Slumgullion

Here’s an item that should have been included in yesterday’s Weekend Reminders post. Several modern-day performers will gather at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, IL tomorrow night to recreate The Band’s 1976 farewell extravaganza The Last Waltz. Participants include Joe Pug; Corky Siegel; Mud Morganfield; Rick Kreher; Nicholas Tremulis; Lauren Jelencovich; Shaun Hague; Josh and Erika from The Empty Pockets; Gerald McClendon; LaShera Moore; Nycee Butler; Jasmine Beamon; and the Soundtracks of a Generation house band.

Well done, mate. Mick Jagger surprised the students at Dartford Grammar School in Kent—which he attended as a lad—by dropping by for a visit. The occasion was the 25th anniversary of The Mick Jagger Centre at the school, a program he helped create to help kids hoping for a career in music.

Fans of the BoDeans can be grateful to City Winery Chicago for offering four opportunities to catch them over the Thanksgiving weekend. The Wisconsin alt rock/Americana band has one show on November 28, two shows on November 29, and one show on November 30. Over the years, the BoDeans have given us gems such as “Closer To Free,” “Fadeaway,” and “Good Things.” 

The 45th Annual John Lennon Tribute - Benefit For Theatre Within will take place at the Town Hall venue in New York on December 12. Judy Collins will be given this year’s John Lennon Real Love Award and perform a few Lennon and Beatles songs. The other musicians who’ll participate are Graham Nash; Suzanne Vega; Shawn Colvin; Jimmy Webb; Valerie June; Yola; Livingston Taylor; Willie Nile; Lucy Kaplansky; and The Kennedys. Joe Raiola will host the event, with Rich Pagano serving as Musical Director. 

Looks like Graham Nash has no intention of slowing down in 2026. He recently announced the schedule for his Live On Tour 2026, with dates from April 4 though May 2. So far, there are no stops in Chicago.

Kartemquin Films will present the Diverse Voices In Docs Culminating Event And Showcase at 6:00 pm on December 5 at Collaboration Theater on Chicago’s north side.

The first volume of an enhanced and fully rewritten edition of Doug Hinman’s 2004 book The Kinks - All Day And All Of The Night - The Day-By-Day Story Pt. 1: 1940 - 1971 is now available to pre-order from Beatland Books. P.S. This publisher also really digs The Monkees.

The adventurous seven-piece Chicago band McLuhan and the edgy acid/political folk duo Esmeralda’s Boys will share the bill at Phyllis’ Musical Inn on November 30. In addition to performing their own material—including the brand new single “The Biker In The Park”—McLuhan will play covers of songs by Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, and Social Distortion. There’s no cover charge, but management suggests a $15donation. Phyllis’ Musical Inn is located at 1800 W. Division Street.

Patti Smith was recently in town for a pair of well-received Chicago Theatre concerts as part of the 50th anniversary of her groundbreaking debut album Horses. She also has upcoming book events promoting her Bread Of Angels memoir from November through January. 

The Tributosaurus Becomes Supertramp events on December 4 and 5 at Martyrs’ will feature the well-known Chicago tribute band performing songs such as “Give a Little Bit,” “Goodbye Stranger,” and “Bloody Well Right” at the Lincoln Avenue venue.

An exhibition titled The Continental Posters (1982 – 83) - Selections from Dean Brownrout opened this past Wednesday at The Fitz Books store in Buffalo, NY and will run through December 12, 2025. The posters on display will be from Brownrout’s private collection and focus on acts such as Billy Idol, The Fleshtones, and The Dream Syndicate that performed at the Buffalo, NY venue The Continental. Brownrout booked bands at the club back then, before moving on New York, where he founded the Big Deal rock record label. He offers a fun and informative look back in his recently released book No Big Deal -  Chasing the indie music dream in the last days of the record business. Fitz Books is located at 1462 Main Street in Buffalo.

The Black Ensemble Theatre, which has presented several well-crafted and critically acclaimed musicals over the years, will perform A Black Ensemble Holiday Spectacular from December 6 through 14. As noted in freelance writer Emily McClanahan’s extensive preview of holiday events in yesterday’s Chicago Tribune, A Black Ensemble Holiday Spectacular will offer a blend of traditional, gospel, and modern music.

How about some psychedelic mind-bending music for the holidays? Custard  Flux, AKA musician Gregory Curvey, a veteran of the Chicago-based prog rock band The Luck Of Eden Hall, has a gig scheduled for December 28 at Montrose Saloon on Chicago’s north side. Custard Flux is noted for his adventurous albums, with the most recent being Enter Xenon.

Next week’s Black Friday Rock And Roll Bash (also referred to as the Turkey Sandwich Day Bash) at LiveWire on Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago will feature The Midnight Calls; TAFKAVince Band and Viceroy. The music starts at 9:00 pm.

Something for every prog rock fan’s holiday wish list: Pink Floyd’s 50th anniversary edition of Wish You Were Here, AKA Wish You Were Here 50, drops on December 12 in 2CD, 3LP, and a deluxe box formats.

Erich Specht from Push Puppets and Steve Frisbie, who’s recorded with Push Puppets in addition to recording with his own band Frisbie, will perform as a duo at the Hey Nonny venue in Arlington Heights, IL on November 26.

Paul McCartney’s new autobiographical book Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run, edited by well-known biography author Ted Widmer, is now available. Meanwhile, McCartney will wrap up his Got Back North American Tour 2025 in style with concerts at Chicago’s United Center on November 24 and 25.

The John And Yoko/Plastic Ono Band with Elephant’s Memory and Special Guests Live At The One To One Concert box set is now available from various sites. Recorded live at Madison Square Garden in New York City on August 30, 1972, the concert is available in 9 CD + 3 Blu-Ray Boxset; 4 LP; 2 CD; 2 LP, and 1 CD formats. 

In the fine tradition of Chicago area musicians paying homage to adventurous British acts, Reggies Chicago will host Indiscipline: A Tribute To The Music Of King Crimson on December 6. The show will cover King Crimson “In All Eras: Lake, Wetton And Belew.” Reggies Chicago is located south of the Loop, at 2105 S. State Street, and this production will be staged in the Comedy Shack.

The Easter And Gang Play Let’s Active concert, led by Let’s Active founding member Mitch Easter, taking place on November 29 at The Ramkat in Winston - Salem, NC is now sold out. The band’s entire catalog was newly remastered and will be released on streaming sites later this month.

Ratboys, the Chicago-based indie rock band whose 2023 album The Window made quite an impression with local fans and the media, have a new album coming out on February 6. Singin’ To An Empty Chair is available for pre-order on the Ratboys Bandcamp page; and the two tracks already available —“Light Night Mountains All That” and “Anywhere”—are both impressive.

Wicked Cool Records and Little Steven’s Underground Garage will present The Chesterfield Kings Christmas Show with special guests The Grip Weeds on December 13 at Iron Smoke Distillery in Fairport, NY.

Henry Diltz, one of rock music’s most successful photographers, will present Once Upon A Troubadour - A Slideshow And Story-Telling Experience Of The Photographs That Made Music History By The Man Who Took Them at the Troubadour in Los Angeles on December 9.

Tickets are now on sale for The Smithereens with Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill concert at The Des Plaines Theatre in Des Plaines, IL on March 6. Cowsill and Peterson, who released an album together earlier this year, have become regular guests at live gigs by The Smithereens.

Aimee Mann and Ted Leo successfully collaborate on indie rock songs from time to time, and they also enjoy spreading holiday cheer. Tickets are now on sale for their Aimee Mann and Ted Leo Christmas Show! with Paul F. Tompkins, Nellie McKay and Josh Gondelman. It kicks off on November 28 at City Winery New York, and will include shows in Chicago on December.

Weekend Reminders

Photo of Billy Corgan from the official Lyric Opera Of Chicago Facebook page.

Performances of The Lyric Opera Of Chicago’s A Night Of Mellon Collie And Infinite Sadness start tomorrow and will run through November 30. Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan worked with Lyric boss John Mangum on creating a piece “based on arranged and orchestrated music” from the Smashing Pumpkins’ Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness album.

Paul McCartney’s Got Back North American Tour 2025 will make one of its last stops with a concert in Hamilton, ON tomorrow night.

The Chicago-based, freewheeling covers band EXPO ’76 will stage the last of a series of record release parties for their official debut album Hot In The Dark this Sunday at Evanston SPACE. The music starts at 7:00 pm. Hot In The Dark is a fun record that reflects the variety of styles this band covers, including from Al Hirt’s “Java”and Ernie K-Doe blues classic “A Certain Girl.”

International Pop Overthrow - Toronto, the very last IPO event for 2025, will take place from tomorrow through Sunday at The Painted Lady venue. Twenty acts will perform; there are afternoon and evening showcases on Saturday. Congratulations to International Pop Overthrow founder David Bash on another trip around the globe.

The Western Elstons, the Chicago band featuring well-known local players Casey McDonough, Scott Ligon, Joel Paterson, and Alex Hall, have a gig coming up tomorrow at Robert’s Westside venue in downtown Forest Park.

The Gram Fest - Cosmic American Music Festival is taking place this Saturday at the Joshua Tree Cultural Center - Blak Box Theater in Joshua Tree, CA. Performers at this salute to the late country rock legend Gram Parsons include Sin City All Stars with special guests Jonny Kaplan And Friends, plus numerous other acts.

Chicago-based band whitewolfsonicprincess, which describes its approach as 21st century druid music, will share a bill with Dark Room Men at Cary’s Lounge this Saturday. The venue is located at 2251 W. Devon on the city’s far north side.

Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan’s 2025 North American tour in support of her recently released Better Broken album will stop at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago this Saturday.

WGN Radio’s cultural- and civic-minded program Outside The Loop will celebrate its 1,000th episode with a live taping at the FitzGerald’s venue in Berwyn, IL this Saturday from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. Admission is free with RSVP. Singer-songwriter AJ Rosales, who recently released the impressive new album Phasedrift, will be a featured guest.

Four Chicago area bands who’ve long shared the goal of creating their own brand of catchy rock and roll will share billing at Montrose Saloon this Saturday night. If my memory is correct, Otter Petter, Golden Richards, The Spindles, and Rolling Numbers are all veterans of International Pop Overthrow - Chicago.

Another VU, the Chicago-based band that performs 1969-era Velvet Underground songs, has a gig coming up this Sunday at Simon’s Tavern on the north side.

Incoming

Photo of Jim Babjak from the official Jim Babjak Facebook page.

Happy Birthday to Jim Babjak, guitarist-vocalist-founding member of The Smithereens, and all-around nice guy. I’ve been to a number of Smithereens shows where the musicians came out afterward to meet with fans and sign autographs. The Smithereens, with Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill, have a concert coming up at The Des Plaines Theatre in Des Plaines, IL on March 6.

Also Happy Birthday to Emily Togni, the long-time bassist-backing vocalist for The Handcuffs. She’s performed on three of the Chicago-based indie rock band’s four albums, and will likely play a role on the upcoming one.

And, a hearty welcome to Patti Smith. She and her band are in town for a pair of concerts at the Chicago Theatre. Tonight’s show has sold out, but there may be tickets left for the one tomorrow. Smith has been celebrating the 50th anniversary of her groundbreaking debut album Horses, and also has upcoming book events promoting her Bread Of Angels memoir from November through January.

As noted today on the official Cheap Trick Facebook page, the band will kick off its 2026 All Washed Up Tour in Madison, WI on January 24. Twenty more concerts will follow, stretching through April 25, but so far none of them are in Illinois. There are three TBAs on the schedule, but it doesn’t seem like Chicago or Rockford could conveniently fit into those open spots.

The Western Elstons, the Chicago band featuring well-known local players Casey McDonough, Scott Ligon, Joel Paterson, and Alex Hall, have a gig coming up this Friday at Robert’s Westside venue in downtown Forest Park.

The Gram Fest - Cosmic American Music Festival is taking place this Saturday at the Joshua Tree Cultural Center - Blak Box Theater in Joshua Tree, CA. Performers at this salute to the late country rock legend Gram Parsons include Sin City All Stars with special guests Jonny Kaplan And Friends, plus numerous other acts.

Chicago-based band whitewolfsonicprincess, which describes its approach as 21st century druid music, will share a bill with Dark Room Men at Cary’s Lounge this Saturday. The venue is located at 2251 W. Devon on the city’s far north side.

International Pop Overthrow - Toronto, the very last IPO event for 2025, takes place this Friday through Sunday at The Painted Lady venue. Twenty acts will perform; there are afternoon and evening showcases on Saturday.

Performances of The Lyric Opera Of Chicago’s Night Of Mellon Collie And Infinite Sadness start this Friday and will run through November 30. Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan worked with Lyric boss John Mangum on creating a piece “based on arranged and orchestrated music” from the Smashing Pumpkins’ Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness album.

Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan’s 2025 North American tour in support of her recently released Better Broken album will stop at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago this Saturday.

Another VU, the Chicago-based band that performs 1969-era Velvet Underground songs, has a gig coming up this Sunday at Simon’s Tavern on the north side.

The Saint Rocke venue in Hermosa Beach, CA has a fun double bill of Flamin Groovies and The Pandoras coming up on this Wednesday night.

Four Chicago area bands who’ve long shared the goal of creating their own brand of catchy rock and roll will share billing at Montrose Saloon this Saturday night. If my memory is correct, Otter Petter, Golden Richards, The Spindles, and Rolling Numbers are all veterans of International Pop Overthrow - Chicago.

WGN Radio’s cultural- and civic-minded program Outside The Loop will celebrate its 1,000th episode with a live taping at the FitzGerald’s venue in Berwyn, IL this Saturday from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. Admission is free with RSVP. Singer-songwriter AJ Rosales, who recently released the impressive new album Phasedrift, will be a featured guest.

Slumgullion

Before getting on with today’s treasure chest of entertainment information, let’s take a moment to extend Happy Birthday wishes to three well-deserving individuals:

First, there’s Chicago musician Dag Juhlin, whose recording career stretches at least as far back as The Slugs’1988 non-stop holiday album on Pravda Records (I still have my copy) and up to his current adventurous solo outings on Bandcamp. He’s a member of Sunshine Boys, EXPO ’76, numerous other bands, and has traveled the world with the Michael Shannon, Jason Narducy and friends play R.E.M. tours.

Second is Illinois bred rock and roll journalist turned IRS Records publicist Cary Baker. He retired after years of providing PR for the I.R.S. roster of stars, and has kept busy in retirement by writing the book Down On The Corner - Adventures In Busking And Street Music.

And third is Toledo, OH bass player Derrick Anderson, who started out with the band The Andersons, before joining several well-known acts on the road. I’ve seen him perform with The Bangles and The Smithereens, and he’s also toured with Dave Davies from The Kinks; Matthew Sweet; and Marshall Crenshaw. He released the impressive solo album A World Of My Own.

Happy Birthday to Dag, Cary, and Derrick. 

The 45th Annual John Lennon Tribute - Benefit For Theatre Within will take place at the Town Hall venue in New York on December 12. Judy Collins will be given this year’s John Lennon Real Love Award and perform a few  Lennon and Beatles songs. The other musicians who’ll participate are Graham Nash; Suzanne Vega; Shawn Colvin; Jimmy Webb; Valerie June, Yola; Livingston Taylor; Willie Nile; Lucy Kaplansky and The Kennedys. Joe Raiola will host the event, with Rich Pagano serving as Musical Director. 

Looks like Graham Nash has no intention of slowing down in 2026. He recently announced the schedule for his Live On Tour 2026, with dates from April 4 though May 2. So far, there are no stops in Chicago.

The Western Elstons, the Chicago band featuring well-known local players Casey McDonough, Scott Ligon, Joel Paterson, and Alex Hall, have a gig coming up at Robert’s Westside venue in downtown Forest Park on November 21.

The Fitz Books store in Buffalo, NY will present an exhibition titled The Continental Posters (1982 – 83) - Selections from Dean Brownrout November 19  – December 12, 2025. The posters on display will be from Brownrout’s private collection and focus on acts such as Billy Idol, The Fleshtones, and The Dream Syndicate that performed at the Buffalo, NY venue The Continental. Brownrout booked bands at the club back then, before moving on New York, where he founded the Big Deal rock record label. He offers a fun and informative look back in his recently released book No Big Deal -  Chasing the indie music dream in the last days of the record business. Fitz Books is located at 1462 Main Street in Buffalo.

How about some psychedelic mind-bending music for the holidays? Custard  Flux, AKA musician Gregory Curvey, a veteran of the Chicago-based prog rock band The Luck Of Eden Hall, has a gig scheduled for December 28 at Montrose Saloon on Chicago’s north side. Custard Flux is noted for his adventurous albums, with the most recent being Enter Xenon. 

Chicago-based band whitewolfsonicprincess, which describes its approach as 21st century druid music, will share a bill with Dark Room Men at Cary’s Lounge on November 22. 

The fourth and final date of the Ivy - Traces Of You - 2026 Tour has been revealed as being at the Schellraiser Humboldt Hideaway venue in Wells, NV on May 30. The band previously revealed shows at Park West in Chicago on May 14; Sony Hall in New York City on May 21; and Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles on May 27. Traces Of You, the 10-track album of previously unreleased Ivy songs recorded by band members Adam Schlesinger, Andy Chase, and Dominique Durand between 1995 and 2012, was released this past September.

Paul McCartney’s new autobiographical book Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run is now available. It was edited by well-known biography author Ted Widmer, who also contributed the introduction. Meanwhile, Paul McCartney’s Got Back North American Tour 2025 continues its run with a concert tonight in Buffalo, NY. Upcoming shows include dates in Montreal, QC on November 17 and 18, and one in Hamilton, ON on November 21. The long and winding road ends with concerts at the United Center on November 24 and 25, which means Chicago area fans will have something fun to talk about with their families at Thanksgiving dinner.

In the fine tradition of Chicago area musicians paying homage to adventurous British acts, Reggies Chicago will host Indiscipline: A Tribute To The Music Of King Crimson on December 6. The show will cover King Crimson “In All Eras: Lake, Wetton And Belew.” Reggies Chicago is located south of the Loop, at 2105 S. State Street, and this production will be staged in the Comedy Shack.

An Easter And Gang Play Let’s Active concert led by founding member Mitch Easter will take place on November 29 at The Ramkat in Winston - Salem, NC. The band’s entire catalog was newly remastered and will be released on streaming sites in late November.

Wicked Cool Records and Little Steven’s Underground Garage will present The Chesterfield Kings Christmas Show with special guests The Grip Weeds on December 13 at Iron Smoke Distillery in Fairport, NY.

The Band Calderisi has been performing catchy originals with tight harmonies on the Chicago club scene for a while now, so it’s nice to hear they’ve been recording material at the Transient Sound Recording Studio for an upcoming release.

The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles will present the double bill of The Lovin’ Spoonful With The Hollies Greatest Hits Starring Terry Sylvester on February 6. Long-time Hollies fans will recognize Sylvester as the musician who replaced Graham Nash in the late 1960s and stayed with them for a few decades.

The John And Yoko/Plastic Ono Band with Elephant’s Memory and Special Guests Live At The One To One Concert box set is available to pre-order at the online Official John Lennon Store. Recorded live at Madison Square Garden in New York City on August 30, 1972, the concert is available in 9 CD + 3 Blu-Ray Boxset; 4 LP; 2 CD; 2 LP, and 1 CD formats.

Ratboys, the Chicago-based indie rock band whose 2023 album The Window made quite an impression with local fans and the media, have a new album coming out on February 6. Singin’ To An Empty Chair is available for pre-order on the Ratboys Bandcamp page; and the two tracks already available —“Light Night Mountains All That” and “Anywhere”—are both impressive.

Tickets are now on sale for The Smithereens with Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill concert at The Des Plaines Theatre in Des Plaines, IL on March 6. Cowsill and Peterson, who released an album together earlier this year, have become regular guests at live gigs by The Smithereens.

A Carnival Of Grey And White, the latest and long-awaited album from the Milwaukee-based power pop band Trolley is now available on Bandcamp. In addition to the catchy title track and Elvis Costello style “As Long As I Can Find You,” which were previously released as teasers, other energetic gems include “Leaving You Behind,” “Stepping Up,” and “Radio Silence.”

Weekend Reminders

Cheap Trick’s latest album, All Washed Up, will be available tomorrow and based on the band’s official Facebook page, it’s already racking up some favorable reviews. Certainly, “The Riff That Won’t Quit” and “Twelve Gates,” which were released in advance, gave fans reason to be optimistic. Cheap Trick will likely perform those songs, along with other new ones, in concert tomorrow night at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, NV, and Sunday night at the Turlock Community Theatre in Turlock, CA.

Bangles founding member and solo recording artist Susanna Hoffs recently posted on Facebook that she’ll be a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight.

The Webstirs, a Chicago-based band that’s been a reliable source for well-crafted and witty indie rock, will release its next album, High Up In The Trees tomorrow. Later that same day, they’ll perform a free show in the Sidebar at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, with local recording artists Sunshine Boys as special guests. That’s an impressive double bill. But wait, there’s more. The Webstirs recently released a video for “Roulette,” a playful tune from that new album. 

The Ripleys, a Chicago area covers band whose repertoire includes tunes by The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Tom Petty and U2, have a free show coming up this Saturday night at 8:00 pm at The Toadstool Pub in Highwood, IL.

The Black Harvest Film Festival has returned to the Gene Siskel Film Center in downtown Chicago and will run through this Sunday. Over 70 films from around the world will have had their Chicago premieres by the time the festival is over.

The power pop band Trolley will host a listening party for its latest album A Carnival Of Grey And White tomorrow night  at The Wiggle Room in their hometown Milwaukee, WI. Highlights from the album include the catchy title track and Elvis Costello style “As Long As I Can Find You.”

Tickets go on sale tomorrow for the Joe Jackson + Band shows on May 19 and 20 at Park West in Chicago’s Lincoln Park area; the Warren Zevon Birthday Bash at SPACE in Evanston on January 21; and Jim Messina at City Winery Chicago on March 22.

The Fantastic Plastics, Hushdrops, Tina Sparkle, and Super 88 will all be performing at the 3rd Chance Lounge in Peoria, IL this Saturday night. The music starts at 7:00 pm.

Shortwaves, the Dallas, TX satirical punk/pop band will likely perform songs from their recently released album Mental Health In The Information Age at the Rock & Roll Rummage Sale taking place at the Lost ’N Sound venue this Saturday in Fort Worth. They go on at 4:00 pm.

Chicago-based singer-songwriter Phil Angotti will perform songs from his impressive latest solo album Notebook Head at Cary’s Lounge on the city’s far north side this Saturday at 8:30 pm.

 I just noticed a post on Big Brother’s Vinyl’s Facebook page that their gig at Peggy Kinnane’s in Arlington Heights tomorrow night has been canceled. The Chicago area band has a knack for performing classic rock songs that haven’t been covered endlessly by numerous other local acts, so hopefully, they'll be performing again soon.

International Pop Overthrow - Boston returned for its 22nd year yesterday and will run through Saturday at The Square Root venue. Fittingly, 22 acts will perform over the four nights.

The Chicago-based Super Creeps David Bowie tribute band has a performance coming up this Saturday at Montrose Saloon. The Means (Of Joy Division) and that man of many bands, Eric Chial will be their special guests.

The two-night 28th Annual Jeff Buckley Tribute at Uncommon Ground Lakeview kicks off this Sunday, with the second half taking place on Monday. Uncommon Ground Lakeview is located at 3800 N. Clark on Chicago’s north side.

Incoming

Chicago area fans of eccentric yet melodic rock songs from the U.K. should check out the Robyn Hitchock/Soft Boys Night: Certified as Good as Gold! event at Montrose Saloon this Wednesday. The local musicians involved include Dolph Chaney; The Embryos; The Dry Look; Phil Angotti; Phil Yates; Eric Chial; Danny Higgins; and Ken Robson. There is no cover charge, but patrons are encouraged to “tip hard!” Montrose Saloon is on the city’s north side at 2933 W. Montrose Avenue.

Robert Plant, whose Saving Grace album with vocalist Suzi Dian is now available, has Chicago area concerts with her coming up at The Vic Theatre this Wednesday and at The Old Town School Of Folk Music on Thursday.

Cheap Trick’s latest album, All Washed Up, is due out this Friday. The band has already teased fans with the catchy, energetic songs “The Riff That Won’t Quit” and “Twelve Gates.”

Long-time ska masters The English Beat will be ranking full stop tonight and tomorrow night at City Winery Chicago, just west of downtown.

The Black Harvest Film Festival has returned to the Gene Siskel Film Center in downtown Chicago and will run through this Sunday. Over 70 films from around the world will have had their Chicago premieres by the time the festival is over.

Big Brother’s Vinyl, a Chicago area band with a knack for performing classic rock songs that haven’t been covered endlessly by numerous other local acts, has a gig at Peggy Kinnanes in Arlington Heights this Friday.

International Pop Overthrow - Boston returns for its 22nd year this Wednesday through Saturday at The Square Root venue. Fittingly, 22 acts will perform over the four nights.

The Chicago-based Super Creeps David Bowie tribute band has a performance coming up this Saturday at Montrose Saloon. The Means (Of Joy Division) and that man of many bands, Eric Chial will be their special guests.

Gladys Knight’s concert with special guest saxophone player Harold Dawson takes place this on Thursday at The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, IL. Knight recorded several rhythm and blues classics, including “Midnight Train To Georgia,” “I Heard It Through The Grapevine,” and “If I Were Your Woman.”

The Webstirs, a Chicago-based band that’s been a reliable source for well-crafted and witty indie rock, will release its next album, High Up In The Trees, this Friday, and they’ll perform a free show in the Sidebar at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL that same night, with special guests recording artists Sunshine Boys.

The two-night 28th Annual Jeff Buckley Tribute at Uncommon Ground Lakeview kicks off this Sunday, with the second half taking place next Monday. Uncommon Ground Lakeview is located at 3800 N. Clark on Chicago’s north side.

Slumgullion

Patti Smith photo from her official Facebook page.

Patti Smith and her band’s concert at the Chicago Theatre on November 17 has sold out, so a second show was added on November 18. Smith has been celebrating the 50th anniversary of her groundbreaking debut album Horses with a world tour; upcoming shows include New York; Boston; Washington, DC; and Philadelphia. Smith also has upcoming book events promoting her Bread Of Angels memoir from November through January.

Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan, who runs Madame ZuZu’s Teahouse in Highland Park, IL with his wife Chloe Mendel, is working with Lyric Opera Of Chicago boss John Mangum to create a piece “based on arranged and orchestrated music” from the Smashing Pumpkins’ Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness album. The Lyric Opera’s upcoming season will include performances of Night Of Mellon Collie And Infinite Sadness November 21 – 30.

Paul McCartney’s new autobiographical book Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run is now available. It was edited by well-known biography author Ted Widmer, who also contributed the introduction. Meanwhile, Paul McCartney’s Got Back North American Tour 2025 continues its run with a concert tomorrow night in Columbus, OH. Upcoming shows include Pittsburgh; Buffalo; and Montreal. The long and winding road ends with concerts at the United Center on November 24 and 25, which means Chicago area fans will have something fun to talk about with their families at Thanksgiving dinner.

Chicago area fans of eccentric yet melodic rock songs from the U.K. should circle November 12 on their calendars. That’s when Montrose Saloon on the city’s north side will present Robyn Hitchock/Soft Boys Night: Certified as Good as Gold! Local musicians involved include Dolph Chaney; The Embryos; The Dry Look; Phil Angotti; Phil Yates; Eric Chial; Danny Higgins; and Ken Robson. There is no cover charge, but patrons are encouraged to “tip hard!”

Speaking of Chicago area musicians paying homage to adventurous British acts, Indiscipline: A Tribute To The Music Of King Crimson takes place on December 6 at Reggies Chicago. The show will cover King Crimson “In All Eras: Lake, Wetton And Belew.” Reggies Chicago is located south of the Loop, at 2105 S. State Street, and this production will be staged in the Comedy Shack.

An Easter And Gang Play Let’s Active concert led by founding member Mitch Easter will take place on November 29 at The Ramkat in Winston - Salem, NC. The band’s entire catalog was newly remastered and will be released on streaming sites in late November.

Four Chicago area bands who’ve long shared the goal of creating their own brand of catchy rock and roll will share billing at Montrose Saloon on November 22. If my memory is correct, Otter Petter, Golden Richards, The Spindles, and Rolling Numbers are all veterans of International Pop Overthrow - Chicago.

Congratulations to Buddy Guy on his Ain’t Done With The Blues being nominated for the 2026 Best Traditional Blues Album Grammy Award. He’s facing some tough competition from Maria Muldaur; Charlie Musselwhite; Kenny Wayne Shepherd And Bobby Rush; and Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’.

Long-time U.K. ska masters The English Beat will perform on November 10 and 11 at City Winery Chicago.

Wicked Cool Records and Little Steven’s Underground Garage will present The Chesterfield Kings Christmas Show with special guests The Grip Weeds on December 13 at Iron Smoke Distillery in Fairport, NY.

The Band Calderisi has been performing catchy originals with tight harmonies on the Chicago club scene for a while now, so it’s nice to hear they’ve been recording material at the Transient Sound Recording Studio for an upcoming release.

The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles will present the double bill of The Lovin’ Spoonful With The Hollies Greatest Hits Starring Terry Sylvester on February 6. Long-time Hollies fans will recognize Sylvester as the musician who replaced Graham Nash in the late 1960s and stayed with them for a few decades.

Big Brother’s Vinyl, a Chicago area band with a knack for performing classic rock songs that haven’t been covered endlessly by numerous other local acts, has a gig at Peggy Kinnanes in Arlington Heights on November 14.

The Gram Fest - Cosmic American Music Festival is taking place on November 22 at the Joshua Tree Cultural Center - Blak Box Theater in Joshua Tree, CA. Performers include Sin City All Stars with special guests Jonny Kaplan And Friends, plus numerous other acts.

Ratboys, the Chicago-based indie rock band whose 2023 album The Window made quite an impression with local fans and the media, have a new album coming out on February 6. Singin’ To An Empty Chair is available for pre-order on the Ratboys Bandcamp page; and the two tracks already available —“Light Night Mountains All That” and “Anywhere”—are both impressive.

The John And Yoko/Plastic Ono Band with Elephant’s Memory and Special Guests Live At The One To One Concert box set is available to pre-order at the online Official John Lennon Store. Recorded live at Madison Square Garden in New York City on August 30, 1972, the concert is available in 9 CD + 3 Blu-Ray Boxset; 4 LP; 2 CD; 2 LP, and 1 CD formats.

Tickets are now on sale for The Smithereens with Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill concert at The Des Plaines Theatre in Des Plaines, IL on March 6. Cowsill and Peterson, who released an album together earlier this year, have become regular guests at live gigs by The Smithereens.

International Pop Overthrow - Boston returns for its 22nd year on November 12 – 15 at The Square Root venue. This will be the penultimate IPO bash for 2025; with International Pop Overthrow - Toronto scheduled for November 21 – 23 at The Painted Lady.

As noted on the WXRT Facebook page and by WBEZ staffer Mike Davis in a recent issue of the Chicago Sun-Times, David Byrne and Mala Gaonhar’s immersive event Theater Of The Mind will have a Chicago-only run in March at the Reid Murdoch Center in the downtown area. Theater Of The Mind will be the directed by Andrew Scoville and produced by the Goodman Theatre.

A Carnival Of Grey And White, the latest and long-awaited album from the Milwaukee-based power pop band Trolley is now available on Bandcamp. In addition to the catchy title track and Elvis Costello style “As Long As I Can Find You,” which were previously released as teasers, other energetic gems include “Leaving You Behind,” “Stepping Up,” and “Radio Silence.”

WGN Radio’s cultural- and civic-minded program Outside The Loop will celebrate its 1,000th episode with a live taping at the FitzGerald’s venue in Berwyn, IL on November 22. Singer-songwriter AJ Rosales, who recently released the impressive new album Phasedrift, will be a featured guest.

The Saint Rocke venue in Hermosa Beach, CA has a fun double bill of Flamin Groovies and The Pandoras coming up on November 19.

Congratulations to former WGN radio host and current creator/host of the Radio Misfits Podcast Networks Nick Digilio on the release of his 40 Years, 40 Films book. It’s now available from Eckhartz Press.

Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan’s new album titled Better Broken is now available; with the title track being the first single. Her 2025 North American tour will include a stop at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago on November 22.

Another VU, the Chicago-based band that performs 1969-era Velvet Underground songs, has a gig lined up on November 23 at Simon’s Tavern.

Aimee Mann and Ted Leo successfully collaborate on indie rock songs from time to time, and they also enjoy spreading holiday cheer. Tickets are now on sale for their Aimee Mann and Ted Leo Christmas Show! with Paul F. Tompkins, Nellie McKay and Josh Gondelman. It kicks off on November 28 at City Winery New York, and will include shows in Chicago on December.

FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL has issued a low ticket warning for the Chris And Heather’s Country Calendar Show involving several performers from the Chicago music scene on December 6. Even if you can’t make the show, I highly recommend finding a way to buy the Heather’s calendar because it’s always a masterpiece.

Weekend Reminders

Thursday posts focus on events that were previously mentioned on Broken Hearted Toy, and are taking place during the upcoming weekend. Plus, the occasional event taking place this weekend that has just come to my attention, or concert tickets going on sale.

Neil Young will be 80 years old on November 12, and fans in Chicago can party a bit early this Sunday night at Martyrs’ on Lincoln Avenue. Steve Dawson, Tommi Zender, Alton Smith, Gerald Dowd and John Abbey—all well-known musicians on the local scene—will perform a “career spanning” Neil Young tribute divided into an acoustic set and an electric one.

The 24th Annual International Pop Overthrow - New York festival opened tonight at The Parkside Lounge in Manhattan will run through this Sunday. Over 30 acts are scheduled to perform.

Revolution(s), Zayd Ayers Dohrn’s play about a soldier who returns from Afghanistan only to find his south side Chicago neighborhood also in turmoil, will finish its run at The Goodman Theatre this Sunday. Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine fame created the music and lyrics; and Steve H. Broadnax III is the director.

Marshall Crenshaw’s 40+ Years In Showbiz! tour will hit the east coast this weekend, with stops in Rochester, NH tomorrow; Fall River, MA on Saturday; and Northampton, MA on Sunday. James Mastro will be his opening act at each of those gigs. Crenshaw’s tour continues through November 25.

Prog rock will definitely be on the menu when the adventurous seven-piece Chicago band McLuhan shares a double bill with the local duo Esmeralda’s Boys this Saturday at the Copper Fiddle Distillery in Lake Zurich, IL. There’s no cover charge; but a $15 donation is suggested.

The Black Harvest Film Festival opens tomorrow at the Gene Siskel Film Center in downtown Chicago. Over 70 films from around the world will have their Chicago premieres as the festival runs through November 16.

Chicago-based power pop band/recording artists Dolph Chaney And The Phins will return to Montrose Saloon on November 8, along with Tall Grass Captains, Secret Forest Service, and Satellite Union.

The Chicago-based indie rock band Van Go can pick several impressive originals from their albums when they perform at The Gallery Cabaret on the city’s north side this Saturday at 9:00 pm. It’s being billed as the Van Go Live 2025 World Tour! One Night Only!

The WXRT Live From The XRT Concert Archives series continues tomorrow night at 9:00 pm with an April 16, 2000 performance by Smashing Pumpkins recorded at Aragon Ballroom in Chicago. The concert can be heard on 93.1FM; 93XRT.com; and the Audacy app.

Chicago-based power pop band The Spindles will have two albums worth of catchy originals and well-chosen covers to draw from when they perform at 7:00 pm on November 8 at Shannon’s Deli in Lombard, Illinois. The country and western quartet Saddleman will perform their original tunes at 8:30 pm.

Robbie Schaefer and Danielle Wertz will perform Both Sides Now: The Music and Lives of Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen at SPACE in Evanston, IL this Sunday. Created by Schaefer and Wertz, the piece is billed as a theatrical concert with a cabaret style ambience.

Incoming

Tickets go on sale this Friday for at least three concerts on the Ivy - Traces Of You - 2026 Tour. The venues and dates are Park West in Chicago on May 14; Sony Hall in New York City on May 21; and Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles on May 27. A post on the band’s Facebook page suggests a fourth place will be added. Traces Of You, the 10-track album of previously unreleased Ivy songs recorded by band members Adam Schlesinger, Andy Chase, and Dominique Durand between 1995 and 2012, was released this past September. Sadly, we lost Adam Schlesinger to COVID-19 in 2020.

WXRT’s legendary radio personality Terri Hemmert will share some of her favorite holiday songs during an in-store appearance at Treetime Christmas Creations (22102 N. Pepper Road) in Lake Barrington from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm this Thursday. Those interested are advised to guarantee their space at the event by registering in advance.

Wicked Cool Records and Little Steven’s Underground Garage will present The Chesterfield Kings Christmas Show with special guests The Grip Weeds on December 13 at Iron Smoke Distillery in Fairport, NY.

Robbie Schaefer and Danielle Wertz will perform Both Sides Now: The Music and Lives of Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen at SPACE in Evanston, IL this Sunday. Created by Schaefer and Wertz, the piece is billed as a theatrical concert with a cabaret style ambience.

Boz Scaggs, who was recently nominated for the Songwriters Hall Of Fame, will bring his Rhythm Review Tour 2025 to the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago tomorrow night. In addition to playing his well-known hits, Scaggs will be showcasing his new Detour album.

Garbage will perform songs from their new album Let All That We Imagine Be The Light, as well as hits such as “I’m Only Happy When It Rains” and “Stupid Girl” at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles tomorrow night. The concert is part of a tour that will also take them to Mexico City; Auckland, New Zealand; and various locations in Australia. Los Angeles glam rock band Starcrawler will be the opening act tomorrow.

Chicago-based power pop band The Spindles will have two albums worth of catchy originals and well-chosen covers to draw from for their 7:00 pm gig this Saturday at Shannon’s Deli in Lombard, Illinois. The country and western quartet Saddleman will perform their original tunes at 8:30 pm.

Revolution(s), Zayd Ayers Dohrn’s play about a soldier who returns from Afghanistan only to find his south side Chicago neighborhood also in turmoil, will finish its run at The Goodman Theatre this Sunday. Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine fame created the music and lyrics; and Steve H. Broadnax III is the director.

Chicago-based power pop band Dolph Chaney And The Phins will return to Montrose Saloon on November 8, along with Tall Grass Captains, Secret Forest Service, and Satellite Union.

Prog rock will definitely be on the menu when the adventurous seven-piece Chicago band McLuhan shares a double bill with the local duo Esmeralda’s Boys this Saturday at the Copper Fiddle Distillery in Lake Zurich, IL. There’s no cover charge; but a $15 donation is suggested.

Sunday Papers

The Who have released a 7 CD/Blu-Ray Super Deluxe Edition Box Set of their 1978 album Who Are You. Fans get all that for $124.98, plus a 100-page hardcover book with sleeve notes by Matt Kent and Steven Wilson; previously unpublished photos; and memorabilia. A Deluxe 4 LP Edition is available for $89.98, and there’s a Deluxe 2 CD Edition for $19.98. As always, The Who have other splendid items available in their online store, including t-shirts, posters, a hoodie, and a tote bag.

Ratboys, the Chicago-based indie rock band whose 2023 album The Window made quite an impression with local fans and the media, have a new album coming out on February 6. Singin’ To An Empty Chair is available for pre-order on the Ratboys Bandcamp page; and the two tracks already available —“Light Night Mountains All That” and “Anywhere”—are both impressive.

Tickets for The Smithereens with Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill concert at The Des Plaines Theatre in Des Plaines, IL are now on sale. Cowsill and Peterson, who released an album together earlier this year, have become regular guests at live gigs by The Smithereens.

As recently noted by Tammy Easter, Admin for the official Let’s Active Facebook page, an Easter And Gang Play Let’s Active concert led by founding member Mitch Easter will take place on November 29 at The Ramkat in Winston - Salem, NC. The band’s entire catalog was newly remastered and will be released on streaming sites in late November.

Chicago-based power pop band The Spindles will have two albums worth of catchy originals and well-chosen covers to draw from when they perform at 7:00 pm on November 8 at Shannon’s Deli in Lombard, Illinois. The country and western quartet Saddleman will perform their original tunes at 8:30 pm.

International Pop Overthrow - Boston returns for its 22nd year on November 12 – 15 at The Square Root venue. This will be the penultimate IPO bash for 2025; with International Pop Overthrow - Toronto scheduled for November 21 – 23 at The Painted Lady.

Revolution(s), Zayd Ayers Dohrn’s play about a soldier who returns from Afghanistan only to find his south side Chicago neighborhood also in turmoil, has opened at The Goodman Theatre. Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine fame created the music and lyrics; and Steve H. Broadnax III is the director. Revolution(s) runs through November 9.

As noted on the WXRT Facebook page and by WBEZ staffer Mike Davis in a recent issue of the Chicago Sun-Times, David Byrne and Mala Gaonhar’s immersive event Theater Of The Mind will have a Chicago-only run in March at the Reid Murdoch Center in the downtown area. Theater Of The Mind will be the directed by Andrew Scoville and produced by the Goodman Theatre.

In other WXRT news, long-time radio personality Terri Hemmert, or Aunt Terri as she’s affectionately known, will make an in-store appearance at Treetime Christmas Creations (22102 N. Pepper Road) in Lake Barrington from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm on November 6. She’ll “share her favorite holiday musical selections” in what’s being billed as a holiday season kick-off celebration. Those interested are advised to guarantee their space at the event by registering in advance.

The Gram Fest - Cosmic American Music Festival is taking place on November 22 at the Joshua Tree Cultural Center - Blak Box Theater in Joshua Tree, CA. Performers include Sin City All Stars with special guests Jonny Kaplan And Friends, plus numerous other acts.

Chicago-based power pop band Dolph Chaney And The Phins will return to Montrose Saloon on November 8, along with Tall Grass Captains, Secret Forest Service, and Satellite Union.

In a move I’m willing to bet nobody saw coming, Australian garage rockers Hoodoo Gurus will be backed by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra on January 29 at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. The listing on the Ticketek site promises the band’s material will be “reimagined on an epic scale, with orchestral arrangements bringing fresh energy and grandeur.” Sure sounds like fun.

For rock fans who love to travel. Iggy Pop; Joan Jett And The Blackhearts; Hoodoo Gurus; and ZED will share a tour in Auckland, New Zealand next year on January 23, 26, and 31. Six months later, Hoodoo Gurus will be one of the headline acts down under at the Birdsville Big Red Bash. It’s being promoted as The Most Remote Music Festival In The World.

WGN Radio’s cultural- and civic-minded program Outside The Loop will celebrate its 1,000th episode with a live taping at the FitzGerald’s venue in Berwyn, IL on November 22. Singer-songwriter AJ Rosales, who recently released the impressive new album Phasedrift, will be a featured guest.

The John And Yoko/Plastic Ono Band with Elephant’s Memory and Special Guests Live At The One To One Concert boxset is available to pre-order at the online Official John Lennon Store. Recorded live at Madison Square Garden in New York City on August 30, 1972, the concert is available in 9 CD + 3 Blu-Ray Boxset; 4 LP; 2 CD; 2 LP, and 1 CD formats.

Congratulations to former WGN radio host and current creator/host of the Radio Misfits Podcast Networks Nick Digilio on the release of his 40 Years, 40 Films book. It’s now available from Eckhartz Press.

Paul McCartney’s Got Back North American Tour 2025 continues its run with concerts tonight and tomorrow in Atlanta. Upcoming shows include Nashville; Columbus; Pittsburgh; Buffalo; and Montreal. The long and winding road ends with concerts at the United Center on November 24 and 25, which means Chicago area fans will have something fun to talk about with their families at Thanksgiving dinner.

Prog rock will definitely be on the menu when the adventurous seven-piece Chicago band McLuhan shares a double bill with the local duo Esmeralda’s Boys on November 8 at the Copper Fiddle Distillery in Lake Zurich, IL. There’s no cover charge; but a $15 donation is suggested. 

The Chicago-based Super Creeps David Bowie tribute band has a performance coming up on November 15 at Montrose Saloon with special guests The Means (Of Joy Division) and that man of many bands, Eric Chial.

Tickets are now on sale for Gladys Knight’s concert with special guest saxophone player Harold Dawson on November 13 at The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, IL. Knight recorded several rhythm and blues classics, including “Midnight Train To Georgia,” “I Heard It Through The Grapevine,” and “If I Were Your Woman.”

Coming up on February 6, The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles will present the double bill of The Lovin’ Spoonful With The Hollies Greatest Hits Starring Terry Sylvester. Long-time Hollies fans will recognize Sylvester as the musician who replaced Graham Nash in the late 1960s and stayed with them for a few decades.

Robert Plant, whose Saving Grace album with vocalist Suzi Dian is now available, has two concerts with her coming up in Chicago. They’ll be at The Vic Theatre on November 12, and at The Old Town School Of Folk Music on November 13.

Tickets are now on sale for the Desert Rock - A Tribute To The Laurel Canyon Music Scene event coming February 6 to The Raue Center For The Arts in Crystal Lake, IL. The two-hour multimedia show will celebrate the music of Linda Ronstadt; CSNY; The Byrds; Buffalo Springfield; Loggins And Messina; Poco; JD Souther; Warren Zevon; Lowell George; Tom Waits; Gram Parsons; and others.

The 28th Annual Jeff Buckley Tribute will be held on November 16 and 17 at Uncommon Ground Lakeview venue on Chicago’s north side.

FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL has issued a low ticket warning for the Chris And Heather’s Country Calendar Show involving several performers from the Chicago music scene on December 6. Even if you can’t make the show, I highly recommend finding a way to buy the Heather’s calendar because it’s always a masterpiece.

Cheap Trick’s latest album, All Washed Up, is due out November 14. The band has already teased fans with the songs “The Riff That Won’t Quit” and “Twelve Gates.”

Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan’s new album titled Better Broken is now available; with the title track being the first single. Her 2025 North American tour will include a stop at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago on November 22.

The Webstirs, a Chicago-based band that’s been a reliable source for well-crafted and witty indie rock, will release its next album, High Up In The Trees, on November 14. They’ll perform a free show in the Sidebar at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL that night, with special guests Sunshine Boys.

A Carnival Of Grey And White, the latest and long-awaited album from the Milwaukee-based power pop band Trolley is now available on Bandcamp. In addition to the catchy title track and Elvis Costello style “As Long As I Can Find You,” which were previously released as teasers, other energetic gems include “Leaving You Behind,” “Stepping Up,” and “Radio Silence.”

The Saint Rocke venue in Hermosa Beach, CA has a fun double bill of Flamin Groovies and The Pandoras coming up on November 19.

Halloween Song: “This Is Halloween”

And now, the final spooky song from the BHT haunted vault for the October 2025. Have a safe and wonderful Halloween.

Danny Elfman emerged as a spooky presence in the 1980s when he fronted Oingo Boingo on hit songs such as “Dead Man’s Party” (see my October 19 post) and “Stay.” His quirky energy and maniacal grin, along with that deep voice, made lines like “Leave your body and soul at the door” simultaneously threatening and fun. He moved on to writing scores for Tim Burton movies like Beetlejuice, Batman, Corpse Bride and Sleepy Hollow. His best work might have been for Burton's dual holiday feature The Nightmare Before Christmas, which gave us the angst-ridden and unforgettable hero Jack Skellington.

“This Is Halloween”, one of the many highlights from the soundtrack, ushers us into the holiday town via an ominous beat, full orchestra, and operatic choruses. Comic voices abound as several creepy residents introduce themselves: “I am the one hiding under your bed./Teeth ground sharp and eyes glowing red.” Elfman’s clever rhyming couplets and macabre humor make “This Is Halloween” an enduring classic.

With the holiday now upon us, homeowners across America await the arrival of trick-or-treaters. Depending on how authentic the kids’ costumes are, playing “This Is Halloween” could be the perfect soundtrack as they make their way up your front steps. Just be sure to dole out enough candy to keep them satisfied.

Halloween Song: Charming Disaster - “Disembodied Head”

Another post from the BHT haunted vault, the second tonight, following my Weekend Reminders post.

I discovered the Brooklyn-based, goth-folk duo Charming Disaster via a Facebook post promoting a four-act gig at Reggies Music Joint in Chicago in 2023. Considering the dark and catchy tunes such as “Monsters,” “Grimoire,” and “Bat Song” on their album Super Natural History, you’d feel lucky to have Ellia Bisker and Jeff Morris show up at your Halloween party. And probably a little afraid.

On “Disembodied Head,” Bisker and Morris take a mad scientist movie cliché and explore how it would actually feel, using imagination and clever wordplay. “Wake one day and here you are/You’re just a brain inside a jar,” they sing over a sparse guitar arrangement. “Now what you get is what you see/You’re on your own got nobody.” The song might also serve as a satire on meditation and the dangers of overthinking things. At any rate, it’s fun.

Halloween Song: R. Dean Taylor - “There’s A Ghost In My House”

Another post from the BHT haunted vault.

Even for those who haven’t seen the 2021 U.K. thriller Last Night In Soho, it’s well worth checking out the soundtrack. It’s packed with music from the Swinging ‘60s era, ranging from international hit singles to songs that were particular to the English charts. That’s where R. Dean Taylor’s “There’s A Ghost In My House” found success in 1974, after collecting dust since being recorded for the American label Tamla Motown in 1966. Although it was composed by the stellar writing team of Holland, Dozier, Holland, with help from Taylor, Tamla Motown didn’t see its potential. I had never heard this song before buying the Last Night In Soho soundtrack, but was immediately hooked by it.

“There’s A Ghost In My House” isn’t about a real haunting; it’s a series of clever, quick rhymes describing how much a guy misses his former girlfriend. “Where our love used to be,” Taylor sings to an arrangement that deftly melds classic soul with guitar-driven garage rock, “Only shadows from the past I see.” Taylor hears footsteps on the stairs, and feels fingertips running through his hair even though he’s all alone. He confesses, “In my mind, I know you’re gone, but my heart keeps holding on.” The song would make a perfect segue after The Electric Prunes nugget “I Had Too Much To Dream” on a Halloween party playlist.

Note: The video link to “There’s A Ghost In My House” on YouTube takes a few moments to kick in. It’s a funny match to a vintage Fred Astaire clip.

Weekend Reminders

Photo by Josh Darr, from official David Byrne Facebook page.

Thursday posts focus on events that were previously mentioned on Broken Hearted Toy, and are taking place during the upcoming weekend. Plus, the occasional event taking place this weekend that has just come to my attention, or concert tickets going on sale.

Here’s a warm Broken Hearted Toy welcome to former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne, who’ll finish a three-day series of concerts at The Auditorium Theatre in Chicago tomorrow night. Byrne, who’s in the midst of his Who Is The Sky? Tour, was recently named as one of the nominees for the Songwriters Hall Of Fame 2026 Induction & Awards Gala.

British singer/author Wesley Stace (formerly John Wesley Harding) has an 8:00 pm gig tonight at The Old Town School Of Folk Music in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Dag Juhlin, who’s been part of Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy’s R.E.M. Tribute tours as well as being a member of several Chicago area bands, will be the opening act.

Halloweekend, the annual event featuring local musicians performing as famous rock acts, takes place tonight and tomorrow at Montrose Saloon on Chicago’s north side. Twelve local acts will pay tribute to rock and roll stars over two nights—including Androgynous Mustache as Oingo Boingo; Amazing Heeby Jeebies as Gun Club; and Phil Angotti as Creedence Clearwater Revival tonight. Tomorrow’s showcase includes The Well Respected Men as The Kinks; Rachel Drew as The Cure; and Dancing Horses as Echo And The Bunnymen. For the full lineup, check my October 18 post, or the Montrose Saloon website.

He just won’t stop imitating rock stars. Phil Angotti and The Damn Torpedoes will perform Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers songs at the Reclaimed Bar (3655 N. Western) in Chicago tomorrow night. On Sunday, Phil Angotti and Friends have a Beatles Brunch scheduled at FitzGerald’s at noon. As with his Halloweekend performance, Angotti will be backed by a different cast of well-known Chicago musicians at each of these gigs.

Tickets for The Smithereens with Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill at The Des Plaines Theatre in Des Plaines, IL go on sale tomorrow morning at 10:00 am.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater has scheduled Special Halloween Performances of its current production Paranormal Activity for tomorrow night at 6:00 and 10:00 pm. It’s loosely based on Oren Peli’s 2007 movie, and from the reviews I’ve read in Chicago newspapers, it’s very frightening.

Jai Brenai Productions will present Funk-O-Ween: A Personified Funk Experience this Saturday at City Winery Chicago. The show starts at 7:30 pm and will honor James Brown, Rick James, Chaka Khan and Prince.

Quad Con is holding a Rockford Comic Con And Toy Show at the Cherryville Mall in Rockford, IL this Saturday and Sunday. There will be 70 vendors scattered around the shopping center. Admission is free.

Jeff Tweedy’s Twilight Overide Tour With Guest Macie Stewart will come to The Salt Shed this Saturday. Named after Tweedy’s recently released triple solo album, the equally ambitious North American/European tour will run through February 2026.

Chicago-based band The Neighbors will perform alternative rock and indie Americana tonight at Brudder’s. The music starts at 9:00 pm; the venue is located at 3600 N. Pulaski.

Chicago indie rockers The Handcuffs will take a break from recording their next album for a return visit to Mary’s Place in Rockford, IL this Saturday. The Attitudes will be their guest opener.

The Other Art Fair, a global and inventive effort from online gallery Saatchi Art to create a place “where the experience exists outside of four white walls,” is coming to Artifact Events in Chicago on this Friday through Sunday. The price of admission ranges from $18 to $312.50, depending which day you choose. Artifact Events is located at 4325 N. Ravenswood Avenue.

The Return Of The Flock show scheduled for November 1 at Park West on Chicago’s north side has been cancelled due to an injury to one of the band members. Hopefully, a make-up date for The Flock, a critically acclaimed jazz rock ensemble that was well ahead of its time in the 1960s, will be announced soon.

As noted by the well-traveled rock and roll drummer John LeQuesne in a Facebook post this morning, Grace Slick, the enchanting lead vocalist of Jefferson Airplane, is celebrating a birthday. Best wishes, Grace, and thanks for all those psychedelic gems.

Also, Happy Birthday and best wishes to Ken Stringfellow, a founding member of The Posies and a successful solo artist.

And now, on the eve of Halloween, let’s raise a magic potion toast to all the ambitious people around the world (and possibly the universe) putting last minute touches on their Halloween parties. Drink safely; drive sensibly, decorate imaginatively, frighten carefully, and conjure up the best playlist of spooky songs you can. I’ve been posting Halloween song profiles for most of this month for party planners looking for suggestions.

Halloween Song: Amazing Heeby Jeebies - “The Mummy”

Another post from the BHT haunted vault.

But first, how about a round of Happy Birthday wishes to Graham Elvis of The Elvis Brothers; Mike Galassini from Magnaphonic, The Valley Downs, 92 Degrees, and The Band Calderisi; Mark Watson of the Mark Watson Band; and Pravda Records founder and musician (EXPO ’76, The Imperial Sound) Kenn Goodman.

Note: Amazing Heeby Jeebies, or The Jeebies as they’re also called, will pay tribute to the Los Angeles indie rock band The Gun Club as part of the Halloweekend event at Montrose Saloon in Chicago tomorrow night.

You’d expect a band named Amazing Heeby Jeebies to throw a few chills your way, and the Chicago-based quintet came through on its 2018 Bad Feeling album. Led by vocalist Ary Jeeby and propelled by guitarists Bob Hyatt and Tom “Boss X” Klein, Amazing Heeby Jeebies combine garage rock and rockabilly while spinning tales of werewolves, mummies, and cannibals. They don’t always aim for the dark side, but when they do, listeners are more likely to dance than run away.

“The Mummy” suggests the legendary monster is more likely to sip martinis in a 1960s discotheque than trudge after anthropologists inside pyramids. Ary Jeebie belts out quick rhymes like “King Tut’s got nothing on this guy/When he left, Cleopatra cried.” This mummy’s a recording artist with a least one album under his bandages and hosts a television show. With bassist Earl “Wolfdaddy” Carter and drummer Jerry King adding to the mayhem, “The Mummy” proves to be a rollicking Halloween treat.

Halloween Song: Fleetwood Mac - “Hypnotized”

Another post from the BHT haunted vault; the second one for today.

Just about halfway between Peter Green’s 1968 “Black Magic Woman” and Stevie Nicks’ 1976 “Rhiannon,” singer-guitarist Bob Welch composed the atmospheric and spooky “Hypnotized” as a member of Fleetwood Mac. It was one of the tracks on the band’s 1973 Mystery To Me, and true to the album’s title, this song presents a series of puzzles. Welch’s evocative singing and the Mac’s enchanted instrumentation ensure that “Hypnotized” commands our attention.

When the first verse describes “Two friends having coffee together/When something flies by their window,” it’s up to the listener to decide if it was a UFO. The North Carolina “strange, strange pond” in the second verse seems even more likely to involve intergalactic visitors. And the man in Mexico who can “fly over mountains and hills and he don't need an airplane or some kind of engine” might be a warlock or a ghost.

The chorus of “Seems like a dream/They got me hypnotized” adds a conspiracy element. Are “they” tricking us into thinking these events are happening, or trying to cover up an extraterrestrial invasion by insisting we were only dreaming. As the lyrics put it, “Because there's no explaining what your imagination can make you see and feel.” After leaving Fleetwood Mac, Bob Welch scored solo hits with “Sentimental Lady” and “Ebony Eyes.”

Halloween Song: The Human League - “Darkness”

Another repost from the BHT haunted vault.

George Harrison wisely warned us to “Beware Of Darkness,” but in 1981, The Human League created a song in which the mere flicking off of a light resulted in a terrifying, mind-altering experience. As with the hit singles “Don’t You Want Me?” and “Love Action” on the band’s groundbreaking, platinum record, Dare, “Darkness” was driven by synthesizers. On this track, the keyboards are equally effective in scaring people and enticing them to dance.

Founding member Philip Oakey’s lead vocals establish darkness as a place “filled with sounds of fear” where the imagination runs wild. “I see shadows (don’t turn out the light)/Moving, changing shape.” Even the senses become a confusing mishmash. “I hear colours black and red/I see sounds that fill my head.” This was the only song on Dare Oakey didn’t have a hand in writing (other than the instrumental snippet, “Get Carter”) but he certainly gives it a chilling delivery. “And the clock stops as darkness closes in./I hesitate but it’s too late, I scream and scream again.”

“Darkness” has that unmistakeable allure of 1980s synth rock, but its message stretches back through the centuries. For anyone putting together a Halloween party playlist, this is a good candidate for the opening track.

Experimental Haunting: Mancini And McLuhan

Today’s Halloween song profile turns out to be a doubleheader featuring a 1962 film-related song I first posted here on October 31, 2009 and a 1972 jazz fusion composition I’ve only recently discovered. Henry Mancini’s “Experiment In Terror” was the theme to the Blake Edwards thriller of that same name, while “Spiders (In Neal’s Basement)” was one of the four extended tracks on McLuhan’s debut album Anomaly. The McLuhan here wasn’t the philosopher Marshall McLuhan but a seven-piece Chicago band inspired by him.

Clocking in at just under six minutes, “Spiders (In Neal’s Basement)” is by far the shortest track on Anomaly. The adventurous song mixes smooth modern jazz with strip joint bump and grind, while vocalist-bassist Neal Rosner delivers the off-kilter lyrics. (It might also be guitarist-vocalist Dennis Phillips, trumpet player-vocalist David Wright, or a mixture of all three.) At any rate, it’s a fun choice if you have intellectual types at your Halloween party. Anomaly became a collector’s item over the decades, and a new vinyl edition produced by Ellis Clark of The Social Act and Big Hat Big Trouble fame was re-released last year. McLuhan can be contacted via its official Facebook page or website.

“Experiment In Terror” has a slow, ominous beat and twanging guitars that conjure images of a monster creeping along some darkened street. People in the Chicago area might be surprised to learn this instrumental was composed by Henry Mancini for a 1962 cops and robbers movie called Experiment In Terror. Around here, it’s much better known as the theme for the TV show Creature Features, which presented old time horror movies like House Of Dracula; Frankenstein; The Wolf Man; and The Mummy’s Ghost on WGN every Saturday night from 1970 to 1976. “Experiment In Terror” will be forever linked to that show’s signature graphic of a horrifying guy in the top hat and cloak.

“Experiment In Terror” also brings back memories of our childhood fascination with monsters, hours spent trick or treating, and neighborhood Halloween parties in garages or basements.

Incoming

Jeff Tweedy Twilight Overide Tour 2025 poster art taken from his official Facebook page.

First, let’s extend Happy Birthday wishes to Illinois musicians Herb Eimerman and Diane Christiansen. Eimerman’s resume dates back to the 1970s band Hot Mama Silver and over the years, he’s released solo efforts and recorded with the international power pop band The Britannicas. Artist/musician Christiansen is the co-leader (with Steve Dawson) of the critically acclaimed Americana band Dolly Varden, and has exhibited her art in various galleries. Best wishes to Herb and Diane.

Jeff Tweedy’s Twilight Overide Tour with guest Macie Stewart will come to The Salt Shed this Saturday. Named after Tweedy’s recently released triple solo album, the equally ambitious North American/European tour will run through February 2026.

Halloweekend, the annual event featuring local musicians performing as famous rock acts, takes place at Montrose Saloon this Thursday and Friday (Halloween). Twelve local acts will pay tribute to rock and roll stars over two nights—including Androgynous Mustache as Oingo Boingo; Amazing Heeby Jeebies as Gun Club; and Phil Angotti as Creedence Clearwater Revival on Thursday. Friday’s showcase includes The Well Respected Men as The Kinks; Rachel Drew as The Cure; and Dancing Horses as Echo And The Bunnymen. For the full lineup, check my October 18 post, or the Montrose Saloon website.

He just won’t stop imitating rock stars. Phil Angotti and The Damn Torpedoes will perform Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers songs at the Reclaimed Bar (3655 N. Western) in Chicago on Halloween. On Sunday, Phil Angotti and Friends have a Beatles Brunch scheduled at FitzGerald’s at noon. As with his Halloweekend performance, Angotti will be backed by a different cast of well-known Chicago musicians at each of these gigs.

Chicago-based band The Neighbors will perform alternative rock and indie Americana at Brudder’s on October 30. The music starts at 9:00 pm; the venue is located at 3600 N. Pulaski.

Chicago indie rockers The Handcuffs will take a break from recording their next album for a return visit to Mary’s Place in Rockford, IL on November 1. The Attitudes will be their guest opener.

The Other Art Fair, a global and inventive effort from online gallery Saatchi Art to create a place “where the experience exists outside of four white walls,” is coming to Artifact Events in Chicago on this weekend (October 31 - November 2). The price of admission ranges from $18 to $312.50, depending which day you choose. Artifact Events is located at 4325 N. Ravenswood Avenue.

Tickets are now on sale for Gladys Knight’s concert with special guest saxophone player Harold Dawson on November 13 at The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, IL. Knight recorded several rhythm and blues classics, including “Midnight Train To Georgia,” “I Heard It Through The Grapevine,” and “If I Were Your Woman.”

Coming up on February 6, The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles will present the double bill of The Lovin’ Spoonful With The Hollies Greatest Hits Starring Terry Sylvester.  Long-time Hollies fans will recognize Sylvester as the musician who replaced Graham Nash in the late 1960s and stayed with them for a few decades.

Congratulations to my nephew, Chef Joe Flamm and his team at il Carciofo on being nominated for Best New Restaurant by Jean Banchet Awards. You can find il Carciofo at 1045 W. Fulton in Chicago’s trendy Fulton Market neighborhood just west of downtown. 

The Return Of The Flock show scheduled for November 1 at Park West on Chicago’s north side has been cancelled due to an injury to one of the band members. Hopefully, a make-up date for The Flock, a critically acclaimed jazz rock ensemble that was well ahead of its time in the 1960s, will be announced soon.

And now, let’s raise a magic potion toast to all the ambitious people around the world (and possibly the universe) planning their own Halloween parties this week. Drink safely; drive sensibly, decorate imaginatively, frighten carefully, and conjure up the best playlist of spooky songs you can. I’ve been posting Halloween song profiles for most of this month for party planners looking for suggestions.