Slumgullion

Fans of the only band that matters will likely enjoy Manchester-based journalist Iain Key’s upcoming book All The Young Punks - A People’s History Of The Clash. Due out April 11, 2025 from Spenwood Books, it offers the point of view from numerous fans, along with photos of rare memorabilia. The UK publisher also has books on Thin Lizzy, Slade, Pink Floyd, The Who, and other bands. 

The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights, IL takes a more musical-oriented approach with its performance of A Christmas Carol than most people are used to, but the cast is consistently successful with it. Even if you’ve already seen the iconic Dickens play this year, the Metropolis version is worth checking out.

It’s still a gift even if it’s not seasonal. Aussie musician Joe Algeri has been sending people around the globe a new song each December for 24 years. Often, he takes an off-kilter view of the holiday season, but this year’s free download “Are You Ever Coming Back” is a guitar-driven garage rocker about a busted relationship. Algeri is joined by his usual international crew of  bassist-backup vocalist Herb Eimerman, drummer Stefan Johansson, lead guitarist Lars Brussel, and lead guitarist Andy J. Prinllila. “This year, we’ve all got fuzz pedals and bowl haircuts,” Algeri explains on his Bandcamp page. “Just think of it as a gift in time for the holiday season.” Thanks, Joe.

The Handcuffs have four albums worth of adventurous indie rock tunes to choose from for their Pre-New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Outtaspace venue in Berwyn on December 28. Their special guests that night will be The Vaughan Building, a self-described “bluesy garage rock band with a pslightly psychedelic twist.” I’m assuming ‘pslightly’ is spelled that way to match ‘psychedelic.’

Graham Nash has announced he’ll follow his USA spring tour next year with a series of concerts across Europe in the fall. Tickets for the UK stops on that tour, including Liverpool, London, Manchester, Glasgow, and Cardiff, are now on sale. I can’t help hoping Nash with check in with his former mates in The Hollies, at least for some tea and sharing memories.

Amazing Heeby Jeebies, a Chicago-based garage rock and rockabilly outfit that conjures tales of werewolves, mummies, and other frightful creatures, will join Kozmic Kicks and DJ Killer Diller at Livewire Lounge on Milwaukee Avenue for what’s sure to be a wild new year’s eve bash. The partying starts at 8:00 pm.

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.

Singer-guitarist Phil Angotti is well known for his tribute shows around Chicago (Beatles, Bee Gees, Zombies, etc.) but has also released a series of albums of his own well-crafted pop songs. He has a new single available to download on his Bandcamp page. “False Alarm” is mid-tempo effort with clever lyrics and more of a soulful feel than we’re used to hearing from him.

Because the night will belong to Patti. Several highly regarded musicians, including Michael Stipe, Matt Berninger, Courtney Barnett, Sharon Van Etten, Alison Mosshart, Kronos Quartet, Ben Harper, Karen O, and Kim Gordon will take part in the People Have The Power - A Celebration Of  Patti Smith being held on March 26 at the Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage At Carnegie Hall. As noted on the official R.E.M. Facebook page, the event is part of the 20th annual Music Of benefit series, and all of net profits will go to fund music education for underserved youth.

Fans who can’t make the trip to New York can get their Patti Smith fix with the recently released book Patti Smith: Before Easter After. Originally released as a limited edition that sold for $1,000, this collection of “hundreds of rarely seen images” taken by critically acclaimed photographer Lynn Goldsmith is now available to the general public for the list price of $65.00.

My nephew Chef Joe Flamm of Rose Mary restaurant and Top Chef TV fame, recently opened a new restaurant in the Fulton Market area. Named il Carciofo, it offers a consistently adventurous approach to cuisine inspired by the restaurants and markets of Rome. For patrons who need help navigating the Italian options on the menu, il Carciofo’s staff is happy to provide expert information and advice.

New Zealand masters of melodies and complicated subject matter The Chills will travel back in time for Spring Board: The Early Unrecorded Songs. Scheduled to release on February 25, it’s currently available to pre-order as a download or gold vinyl double LP via The Chills Bandcamp page. Check out the one-song preview “If This World Was Made For Me” and you’ll be hooked.

The Des Plaines Theatre in Des Plaines, IL will hold its first Indie Music event on Tuesday, December 17.  The lineup will be Americana rock performer Richard Bandini; the guitar-driven Capra Brothers; power pop band The Spindles; and country rockers Ryan Craig Band.

The Lost Record, a collection of songs Susanna Hoffs recorded with Charlotte Caffey and Jane Wiedlin from The Go-Go’s in her garage back in 1999, is now available on Bandcamp, Amazon, and other streaming sites. (Musicians Bill Bottrell, Brian MacLeod, and Dan Schwartz also contributed to the 10 tracks.)

Author Jennifer Otter Bickerdike’s book Eternal Flame - The Authorized Biography Of The Bangles, which is due out in February 2025, is now available for pre-order on various sites.

The 2024 Chris and Heather’s Country Calendar Show at FitzGerald’s In Berwyn, IL will take place on December 21. Andrew Sa; Jodee Lewis; Zachary Stevenson and The Oh Boys; Dave Drazin; Phil Angotti; Nora O’Connor; The Hushdrops; Jane Baxter Miller and Kent Kessler; Casey McDonough; Hillbilly Frolic; Scott Ligon and Kelly Hogan; and The Saturn Kings will be the entertainers joining Chris Ligon and Heather McAdams. Each local act will cover a well-known country or rock act.

Dave Drazin, who’s among the Chris And Heather event performers mentioned above, was a founding members of The Famous In The Future comedy group. FIF will present A Judy Christmas on the weekend of December 20 – 22 at The Den Theatre in Chicago. The parody of vintage TV holiday specials is back for its third year, having sold out a major portion of its weekend shows in 2023 and 2022. Tickets ($22 – $25) are available via the Famous In The Future website. Full disclosure: Like Dave, I was once a member of Famous In The Future.

Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol, currently running at the Studebaker Theater / Fine Arts Building through December 29, also offers an adventurous take on a holiday favorite. The plot concerns a widow attempting to carry on her husband’s annual Christmas Carol puppet show, but getting caught up in her own interpretation. The production involves “handmade puppets, immersive sound design, and live music.”