Weekend Reminders And BOO!

Weekend Reminders on Thursday posts focus on events that were previously mentioned on Broken Hearted Toy, and are taking place during the upcoming weekend. Plus, the occasional event taking place this weekend that has just come to my attention; record release info; or concert tickets.

There are several Halloween events coming up this weekend. Since I already covered most of them in last Saturday’s Halloween preview, let’s start this post with non-holiday entertainment. Then, we’ll return to the spooky stuff, which will follow under the heading BOO!

But first, best wishes to four guys who’ve been rocking the Chicago music scene for a quite a while now. Happy Birthday to Mark Watson; Mike Galassini; Kenn Goodman; and Graham Elvis.

There will be a triple bill of indie rock recording artists tomorrow night at Reggies in Chicago, located at 2105 S. State Street. Pravda Records band The Handcuffs will kick things off at 8:30 pm, followed by The Midnight Calls, and The Cle Elum.

Tony Richards, whose solo jazz guitar performances have gained a loyal following on the Chicago scene, and vocalist-guitarist Phil Angotti, who’s known for his catchy original songs as well as impressive tribute shows, will join forces tomorrow night at Uncommon Ground Lakeview on the city’s north side. According to Facebook posts from Angotti and Richards, they’ll perform songs by Nick Drake; David Bowie; Brian Wilson; Paul McCartney; Jimmy Webb; Bob Dylan; and Paul Simon, along with some Angotti originals.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow for the February 25 CHVRCHES concert at The Salt Shed. Other 2027 Chicago concerts going on sale tomorrow include The Flaming Lips at Metro on February 27 and 28; and Pete Yorn Solo Acoustic at Park West on February 21.

The Zombies’ third annual Begin Here Festival (following ones in 2023 and 2024) kicks off tomorrow and will run through Sunday in St. Albans in the UK. The festival includes lead vocalist Colin Blunstone performing a candlelight concert accompanied by composer/musician Dave Bainbridge and Q Strings. There will also be a record signing with Blunstone, Rod Argent, and other band members; Q and A sessions with band members; and a ‘60s-themed dance party.

The Soul Avengers, a Chicago-based quartet featuring Steve Dawson, Alton Smith, Bill Brickey, and Chris Greene will return to Evanston SPACE in Evanston, IL on Saturday night.

Police vocalist-bassist Sting, who has found success with the band as well as with his solo career, will bring his 3.0 Tour to Montreal, QC tonight and Friday.

The Chicago-based acid-folk trio Esmerelda’s Boys have an album release event for their Hurt and the Eve of Destruction EP coming up this Sunday at Montrose Saloon. Special guests will include The Val Leventhal Band featuring Anne McIntyre; Patrick Reninger; Alpha Stewart; Pierce Crask and Ellis Clark; and Eric Chial and friends.

Join together, lend a hand. The Music Moves Mountains Foundation, a registered  501 (c)(3) non-profit charity organization that uses music to assist people experiencing medical issues, will present A Tribute To Keith Moon all ages event this Sunday at Central Machine Brewery Works in Austin, Texas. Special guests will include Gregg Bissonette; Stephen Perkins; Michael Jerome; and Keith’s daughter Mandy Moon. In addition to live performances, there will be a silent auction to benefit the Music Moves Mountains Foundation.

The hard-hitting, feminist band L7 (“When We Pretend That We’re Dead,” “Shit List”) will bring its The Last Hurrah Tour 2026 to The Vic Theatre in Chicago this Sunday.

The Second Summer, a Chicago-based alt rock/power pop band, will likely showcase its new single “Underwater” when they perform as part of the local label Hardstop Records’ showcase taking place this Sunday at the Bookclub in Chicago. Label mates Hollow Bastion and The Transference will also be on the bill.

Singer-guitarist Michael Steven Cohen, a former member of the power pop bands The Abbeys and Pop Dollys, has embarked on a successful career playing selections from The Great American Songbook at dinner clubs.

He has a gig in the lounge at Chicago Prime Italian in Schaumburg on Saturday night.

BOO!

For those already in the mood for spooky fun, the FitzGerald’s venue in Berwyn, IL will present the Dead Sullivan’s Retro Rock & Roll Halloween Bash tonight at 8:30 pm. The Facebook post describes this event as “A vintage rock and roll dance party featuring smashed hits from the 50s/60s by “Bloody” Holly, “Scary” Lee Lewis, and the “Ghoul” Groups of the 60s.” “Dead” Sullivan will serve as host, while Zachary Stevenson & Friends provide live music. General admission is $15; minors can only attend if accompanied by a guardian; costumes are encouraged.

On Halloween night, the FitzGerald’s Sidebar will screen The Rocky Horror Picture Show flick at 8:30 pm. Admission is free, but those interested in attending must reserve in advance.

Darren Cooper, whose impressive resume includes leading the indie rock band Three Hour Tour, will bring some friends to the Blind Rivets venue in Champagne, IL this Sunday. The Happy Hour Halloween Party starts at 5:00 pm will include covers of The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, The Doors, The Monkees, Badfinger, and pre-disco Bee Gees.

The Bro Go’s, a self-described “high energy all-male tribute band paying homage to The Go-Go’s and the rock ‘n roll ladies of the 80’s,” will perform tomorrow night at The Moose Lodge in Oceanside, CA.

Cole’s Bar on Chicago’s north side has a Gay Halloween event planned for tomorrow that will feature Naked Brunch covering songs by Queen; Calico Loco honoring My Chemical Romance; and Jenny Scara performing Justin Bieber material. The entertainment starts at 9:00 pm; Cole’s Bar is located at 2338 N. Milwaukee Avenue.

The Hideout Chicago venue on the city's north side will hold its 30th Anniversary Chic-A-go-go Halloween Dance Party at noon on October 31.

Montrose Saloon on Chicago’s north side will present a three-night Halloweekend this year, starting tonight. That means there will be even more local bands masquerading as famous acts. This very fun event has been around for several years in area various clubs, and seems to have found a permanent home at Montrose Saloon. There’s a lot to recommend, but here are a few prime examples: Everly Hillbillies as The Everly Brothers; John Aselin as Roky Erikson; Rachel Drew as Siouxsie And The Banshees; Ellis Clark as Badfinger; Amazing Heeby Jeebies as The Cramps; and Phil Angotti as Sting. Admission for these 21+ shows is $20 each night; tonight’s showcase starts at 7:00 pm; Friday and Saturday will start at 7:30 pm.

The Razor And Die Annual Spooktacular can be heard from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Friday, October 30 at WLUW88.7FM and WLUW.Org.

Incoming

No need to fear these Zombies.

Think of today’s post as a mixed bag of Halloween candy and treats to be enjoyed later.

The Zombies’ third annual Begin Here Festival (following ones in 2023 and 2024) kicks off this Friday and will run through Sunday in St. Albans in the UK. It’s billed as a unique fan experience that includes lead vocalist Colin Blunstone performing a candlelight concert accompanied by composer/musician Dave Bainbridge and Q Strings. There will also be a record signing with Blunstone, Rod Argent, and other band members; Q and A sessions with band members; and a ‘60s-themed dance party.

The Chicago-based acid-folk trio Esmerelda’s Boys are regulars on the local club scene, and they have an album release event for their Hurt and the Eve of Destruction EP coming up this Sunday at Montrose Saloon. Special guests will include The Val Leventhal Band featuring Anne McIntyre; Patrick Reninger; Alpha Stewart; Pierce Crask and Ellis Clark; and Eric Chial and friends.

The 50th Anniversary Who By Numbers album by The Who becomes available this Friday. The band has released a very fun Acoustic Stripped Mix of their 1975 hit single “Squeeze Box,” along with an animated video (inspired by John Entwistle’s art for the original album cover) that can be viewed on YouTube.

Join together, lend a hand. The Music Moves Mountains Foundation, a registered 501 (c)(3) non-profit charity organization that uses music to assist people experiencing medical issues, will present A Tribute To Keith Moon all ages event this Sunday at Central Machine Brewery Works in Austin, Texas. Special guests will include Gregg Bissonette; Stephen Perkins; Michael Jerome; and Keith’s daughter Mandy Moon. In addition to live performances, there will be a silent auction to benefit the Music Moves Mountains Foundation.

Cole’s Bar on Chicago’s north side has a Gay Halloween event planned for this Friday that will feature Naked Brunch covering songs by Queen; Calico Loco honoring My Chemical Romance; and Jenny Scara performing Justin Bieber material. The entertainment starts at 9:00 pm; Cole’s Bar is located at 2338 N. Milwaukee Avenue.

Police vocalist-bassist Sting, who has found success with the band as well as with his solo career, will bring his 3.0 Tour to Montreal, QC tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday. Looking ahead to 2027, Sting has several Las Vegas Residency shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in March and October.

The hard-hitting, feminist band L7 (“When We Pretend That We’re Dead,” “Shit List”) will bring its The Last Hurrah Tour 2026 to The Vic Theatre in Chicago this Sunday.

Now don’t that make you feel a whole lot better? Congratulations to The B-52’s on earning a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, in front of Amoeba Music store. The ceremony will be held this Wednesday at 11:30 am.

The Second Summer, a Chicago-based alt rock/power pop band, will likely showcase its new single “Underwater” when they perform as part of the local label Hardstop Records’ showcase taking place on Sunday at the Bookclub in Chicago. Label mates Hollow Bastion and The Transference will also be on the bill.

Marshall Crenshaw’s Fall 2026 Tour, with special guests Sarah Borges and Eric Ambel, kicks off tomorrow in Toronto, ON and will continue through November 23. Crenshaw will be backed once again by musicians Fernando Perdomo and Derrick Anderson on this tour, which brings Crenshaw to The Old Town School Of Folk Music in Chicago on Halloween night.

The FitzGerald’s venue in Berwyn, IL will present the Dead Sullivan’s Retro Rock & Roll Halloween Bash this Thursday. The Facebook post describes this event as “A vintage rock and roll dance party featuring smashed hits from the 50s/60s by “Bloody” Holly, “Scary” Lee Lewis, and the “Ghoul” Groups of the 60s.” “Dead” Sullivan will serve as host, while Zachary Stevenson & Friends provide live music. General admission is $15; minors can only attend if accompanied by a guardian; costumes are encouraged.

The Hideout Chicago venue on the city's north side will hold its 30th Anniversary Chic-A-go-go Halloween Dance Party at noon on Halloween.

Carrollton, TX garage rock band Shortwaves will perform on Halloween at the Bearded Lady venue in Ft. Worth, TX. The Facebook post sports a hip-looking Frankenstein illustration, so there might be some scary tunes involved. There’s no cover charge, and the show starts at 6:00 pm.

Singer-guitarist Michael Steven Cohen, a former member of the power pop bands The Abbeys and Pop Dollys, has embarked on a successful career playing selections from The Great American Songbook at dinner clubs. I’ve never known him to be frightening, but maybe he can perform a few spooky toe-tappers at his show in the lounge at Chicago Prime Italian in Schaumburg on Halloween night.

Montrose Saloon on Chicago’s north side will present a three-night Halloweekend this year, which means there will be even more local bands masquerading as famous acts. This very fun event has been around for several years in various clubs, and seems to have found a permanent home at Montrose Saloon. There’s a lot to recommend, but here are a few prime examples: Everly Hillbillies as The Everly Brothers; John Aselin as Roky Erikson; Rachel Drew as Siouxsie And The Banshees; Ellis Clark as Badfinger; Amazing Heeby Jeebies as The Cramps; and Phil Angotti as Sting. Admission for these 21+ shows is $20 each night; the Thursday showcase starts at 7:00 pm; and at 7:30 pm on Friday and Saturday.

The Soul Avengers, a Chicago-based quartet featuring Steve Dawson, Alton Smith, Bill Brickey, and Chris Greene will return to Evanston SPACE in Evanston, IL on Halloween night. Nothing in their Facebook event announcement suggests a haunting theme, but there’s sure to be plenty of cool music.

You’re also sure to find some Halloween fun on the radio. For example, The Razor And Die Annual Spooktacular can be heard from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Friday, October 30 at WLUW88.7FM and WLUW.Org.

Some Halloween Entertainment Suggestions

Halloween is always a time for fun and spooky activities, even when you’re an adult. Here are a few suggestions for upcoming entertainment events.

Start your celebrating early with Halloweensteen, a week-early holiday event featuring Michael McDermott and The Duke Street Kings, taking place tonight at Park West in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. The evening kicks off at 7:30 pm and will feature songs by Bruce Springsteen, along with a few by Tom Petty.

The FitzGerald’s venue in Berwyn, IL will present the Dead Sullivan’s Retro Rock & Roll Halloween Bash on Thursday, October 29. The Facebook post describes this event as “A vintage rock and roll dance party featuring smashed hits from the 50s/60s by “Bloody” Holly, “Scary” Lee Lewis, and the “Ghoul” Groups of the 60s.” “Dead” Sullivan will serve as host, and Zachary Stevenson & Friends will provide live music. General admission is $15; minors can only attend if accompanied by a guardian. Costumes are encouraged.

The Hideout Chicago venue on the city's north side will hold its 30th Anniversary Chic-A-go-go Halloween Dance Party at noon on October 31. 

Singer-guitarist Michael Steven Cohen, a former member of the power pop bands The Abbeys and Pop Dollys, has embarked on a successful career playing selections from The Great American Songbook at dinner clubs.

I’ve never known him to be frightening, but maybe he can perform a few vintage spooky songs at his show  in the lounge at Chicago Prime Italian in Schaumburg on Halloween night.

Montrose Saloon on Chicago’s north side will present a three-night Halloweekend this year, which means there will be even more local bands masquerading as famous acts. This very fun event has been around for several years in various clubs, and seems to have found a permanent home at Montrose Saloon. There’s a lot to recommend, but here are a few prime examples: Everly Hillbillies as The Everly Brothers; John Aselin as Roky Erikson; Rachel Drew as Siouxsie And The Banshees; Ellis Clark as Badfinger; Amazing Heeby Jeebies as The Cramps; and Phil Angotti as Sting. Admission for these 21+ shows is $20 each night; the Thursday showcase starts at 7:00 pm; and at 7:30 pm on Friday and Saturday.

The Soul Avengers, a Chicago-based quartet featuring Steve Dawson, Alton Smith, Bill Brickey, and Chris Greene will return to Evanston SPACE in Evanston, IL on Halloween night. Nothing in their Facebook event announcement suggests a haunting theme, but there’s sure to be plenty of cool music.

You’re also sure to find some Halloween fun on the radio. For example, The Razor And Die Annual Spooktacular can be heard from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Friday, October 30 at WLUW88.7FM and WLUW.Org.

Slumgullion

Please see yesterday’s Weekend Reminders post for events taking place this weekend.

The Hoodoo Gurus have a live album titled Silk Purse coming out on December 4 that features the Aussie indie rock band performing with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. For those of us familiar with The Hoodoo Gurus’s raucous and frequently funny material, this combination is intriguing. “Hearing my songs performed this way was a truly transcendent experience,” band leader Dave Faulkner states on Facebook. “I had the strange feeling of rediscovering my own music in a fresh, new way.” Fans can get a preview by checking out the song “My Caravan” on YouTube.

The hard-hitting, feminist band L7 will bring its The Last Hurrah Tour 2026 to The Vic Theatre in Chicago on the first day of November. Tickets are now available online.

The annual Chris & Heather's Country Calendar Show will once again feature live performances by local musicians, and take place at the FitzGerald’s venue in Berwyn, IL. Chicago-based musician/artist Heather McAdams creates calendars brimming with cool illustrations of country and rock musicians. This year’s calendar show will take place on December 12.

Happy belated birthday to Grammy Award winning country and western/rock singer-songwriter Shelby Lynne. Her memoir Gunpowder, due out in December, will likely offer interesting reflections on her decades-long career.

The Split Squad, an all-star indie rock band whose members have found considerable success with other indie rock bands, has a new album coming out next year on Pravda Records. In the meantime, they’ve released the catchy single “Spanish Hospital Food” and a truly fun animation video to go with it. Chicago fans will get a kick out of seeing drummer Brad Elvis of The Handcuffs in cartoon mode.

As noted on the SPIN Magazine Facebook page, all four members of Talking Heads have collaborated on a book titled Talking Heads: New Feeling. It’s scheduled for May 2027, and is said to include all kinds of cool stuff that only the band members could have put together.

Long-time entertainment journalist Mark Caro has a knack for creating in-depth, fascinating interviews with rock musicians on his Caropop podcast. Two recent examples are Jim Babjak from The Smithereens, and Palmyra Delran, who recorded with The Friggs and is now a deejay on Little Steven’s Underground Garage Sirius XM channel. Caro’s current podcast features John Murphy, the third member of Shoes (after Jeff Murphy and Gary Klebe) Caro has interviewed. Caropop is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Caro’s YouTube channel.

Now don’t that make you feel a whole lot better? Congratulations to The B-52’s on earning a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, in front of Amoeba Music store. The ceremony will be held on October 29 at 11:30 am.

Tommi Zender and Alton Smith, both well known musicians on the Chicago scene, promise they’ll “make pleasant sounds” when they perform at Madame Zuzu’s in Highland Park on November 2. That’s the combination teahouse and record store run by Billy (Smashing Pumpkins) and Chloe Corgan.

Chris Isaak’s 15-date On Tour For The Holidays will start in Atlantic City, NJ on November 27 and wrap up in Shipshewana, IN on December 19. The seasonal music tour includes a stop in Milwaukee, WI on December 16 and at the Hard Rock Live Rockford venue in Rockford, IL on December 18.

The Uncommon Ground venue on Chicago’s north side recently announced the second night of its November 16 and 17 Jeff Buckley Tributes is sold out and there are only a few tickets left for the first night.

Twelve days after releasing its Carnaval De Luz album, U2 will perform during halftime at the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams football game on November 25 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Fans not at the stadium will be able to watch U2 on Netflix. Their Greatest Show On Earth World Tour will kick off in Mexico City on February 23 and then move on to South American locations.

The Smithereens will perform at the Park West venue in Chicago on November 21. John Cowsill (The Cowsills, Beach Boys, John Cowsill and Vicki Peterson) will be their guest lead singer, and he’s been doing a terrific job in that role for a while now. (Cowsill, Marshall Crenshaw, and Wesley Stace are taking turns in that role on the current tour.)

Tickets are now on sale for the Richard Thompson And Band with Clayton Linthicum and Quinn Bachand concert at The Vic Theatre on Chicago’s north side on January 30.

Last Friday’s Slumgullion post offered an alphabetical A through M sample of the artists participating in the upcoming Black Friday Record Store Day. Here’s a sample of participating artists from N to Z: Stevie Nicks; NRBQ; Old 97’s; The Pandoras; Prince; Ramones; The Rolling Stones; The Runaways; Bob Seger And The Silver Bullet Band; Brian Setzer Orchestra; Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band; Tangerine Dream; 10,000 Maniacs; 13th Floor Elevators; Richard And Linda Thompson; The Traveling Wilburys; Jeff Tweedy; Bunny Wailer; War; Bill Withers; Bobby Womack; and XTC. Per tradition, Black Friday Record Store Day follows directly after Thanksgiving.

The Third Eye, a book of personal photographs George Harrison took of his fellow Beatles in the years 1963 – 1969, is now on sale. It features over 200 photographs compiled and curated by Olivia Harrison, along with her essays, and comments from George.

The Soul Avengers, a Chicago-based quartet featuring Steve Dawson, Alton Smith, Bill Brickey, and Chris Greene will return to Evanston SPACE in Evanston, IL on Halloween night.

The Who have released a very fun Acoustic Stripped Mix of their 1975 hit single “Squeeze Box” as a preview of the 50th Anniversary edition of their The Who By Numbers album. Fans can check out the song via an animated video inspired by John Entwistle’s art for the original album cover. The 50th Anniversary Who By Numbers is due out October 30.

Join together, lend a hand. The Music Moves Mountains Foundation, a registered  501 (c)(3) non-profit charity organization that uses music to assist people experiencing medical issues, will present A Tribute To Keith Moon all ages event on November 1 at Central Machine Brewery Works in Austin, Texas. Special guests will include Gregg Bissonette; Stephen Perkins; Michael Jerome; and Keith’s daughter Mandy Moon. In addition to live performances, there will be a silent auction to benefit the Music Moves Mountains Foundation.

The Second Summer, a Chicago-based alt rock/power pop band, will likely showcase its new single “Underwater” when they perform as part of the local label Hardstop Records’ showcase taking place on November 1 at the Bookclub in Chicago. Label mates Hollow Bastion and The Transference will also be on the bill.

The Zombies’ third annual Begin Here Festival (following ones in 2023 and 2024) will take place from October 30 through November 1 in St. Albans in the UK. It’s described on the band’s Facebook page as “a unique fan experience,” and looking over the various activities, that sounds about right. Lead vocalist Colin Blunstone will be accompanied by composer/musician Dave Bainbridge and Q Strings, as well as special guests in a candlelight concert. There will also be a record signing with Blunstone, Rod Argent, and other band members; Q and A sessions with band members; and a ‘60s-themed dance party.

Temp Wishes, a new band led by the perpetually busy Josh Chicoine of The M’s, have a vinyl release show for their self-titled debut record coming up on November 6 at the Constellation venue on Chicago’s north side. They’ll share the bill with folk singer The Singleton Affair. 

The 49th Anniversary Edition of Elvis Costello’s My Aim Is True five-CD box set, with 104 tracks—half of them being previously unreleased—is now available. Costello’s groundbreaking debut featured songs such as “Watching The Detectives,” “Miracle Man,” “Alison,” “Less Than Zero,” and “(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes.”

Marshall Crenshaw’s Fall 2026 Tour, with special guests Sarah Borges and Eric Ambel, will start October 27 in Toronto, ON and continue through November 23 with a concert in New York, NY. Crenshaw will be backed once again by musicians Fernando Perdomo and Derrick Anderson on this tour, which will bring Crenshaw to The Old Town School Of Folk Music in Chicago on Halloween night.

Theater Of The Mind, the imaginative adventure crafted by David Byrne from Talking Heads and writer Mala Gaonkar, has been extended through December at the Reid Murdoch Building at 333 N. LaSalle Street in downtown Chicago. Theater Of The Mind is a Goodman Theatre production.