Incoming

Theo Epstein and Peter Gammons’ 25th Annual Hot Stove Cool Music takes place this Saturday at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston. The event will feature Cheap Trick; Greg Hawkes and Eddie Japan performing songs by The Cars; and the Hot Stove All-Stars (Peter Gammons, Theo Epstein, Bill Janovitz, Kay Hanley, Will Dailey, and MLB Legends). 100% of the proceeds will go to the Foundation To Be Named Later Gammons College Scholarships fund.

Gina Marie and The Golden Bucks, a Chicago-based Americana sextet whose 2024 album Pastures Of Plenty honors Woody Guthrie with authentic country and swing while tossing in an occasional blues tune, has a gig tomorrow at Montrose Saloon. The performance will include Tom Peng, acclaimed mandolin player from Inner Mongolia, as a special guest. Local singer-guitarist Mark W. will be the opening act; the music starts at 7:00 pm.

Record Store Day 2025 arrives this Saturday, and once again, the massive selection has something for fans of just about every genre and era. Some of the better known acts involved include David Bowie; Emmylou Harris; The O’Jays; and The Rolling Stones. The list of limited-edition vinyl offerings is available on the official website, and the current issue of the Illinois Entertainer has extensive coverage. Some stores create a party atmosphere around this event and even book live music.

EXPO ’76 has returned to the local club scene now that member Dag Juhlin has finished working with the Michael Shannon, Jason Narducy And Friends R.E.M.’s Fables Of The Reconstruction tour. EXPO ’76 will be back at one of its favorite joints, Simon’s Tavern Wednesday night.

Keri Johnsrud and Shawn Maxwell’s show scheduled for tomorrow night at City Winery Chicago has been cancelled. You can still check out their 2024 debut album Caffeine, which celebrates the ups and downs of a typical person’s day.

How Lucky Can One Man Get, the documentary covering John Prine’s 2010 benefit concert at Proviso East, will be screened at The Des Plaines Theatre in Des Plaines, IL this Wednesday. There will be Q and A panel afterward with Fiona Prine, Jason Wilbur, and Lois Baumann. Tickets are $30.

Chicago band Baby No Name has a record release event for its second effort Feral this Sunday at Jarvis Square Pottery on the city’s far north side. The group’s website describes Feral as “surprisingly bad ass, departing wholly from 2021’s exquisitely personal EP, Come Close.” Susan Abelson and Victor Sanders will also perform that night. 

Chicago-based band whitewolfsonicprincess, whose mysterious approach to alt rock earned them a spot on a recent compilation released by the U.K.-based Fruits De Mer Records, will share a bill with singer-songwriter Hannah Frank at Cary’s Lounge this Sunday. The show will run from 4:00 to 7:00 pm; Cary’s Lounge is located at 2251 W. Devon on the far north side.

The Chicago-based David Bowie tribute band Sons Of The Silent Age has a benefit concert for a close friend this Sunday at Madame Zuzu’s in Highland Park. The music starts at 7:00 pm.

Rock fans and well-known musicians expressed their sorrow on social media today at the passing of long-time drummer Clem Burke. A founding member of Blondie, Burke was involved with numerous other bands and projects, and built lasting friendships along the way. Rock In Paradise, Clem.

Saturday Slumgullion

Happy Birthday to Allan Clarke, whose distinctive vocals graced several Top 40 hits by The Hollies, including “Look Through Any Window,” “I Can’t Let Go,” “Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress,” “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother,” and “The Air That I Breathe.” Clarke created gorgeous harmonies with fellow founding member Graham Nash, as well as with Tony Hicks and Terry Sylvester. Clarke had retired from The Hollies by the time they were inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2010, but he performed at the induction ceremony. He has since come back with the impressive solo efforts Resurgence in 2019 and I’ll Never Forget in 2023.

UK-based music historian/author Peter Checksfield’s new book The Hollies - Elevated Observations: The Graham Nash Years 1963 – 1968 is now available on Amazon, and you’ll find plenty of references to Clarke in there as well. I recently received the copy I ordered, as well as the April issue of Mojo magazine, which has a feature story on Nash. 

On the subject of Happy Birthdays, best wishes to Chicago-based singer-songwriter Steve Dawson; ABBA vocalist Agnetha Fältskog; and my Top Chef Season 15 winning nephew Joe Flamm. You can celebrate Joe’s birthday (or anyone else’s) at either of his two Chicago restaurants; Rose Mary or the recently opened il Carciofo. Or celebrate at both since they’re close to each other in the Fulton Market area.

Jack White’s No Name Tour, which follows his identically named studio album and live EP,  comes to The Salt Shed in Chicago on April 10 and 11. 

The annual Old Town School Of Folk Music Record Sale will be held on May 3 and 4 at Music Direct’s warehouse at 1811 W. Bryn Mawr in Chicago. The official website promises “a diverse array of musical treasures, including thousands of donated LPs, rare 78s, tons of collectable and signed recordings, essential books, CDs, and DVDs, alongside premium records and equipment sourced directly from Music Direct’s warehouse.”

The Pandoras Official Fanpage on Facebook recently announced they have gigs coming up in the near future. “We’re super excited to announce that we will be playing some awesome shows!!” the post read. “It feels incredible to continue playing all our and your favorite tunes!! And we know Paula [Pierce] and Kim [Shattuck] would be so proud and are always with us!”

Adventurous prog rock musician and The Luck Of Eden Hall founding member Gregory Curvey, AKA Custard Flux, has a new album titled Enter Xenon coming out on June 1. It can be pre-ordered on Bandcamp, and the first three tracks are already available to purchase and download.

The Jeff Tweedy Annual Benefit Shows will be held at the Vic Theatre on April 18 and April 19, with the April 19 show having already sold out. As stated on the Wilco official website, “All proceeds are donated to organizations chosen by the Tweedy family. Past organizations include The Chicago Lighthouse, Be Alright, Direct Effect Charities, One Tail at a Time and Alive Rescue Chicago.” 

The Minus Five, comprising Linda Pitmon; Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey; Kurt Bloch; and Debbi Peterson, will embark on a short west coast tour in June. Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill will also be on the bill for the first three dates, followed by The Rubinoos in that spot on the next three dates.

Jason Narducy and Dag Juhlin will celebrate Pete Townshend’s birthday on June 21 at the Hey Nonny venue in Arlington Heights, IL. Townshend was born on May 19, which is why this event is being billed as a (Belated) Birthday Bash. Understandable since Narducy and Juhlin have a busy schedule these days.

Fans of Chicago rock and roll circa the mid 1960s might have a willingness to check out The New Colony Six on May 23 at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights.

The Cruel World festival will take place in Pasadena, CA on May 17. Headline acts include New Order; The Buzzcocks; Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds; The Go-Go’s; Devo; OMD; Garbage; Alison Moyet, Blancmange; Stereo MC’s; Midge Ure; and Madness. According to a Facebook post from Aimee Mann, members of ’til tuesday will perform together for the first time in 35 years at the Cruel World festival.

How Lucky Can One Man Get, the documentary covering John Prine’s 2010 benefit concert at Proviso East, will be screened at The Des Plaines Theatre in Des Plaines, IL on April 9. There will be Q and A panel afterward with Fiona Prine, Jason Wilbur, and Lois Baumann. Tickets are $30.

Keri Johnsrud and Shawn Maxwell will showcase songs from their 2024 debut album Caffeine on April 8 at City Winery Chicago. As a vocalist and saxophone player respectively, Johnsrud and Maxwell are well known on the Chicago music scene and combined their talents on Caffeine to celebrate the ups and downs of a typical person’s day. They’ll be accompanied by musicians Tom Vaistas on piano, Tim Seisser on bass & Lucas Gillan on drums at the City Winery Chicago gig.

Indie label Kool Kat Musik has released Pop Aid 2: A Compilation To Benefit Those Affected By Hurricanes Helene & Milton. All net profits from the 23-track CD will go directly to the American Red Cross in its efforts to help people in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. Acts who contributed songs to Pop Aid 2 include Mothboxer; Ronnie D’Addario featuring The Lemon Twigs; Vegas With Randolph; The Anderson Council; The Weeklings; Thrift Store Halo; The Grip Weeds, The Successful Failures; and Richard Turgeon. Kool Kat’s first POP AID effort came in 2022 with A Power Pop Compilation to Benefit the Citizens of Ukraine, which has so far generated over $4,000 to help World Central Kitchen in its work.

EXPO ’76, which modestly promotes itself as, “Chicago’s favorite band playing the tunes you forgot you always loved,” can return to the local club scene now that member Dag Juhlin has finished working with the Michael Shannon, Jason Narducy And Friends R.E.M.’s Fables Of The Reconstruction tour. EXPO ’76 will be back at one of its favorite joints, Simon’s Tavern on April 9.

The 10cc’s Graham Gouldman and Heart Full Of Songs tour is currently visiting venues in the UK, featuring the well-known songwriter/musician and a “semi-acoustic four-piece band performing songs from his back catalogue.” That includes hits by 10cc, The Hollies, Herman’s Hermits, and The Yardbirds. I’d love to see him come to Chicago with that tour.

The Chicago-based David Bowie tribute band Sons Of The Silent Age has a benefit concert for a close friend coming up on April 13 at Madame Zuzu’s in Highland Park. The music starts at 7:00 pm.

Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan, who runs Madame Zuzu’s 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.

Just Like Heaven: A Tribute To The Cure is now available from American Laundromat Records in vinyl format. Participating artists include Dean and Britta; Class Actress; Black Francis +Violet Clark; The Wedding Present; and Tanya Donelly.

Indie rock acts Doug Gillard and Bunnygrunt have recorded a seven-inch split single titled “A Tribute To Game Theory.” Gillard picked “Dripping With Looks” and Bunnygrunt chose “Together Now, Very Minor,” and both tracks are available on vinyl or as downloads on the Bert Dax Bandcamp page. It’s nice to see the late Scott Miller and his underrated band Game Theory getting some recognition.

Jazz guitarist Steve Knight has a release party for his For Years Gone album coming up on April 14 at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago’s Printer’s Row area. Working with bassist Justin Peterson and drummer Linard Stroud as an instrumental trio, Knight creates his own compositions and covers well-known artists such as George Harrison, Joni Mitchell, Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington. The Jazz Showcase is located at 806 S Plymouth Ct.

The Stop Making Sense: A Film By Jonathan Demme And Talking Heads Live Event Hosted By Jerry Harrison is coming on May 1 to the North Shore Center For The Performing Arts in Skokie, IL. The re-release of Demme’s iconic 1984 concert flick has been restored in 4K, and Talking Heads guitarist Jerry Harrison will provide an introduction, as well comments and a Q&A session afterward. Limited meet and greet tickets are available.

Slumgullion

Photo from the Record Store Day website.

See yesterday’s Weekend Reminders post for events taking place this weekend.

Record Store Day 2025 arrives next Saturday, and once again, the massive selection has something for fans of just about every genre and era. Some of the better known acts involved include David Bowie; Emmylou Harris; The O’Jays; and The Rolling Stones. The list of limited-edition vinyl offerings is available on the official website, and the current issue of the Illinois Entertainer has extensive coverage. Some stores create a party atmosphere around this event and even offer live music. 

The Chicago Cubs have teamed up with Motorola Razr in unveiling a new Blues Alternate uniform that will make its first appearance tomorrow at Wrigley Field in a game against the San Diego Padres. The Blues Alternate version is meant to honor the Cubs, as well as our city’s essential role in the history of blues music. There will be a retail venue called Landmark Records offering Blues Alternate clothing and merchandise, as well as limited edition music-related merchandise at Gallagher Way near the ballpark. Landmark Records will occasionally host live performances throughout the 2025 season. 

Chicago band Baby No Name has a record release event for its second effort Feral on April 12 at Jarvis Square Pottery on the city’s far north side. The group’s website describes Feral as “surprisingly bad ass, departing wholly from 2021’s exquisitely personal EP, Come Close.” Susan Abelson and Victor Sanders will also perform that night. 

Chicago-based, guitar-powered instrumental band Outronaut released an extensive and ambitious new tune titled “Demonic Republic” today. Composer-guitarist Steve Gerlach described it as “Easily the longest OUTRONAUT piece at 6:45” on Facebook today, and added, “It arrives at a point in time where you might need a soundtrack to your own revolution, a recommitment to standing with the most oppressed among us, standing up for human rights.” The single “Demonic Republic” is available on Bandcamp.  

The Miki Berenyi Trio, featuring Lush founding member Miki Berenyi along with KJ ‘Moose’ McKillop and Oliver Cherer, released its debut album Tripla today. The atmospheric vocals and arrangements will no doubt appeal to Lush fans, with “Gango,” “Big I Am,” and “Hurricane” particularly standing out. Later this year, the band will kick off a North America Tour that includes an October 17 date at Lincoln Hall in Chicago. 

The Cincinnati, OH publisher Ruffian Books has released a new one titled 500 Essential Pop-Punk Albums - From Blondie To blink-182, offering more than 550 pages of famous and lesser known artists. It’s available for $29.95. 

Peter Checksfield, a UK-based music historian/author whose previous efforts have covered The Rolling Stones and Jerry Lee Lewis, released a new book this week titled The Hollies - Elevated Observations: The Graham Nash Years 1963 – 1968. His Facebook post states the book explores “all the singles, albums, outtakes, live recordings, BBC radio, TV shows, cover versions, and much, much more!” It’s available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback and kindle versions. 

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 Phil Angotti Band and Steve Dawson with Lucid Dreams will share a double bill at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL on April 19. Angotti and Dawson are two of Chicago’s best singer-songwriters, and have the albums to prove it. The music starts at 8:30 pm. 

The mysterious Chicago-based alt rock band whitewolfsonicprincess will share a bill with singer-songwriter Hannah Frank at Cary’s Lounge on April 12. The show will run from 4:00 to 7:00 pm; Cary’s Lounge is located at 2251 W. Devon on the far north side. 

Long-time entertainment writer Mark Caro (Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune) has interviewed several well-known musicians for his Caropop podcast. Caro’s latest podcast finds him touching base with Peter Holsapple from The dB’s and Continental Drifters for a second time. In addition to his work with those two bands, Holsapple talks about his latest solo effort The Face Of 68. Caropop is available via Apple Podcasts. 

Looks like I’m not the only one who enjoyed Sunny Afternoon, the UK play based on the music of The Kinks, currently running at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Chris Jones in the Chicago Tribune and Catey Sullivan in the Chicago Sun-Times gave the show positive reviews, although each had a few issues with it. Sunny Afternoon runs at Chicago Shakespeare Theater through April 27. 

Garbage, the band that gave us songs such as “Stupid Girl,” “I’m Only Happy When It Rains,” and “I Think I’m Paranoid,” have a Happy Endings tour with special guest Starcrawler coming this fall. It kicks off on September 3 in Orlando, FL, and will include a stop at The Salt Shed in Chicago on September 29. Let All That We Imagine Be The Light, the band’s eighth album, is due out May 30.

Tickets are now on sale for the Sea. Hear. Now. festival taking place in Asbury Park, NJ on September 13 and 14. Participating acts include Inhaler; Hozier; LCD Soundsystem; Alabama Shakes; ZZ Top; De La Soul; UB40; Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue; Blink 182; Lenny Kravitz; Sublime; Public Enemy; Spoon; and 4 Non Blondes. 

The Regrettes, a Los Angeles quartet that impressed critics as well as numerous fans over the course of three albums, broke up a little over a year ago. Former lead vocalist and main songwriter Lydia Night recently sent out an email stating she’s finished recording a solo album that will be released soon. It’ll be interesting to see if Night continues The Regrettes’ formula of mixing punk energy and alienation, flavored with bits of Motown and the 1960s girl groups sound. 

Congratulations are in order for music industry veteran Dean Brownrout, whose No Big Deal nabbed a bronze medal in the Memoir/Biography category at the recent Axiom Business Book Awards. Brownrout has described No Big Deal as “a humorous and nostalgic journey through this seminal time in the music industry.” 

A recently remastered and expanded version of director Cameron Crowe’s 1982 film Tom Petty: Heartbreakers Beach Party can now be viewed via the Paramount+ streaming service. The documentary had previously only been seen once on MTV.  

Autographed copies of Mike Campbell’s Heartbreaker memoir are now available for pre-order from the talkshoplive and Premiere Collectibles websites. Campbell was a founding member of Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, and currently leads the band The Dirty Knobs. 

The recently released single “Bullet Proof” is the first new music we’ve heard from Chicago rock scene veterans Kevin Lee And The Kings since 2022. The hard-edged song takes aim at high society via Lee’s strong vocals and a guitar-driven arrangement. Fans can check it out on Soundcloud. 

The Handcuffs will likely include a few new songs they’ll be recording soon for their 5th album when they open for for fellow Chicagoans The Steepwater Band at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL on April 25. The Steepwater Band has recorded a series of albums filled with hard-hitting Americana rock. 

Chicago-based label Pravda Records will release a remastered, reissue of The Chamber Strings’ 2001 album A Month Of Sundays this summer. Vocalist-guitarist Kevin Junior, who passed away in 2016, was the guiding force on what Pravda describes as, “a beautiful album from a beautiful soul.”

Theo Epstein and Peter Gammons’ annual Hot Stove Cool Music is set for April 12 at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston. The event will feature Cheap Trick; Greg Hawkes and Eddie Japan performing songs by The Cars; and the Hot Stove All-Stars (Peter Gammons, Theo Epstein, Bill Janovitz, Kay Hanley, Will Dailey, and MLB Legends). 100% of the proceeds will go to the Foundation To Be Named Later Gammons College Scholarships fund.

Tickets are now on sale for The Color Purple - The Musical coming to the Goodman Theatre in Chicago starting June 21. The production will be directed by Lili-Anne Brown, with book by Marsha Norman, and music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Alee Willis, and Stephen Bray.

Shaky Knees - The Music Festival is scheduled to take place at Piedmont Park in in Atlanta, GA from September 19 through 21. Scheduled acts include Lenny Kravitz; Pixies; Spoon; Inhaler; Cage The Elephant; Johnny Marr; The Beaches; Vampire Weekend; Devo; Wet Leg; Franz Ferdinand; and Stereophonics.

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.

The feature-length documentary Bono: Stories of Surrender, which is based on the U2 vocalist’s solo tour for his fascinating memoir, will stream on May 30 on Apple TV. According to an online post from Billboard, director Andre Dominik’s film will include footage of Bono performing some of the songs he’s made famous with U2.

Congratulations to vocalist Gerald McClendon, who’ll receive the Bobby Blue Bland Award when the 25th Annual Jus’ Blues Foundation holds its Night Of The Living Legends event on July 30 in Biloxi, Mississippi. Many of us in Chicago are familiar with McClendon because of his superb performance of “My Sweet Lord” at a number of My Sweet George events at the Martyrs’ venue on Lincoln Avenue.

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 (or albums) going on sale.

Depending on when you read this, you might be able to catch McLuhan, the adventurous seven-piece Chicago band inspired by philosopher Marshall McLuhan, continue its Thursday night residency at Montrose Saloon this very evening at 7:00 pm. Vinyl copies of McLuhan’s ground-breaking and recently re-released album Anomaly will be available for sale at the show.

The upcoming double vinyl album Pretenders Live - Kick ‘Em Where It Hurts! is now available to pre-order exclusively through The Pretenders’ official website. Recorded during the band’s 2024 tour, it’s a blend of newer songs and classics such as “Talk Of The Town,” “Private Life,” “Back On The Chain Gang,” “Time The Avenger,” and “Middle Of The Road.” The album, with its distinct Elvis Presley/The Clash inspired cover, is due out on June 13. The double LP can be purchased on its own or as part of a bundle with a Pretenders t-shirt; there doesn’t seem to be any mention of a CD or digital version.

The 93XRT Opening Day Celebration At Yak-Zies, a Chicago tradition that draws a packed house of Cubs/rock music fans to the Wrigleyville venue, will take place tomorrow. Doors open at 7:00 am; WXRT air personalities will start spinning tunes at 9:00 am; and there will be a set by local band Ratboys at noon.

Later on opening day, The Delmark All-Stars from Chicago blues label Delmark Records will perform at Wrigley Field/Gallagher Way, and guitarist Bob Stroger will throw out the first pitch.

Lovely Stuff, the first new studio album in seven years from the Chicago-based indie rock band Smoking Popes, and Tripla, the debut album from The Miki Berenyi Trio, are due out tomorrow.

The Michael Steven Cohen 100th Show Celebration takes place at Montrose Saloon this Sunday at 6:00 pm. As part of the festivities, Cohen will unveil a new version of The Everly Hillbillies duo with fellow musician Fred Morg. Montrose Saloon honcho/musician Eric Chial will be a special guest.

Veteran folk/country/rock singer-songwriter Kent Rosenwald will perform covers and originals at an 11:00 am solo show this Saturday at City News Cafe. The venue is located at 4018 N. Cicero Avenue in Chicago.

Phil Angotti is now bringing his Beatle Brunch show to FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL, with an all-ages one taking place this Sunday at noon. He’ll be joined by fellow musicians Casey McDonough, Tom Ryan, and Blair Holmes while performing Beatles songs and their various solo efforts.

The 41st Chicago Latino Film Festival opened today at the Landmark Century Centre Cinemas (2828 N. Clark Street) and will run through April 14. The festival will include 51 features and 30 shorts from Latin America, Spain, and Portugal. There’s a feature story in today’s Chicago Sun-Times by staff reporter Ambar Colón that profiles some local productions that will be screened at the Chicago Latino Film Festival.

Singer-songwriter Steve Dawson has garnered praise for his work with the Dolly Varden indie rock/Americana band, as well as for his solo albums. Members of Dolly Varden—Diane Christiansen, Mike Bradburn, Matt Thobe, Alton Smith—will join Dawson onstage for his Annual Birthday Bash at Simon’s on Chicago’s north side this Sunday.

Alejandro Escovedo has shows coming up tomorrow and Saturday at City Winery Chicago. In addition to his roots rock solo career, Escovedo found success as a member of Rank And File and True Believers. The venue is located at 1200 W. Randolph Street in the West Loop area.

There will be a Muddy Waters Birthday Celebration! featuring performances by John Primer and The Real Deal Blues Band from 5:30 to 8:30 pm tomorrow night at The Walnut Room At Macy’s on State Street in Chicago. Admission is free, but seating is limited, so check to see if it’s still possible to attend.

Pravda recording artist Nathan Graham is known for mixing classic blues with Americana music, and he’ll likely showcase songs from his Saint Of Second Chances album during his gig tomorrow at the Thornton Distilling Co in Thornton, IL. Falling Stars, who gave us catchy indie rock songs on their recent Garden Variety EP, will be the opening act.