Slumgullion

If your calendar is clear for May 2025 and you live in the UK or are able to travel there, you could catch one of the concerts on the Supergrass I Should Coco 30th Anniversary Tour. Here’s a sample of what I wrote in an Illinois Entertainer review of this album back when it was first released: Hailing from Oxford, England, the trio follows in the high-energy tradition of The Undertones and Buzzcocks. The album kicks off with a rollicking quest for a fun night out, “I’d Like To Know,” which features the highest harmony vocals this side of Lou Christie. Supergrass rips through a number of energetic gems, such as “Caught By The Law,” “Lose It,” “Strange Ones,” and “Lenny.” They cap off this flawless effort with “Time To Go,” an acoustic Syd Barrett style charmer that could become the ‘Last Call’ song for bars. Like a night spent in an English pub, I Should Coco is a blast of eccentric fun. 

Welcome to everyone who’s arrived in Chicago for Riot Fest this weekend. The annual indie rock music event wound up back at Douglass Park after all, and will feature several high-profile acts, such as St. Vincent; Spoon; The Hives; Pavement; Beck; Buzzcocks; Cypress Hill; Beach Bunny; Public Enemy; and The Dickies.

Jeff Lynne’s ELO The Over And Out Tour will make a stop next Friday and Saturday (September 27 and 28) at the United Center in Chicago. The tour will wrap up in California with shows on October 23 and 25 at Sacramento and Inglewood respectively.

There will be a double bill of Material Issue (with Phil Angotti as lead vocalist-guitarist) and Tamar Berk, along with a special appearance by Starball at the Chicago north side venue Lincoln Hall next Saturday night, September 28.

Chicago Live! will offer over 100 performances across five stages at Navy Pier tomorrow and Sunday and each one will be free to the public. Every imaginable genre will be represented, including Jeff Tweedy from Wilco; Chicago Sinfonietta; Chicago Repertory Ballet; Trinity Irish Dance Company; Porchlight Music Theatre; Black Ensemble Theater; Dee Alexander; Second City; Linda Clifford; Delmark Records All-Stars; Chicago Samba; Chicago Philharmonic; Hubbard Street Dance Chicago; Chicago Shakespeare Theater; Teatro ZinZanni; Tellin’ Tales Theatre; Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre; Liquid Soul; DJ Readerz; and Chicago Children’s Theater. The entertainment starts at noon each day.

Congratulations to the always inventive PJ Harvey on selling out her September 30 concert at The Salt Shed here in Chicago. It’s her first American tour in quite a while.

Twisted Dream Machine - The Paisley Underground - California’s Psychedelic Renaissance: 1982-1986 is now available to preorder as a double-LP or CD Digipak from the Futurismo site. It’s the next volume in Futurismo's Altered Vision compilation series, and features tracks by The Three O’Clock, The Rain Parade, True West, The Bangles, Thin White Rope, Game Theory, The Dream Syndicate, The Long Ryders, Green On Red, 28th Day, The Pandoras, and Wednesday Week.

 

The World Music Festival opened today and will run through September 29 at various Chicago venues.

Monty Python members Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam have raised over half of the £120,000 they need in their GoFundMe campaign to finance an effort to erect a statue honoring late Python member Terry Jones on the promenade in his home town of Colwyn Bay in Wales. Those interested in helping A Python On The Prom campaign reach its goal can donate at the official GoFundMe page. Fans can also help the cause by purchasing a t-shirt.

This year’s Phil Angotti and Friends John Lennon Birthday Bash will take place at Martyrs’ on October 5. As in recent years, the event will be divided into an afternoon show and an evening show, with the total numbers of songs adding up to 84. Martyrs’ is located at 3855 N. Lincoln Avenue.

The OHANA Festival takes place next weekend, September 27 – 29, in Dana Point, CA. The impressive lineup includes Pearl Jam; Garbage; Crowded House; Neil Young with Crazy Horse; Black Pumas; Jenny Lewis; Cat Power Sings Dylan 66; Alanis Morissette; The Breeders; and Kim Gordon.

 

Reeling 2024 - The 42nd Chicago LGBTO + International Film Festival, a production of Chicago Filmmakers, started last night and will run through October 6 at various venues around the city.

The Zombies’ 2024 Begin Here Festival, which takes place November 8 – 10 in St. Albans in the UK, will include a Tribute To Rod Argent on November 9. The longtime keyboards player/songwriter gave up live performances after recently experiencing a stroke, but will continue to record with the band. The tribute will include special guests Russ Ballard, Tanita Tikaram, Danny Mattin, Millies Riquelme, Hugh Grundy and Chris White.

The 10th Annual Irish American Movie Hooley will run next weekend (September 27 – 29) at the Willamette Theatre in Willamette, IL.

A new album titled Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young Live At Fillmore East, 1969, which is being described as “a newly discovered multi-track recording,” will be released in CD and double LP formats on Oct. 25. It’s currently available to pre-order from Rhino Records. Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young Live At Fillmore East, 1969 will also be available in digital format.

The new musical Ain’t Too Proud - The Life And Times Of The Temptations will run September 24 – 29 at the CIBC Theatre in downtown Chicago.

Thank You For The Days - Fans of The Kinks Share 60 Years Of Stories, a new book edited by Chris Kocher, will be available from Sonicbond Publishing in England on November 29, and in America on January 31. The collection includes a preface by band members Ray and Dave Davies and Mick Avory.

As recently noted by Albert Williams on the Chicago, Theatre Capital of America: Past. Present. Future. Facebook page, Matt Fotis has just released his new book Fifty Key Improv Performers: Actors, Troupes, and Schools from Theatre, Film, and TV. Several key comedic/theatrical figures are covered, including Viola Spolin, Del Close, Charna Halpern Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Mick Napier.

   

Issue 19 of the very cool Pittsburgh-based alternative rock publication Second Scene can be purchased for $7 (plus shipping) on its Bandcamp page. This issue features stories on The Telescopes, Vince Melouney, Amy Rigby, and several other musicians.

The Marky Ramone Plays The Ramones Classics show will take place at Bottom Lounge in Chicago’s West Loop next Friday, September 27. Musician/author/media personality Marky Ramone played drums with The Ramones for 15 years after replacing original member Tommy Ramone, so there’s no doubt he knows pretty their stuff.

Aussie garage rockers Hoodoo Gurus are currently touring the U.S.A., and they’re performing tomorrow night at the Gothic Theatre in Englewood, CO. Other cities left on the tour include Salt Lake City, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

The Chicago-based alt rock band Smoking Popes plan to release a Live-In-Studio 30th Anniversary vinyl edition of their second album Born To Quit on September 27. 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 Matthew Sweet Acoustic Trio Tour begins October 1 in Des Moines, Iowa and will travel extensively around America through November 16, with a show in Seattle. Sweet will be joined by Paul Chastain and Adrian Carter, who along with playing instruments, will join him for lots of three-part harmonies. For some of the dates, including October 6 in Chicago show, the trio will be opening for Hanson.

Chicago’s iconic punk band The Effigies has a show coming up next Friday night, September 27th at Red Rooster in Madison, WI, followed by one on the next night at Mary’s Place in Rockford, IL. Their fifth album, Burned, which was recorded shortly before we lost founding member John Kezdy in a bicycle accident, has an October 25 release date. The hard-hitting single “Cede The City” is available as a preview on various streaming sites.

Trouser Press Books will offer new editions of two previously released rock and roll books on October 15. This Ain’t No Disco combines Roman Kozak’s prose with Ebet Robert’s photography to capture the unbridled atmosphere of the CBGB rock club. Robert Sellers and Nick Pendleton co-author a look at one of London’s most swinging music venues with Marquee. Both books will be available for pre-sale soon; see the official Trouser Press website for details.

 

The Fleshtones are coming to FitzGerald’s in Berwyn on November 8. The long-time, critically acclaimed garage rockers will no doubt feature songs from their latest supernatural-influenced album Face Of The Screaming Werewolf. That evening will also feature Chicago area favorites, New Duncan Imperials (celebrating their 35th year) and The Handcuffs.

Legendary rhythm and blues vocalist Mavis Staples has an 85th Hometown Birthday Celebration coming up on December 6 at The Auditorium Theatre in downtown Chicago. That’s five months after her actual 85th birthday, but it’s not likely anyone will complain. The event is part of the 93XRT Fall Jam Series, and will feature special guest sets by Jackson Browne and Margo Price.

Congratulations to producers Judy Simonds and Clancy Carroll, and director/editor Doug LaValliere on the success of their Taking The City By Storm - The Birth Of Milwaukee’s Punk Scene. The limited-edition DVD has completely sold out, except for a few copies that will be available in select Milwaukee record stores.

Soundtrack Serenade, the self-described “Chicago-Based Eclectic Cover Band,” will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the cult classic Pulp Fiction on October 22 at Montrose Saloon on the city’s north side.

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.

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.

 

Steve Wynn from The Dream Syndicate is now also an author, with a memoir titled I Wouldn't Say It If It Wasn't True that’s available from Jawbone Press. Copies are available on Wynn’s Bandcamp page, which is also where you can pre-order his a new solo album Make It Right.

 

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.

Harry Potter And The Cursed Child has started its run at the James M. Nederlander Theatre in downtown Chicago, and will run through the beginning of February, 2025.