Way Oh Way Oh Way To Party!

Photo of The Bangles and Vintage Trouble taken from The Bangles Facebook page.

The Bangles didn’t hesitate to promote their most recent CD, Sweetheart Of The Sun at their House Of Blues concert in Chicago last night. In fact, they kicked things off with “Anna Lee (Sweetheart Of The Sun).” The melodic song was greeted warmly, although there was a much more emphatic roar of approval for “Hazy Shade Of Winter,” which followed directly after it. Still, The Bangles’ faith in their new material was merited, as several Sweetheart songs were expertly woven throughout a 90-minute career retrospective. Susanna Hoffs, Debbi Peterson, and Vicki Peterson, backed by keyboards player Greg “Harpo” Hilfman and bassist Derrick Anderson, were at the top of their game, offering gorgeous three part harmonies and energetic playing.

“In case you didn’t get the memo, we have a new recording out,” Vicki Peterson joked while introducing the stubbornly romantic “I’ll Never Be Through With You.” The rollicking “Ball N Chain” and majestic “Mesmerized” were other newly minted highlights. The Bangles also tapped into their 2003 reunion effort, Doll Revolution for “The Rain Song” and “Ride The Ride,” but surprisingly, their cover of Elvis Costello’s acerbic “Tear Off Your Own Head” was not offered.

The performance included all the big hits, with “Manic Monday” coming fairly early on, but this was also an evening for those of us who were avid followers long before “Eternal Flame” topped the charts. Just as the show was about to start, a version of the Bee Gees’ “In My Own Time” done by fellow Paisley Underground members The Three O’Clock blared over the sound system.

The set list reached back to the 1984 album All Over The Place for gems like “Restless,” “Going Down To Liverpool,” “Live,” and “He’s Got A Secret.” “Get The Girl,” from the Austin Powers flick The Spy Who Shagged Me, was given an extended intro, and briefly slipped into “Outside Chance,” an obscure song by The Turtles. The Bangles served up a rousing finale by meshing “In Your Room” from Everything with the much earlier “Hero Takes A Fall.”

The Bangles’ first encore was their cover of “Sweet And Tender Romance” from Sweetheart, which must have had a few audience members scratching their heads. The choice proved yet again that The Bangles are playing by their own rules theses days rather than bowing to any big record company demands. Imagine the indignation of the corporate types if they had seen Susanna Hoffs, Debbi Peterson, and Vicki Peterson come out and strut their stuff as go-go dancers for an opening act. That’s precisely what the trio did last night at The House Of Blues.

Making its first visit to Chicago, the smartly-attired Vintage Trouble seemed like an odd choice to open for the power pop oriented Bangles. But lead vocalist Ty Taylor is a charismatic showman in the old school style of James Brown, and the band’s energetic mix of R&B and hard rock was irresistible. The song that enticed The Bangles to join Vintage Trouble on stage was a barn-burner in the style of “Land Of A Thousand Dances.” Other highlights from these impressive newcomers included “Nobody Told Me” and “Blues Hand Me Down.”

Later, as The Bangles launched into their final encore, they invited the boys from Vintage Trouble to join them for a rollicking version of “Walk Like An Egyptian.” It was a perfect close to a concert that had seemed like a party all night.

When You’re Having Fun

The Bangles’ two-song performance on Good Morning America today served as a potent advertisement for their new Sweetheart Of The Sun CD and current tour. Backed by keyboards player Greg “Harpo” Hilfman and bassist Derrick Anderson, original band members Debbi Peterson, Vicki Peterson, and Susanna Hoffs made the Prince-penned hit “Manic Monday” sound just as fresh as when it broke them into the Top 40 back in the 1980s. It’s a good sign when musicians still so obviously enjoy delivering a song they’ve played hundreds of times by now.

Perhaps even more impressive was how well the title track from the newly released CD fits in with The Bangles’ best material. It’s an easy-going song built on three-part harmonies and ringing guitars, and just one of the catchy gems that can be found on Sweetheart Of The Sun.

CD Review: The Handcuffs - Waiting For The Robot

Bangles Alert! The band will be performing on Good Morning America tomorrow. They have a gig at The House Of Blues in Chicago a week from today.

The Handcuffs will be playing songs from their new CD this Saturday night at Kryptonite in Rockford and they’ll be sharing the bill with former Stranglers vocalist-guitarist Hugh Cornwell on Halloween night at Reggies in Chicago. Note: The following review originally appeared in the Illinois Entertainer.

The latest effort from the husband of wife team of Brad Elvis and Chloe F. Orwell finds their musical partnership stronger than ever. He’s a hard-hitting drummer who composes catchy rock tunes, and she’s a singer-guitarist who belts them out with sass and versatility. Waiting For The Robot is their most ambitious effort yet (including their Big Hello releases) but maintains a fun, party spirit.

Elvis, whose resume includes time with Screams and of course The Elvis Brothers, exudes a quirky sense of humor on “Vinyl Isabella,” a glam rock tribute to a drag queen, and on the silly but engaging “Everybody Waves Hello.” But he also taps into more complex emotions on the Beatlesque “Miss You On Tuesday” and the intriguing “The Scary Side Of Me.” Ellis Clark, another music veteran, contributes impressive guitar and piano playing throughout. That said, Orwell stands front and center on Robot, whether she’s channeling Deborah Harry while trashing an ex-boyfriend on “Kiss This Goodbye,” or feeling the strain of a relationship coming apart on “Eight Down.”

Here’s Listening To You, Sweetheart

Susanna Hoffs photo from The Bangles Facebook page.

Just a reminder: A benefit for musician Kevin Junior will be held at the Lincoln Tap Room this Thursday night. Proceeds from the bash, which will include performances by singer-guitarist Phil Angotti and guitarist Ellis Clark from The Handcuffs among others, will go towards Junior’s medical bills for an upcoming heart surgery. Junior is probably best known for his work with The Chamber Strings, but he’s also a solo artist and has worked with Angotti and other musicians at live gigs around Chicago. He’s scheduled to perform at the benefit. Show time is 9:00 PM. The Lincoln Tap Room is located at 3010 N. Lincoln Avenue. There’s a $10 cover charge, and donations can also be made at the Friends of Kevin Junior fundraising site.

The Bangles’ first CD of new material in seven years drops today, just prior to a 16-date American tour that kicks off in Philadelphia on October 1st. The schedule includes an October 10th date at The House Of Blues in Chicago. Sweetheart Of The Sun, a collection of 10 originals and two covers, is the first Bangles recording since their 1982 self-titled EP that doesn’t include bassist Michael Steele. It has drawn favorable reviews from NPR and assorted blog sites. I’ve already submitted my take on the Sweetheart to the Illinois Entertainer, so hopefully it will run in the October issue.

Bangles fans in the Los Angeles area will have an opportunity to hear an acoustic set by the band and purchase signed copies of the new CD tonight from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM at The Grove Barnes and Noble. Legendary disc jockey Rodney Bingenheimer, a Bangles supporter from the earliest days, is serving as host. I may not be a Bingenheimer, but if The Bangles are looking for a host to do something like this in Chicago, I’m available.

Slumgullion #73

Photo from the Model Music website.

Lollapalooza has returned to the windy city, and for those who can’t physically be there, WXRT will be focusing on the festivities all weekend. The Chicago alt rock radio station promises live reports from air personality Marty Lennartz, and all kinds of exclusive backstage features. Throughout the weekend, other disc jockeys will offer their reflections on attending Lollapalooza over the past 20 years. Tomorrow morning, the always entertaining weekly show Saturday Morning Flashback and its host Wendy Rice travel back to 1991, the year of Lollapalooza’s birth. People out of the Chicago area can listen to WXRT through the station’s website.

Lollapalooza and The Fest For Beatles Fans often fall on the same weekend in Chicago, prompting some people to dub the latter as a Baby Boomer alternative to the hip kids frolicking in Grant Park. But any celebration of John, Paul, George, and Ringo draws a multi-generational audience, and The Fest For Beatles Fans is no exception. It kicks off today at 5:00 PM and runs through midnight on Sunday. WXRT air personality Terri Hemmert, who hosts the weekly Breakfast With The Beatles show in addition to her daily mid-morning time slot, is once again serving as The Fest’s Master Of Ceremonies. She’s also a gifted interviewer, combining the enthusiasm of a true fan with the knowledge of a professional.

The affable humorist/writer Martin Lewis will also be on hand, hopefully conducting one of his musicians’ forums, and spinning tales from his work with various celebrities. This year’s guests, some of whom Hemmert or Lewis will be chatting with, include Peter Asher of Peter & Gordon, Joey Molland of Badfinger, former Wings guitarist Henry McCullough, and musician/producer Mark Hudson. Liverpool, a Beatles tribute band that doesn’t try to look like the original musicians, but does a bang-up job of playing their songs, will perform in concert Saturday and Sunday nights. See the Fest For Beatles Fans site for a full list of the activities that will be going on throughout the weekend.

The Palatine Park District wraps up its Sounds Of Summer 2011 series tonight with Jimmy Sohns’ Rock N Roll Side Show at 8:00 PM at the Fred P. Hall Amphitheater. Sohns was the lead vocalist for Shadows Of Knight, the Chicago-based 1960s band that’s still revered in garage rock circles for its gritty take on “Gloria.” He’ll be joined tonight by Shadows Of Knight guitarist Mike Gotshall and vocalist-keyboards player Cindy Gotshall. The Palatine Park District is distributing surveys about which bands residents would like to see next summer. I wrote down several musical acts, as well as the suggestion that the Sounds Of Summer series extend beyond the first week of August.

Those of us who prefer the more energetic side of The Bangles will definitely get a kick out of their cover of “Open My Eyes” the garage rock classic originally done by Todd Rundgren’s Nazz. A sample of “Open My Eyes,” along with five other songs, can be heard on the Model Music Group website. An article accompanying the tracks describes the Debbi Peterson penned “Ball N Chain,” which is not yet available for preview, as a “high-revving agro kiss-off.” The Bangles’ new CD, Sweetheart Of The Sun, is scheduled for release on September 13th.

A few weeks back, I mentioned Hugh Hart’s House Of Imaginary Hits project, where he works with graphic designer Sean Hartter to create real songs for nonexistent bands and albums. Recently, the musician/journalist added to his collection with “They Just Keep Coming On (Bullshit Shuffle),” a political satire about the ongoing struggles in Washington, D.C. to agree on a budget. Written by Hart and featuring guitarist John Rice, the song has an amiable, Neil Young Harvest era arrangement and clever but biting wordplay like, “Kids are starving while they bitch and bargain gutting my future on a whim” and “Highways crumble while they act all humble, stuffing their pockets on the sly.” This newest track from Hart features Jim Lo Scalzo’s black and white photo of bureaucrats coming and going.

The Hollywood Walk Of Fame in Los Angeles goes New Wave on August 11th when The Go-Go’s get a well-deserved star to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the release of their still vibrant debut, Beauty & The Beat. The honor comes just under a week before the band plays a major gig at the Greek Theater.

Following in the footsteps of Celtic acts like The Chieftans and James Galway, the all woman band Cherish The Ladies explore the connections between traditional Irish music and American bluegrass on their latest CD, Country Crossroads - The Nashville Sessions.

The new disc comes as the group, which has had an ever-changing lineup over the years, marks its 25 anniversary. Deidre Connolly, who sang lead on Cherish The Ladies 2001 release The Girls Won’t Leave The Boys Alone and has toured with them recently, is on hand for this latest effort, along with former members Eileen Ivers, Liz Carroll, Maura O’Connell, and Liz Knowles. Other guests include Country & Western stars Vince Gill and Nanci Griffith, along with a number of well-known session musicians.

In other CTL news, Joanie Madden, the band’s very funny and talented founding member, recently received The Ellis Island Medal Of Honor Award for her many contributions to Irish music and dance.

CD Review: Three O’Clock - Vermillion

This review originally appeared in the Illinois Entertainer in 1988. Note the reference to Jason Falkner, who made his recording debut on this album. Afterward, he would go on to Jellyfish and a successful solo career. Lead vocalist Michael Quercio would also perform with Game Theory, Permanent Green Light, and Jupiter Effect.

Three O'Clock is the second group from Los Angeles’s storied Paisley Underground to receive a helping hand from Prince. The soul star took The Bangles from cult status to the mainstream by writing their first top ten hit, “Manic Monday.” As the first pop band signed to Prince’s own Paisley Park label, Three O'Clock could experience a similar transformation.

That’s not to say Vermillion offers any major changes from Three O’Clock’s previous efforts. Lead singer/songwriter Michael Quercio, along with keyboards player Mike Mariano, drummer Danny Benair, and new member Jason Falkner on vocals and guitar, has continued his quest to recreate the delicate pop sound of 1960s bands like Love, The Left Banke, and The Bee Gees.

There is a Prince cover, “Neon Telephone,” which was written under a pseudonym and features his cohorts Wendy & Lisa on back up vocals, plus an occasional nod toward blue eyed soul. Still, it’s likely that Quercio’s ideal woman would be named Penelope or Prudence, rather than Darling Nikki.

The only real change of pace comes on “Love Has No Heart,” which features Falkner on lead vocal and successfully ventures into the more modern sound of Depeche Mode and Echo & The Bunnymen. Other highlights, like “When She Becomes My Girl” and “Time's Going Slower,” are more typical Three O’Clock fare, proving the band hasn’t lost its knack for creating catchy pop music.

Slumgullion #54

Born Ready Films will hold the premiere of their full-length movie The Garage Hoppers tonight at The Portage Theatre on Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago. Written and directed by Andrew Morris, who is also one of the cast members, the film takes its plot from the current crime wave of kids breaking into garages to steal liquor. The title characters not only steal the booze, they run a lucrative business selling it to their friends. They have no trouble contending with a rival gang of hooch-grabbers on rollerblades, but run into trouble after snatching the last two beers from a garage owned by two deranged hillbillies. A pair of kidnappings and other mayhem cause the two gangs to join forces.

In addition to Andrew Morris, the cast includes Brian Morris, Max Ryan, Bryan Rafferty, and Jennifer Augustus. Bryn Packard, a funny guy who performed with my former comedy group Famous In The Future for a few years, also appears in the film. Tonight will be the only opportunity to see The Garage Hoppers for at least a few months, and DVD’s are not available yet. Other short films will be shown as well. The Portage Theatre is located at 4050 N. Milwaukee Avenue.

David Bash, who’ll be bringing International Pop Overthrow to Chicago next month, is a published rock critic as well as a promoter. He recently posted on Facebook that he just learned of a six-disc Hollies box set titled The Clarke, Hicks & Nash Years that will be released on the EMI label May 9th. Of course, avid Hollies fans will already have most of the songs, but Bash says that there will be at least one previously unreleased track - - a live performance recorded back in 1968. Further details to come.

The dB’s will be releasing the 45 “Picture Sleeve”/“Write Back” on April 16th for Record Store Day. The band has also completed its new CD and will have news about its release in the near future. dB’s founder Chris Stamey is organizing a second live performance of Big Star’s Third/Sister Lovers (the first was in Chapel Hill, NC) for March 26th at Mason Hall in New York. Participants include Stamey, Will Rigby, Mitch Easter, Mike Mills, Matthew Sweet, Tift Merritt, Jody Stephens, and Don Dixon’s daughter, Sydney Dixon.

Ground Zero blog has a post from L. Kent Wolgamott of the Lincoln Journal Star that covers The Bangles’ recent SXSW live show at the Cedar Street Courtyard. While some critics had dismissed the band’s inclusion on the schedule as shameless nostalgia, Wolgamott feels the performance at this “jam-packed” gig was better than he remembered. He doesn’t elaborate on the last time he saw them. Surprisingly, The Bangles didn’t play any of the new tracks from their forthcoming CD.

Vintage Publication Spotlight - Pringle’s Presents Billboard's Summer Preview ‘89

The latest entry in an ongoing series devoted to magazines of the past.

These days, if you’re fond of any particular product, you can go to the company’s Facebook page and click on the Like button. For example, I Like Natural Ovens bread, Shindig magazine, Pepsi Throwback, Trader Joe’s supermarkets, and Sweet Tomatoes buffet restaurants. Think any of these places will send me some freebies for plugging them? Probably not.

Back in 1989 though, if you were a potato chip company looking to get your name out in front of thousands of cash-spending youngsters, you sponsored a magazine. And so, the Pringle’s Presents Billboard’s Summer Preview ‘89 was born. I can’t remember exactly, but I have a hunch this neon colored, multi-photograph publication was tucked inside some other mag, probably Rolling Stone. The eight-page guide covered a wide range of touring acts via brief but enthusiastic profiles. A page on rock fashion described Madonna as, “one part drama, one part romance. And all fantasy” Debbie Gibson was a “bouncy Long Island native” who always topped off her outfits with a great hat.

Other pages concentrated on the music. Readers were advised to “run like an Egyptian to The Bangles’ summer concerts, as the world’s hottest all-female group takes to the stage for a gigantic U.S. tour.” R.E.M. were “the boys from Athens, GA -- heartthrob lead singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bass player Mike Mills, and drummer Bill Berry.” The legendary Who were returning for a 25th anniversary tour, and The Rolling Stones, who were also deemed legendary, were going to “rock the U.S. from coast to coast with the most eagerly awaited concert event of the year.”

Other glowing profiles in the Pringle’s guide covered Bon Jovi, Metallica, Ziggy Marley, LL Cool J, Midnight Oil, Tiffany, Fine Young Cannibals, and Poison. The Summer’s Past page (their grammar, not mine) listed hit songs from previous years, and included one of the silliest-looking photos of U2 ever published. To Pringle’s credit, there isn’t a single ad in the guide, although the company’s logo is on almost half the pages. By the way, 9,488, 473 people Like Pringle’s on Facebook.

Live Through Near-Death

People generally think of Courtney Love when it comes to Hole, but there’s a new documentary on the way that focuses on the alternative rock band’s critically acclaimed but troubled drummer, Patty Schemel. Hit So Hard: The Life & Near-Death Story Of Drummer Patty Schemel is being produced by Christina Soletti and Todd Hughes. The idea came about in 2007 when Schemel met with indie film and TV director P. David Ebersole for advice on how to preserve a box of hi-8 tapes featuring concert footage from Hole’s Live Through This tour.

After watching the tapes, Ebersole told the drummer he believed she had the makings of a fascinating documentary. Although he didn’t initially see himself as the director, Ebersole was soon in charge; editing 40 hours of raw footage into a workable format and conducting interviews with Schemel’s immediate family, fellow band members, and other musicians who had come in contact with her.

Hit So Hard makes the case that Schemel, who performed with Hole from 1992 through 1998 and was once a prime candidate to become the drummer for Nirvana, is an extremely gifted musician. Some of those interviewed suggest she was almost as much a driving force in Hole as Courtney Love. At the same time, the documentary acknowledges her drug addiction and emotional struggles. It also touches on Curt Cobain’s suicide.

The documentary stars Hole members Love, Melissa Auf Der Maur, Eric Erlandson and Schemel herself, as well as interviews with assorted celebs like actress Drew Barrymore, drummer Gina Schock of The Go-Go's, vocalist Nina Gordon of Veruca Salt, and drummer Debbi Peterson of The Bangles. An original score by Roddy Bottum from Faith No More and Imperial Teen is underway, as Soletti, Hughes, and Ebersole work to raise funds to add the finishing touches to their film.

While any project associated with the perpetually loose canon Courtney Love has a certain gawker appeal, the main draw of Hit So Hard: The Life & Near-Death Story Of Drummer Patty Schemel just might be all that previously unseen concert footage of Hole at the peak of its creative power.

45 RPM Memories: The Bangles - "Hazy Shade Of Winter"

A semi-regular feature about some of my favorite singles from the past.

I saw a Facebook post today noting that it’s Vicki Peterson’s birthday. So, in honor of the Bangles’ vocalist-guitarist, here’s a look back at the 1987 British import of the hit single, “Hazy Shade Of Winter.” It came enclosed in a plastic bag, and the 45 jacket, when unfolded, became a two-sided poster.

The song itself opens with some space age keyboard action and angelic harmonies, right before the guitars and drums kick in. It’s a more muscular version than the Simon & Garfunkel original; much like the way The Lemonheads offered a pumped-up take on “Mrs. Robinson.” Listening to it, I’m reminded of a telephone interview I did with Debbi Peterson for the Illinois Entertainer in 1979. Agreeing that “Hazy Shade Of Winter” had a harder edge than people were used to from The Bangles, the drummer noted, “Playing live will provide an opportunity to show our stuff,” and jokingly added, “Because we can kick gnarly butt.” In the Christmas 2010 issue of Record Collector, Susanna Hoffs told writer Paul Lester that she was enamored with “Hazy Shade Of Winter” from the first time she heard it, over five years before The Bangles recorded it.

The B-Side finds Joan Jett & The Blackhearts covering “She’s Lost You,” which was originally done by the English mod band The Zephyrs back in mid-1960s. Jett’s version sports a fun and slinky arrangement, including some good-time piano playing along with bursts of electric guitar. Like “Hazy Shade Of Winter,” “She’s Lost You” was on the soundtrack for the rich kids gone bonkers flick, Less Than Zero.

Slumgullion #31

Slumgullion is a dish that is best served on Fridays, but I'll be busy getting ready for a family get-together this weekend, so I'm posting this regular feature a day early. I hope everyone has a great holiday.

Words & Pictures. Alice Peacock, the singer-songwriter who charmed guests at WXRT DJ Lin Brehmer’s Birthday Bash at Arlington Park last year, will be headlining a Rock For Reading Benefit on September 11th at Lincoln Hall on Chicago’s north side. Rock For Reading is devoted to lowering the illiteracy rates in America. Peacock will be performing songs from her four albums, and veteran rock & roll photographer Paul Natkin will be displaying 21 of what he considers his best shots. The pics will be for sale. Tickets for this all ages show, which starts at 7:00PM, are $20. A portion of profits will be going to support Rock For Reading.

Not Those Village People. English rockers The Villagers have released a low key but artistically compelling video for the melodic “That Day,” the latest single from their debut, Becoming A Jackal. The CD is doing quite well in the U.K., and The Villagers are currently touring the States, hoping to duplicate that success over here. They’ll be playing Schubas Tavern in Chicago on September 24th.

Rocking In Canada. TEE PEE Records (cool new graphics on the press release, by the way) will have a few acts from its roster on stage when the 2010 Pop Montreal International Music Festival runs from September 29th through October 3rd. Priestess, Naam, Mirror Queen, and The Main Street Gospel will be joining a lineup that also features The xx, Shonen Knife, and Deerhoof.

Be Sure To Bring Band-Aids. New Millennium Theatre Company always draws inspiration for its offbeat productions from highly unusual sources, and they’ll be at it again this weekend when they bring Texas Chainsaw Musical to the Chicago Fringe Festival. The show runs September 1st through September 5th at the EP Theater, 1820 South Halsted Street. Unlike a lot of NMTC’s efforts, Texas Chainsaw Musical is not taking place in the late hours of the night. Scheduled show times are: Friday at 4:00PM; Saturday at 5:30PM; and Sunday at 7:00PM.

Work For Love. Las Divas Productions is sponsoring an evening of Industrial and NuWave music with Eddie Riot, Resistol Cincomil, and Norma Lua at Exit on North Avenue this Saturday, starting at 9:00PM.

September Gurls Again. The U.K. based label Cherry Red Records will be re-releasing a pair of early efforts from The Bangles this month. All Over The Place will have a single bonus track, which will be the band’s cover of The Grass Roots’ “Where Were You When I Needed You.” It originally appeared as the B-Side of the “Hero Takes A Fall” single. Different Light will have an entire disc of bonus material, including different mixes of “Hero Takes A Fall,” “Manic Monday,” and “Walk Like An Egyptian,” as well as a live medley of “Walking Down Your Street” and “James.” Meanwhile, The Bangles will be performing at the Sausalito Art Festival on September 4th, and will be touring Europe and Australia in October.

That Was A Long Time Ago, Dearie

This is a regular feature where I present a review or article I wrote in the near or distant past. It takes its name from a line in a sketch Dave Drazin once wrote for the Famous In The Future comedy group. This time, it’s a review of The Bangles' Everything album that ran in the Illinois Entertainer back in 1988. Funny how back then, I wasn’t sure “Eternal Flame” would be a hit. (It still wouldn't make a Top Ten of my favorite songs by the band.) The Bangles are currently working with Matthew Sweet on a new CD, hopefully to be released sometime this year or early 2011.

Considering the amount of airtime The Bangles have racked up on MTV over the past few years with videos from their second album, Different Light, it may be difficult for some people to remember that the band had released an impressive debut in All Over The Place long before Prince handed them the keys to stardom with “Manic Monday.” The major task facing The Bangles in recording Everything was to keep that success from diluting their ability to create catchy pop songs with heaven-sent harmonies. The band has met that challenge head on, with members writing or co-writing all 13 tracks.

“In Your Room,” the opening cut and the first single, gets things off to a shaky start. It’s not a bad song, but it’s so obviously calculated to please the teeny boppers who have recently jumped on The Bangles bandwagon, it’s bound to leave long-time fans in the cold. By contrast, “Some Dreams Come True” finds the band happily oblivious to its newfound status and performing a harmonica driven gem. Fortunately, most of the songs on Everything fall into the latter category.

The album offers a variety of styles that work well, from the hard-edged “Bell Jar” and “Crash And Burn” to the more introspective “Something To Believe In.” There’s also a touch of psychedelia in “Watching The Sky.” The success of “Eternal Flame” will depend on people’s tolerance of Susanna Hoffs playing coy. All in all, Everything proves that not only are The Bangles still fun, they’re a courageous band as well.

Vintage Publication Spotlight #11

The latest entry in an ongoing series devoted to magazines of the past.

The entire second issue of ROCK PHOTO was devoted to Women In Rock, and included full-length articles on Madonna, Pat Benatar, Carly Simon, Tina Turner, Yoko Ono, Joni Mitchell, Debbie Harry, Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett, and Chrissie Hynde. Published by ABC Leisure Magazines as a hip offshoot of Modern Photography, ROCK PHOTO was a “special publication” that apparently came out four times a year. This is the Summer of 1985 issue. The premiere edition, according to a front page introduction, had offered a “Focus On Ten Top Photo Pros” with profiles on Bob Gruen, Lynn Goldsmith, Ebet Roberts, and others.

Gruen served as the magazine’s Photo Editor, and he, along with Editor Roman Kozak, and Art Director Leslie Johnson, placed a heavy emphasis on eye-popping snapshots and trendy layouts. The Carly Simon piece is graced with 13 photos of the lissome rock star, and picture this: Debbie Harry has 11. An interview with Yoko Ono is accompanied by a Gruen shot of her playing the white piano John Lennon had given her, and Gruen also captured Tina Turner frolicking by the Eiffel Tower. Paul Natkin contributed a shot of Chrissie Hynde wielding her guitar at a Chicago concert, and he noted in a sidebar, “She jumps about a lot and is very active. I think she is a great performer.” An interview with Joni Mitchell showcases some of her own photography.

ROCK PHOTO also offered Technical Tips from Catherine Calhoun about how to take an effective headshot, with advice on makeup, what to wear, lighting, background, and finishing touches. There was a guide to ensuring your new camera works properly, and a few pages on Rock ‘n’ Roll, Fashion ‘n’ Style. Another article honored women in front of and behind the camera, such as Friday Night Videos Programming Director Bette Hissiger, as well as MTV video jocks Martha Quinn and Nina Blackwood. There was a two-page spread titled New Women In Rock with photos of The Bangles, Sade, Aimee Mann with ‘Til Tuesday, Lita Ford, Tracey Ullman, and Natalie Merchant.

25 years later, most of the artists featured in the ROCK PHOTO Women In Rock issue are still going strong, which stands as a testament to their talent, as well as the magazine’s taste in music.

Slumgullion #17

Photo from Paul McCartney’s MySpace page.

Longtime listeners of WXRT in Chicago know how fanatical on-air personality Terri Hemmert is about The Beatles. So we all shared in her excitement this week when she was one of the chosen few invited to watch Sir Paul McCartney receive the Gershwin Prize at the White House. Hemmert called in to Lin Brehmer’s show from Washington, D.C. the next morning to describe her adventure, and her genuine excitement was touching. Congratulations, Terri! And of course, congratulations to Paul.

Speaking of WXRT, Saturday Morning Flashback, the program that each week examines a different year via songs, sound bites, and host Wendy Rice’s charming commentary, celebrates its 25th Anniversary tomorrow. It will feature the year when Flashback began, 1985.

A few months back, Puerto Muerto, the Chicago-based indie rock duo comprised of vocalist-percussionist Christa Meyer and vocalist-guitarist Tim Kelley shocked its fans by breaking up shortly after the release of its critically acclaimed CD, Dueling For Pistols. Meyer has since formed a new project called Man Is Man with cello player Ben Kulp. True to Meyer’s eclectic background, the name is a reference to play by Bertolt Brecht. Man Is Man’s stark but enchanting first song, “The Disease” can be heard on its MySpace page.

Galileo Players have a long history of successfully mining humor from intellectual material. The Chicago-based improv troupe, whose founding member Matt Hovde has become a highly successful director in town, is now making episodes of its ambitious Science Digest web video series, including the 1981 pilot episode “The Astronaut,” available on YouTube.

Anyone who has seen The Bangles play live in recent years has surely noticed their exuberant keyboards player “Harpo” Hilfman. Now the band is coming to the aid of his wife, who needs a kidney transplant. They’ll be performing a Benefit Concert For Cindi Hilfman, which will be held just outside of Los Angeles on July 30th at Theatricum Botanicum. Fans can also support Ms. Hilfman by bidding on Bangles items, such as a skirt donated by Susanna Hoffs, on eBay. Best wishes to Mrs. Harpo.

While its sad to see The Go-Go’s breaking up, at least their farewell tour has given a number of fans a chance to express their creativity. The band and the Rock ‘n Load entertainment agency are sponsoring a contest to design a t-shirt that will become part of the tour’s official merchandise. The deadline is June 17th, and several of the entries can already be viewed on Rock ‘n Load’s Facebook page.

Slumgullion #12

Going, going, gone. Photo from The Go-Go's MySpace page.

A buffet of items about the pop culture world.

NOTE: MY PREVIEW OF TONIGHT’S INTERNATIONAL POP OVERTHROW IS INCLUDED IN THIS COLUMN.

First there was the sobering news that Supergrass was embarking on a farewell tour, and now comes word that The Go-Go’s will be calling it quits after their next tour. Neither band will visit Chicago. The Go-Go’s released an impressive comeback CD with God Bless The Go-Go’s in 2004, but never regained their initial popularity. I saw them a few years back at The House Of Blues in Chicago, where they thrilled a packed house with their dynamic performance, Some of the members will no doubt continue on, but this is still a major loss to the power pop scene.

The Goldstars, who released some truly fun pop CDs and did a stellar job of opening for The Hoodoo Gurus a few years back, are also leaving us. They have a farewell show scheduled at The Bottom Lounge in Chicago on June 12th.

Ralph Covert of The Bad Examples and Ralph’s World fame has a solo gig coming up at Two Brothers Tap in Warrenville, IL on May 12th. Covert describes the gig as “an evening for grown-ups” and promises to play some new material, as well as take audience requests for old favorites.

Give ‘em an award, and now they think they’ve got what it takes to rule Facebook. The Hollies have an official page where fans can learn about upcoming radio interviews, watch videos of live performances, order the band’s Midas Touch CD, and enter contests.

Singer-songwriter Ellen Rosner will be part of a triple bill with Scott Free and Kathryn Trapper this Sunday night as Cake Chicago returns to Red Line Tap for its monthly showcase. Hosted by singer-songwriter Ripley Caine, Cake Chicago aims to blend “queer artistry into the general public through live music and more.” The show starts at 9:00PM.

Singer-guitarist Phil Angotti, a veteran of Chicago’s power pop scene on his own as well as with other musicians, has a gig with Casey McDonough, Carolyn Engelmann, and Tommi Zender this Sunday night at Simon’s Tavern on north Clark Street in Chicago. The band will play two sets, starting at 9:00PM.

The DVD’s the thing. If you missed former Doctor Who star David Tennant performing the title role in that recent PBS Greatest Performances production of Hamlet, or if you liked it so much you want a copy to keep throughout all time, you’ll be happy to know BBC America will release it on DVD and Blu Ray on May 4th.

The Bangles come to Chicago tomorrow night for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s back-tie Spring Gala. The event is being held from 6:00PM to midnight at the Hilton Chicago on South Michigan Avenue. Tickets are $500.00.

International Pop Overthrow wraps up its 2010 tour of Chicago this weekend with a showcase tonight at Bird’s Nest on Southport, and a pair of showcases tomorrow at The Abbey on Elston. IPO founder David Bash has a talent for spotting up-and-coming power pop and indie rock talent, so I highly recommend checking out one of these events. All acts are from Chicago unless otherwise noted.

Toronto singer-songwriter Blair Packham is the opening act for tonight’s lineup at Bird’s Nest. His melodic tales include “One Hit Wonder,” one of the few tributes to Bobby “Boris” Pickett you’re likely to hear. A former member of The Jitters, his latest CD is Could’ve Been King. Former St. Louis resident Doug Bobenhouse was the driving force behind The Sun Sawed In 1/2 and now he’s in Chicago leading The Effingways. The band creates spare but appealing pop tunes like “Memories Of Doubt” and is working on its first CD.

The Elements Of Style may sing “Rock & Roll Is Dead,” but it’s actually alive and well in this quartet’s hands. Guitar-driven songs like “In The City” and “When I Close My Eyes” have a classy sound similar to The Changes, but with a rougher edge. The Help Desk calls its music “diversapop” because of the various musical styles it incorporates, but there’s also an off kilter sense of humor at work here, as evidenced by song titles like “Ghost Tattoo” and “The Jellyfish Song.” “My Favorite Wrapper” is straight up pop, while “She Said” has more of a jam band feel.

Minneapolis club scene veterans Tim Casey & The Martyrs were scheduled for 10:00PM tonight, but I’m seeing Facebook posts from David Bash and Aaron Fox & The Reliables that Fox and his band are now playing in that slot. Here’s what I had to say about Aaron Fox & The Reliables when they performed at The Abbey last Thursday: The band’s melodic approach to rock is most impressive on the energetic “Get Down,” which has a bit of a Gin Blossoms feel to it. Other tracks, like the chiming “Over Again,” effectively mix acoustic and electric guitars in lighter arrangements.

Led by 92 Degrees bassist-vocalist Mike Galassini and his wife, singer Marianne Shimkus, The Valley Downs create melodic pop tunes that at times evoke The Bangles. The band released an impressive EP in Behemoth, and recorded a video for the fetching new tune, “Play For You.”

Tonight’s headliners The Webstirs have a tradition of creating catchy power pop that extends to its latest CD, So Long. The title track is a prime example of the band’s approach, with strong vocals, energetic instrumentation and great hooks.

I'm hoping to catch some of this weekend's IPO performances and post reviews next week.