Incoming

Happy Birthday to bassist/vocalist Michael Steele, formerly of The Bangles. (She’s the one closest to the record player on the album cover.) Contrary to what some people think, The Bangles wrote quite a bit of their material, and Steele contributed some really cool songs to their albums. As with her band mates Susanna Hoffs, Debbie Peterson, and Vicki Peterson, she should be in The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

Tickets are now on sale for the Susanna Hoffs gig at The Old Town School Of Folk Music on September 14. It’s a co-presentation with Chicago Humanities.

Chicago-based band The Bad Examples, whose clever and catchy songs often call to mind the music of Squeeze, will perform at the Moonlight Theatre in St. Charles, IL on July 18, and at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights, IL on August 15. Later that month, they’ll perform at International Pop Overthrow - San Diego on either August 21 or 22 (the schedule hasn’t been released yet).

You know summer is on the way when bands start booking shows on the Chicago riverfront. EXPO ’76, the eclectic covers band that brings plenty of fun regardless of the season, will perform from 6:00 to 8:00 pm this Thursday at Riverwalk Tiny Tap in downtown Chicago. Two days later, EXPO ’76 will perform at FitzGerald’s Patio in Berwyn, IL.

Just when you thought Cult Canyon was The M’s founder Josh Chicoine’s latest band, he’s added another new one. Temp Wishes, which finds him working with veteran musicians Edward Anderson; Colby Starck; and Glenn Rischke, has recorded a single titled “Flash Fantasy.” The band will make its live performance debut this Friday as part of a double bill with art pop trio Quasar Wut-Wut at the Hungry Brain venue on Chicago’s north side.

Phil Yates of Chicago-based power pop band Phil Yates And The Affiliates, recently returned from International Pop Overthrow - Liverpool, and has a solo gig coming up at Uncommon Ground - Lakeview this Saturday. The Transference and Joe Dilillo are also on the bill that night.

Phil Angotti And Friends have performed a number of Beatles Brunches around the Chicago area and they have another one coming up this Sunday at FitzGerald’s On The Patio in Berwyn, IL.

Chicago-based prog rock band McLuhan has been keeping busy since reuniting a few years back, and has a show scheduled at The Copper Fiddle Distillery in Lake Zurich this Saturday night. 

Chicago-based power trio Triple will be part of a four-act showcase at Liar’s Club on Chicago’s north side this Friday. Pritchard will get things rocking at 9:00 pm, followed by Triple at 10:00 pm, Bone Bag at 11:00 and Umbra And The Broken Siege at 11:00 pm. Liar’s Club is located at 1665 W. Fullerton.

International Pop Overthrow regulars (in Chicago and elsewhere) Kerosene Stars will share a triple bill with Kenneth Scott Peters and Lonefeather at the Dan Electro’s venue in Houston, TX this Saturday. Kerosene Stars have been releasing power pop albums since their 2014 self-titled effort.

Veteran Chicago band The Claudettes, whose adventurous music challenges critics as well fans to slap a label on it, will release their next album, Garage Glamour, on Pravda Records this Friday.

Montrose Saloon has a Power Pop On Stage event coming this Sunday that will feature The Unswept, Dolph Chaney And The Phins, and Andy Bopp. The music starts at 6:00 pm.

Chicago-based singer-guitarist Terry White and The Loaded Dice will share a double bill at Cary’s Lounge on Chicago’s far north side this Saturday night. There is no cover charge.