@tellintales.org

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When Nick Lowe releases Indoor Safari, his first album in 11 years on September 13, it will be “POWERED BY” his long-time collaborators Los Straitjackets. He’ll hit the road with them for a fall tour starting with two nights (October 10 and 11) in New York City and ending with a pair of shows (November 2 and 3) in Minneapolis. Lowe and Los Straitjackets will play Lincoln Hall in Chicago on October 29 and 30.

 

Chicago: Home Of House, an exhibit honoring the city’s pivotal role in widespread success of house music over the past 40 years, runs through the end of October. 

T Bone Burnett now has a pair of shows lined up for The Old Town School Of Folk Music this fall. He’ll perform at the venue on October 19 and October 20. Also at The Old Town School Of Folk Music, there will be a Fretboard Summit - A 3-Day Guitar Extravaganza featuring Blake Mills, Joe Henry, Colin Hay, and Valerie June August 23 – 25.0 see 8-6 email.

Music industry veteran Dean Brownrout will have a book release party for his No Big Deal memoir at the Marble + Rye  bar/lounge in New York on September 30.

It’s been 60 years since The Kinks releasee their ground-breaking single “You Really Got Me.” The Brit Invasion band is celebrating with a 7-inch single PYE Records limited edition that’s now available for pre-order. Only 1964 copies will be created. 

Congratulations to Gerry’s Cafe in Arlington Heights on their first anniversary. The cafe’s motto is Changing Lives One Cup At A Time and is staffed by adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. My wife Pam and I added Gerry’s Cafe to our roster of venues for hot beverages.

Fans of the late Kim Shattuck will surely want a copy of the 60-page Melanie And Kim Monday fanzine Melanie Vammen and Music Arkives have put together. It’s now available to pre-order at the Give Smart website. The first 100 copies will be numbered and signed by Vammen, and all proceeds will benefit the ALS Network.

The Bangles Japanese Singles Collection - Greatest Hits CD/DVD compilation is now available from CDJapan. Longtime Bangles fans will likely already have most of these tracks, but the DVD’s 14 music videos include three world premieres, and there’s also a 56-page booklet with lyrics in English and Japanese.

Fans of Pravda Records can celebrate the Chicago-based independent company’s 40th Anniversary over breakfast with the special mug that’s now available from on its Bandcamp page.

Critically acclaimed band NRBQ has nine shows coming up this month on the east coast, starting with an August 21 appearance in Gloucester, MA.

Blondie founding member Chris Stein’s memoir titled Under A Rock is now available from various sites. The book, which features a forward by Debbie Harry, is described by MacMillan Publishers as a “a plunge into the moments that made a giant 1980’s artistic sensation.”

The full schedule of 30-plus participants for YippieFest 2024, which will be staged at Chopin Theatre on the weekend of August 23 – 25, can now be found on the event’s official website. Long-running sketch/musical comedy group Famous In The Future is once again serving as host, and all proceeds will go to charity. YippieFest is modeled after the late Mary-Arrchie Theatre’s long-running Abbie Hoffman Died For Our Sins Festival. Chopin Theatre is located at 1543 W. Division on the city’s north side.

Pravda Records, Chicago’s longest-running independent company, has added a few more acts to its 40th Anniversary PravdaFest event taking place on August 31 at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn.One of those recent additions is The Chamber Strings, which will feature local musicians Chloe F. Orwell, Tim Fowler, Carolyn Engelmann, Anthony Illarde, Jason Walker, Ellis Clark

paying tribute to founder member, the late Kevin Junior.

Tom Toomey, long-time lead guitarist for The Zombies, has a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the final step of his latest solo album Ice Cube. The pledges range from £12 to £500; with some pretty cool perks to go with them. Ice Cube is scheduled for a November release.

White Noise And Lightning: The Best Of Continental Drifters will be released in CD and vinyl formats on September 13 via Omnivore Recordings. Fans of the Americana band, which features members of The Cowsills; The Bangles; R.E.M.; The Dream Syndicate; Hootie and the Blowfish; and The dB’s, can also look forward to an authorized biography with that same title written by musician/producer Sean Kelly. The book is due out September 27, and is being marketed alongside We Are All Drifters: A Tribute To The Continental Drifters double CD that includes renditions by Marshall Crenshaw, Debbi Peterson And The Minus 5, Steve Wynn, and Kim Richey.

Like the several people who posted tributes and condolences on social media, I was saddened to learn singer-guitarist Greg Kihn has passed away. He’s best known for the hit songs “Jeopardy” and “The Breakup Song (They Don’t Write ‘Em Like That Anymore),” and was a master at crafting catchy arrangements. Kihn was also an author. I purchased an autographed copy of his Beatles-inspired novel Rubber Soul a few years back when he was a guest at Fest For Beatles Fans - Chicago.