Slumgullion

Long-time entertainment writer Mark Caro (Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, etc.) has talked with several famous rock musicians on his Caropop podcast, and recently started making some of those interviews available on his YouTube channel. The latest edition finds him taking a behind the scenes look at the R.E.M. albums Murmur and Reckoning with the guys who co-produced them, Mitch Easter and Don Dixon. As Caro promises on his Facebook post, even long-time R.E.M. fans will find this interview revelatory. And as a bonus, Easter and Dixon are pretty funny.

Ratboys have now given those of us who’ve pre-ordered their album Singin’ To An Empty Chair album on Bandcamp a fourth reason to feel good about our decision. The catchy and engaging “The World, So Madly” is the latest song the Chicago-based indie rockers have released, and it’s another winner. Singin’ To An Empty Chair officially comes out on February 6.

I didn’t know about this in time for yesterday’s Weekend Reminders post, but there will be a gathering at the Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco at 12:45 pm tomorrow to honor Bob Weir. As noted in an email from Rhino Records, fans will “pay tribute in the community and collective heartbeat that he created.”

Chicago radio personality Tom Marker recently retired, wrapping up a half-century career that included building loyal followings at WXRT and WDCB. He was a rock and roll DJ for much of that time, but his real love seems to be for the blues. With that in mind, WDCB will stage a Tom Marker 75th Birthday Blues Review at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn,IL on January 23rd. The Dave Specter Band will perform, with many other blues musicians expected to join in the celebration.

“Queen Of The Scene,” the first single from The Buzzcocks’ upcoming Attitude Adjustment album, sports an energetic, guitar-driven arrangement and Steve Diggle’s unmistakable vocals. The 14-track Attitude Adjustment will be released on January 30, which is also the day The Buzzcocks embark on a busy year of touring that includes performances in the UK, Europe, and (so far) two gigs in the USA.

Sons Of The Silent Age, the Chicago-based David Bowie tribute band led by vocalist Chris Connelly, has a tradition of kicking off the new year with a benefit performance at Metro. The January 31, 2026 event finds Sons Of The Silent Age taking “Our second trip through the Berlin trilogy, consisting of the albums Low, Heroes, and Lodger.” A second set will concentrate on Bowie’s hit singles and well-known material. And, as noted by guitarist Steve Gerlach in a Facebook post, “It’s a benefit for Endeavor Health’s excellent Integrative Medicine program.”

It looks like Squeeze, a band well known for spinning tales with clever lyrics and irresistible melodies, will explore the seedy side of English nightlife on their upcoming album Trixies. A recent video clip on the Squeeze Facebook page asks, “Who hangs out at Trixies? All the sort of people who carry something lethal.” Still, we can count on founding members Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook to work their usual songwriting magic. Trixies is due out in March.

This year’s Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival opens on January 21 at the Studebaker Theater and will continue at venues around the city through February 1. Only four productions are designated as family friendly, so choose carefully if bringing the kids. Otherwise, this looks like guaranteed and imaginative fun for adult audiences.

Deena Shoshkes and Jon Fried of the Hoboken, NJ band The Cucumbers have released a video of “There’s a Crop Circle on My Daddy’s Land,” the quirky, country-flavored song that inspired Fried’s Hello, George novella, as well as the band’s new album As You Heard Me. The novella and album will be simultaneously released on Valentine’s Day; “There’s a Crop Circle on My Daddy’s Land,” is available to watch on YouTube.

Congratulations to The Spindles on their album Wavelength being named by several websites and blogs as one of 2025’s best albums. The Chicago area power pop band has also garnered kudos for “Getaway” as one of last year’s best singles.

International Pop Overthrow founder David Bash has released his Top 150 Albums of 2025, with UK folk/power pop singer-songwriter Lavinia BlackwAll’s The Making nabbing the number one slot. Other honorees include Trolley; Tchotchke; Juliana Hatfield; the above-mentioned The Spindles; The Grip Weeds; The Len Price 3; Jeremy; Smoking Popes; Chris Stamey; Coke Belda; Tamar Berk; The Webstirs; Guided By Voices; Cheap Trick; Ken Stringfellow; Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill; and 20/20.

10,000 Maniacs have a show coming up at at City Winery Chicago on February 12. The band, which gave us hits such as “Like The Weather,” “Trouble Me,” and “Candy Everybody Wants,” will celebrate their 45th anniversary in 2026 by releasing of box set of material from their Elektra/Rhino Records years, as well as an album of new songs.

The first gig of the new year for whitewolfsonicprincess will take place on February 18 at the Wilmette Theatre in Willamette, IL. A Facebook post from the 21st Century Druid Music practitioners states there’s a bar in that venue, and there will likely be at least one other act on the bill.

Cherry Red Records will release Various Artists: CBGB - A New York City Soundtrack 1975 - 1986 as a 4-CD set on January 30. The tribute includes songs by Patti Smith; Blondie; The Dictators; Ramones; Television; The Dead Boys; Talking Heads; The dB’s; Genya Ravan; Tuff Darts; The Cramps; Cherry Vanilla; Suicide; Bush Tetras; Mink Deville; Richard Hell and The Voidoids; Tom Verlaine; Richard Lloyd; Sylvain Sylvain; The Bongos; Beastie Boys; Sonic Youth; and Nona Hendryx.

Van Go, a long-time favorite on the local indie rock scene, will share a double bill with LaRue DeVille (formerly Red Wigglers) on January 24 at Lizard’s Liquid Lounge on Chicago’s north side.

Australian garage rockers Hoodoo Gurus will be backed by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra on January 29 at the Sydney Myer Music Bowl. The listing on the Ticketek site promises the band’s material will be “reimagined on an epic scale, with orchestral arrangements bringing fresh energy and grandeur.” In other down under news, Hoodoo Gurus, along with Iggy Pop; Joan Jett And The Blackhearts; and ZED will share a tour in Auckland, New Zealand on January 23, 26, and 31.

Tickets are now available for the 10th annual My Sweet George George Harrison birthday celebration taking place on February 21 at Martyrs’ on Lincoln Avenue. The event aims to raise awareness for MusicCares, and organizers Ellis Clark and Ary Paloma always recruit some of Chicago’s best musicians to participate as special guests.

The first volume of an enhanced and fully rewritten edition of Doug Hinman’s 2004 book The Kinks - All Day And All Of The Night - The Day-By-Day Story Pt. 1: 1940 - 1971 is now available to pre-order from Beatland Book and is expected to ship on February 20.

Ralph Covert, the versatile singer-songwriter for the Chicago-based band The Bad Examples, will tap into his extensive supply of children’s songs with a Ralph’s World Solo Concert at the Oak Park Temple in Oak Park, IL on January 19. The event will support the Glasser Preschool.

Tickets are now on sale for an April 10 concert by long-time indie rock band Throwing Muses at Evanston SPACE in Evanston, IL. Led by vocalist-guitarist and acclaimed songwriter Kristen Hersh, the band has plenty of material to chose from, but might concentrate on songs from their 2025 album Moonlight Concessions.

The Smithereens, who were recently inducted (along with Darlene Love) into the Count Basie Center Walk Of Fame at the Count Basie Center in Redbank, NJ, have a show coming up on March 6 at The Des Plaines Theatre in Des Plaines, IL. Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill, who released the Long After The Fire album together in 2025, will join The Smithereens for that show.

What could be a better time to honor The Belfast Cowboy than on St. Patrick’s Day? Tickets are now on sale for the Beautiful Vision: The Songs Of Van Morrison event taking place on March 17 at SPACE in Evanston, IL.The participants will be Steve Dawson, Chris Greene, Alton Smith, John Mead, John Abbey, Larry Brown, and Sophie Creutz.