Incoming

Two of the best bands from England’s early punk scene will be honored by local musicians this Wednesday at Martyrs’ on Chicago’s north side. London Calling will perform two sets of material by The Clash, and The Fiction Romantics will cover The Buzzcocks. Doors open at 7:00 pm, Martyrs’ is located at 3855 N. Lincoln Avenue.

Graham Nash fans can enter to win the signed Fender acoustic CD-60 guitar he gave to Fandiem by making a donation to help raise funds to provide relief to musicians and music industry workers affected by the Los Angeles fires. Donations range from $10 to $500, with the highest amount bringing the most amount of entries. The entries must be received by April 21.

Go Time! vocalist-guitarist Scott Niekelski will make an in-studio appearance on this Friday’s Razor And Die show on Chicago radio station WLUW 88.FM. The program will run from 3:00 to 6:00 pm.

International Pop Overthrow - Chicago 2025 will be held from April 25 through May 3 at Montrose Saloon, and the schedule is now available on the official IPO website. CFO/Founder David Bash has brought his multi-act showcase to a number of Chicago venues over the years, and Montrose Saloon is a particularly good fit. I believe this is its fourth year of hosting. Per tradition, each night will bring a set of at least five acts; and there will be afternoon and evening sets on April 26, 27, and May 3.

This year’s list of IPO Chicago performers includes longtime participants The Spindles, The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club, Hannah Frank, The Jeremy Band, The Band Calderisi, Freetoed, Things That Fly, The Sonnets, Einstein’s Sister, Phil Yates and The Affiliates, Golden Richards, The Walkdown, Custard Flux, The Thin Cherries, Who’s This Mary, The 321’s, Mark Watson, Aaron Fox And The Reliables, Michael Steven Cohen, Kerosene Stars, Otter Petter, and The Queue. There will also be several newcomers, so chances are good you’ll discover a new favorite.

Aimee Mann has a 22 1/2 Lost In Space Anniversary Tour with guest Jonathan Coulton coming this summer. It opens on June 5 in Cranston, RI and wraps up at the Riviera Theatre in Chicago on June 27.

The Webstirs have a show coming up this Saturday at Phyllis’ Musical Inn on Chicago’s north side. The band has been setting clever and humorous lyrics to catchy arrangements for several years now, and has released six albums. Phyllis’ Musical Inn is located at 1800 W. Division.

Several music critics have hailed The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds as Brian Wilson’s finest moment, and the Pet Sounds LIVE event coming to Park West in Chicago this Friday will celebrate that 1966 album. It’s described as a “captivating show [that] combines live music, narration, and multimedia to bring the genius of Brian Wilson and [this] iconic masterpiece to life.”

McLuhan, the adventurous seven-piece Chicago band inspired by philosopher Marshall McLuhan, continues its first Thursday of the month night residency at Montrose Saloon this Thursday. Vinyl copies of McLuhan’s ground-breaking and recently re-released album Anomaly will be available for sale at the show. McLuhan’s residency continues next month on April 3.

PureSoul Presents has another Soul Brunch coming up this Sunday at noon, with its Tribute To Legends Of 90s. Alysha Monique, Tony Cazeau, and PureSoul Chicago will perform hits by Aaliyah, TLC, Fugees, En Vogue, Brandy, SWV, Erykah Badu, and more.