Cheers, Mate.
Here’s another holiday idea for those who fancy a gift from the rock and roll world. The Kinks are offering a “brand new bespoke tea collection,” which means fans can buy loose leaf tea in decorative canisters inspired by the band’s songs. I chose the Victoria blend.
Some bands are much better at stocking their online shops than others. If you have a fan of The Beatles; The Who; The Rolling Stones; Tom Petty; The Kinks; The Zombies; or David Bowie on your gift list, you’ll find plenty to choose from. I’ll sprinkle in a few other gift ideas throughout this post.
Pravda Records has a 40th Anniversary Showcase and Whiskey Rye Release event coming up on December 7 at the Judson & Moore venue. Pravda label mates Steve Dawson and The Handcuffs will share a bill that kicks off at 8:00 pm. Judson & Moore is located at 3057 N. Rockwell in Chicago.
Jack White will start his massive 2025 Canada/USA/Japan No Name Tour on February 6 in Toronto, and he’ll have dates at The Salt Shed in Chicago on April 10 and 11.
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. The event is part of the 93XRT Fall Jam Series, and will feature special guest sets by Jackson Browne and Margo Price.
NRBQ has six east coast performances coming up, starting with The Warehouse FTC in Fairfield, CT on December 11. The other stops are in Norfolk, CT; Fall River, MA; Shirley, MA; New York, NY; and Northampton, MA.
The always authentic and impressive tribute band Tributosaurus will become David Bowie on December 5 and 6 at Martyrs’ on Lincoln Avenue in Chicago, and will hold The Christmas Spectacular on December 21 at SPACE in Evanston.
Subscriptions can also be a fun option for gift giving. I subscribe to MOJO, and order special editions of Shindig and Goldmine. Supporting local publications, such as The Reader in Chicago, is another creative option. Issues of Second Scene, the Pittsburgh-based based indie rock paper, can be purchased on its Bandcamp page.
An Acoustic Christmas with Over The Rhine featuring the critically acclaimed Americana band from Ohio will take place at the Old Town School Of Folk Music on December 5.
Chicago area glam rockers The Artist Formally Known As Vince, or TAFKAVince as they’re more commonly known, have just released “a new homemade low budget video” for their hard-hitting and adventurous song “A Problematic Opera.”
Singer-guitarist Joe Di Zillo, whose recent album Bringing It Back earned praise here on BHT for its catchy, energetic arrangements and clever lyrics, has a free, all-ages show coming up on December 6 at Sketchbook Brewing in Skokie.
Fans of the adventurous prog rock UK label Fruits de Mer Records regularly releases should check out the 53-minute Custard Flux - Live at the 20th Dream of Dr. Sardonicus Festival that’s now available on Bandcamp. The festival is a yearly event in Cardigan,Wales created by Fruits de Mer; hosted by the Sendelica band and the Cellar Bar; and sponsored by Record Collector magazine. Custard Flux is a Yank band that makes the trek overseas, and this new effort features songs such as “Burning In The Sun,” “Transmutation,” and “Right Now Here In Time.” All for just $10.
Andrew Robert Palmer, who has released solo albums as ARP! and with his sister Becca Palmer as the Chicago alt rock duo Mother Z’s, has a new solo EP titled Letters to the Moon coming out on January 13. The four-track effort (two power pop/two acoustic) will be available on his Bandcamp page. In the meantime, you can check out the previous releases he’s posted there.
The Fest For Beatles Fans 2025 NY Metro Fest will take place at The Hyatt Regency Jersey City on March 28 – 30, and special guests will include Jim McCarty from The Yardbirds and Colin Hanton from The Quarrymen. Performers on the Apple Jam Stage will include Phil Angotti from Chicago. Congratulations to Phil on his first time being invited out to the Big Apple Fest.
Lee Ketch from the Chicago-based indie rock band Mooner has just released more solo material on his Bandcamp page. This time out, he covers a pair of songs originally recorded by one of his favorite groups, Office Culture. “A Word” and “Was I Cruel” are engaging, acoustic-based ballads. Proceeds will be donated to Nourishing Hope Food Pantry, Chicago, IL.Ketch has a gig coming up at Constellation on January 9.
So, how about some reading material for that special person this holiday? Trouser Press Books offers The Best Of Trouser Press Magazine - 1974 – 1984; This Ain’t No Disco, which captures the unbridled atmosphere of New York’s CBGB rock club; and Marquee, a look at one of swinging London’s most famous clubs. Other options include Neko Case's new memoir The Harder I Fight the More I Love You; music industry veteran Dean Brownrout’s No Big Deal; journalist/public relations specialist Cary Baker’s Down on the Corner: Adventures in Busking & Street Music; The Flip Side: Where Chicago Rocked, which delves into the history of the retail chain; and Mark Guarino's Country and Midwestern: Chicago in the History of Country Music and the Folk Revival.
Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve have a 15-date In Concert Tour USA 2025 kicking off on February 19 in Easton, PA. The tour wraps up in Chicago on March 11, 12, and 14. Those three shows at the Park West will features Costello and Nieve joined by a full band.
There will be a triple bill of Van Go, The Second Summer, and Dam Destroyers (formerly The Red Wigglers) on December 14 at The Gallery on December 14. Admission is free. All three acts have performed at International Pop Overthrow - Chicago.
Former Chicago area and now Greenville, SC musician Chris Cerasoli has found success this past year with a pair of melodic, indie rock singles he released as The chrisVandalay Project. His most recent, “Your Favorite War,” is included on the multi-track Caverns of Gold compilation, which benefits Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. Other artists involved include Left Over Salmon: R.E.M.; North Mississippi Allstars; Luscious Jackson; The Mekons; BoDeans; and The Feelies. The chrisVandalay Project’ earlier release was “Better Than Before.” Both The chrisVandalay Project songs are available on various streaming sites.
The Mekons recently released a new song titled “You’re Not Singing Anymore” and they have an extensive tour coming in 2025 that will include performances at the Square Roots Festival in Chicago and at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL.
Chicago guitarist-vocalist Dag Juhlin The Slugs, Sunshine Boys, EXPO ’76, Sonic45, etc, now has Bandcamp page that’s dedicated to his solo recordings. The 27-track situations digital album is described as, “written, performed and recorded by Dag Juhlin.” The other six digital albums on Juhlin’s Bandcamp page are pretty much just him, with an occasional musician helping out.
The Toronto-based co-ed quintet Alvvays has released a 10th anniversary edition of its self-titled debut on Cerulean in Cloudy Clear vinyl that includes the previously unreleased track “Underneath Us.” The album also includes a poster print of hand drawn art by Canadian musician/artist Chad VanGaalen.
Stompin’ Grounds Cafe in Lake Zurich, IL will offer live music by the Face N Time band on December 11 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
Shindig, the British magazine that does a fab job looking back at everything people loved about the 1960s (or would have loved if they had lived through them) has another Montage Collector’s Edition issue on the way. This one’s titled The American Psychedelic Explosion 1965 – 71, and offers a 128-page “carefully curated collection of articles originally published between 2010-2017.”
Chicago: Home Of House, an exhibit honoring the city’s pivotal role in the widespread success of house music, has been extended on Navy Pier through December 15. Admission is free.
The Spindles will perform at the Des Plaines Theatre’s on December 17 as part of the venue’s new Indie Rock Night series. The Arcada in St. Charles, IL will also have Indie Rock nights.
Vocalist Kate Fagan’s long career on the Chicago alt rock scene started with BB Spin although she’s better known for fronting the ska band Heavy Manners. She also recorded the popular single “I Don’t Wanna Be Too Cool.” She’s still active these days, as demonstrated by her latest release “2 Good 2 B True.” Co-written by Fagan and guitarist Jeremy Joyce, the song sets reflections on a romance gone sour to an engaging, mid-tempo arrangement.
