Incoming

Congratulations to David Bash on another successful International Pop Overthrow - Chicago at Montrose Saloon this year. As the nine-day festival wrapped up this past Saturday night, I caught the first three acts: Mike Cohen with bassist Rich Williamson and drummer Joe Rossi; 45 Souls; and The Spindles. Each gave an impressive performance, and the party atmosphere was augmented by the camaraderie among so many musicians hanging out at the club. Those vibes were just as strong a week earlier when I caught performances by The Jeremy Band, Monte Carload, The Emily Chloe Quinn Ensemble, and The Band Calderisi. If Montrose Saloon was closer to my home, I would have checked out a lot more bands. That sentiment goes for Montrose Saloon’s schedule in general.

Next up for Mr. Bash is the May 25 – June 1 IPO - Liverpool festival in the UK. The entire schedule is on the official International Pop Overthrow website, with links to most of the participants. If you can’t be there in person, the website is a convenient way to discover new music.

Speaking of England, The Stockport Music Story organization honored the late Eric Haydock—who played bass for The Hollies back in their early years—with a plaque at The Red Bull pub yesterday. “He was one of the first British musicians to have a Fender Bass VI, a six-string bass which he played in Manchester band The Deltas,” the Stockport Music Story noted in a Facebook post. Stockport is a large town in Greater Manchester, England. A special poster by artist Vivian Lally commemorating this event will be available from the Stockport Music Story website soon. Lally has several rock musician portraits available on her Etsy page.

In related news, Peter Howarth, who’s been the lead vocalist for The Hollies since 2004, has a solo show coming up on August 23 at at The Exchange in Sturminster Newton. For those unfamiliar with the English countryside, Sturminster Newton is a town in Dorset, on the River Stour and the Blackmore Vale.

And, just as a reminder, UK-based music historian/author Peter Checksfield’s new book The Hollies - Elevated Observations: The Graham Nash Years 1963 – 1968 is available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback and kindle versions.

Back here in Chicago, Alison Moyet will perform at the Vic Theatre on the city’s north side this Wednesday. Moyet started her career as half of Yazoo (known as Yaz in America) and went on to a successful solo career with hits such as “Love Resurrection” and “All Cried Out.”

Chicago’s beloved covers band EXPO ’76 will perform at the Prairie Moon restaurant in Evanston, IL as the venue celebrates its 23rd anniversary this Thursday. There will be drink and dinner specials all night, and the live music starts at 8:00 pm. There’s no cover charge, but reservations are recommended. Two days later, EXPO ’76 will perform at the Austin Community Tavern in Steger, IL.

Translator, the band that gave us the classic indie rock song “Everywhere That I'm Not” in 1982, will release Live at the Farm, San Francisco 1986 this Friday. The album includes two new songs recorded in 2023 by band members Steve Barton, Robert Darlington, Larry Dekker, and David Scheffin as bonus tracks.