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.