Slumgullion

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

Long-time fans of Let’s Active (I’ve been one since seeing them open for R.E.M. in Chicago several years ago) will be pleased to learn the the band’s entire catalog has been newly remastered and will be released on streaming sites in late November. Founding member/lead vocalist/guitarist Mitch Easter And Gang have already sold out a two-set concert coming up on November 29 at the Gas Hill Drinking Room in the band’s home town Winston - Salem. Sadly, we lost bassist/vocalist Faye Hunter and drummer Sara Romweber several years ago, so it will be interesting to learn who’s in The Gang. Considering Easter has worked with some of the biggest names in indie rock, it could be impressive.

Chicago indie rockers The Handcuffs will take a break from recording their next album for a return visit to Mary’s Place in Rockford, IL on November 1. The Attitudes will be their guest opener.

For rock fans who love to travel. Iggy Pop; Joan Jett And The Blackhearts; Hoodoo Gurus; and ZED will share a tour in Auckland, New Zealand next year on January 23, 26, and 31. Six months later, Hoodoo Gurus will be one of the headline acts down under at the Birdsville Big Red Bash. It’s being promoted as The Most Remote Music Festival In The World.

It don't cost very much, but won’t last a long while. FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL has issued a low ticket warning for both the 5:30 pm and 8:30 pm versions of Illegal Smiles - Celebrating The Birthday Of John Prine on October 22. The venue has also announced a low-ticket warning for Chris And Heather’s Country Calendar Show involving several performers on December 6. Even if you can’t make the show, I highly recommend finding a way to buy the Heather’s calendar because it’s always a masterpiece.

Cheap Trick has released a single from their upcoming album All Washed Up, which is due out November 14. “The Riff That Won’t Quit” adds some genuine funk to the band’s guitar-driven approach, and follows on the heels of the mid-tempo “Twelve Gates,” which can be viewed in an animated version on YouTube.

Indie Rock Night in the Bourbon And Brass Speakeasy at The Des Plaines Theatre seems to be going well, and this coming Tuesday will offer a special Battle Of The Bands. The winner of the event will have the honor of opening for a main stage act at some point in the future. The competitors are indie rockers Math125; power pop band The Spindles; and rock band Crashdive. Doors open at 7:00 pm; The Des Plaines Theatre is located in downtown Des Plaines, IL.

The John And Yoko/Plastic Ono Band with Elephant’s Memory and Special Guests Live At The One To One Concert boxset is available to pre-order at the online Official John Lennon Store. Recorded live at Madison Square Garden in New York City on August 30, 1972, the concert is available in 9 CD + 3 Blu-Ray Boxset; 4 LP; 2 CD; 2 LP, and 1 CD formats.

Chicago-based band The Neighbors will perform alternative rock and indie Americana at Brudder’s on October 30. The music starts at 9:00 pm; the venue is located at 3600 N. Pulaski.

Illinois rock and roll fans of a certain age might be interested to know the various artists album A Blast From The Cellar! Lost Gems From The ‘60s Chicago Rock Explosion has been reviewed in Issue No. 168 of the English rock mag Shindig! It’s given a mid-range rating of three stars (five stars is considered brilliant) but writer Jon ‘Mojo’ Mills does describe the Arlington Heights venue The Cellar as legendary, and praises “You Don’t Know Better” by The Blackstones as “a delightful slice of Beatles-esque pop.” (This is the issue of Shindig! with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham on the cover.)

Paul McCartney’s Got Back North American Tour 2025 continues its run with a concert tonight in Minneapolis. Upcoming dates include Tulsa; San Antonio; New Orleans; Atlanta; Nashville; Pittsburgh; Buffalo; and Montreal. The long and winding road ends with concerts at the United Center on November 24 and 25, which means Chicago area fans will have something fun to talk about with their families at Thanksgiving dinner.

Los Lobos fans in the Chicago area will also be grateful since the Los Angeles band has concerts scheduled for November 24 and 25 at SPACE in Evanston. Tickets are also available for Chicago folk legend Bonnie Koloc’s November 30 show at SPACE in Evanston.

The Webstirs, a Chicago-based band that’s been a reliable source for well-crafted and witty indie rock, will release its next album, High Up In The Trees, on November 14. They’ll perform a free show in the Sidebar at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, IL that night, with special guests Sunshine Boys.

A Carnival Of Grey And White, the latest and long-awaited album from the Milwaukee-based power pop band Trolley is now available on Bandcamp. In addition to the catchy title track and Elvis Costello style “As Long As I Can Find You,” which were previously released as teasers, other energetic gems include “Leaving You Behind,” “Stepping Up,” and “Radio Silence.”

Tickets will go on sale soon for the Gram Fest - Cosmic American Music Festival taking place on November 22 at the Joshua Tree Cultural Center - Blak Box Theater in Joshua Tree, CA. Performers include Sin City All Stars with special guests Jonny Kaplan And Friends, plus numerous other acts.

The Other Art Fair, a global and inventive effort from online gallery Saatchi Art to create a place “where the experience exists outside of four white walls,” is coming to Artifact Events in Chicago on the weekend of October 31 - November 2. The price of admission ranges from $18 to $312.50, depending which day you choose. Artifact Events is located at 4325 N. Ravenswood Avenue.

Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan’s new album titled Better Broken is now available; with the title track being the first single. Her 2025 North American tour kicked off this past Wednesday in Victoria, BC, and will include a stop at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago on November 22.

Revolution(s), Zayd Ayers Dohrn’s play about a soldier who returns from Afghanistan only to find his south side Chicago neighborhood also in turmoil, has opened at The Goodman Theatre. Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine fame created the music and lyrics; and Steve H. Broadnax III is the director. Revolution(s) runs through November 9.

The Saint Rocke venue in Hermosa Beach, CA has a fun double bill of Flamin Groovies and The Pandoras coming up on November 19.

Ring in the new with Old 97s at SPACE in Evanston. Tickets are now on sale for the Dallas, TX band’s December 29, 30, and 31 shows at the Illinois venue. Old 97s will likely perform selections from their 2024 album American Primitive, as well as favorites such as “Champagne, Illinois” and “Big Brown Eyes.”

The Return Of The Flock show scheduled for November 1 at Park West on Chicago’s north side has been cancelled due to an injury to one of the band members. Hopefully, a make-up date for The Flock, a critically acclaimed jazz rock ensemble that was well ahead of its time in the 1960s, will be announced soon.

Henry Diltz has joined forces with Cindystock for a series of rock musician photo books that benefit the Yates Fund For Cancer Hope. The choices include Dan Fogelburg; Stephen Stills; David Crosby; Micky Dolenz; David Cassidy; Joni Mitchell; America; Graham Nash; and Crosby, Stills, Nash And Young. Each book contains 40 photos and sells for $24. I just received my copy of the Nash book and it’s really cool.

Aliza Hava’s new album Into The Light is now available exclusively on Bandcamp. The Ashland, Oregon folk rock singer-guitarist creates emotionally charged songs such as “Let It Roar” and “Fix My Fate” that convey how to navigate this troubled world.