Incoming

Cheap Kiss Records is currently offering a limited edition compilation titled A Blast From The Cellar! - Lost Gems From The 60s Chicago Garage Rock Explosion. Available on vinyl only, the album is inspired by the legendary Arlington Heights, IL teen club that booked several of that era’s world famous bands. As stated in its title, this collection focuses on Chicago-area acts that also performed at The Cellar, and includes songs by The Mauds; The Same; Boston Tea Party, and The Huns.

The Smithereens, with John Cowsill as guest lead vocalist, will kick off a mini tour of the U.S. this Friday with a show at Ludlow Garage in Cincinnati, OH. The other dates are in St. Louis, MO; Cleveland, OH; Ferndale, MI; Brookville, NY; Old Saybrook, CT; Richmond, VA; and East Greenwich, RI.

Billy Idol’s latest album Dream Into It gives him new songs to perform on his current series of concerts, along with “White Wedding,” Rebel Yell,” “Eyes Without A Face,” and other hits. It’s A Nice Day To . . . Tour Again! with Special Guest Joan Jett, has been visiting major cities, and will  drop by The Credit Union 1 Amphitheater in Tinley Park, IL tomorrow night.

The Magnolia Pictures documentary It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley recently opened in theaters around the country. The screening is being immediately followed by 26 minutes of previously unseen footage showing Buckley performing at The Middle East venue in Cambridge, MA on February 19, 1994. Buckley passed away at the age of 30 in 1997.

On the Chicago club scene, artist submissions are now being accepted for the 28th Annual Jeff Buckley Tribute taking place on November 16 and 17 at Uncommon Ground Lakeview. A July 12 Facebook post by Uncommon Ground Lakeview directs musicians interested in taking part to “email EPK and Buckley song demo to: BUCKLEY@UNCOMMONGROUND.COM”. The post also states, “Fun folks & special guests will be flying in!!”

The Wild Honey Foundation will screen a special sneak preview of director Justin Fielding’s long-awaited Power Pop Movie this Sunday at the Wild Honey Backyard Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. Musicians featured in the documentary include Marshall Crenshaw, Jody Stephens, Vicki Peterson and the late John Wicks. The Derrick Anderson Combo will perform a set at 7:00 pm before the film is screened.

The Rachel Drew Band, featuring the Chicago-based singer-songwriter, will perform a free concert at 6:30 pm this Thursday in the Clark Street Sports parking lot on the city’s north side. The address is 4506 W. Lawrence, and anyone interested in attending should bring a chair or blanket. Food and drink is BYO, or can be purchased at the nearby No Pasa Nada.

PureSoul will present a tribute to Aretha Franklin at City Winery Chicago this Saturday. The brunch performance starts at noon, doors open at 10:30 am. On Sunday, City Winery Chicago will host a Prince tribute titled The Purple Madness. Vocalist-guitarist Bobby Miller leads The Prince Tribute Band, which also features dancers. The music starts at 7:00 pm.

Space in Evanston will continue its Singer-Songwriter Shows series throughout this month, with performances by Alice Peacock this Thursday; Sydny August on August 22; and Helen Gillet on August 26.

Dave Suh and The Dirty Wings, the Americana/grunge trio, have a release party for their 10-track album Set To Begin coming up this Friday at Montrose Saloon. Cisco Pike, Bad Candy and recording artists The Bon Mots will also perform at the venue that night.

Long-time Chicago comedy group Famous In The Future will have an all-new revue ready to perform when it hosts YippieFest at Chopin Theatre on this weekend. The freewheeling festival of the performing arts is inspired by the Abby Fest that was staged for many years by the Mary-Arrchie Theatre company. FIF’s revue is titled Snowflakes In Hell. Admission is $20 per day and $30 for the weekend; with all proceeds going Deborah’s Place, Howard Brown Health, and Northwestern Settlement. The full schedule is available on the official YippieFest website.