Slumgullion

For events taking place this weekend, check out my previous post titled Weekend Reminders.

Henry Diltz, one of rock music’s most successful photographers, will present Once Upon A Troubadour - A Slideshow And Story-Telling Experience Of The Photographs That Made Music History By The Man Who Took Them at the Troubadour in Los Angeles on December 9. The one-night-only event invites fans to “Step inside the golden era of rock ’n’ roll as Henry unveils a stunning visual journey and shares his intimate stories from behind the lens.”

Material Issue, the Chicago power pop trio that scored MTV hits such as “Valerie Loves Me” and “Diane” back in the early 1990s, and later returned with new vocalist-guitarist Phil Angotti, have a show coming up at the north-side venue Schubas on September 27.

Tickets go on sale this Monday for the Countdown Concert New Year’s Eve event at Dublin Castle in Ireland with headline act Inhaler. Other guests will be announced soon.

Long-time entertainment writer Mark Caro (Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, etc.) has talked with several indie rock musicians on his Caropop podcast, and just started making some of those interviews available on his YouTube channel. Caro has an easy-going, knowledgeable style that leads to fascinating conversations with his guests. The recently posted Caropop episode with Chris Difford from Squeeze is a prime example.

Beatland Books is set to release the first volume of a “massively enhanced and fully rewritten” update of Doug Hinman’s 2004 book on The Kinks. The Kinks - All Day And All Of The Night - The Day-By-Day Story Pt. 1: 1940 - 1971, with Andrew Sandoval joining Hinman, is due out later this year.

The Wheaton College Faculty Artists series will present fretless guitarist Kevin Brown as part of a Jazz Organ Trio on September 12 at the Armerding Center for Music and the Arts Hall. Brown will be joined by Isaiah Jones Jr. on organ ad Mason Lampa on drums. The concert starts at 7:30.

Paul Weller recently released Find El Dorado, a collection of his reinterpretations of other artists’ material, and he has now launched an online merch store. The email announcement describes it as “Celebrating every era - from the energy of The Jam, the style and soul of The Style Council, through to Paul’s solo years - these new collections bring together designs that mark the journey so far.”

Nasty, Brutish & Short, who describe themselves as “a late night cabaret packed with contemporary short-form puppet and object based theater,” will host a multi-act showcase this Monday at 3111 N. Western Avenue on Chicago’s north side. Curated by Myra Su and Caitlin McLeod, and hosted by Noah Ginex Puppet Co., the event will feature Laurel Johnson; Charlie Bendtsen-Schumann; Famous in the Future; Robbie Lynn Hunsinger; Rabbitfoot Puppetry; The Stinks; and Theatre Nobody.

Soundtracks Of A Generation, which has staged several rock music tribute shows, will perform The Concert For George on November 29 at 7:30 pm at the Lyric Theater in Blue Island, IL.

The official website for the Rory Gallagher International Tribute Festival has announced the 22nd annual event will take place May 28 – 31, 2026 in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland. That’s the birthplace of the iconic Irish guitarist, and the site promises, “Big Top Concerts each night as well as 30 Hours of Open Air Free Gigs on the Rockin’ Streets of Ballyshannon.” Tickets for all three nights are €90.

Happy Birthday to Tammi Sonnen, a knowledgeable and avid supporter of Chicago’s vibrant music scene, and someone I’ve enjoyed speaking with a few times at International Pop Overthrow showcases. Have fun celebrating.

As recently noted by writer Mike Duquette on The Second Disc website, Patti Smith will release a Horses (50th Anniversary Edition) via Legacy Recordings on October 10. In addition to the original tracks, it will offer “nine alternate versions and outtakes from the album sessions.” Duquette also points out that Smith will release a memoir titled Bread Of Angels in November. As I’ve mentioned in the past, The Second Disc is an extremely informative source regarding upcoming album releases.

The Everly Hillbillies will return to the Tuscan Market And Wine Shop in Arlington Heights on September 13 to perform an extended selection of songs by The Everly Brothers. The venue is located in the downtown area, just a short walk from the Metra station.

The latest edition of Second Scene, the Pittsburgh-based print publication that covers indie rock, is now available for $7 plus shipping on its Bandcamp page. Issue #21 features articles on Jah Wobble, Heavenly, The Laissez Fairs, Philip Parfitt, and several acts. If past issues are an indication, there will be colorful graphics to go with the copy. 

Longtime writer, filmmaker and director Ron Lazzeretti will host a Songwriter Circle this coming Tuesday at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL. Andon Davis and Rachel Drew will be special guests, and Lazzeretti will showcase songs from his own debut album Battle Of The Planets. Although it’s his first recording, he has several years of performing original music in Chicago venues.

Duets Special - Chrissie Hynde And Pals, an album featuring The Pretenders lead vocalist pairing up with Lucinda Williams; Julian Lennon; Shirley Manson; k.d. lang; David Gahan; Debbie Harry; Brandon Flowers; Rufus Wainwright and other well-known performers, is due out on October 17. It’s currently available to pre-order from various sites.

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 Who - The Song Is Over - The North American Farewell Tour is underway, and will make a stop at the United Center in Chicago this Sunday. Other upcoming dates include Los Angeles, Vancouver, Seattle, and Las Vegas. 

Cheap Trick’s new album All Washed Up is due out November 14, and the group has posted a video on YouTube for the first single from it. “Twelve Gates” finds an animated version of the guys rocking a mid-tempo arrangement powered by guitars and layered vocals. A promising start. 

Singer-guitarist Terry White has a record release party with The Loaded Dice, Cannonball, and other special guests coming up on October 2 at Fitzgerald’s in Berywn, IL. The album is due out on September.

The Replacements have a deluxe edition of their 1984 groundbreaking album Let It Be coming out in 4-LP, 3CD, and digital formats on October 24 via Rhino Records. A recent post on the band’s Facebook page states there will also be a “special bonus 10-inch vinyl, and T-Shirt mercy option.”

The Magnolia Pictures documentary It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley is now available in digital format from Apple TV, Fandango, Prime Video, and other sources. In Chicago, the 28th Annual Jeff Buckley Tribute will be held on November 16 and 17 at Uncommon Ground Lakeview.

A number of social media posts today brought the sad news that Mark Volman, who performed with The Turtles, Flo And Eddy (with Howard Kaylan) and Mothers Of Invention, has passed away at the age of 78. Rock In Paradise, Mark.