Various Artists - strange fruit and veg

The English indie label Fruits de Mer Records stakes its claim on bringing psychedelia, progressive rock, krautrock, acid-folk, and spacerock to the rest of the planet via slabs of vinyl. The company also utilizes a shrewd marketing approach that entices regular customers to join a Members Club with the promise of receiving exclusive compilations of mind-altering songs. The lowercase titled strange fruit and veg, which is being given to people who order Mechanisms Part Two, an adventurous, sci-fi themed double LP from the UK prog band Cranium Pie, is a prime example. It plays to Fruits de Mer’s strength of asking current psychedelic and prog rock bands to cover vintage songs. 

Even those of us who aren’t familiar with Trojan Horse can love the haunting acid-folk arrangement this band brings to Crosby, Stills Nash and Young’s “Ohio.” The Crawlin’ Hex turns Bo Diddley’s “Who Do You Love?” into a massive swirl of guitars, while Rob Gould provides a faithful and dreamy take on The Beatles’ “Tomorrow Never Knows.” Todd Dillingham’s experimental rendition of “Hey Joe” obscures the sexist lyrics in favor of guitars that drift in and out, and a coda that involves what sounds like World War II fighter planes flying over. 

Each of the 18 acts on strange fruit and veg succeeds with its assigned cover; from Crystal Jacqueline’s triumphant reading of Strange Fruit’s “All Over The World” to The Mystery Crystals’ suitably eccentric version of Syd Barrett’s “Vegetable Man.” An industrial rock instrumental cover of Hawkwind’s “Circles” by Vert:x adds to the excitement. “Martians Don’t Surf!” appears to be an original song by The Blue Giant Zeta Puppies but it fits right in with these classic tracks with its fun mix of surf rock and space age synthesizers. 

Cranium Pie’s double LP Mechanisms Part Two will be available on colored vinyl from Fruits de Mer on March 30th.

Imagine Our Gratitude

Caity Lotz from Arrow

When Wizard World Comic Con comes to the Donald E. Stephens Center in suburban Rosemont each August, it draws hordes of sci-fi, horror, and comic fans. There’s a similar event being held this weekend, March 7th and 8th that appears to be Wizard World’s way of saying, “Thanks for your support.” With a single-day admission price of $15 (two-day tickets are $30), Wizard World Fan Fest - Chicago is considerably less expensive than the summertime version while still offering an imaginative variety of movie and TV stars; comic artists and writers; and loads of merchandise for sale.

The guests include Karen Gillan from Doctor Who and Guardians Of Galaxy; Lee Arenberg from Once Upon A Time and The Pirates Of The Caribbean; Caity Lotz from Arrow; Norman Reedus and Andrew J. West from The Walking Dead; Rick Cosnett from The Flash; Taryn Manning from Orange Is The New Black; Kristin Bauer from True Blood; Karyn Parsons from The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air; and Drea De Matteo from Sons of Anarchy, The Sopranos, and—sorry, but I liked it—the Friends spinoff Joey. 

Several comic and graphic novel guests will also participate, including Eisner Award winning artists Neal Adams and Gabriel “Gabo” Bautista; writer Trevor Mueller; Brian E. Balty, owner of The Creation Crib; and Jenny Wang of Musetap Studios. The Indianapolis-based AP Collectibles will be in Booth #800 with an array busts, statues and collectibles such as Batman, The Hulk, and Luke Skywalker. Director Brian Naydol, along with his cast and crew, will be at booth C16 in Artist Alley to promote his new horror film The Barlow House. It was shot in the Chicago suburbs.    

Wizard World Fan Fest - Chicago is open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM Saturday and from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM Sunday. Keep in mind that, as always with these types of conventions, there are additional charges for Autographs and Photo Ops.

A Lot Of Us Could Be Frank

Spoiler Alert: This review mentions major plot points of the movie.

I recently watched the DVD of a movie that had been on my radar for some time. The most likely way a film will spark my interest is via a newspaper review, which is something artistic types should keep in mind whenever they’re tempted to condemn all professional critics as frustrated losers who are jealous of genuinely talented people. A major portion of a project’s success will likely come from media types spreading the word about it. Finding the path to success, or even wanting success, is one of the main themes woven into Irish director Lenny Abrahamson’s offbeat comedy/drama Frank. 

Domhnall Gleeson portrays Jon, the everyman who guides viewers through the lifestyle and ambitions of the oddly named avant garde band Soronprfbs. Jon is obsessed with creating music but isn’t sure where to start until he accidentally crosses paths with the group’s borderline psychotic members, and is pretty much tricked into joining them for an extensive recording session at a vacation home hidden in a deeply wooded area. He quickly becomes convinced that Frank, the lead vocalist who spends all his time on and off stage wearing a big, cartoon-like head, is a genius.

Frank, as drolly portrayed by noted director/actor Michael Fassbender, is loosely based on an actual musician, but has elements of Jim Morrison, Neil Young, David Byrne, and countless other eccentrics who have enlivened the history of rock and roll. Thus, it’s perfectly believable that Jon would accept Frank’s nonconformity, as they once said in the Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Christmas special, in exchange for being part of what could become a highly acclaimed and successful band. Besides, compared to Maggie Gyllenhaal’s snarling and knife-wielding Clara and Scoot McNairy’s manikin-loving and cheerfully suicidal Don, Frank often comes across as the voice of reason. Jon tries to build a following for Soronprfbs by secretly filming the recording sessions and posting updates on Twitter. 

His behind-the-scenes work results in an invitation to perform at South By Southwest, and the group reluctantly agrees to travel to America for the gig. Arriving in Austin, Texas, Jon discovers his Twitter campaign wasn’t that successful, due to the number of acts following the same path. From there, the band encounters one disaster after another, including a short-lived unplugged show by the only remaining members, Jon and Frank. Later, Soronprfbs achieves an ironic triumph by reuniting without Jon, and continuing on in total obscurity. Sadly, there are performers from every aspect of the arts in real life who find that approach more comforting than facing the risks of criticism and failure.

The switch from the secluded recording studio to the U.S. is like the start of a second movie, which makes Frank seem longer than its 90-plus minutes. Still, it’s that unpredictable storyline, along with character-driven humor and sharply drawn satirical jabs that make this movie an enjoyable adventure.

You Can Read It In The Sunday Papers

A few bits that didn’t make it into this past Friday’s Slumgullion.

Singer-songwriter Dean Milano dropped by Mac’s On Slade in Palatine this past Thursday night. Joined by guitarist Jay Whitehouse and fiddle player Jordi Kleiner, he performed a few unpredictable sets that touched on rock, blues, and swing. “We’re doing a weird mix of tunes tonight,” Milano explained before playing the theme from the 1960s sitcom Petticoat Junction. Other covers includes The Beatles’ “I Need You,” (a nod to George Harrison’s birthday) “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance,” and the blues standard “Before You Accuse Me (Take A Look At Yourself.)” The trio also offered some of Milano’s clever originals, like “Life Is Like Plastic Model Kit” and “Beer Cans And Beanie Babies.”

Welcome back. The recently reunited Juliana Hatfield Three will be performing at Lincoln Hall in Chicago this coming Thursday, March 7th.

David Tennant, who portrayed the 10th version of The Doctor on Doctor Who, will make his Wizard World debut when he appears at Wizard World Comic Con Raleigh in North Carolina on the weekend of March 14th and 15th. Here’s hoping he’ll get the Comic Con bug and want to come to Chicago in August.

Speaking of Tennant, I recently saw his 2011 rom-com Decoy Bride, in which he plays a famous author who’s suffering from a bout of writer’s block. Karen Gillan, who portrayed the 11th Doctor Matt Smith’s companion Amy Pond, starred in Not Another Happy Ending, another rom-com that centered on a famous author with writer’s block. Both flicks are pleasant, although predictable in terms of how the romantic entanglements will work out in the end.

Karen Gillan will be in the Chicago area this Saturday and Sunday, as part of Wizard World Chicago Fan Fest at the Donald E. Stephens Center in Rosemont.

When garage rockers The Telepaths play Phyllis’ Musical Inn on Friday, March 5th, band members James Moeller and Pat Über-Critic McDonald will be seeing some familiar faces in the opening acts. The Rut features Frank Carr and Desiree Burcum from Famous In The Future, the sketch comedy group McDonald has been a member of for the past few years. The Teskederos are led bt Tina Teske, another Famous In The Future member. Moeller is a founding member (along with Carla Hayden) of the Black Forest theatre ensemble, which like Famous In The Future, has been performing at the Mary-Arrchie Theatre’s Abbie Hoffman festival for ages. Moeller and Hayden are also members of alt rock band Whitewolfsonicprincess, which has a gig Wednesday night at The Underground Wonder Bar on Wednesday, March 4th.

Slumgullion

Van Go will be bringing hard-edged and bitingly clever power pop songs like “Invisible Girls” and “Your Three Minutes Are Up” to Silvie’s Lounge in Chicago tonight. The band will also be at Red Line Tap on April 24th as part of International Pop Overthrow - Chicago.

Pssst! Music On Stage will be performing the musical Hairspray this weekend and next weekend at Cutting Hall in Palatine.

When I did my April, Rock She Will post the other day, I should have also mentioned the massive CHIRP Record Fair, (April 11th) which offers vinyl, CDs, and DVDs, along with food vendors and live entertainment; and CIMMFest, (April 16th through 19th) a four-day celebration of music and film. There will be more on those events here on BHT in the near future.

The Beatles Magazine is sponsoring a concert tomorrow night at the Epstein Theatre in Liverpool to help place a statue honoring Brian Epstein in his hometown. The campaign’s organizers are also seeking help from fans around the world, and they now have a theme song composed by Bob Pitt and produced by Billy Kinsley of The Merseybeats. Several musicians, including Billy J. Kramer, have signed on to help with the recording of “Our Friend.” See the Statue For Eppy website for information on how to donate.

Singer-guitarist Laura Joy has released a video for “Takes A While,” a track from her second EP Between Or Words. There will be a release party at The Hideout next Thursday, March 5th.

Alt rock/avant garde band Whitewolfsonicprinces will be performing songs from their two CDs next Wednesday night at The Underground Wonder Bar at 710 N. Clark Street.

Purple Dog Records, a store in Naperville that carries new and used vinyl, CDs, and vintage magazines, is looking for local bands to take part in a special Record Store Day event that will be staged at the nearby Orazio Pub on April 18th. The idea is to have a number of performers do short sets. Musicians who are interested can contact the Purple Dog people at purpledogrecords@gmail.com 

French garage rockers The Plastiscines started out as teenagers in 2007 and quickly released two albums brimming with catchy and fun tunes. Their more techno-oriented approach in recent years has yielded uneven results, so it’s good to hear them authentically covering The Kinks on a new TV ad for Yves San Laurent’s Touche Eclat makeup that alsofeatures model Cara Delevigne. Of course, there are purists who believe using classic rock songs to sell products is blasphemous, but I’m willing to embrace the Touche Eclat ad if it puts The Plastiscines back on the right track. 

Selkies Rule! As director Tomm Moore’s animated film Song Of The Sea rakes in positive reviews, Chicago native Linda Marie Smith’s musical tale Mearra - Selkie from the Sea is scheduled to air on local PBS station WYCC at 7:00 PM next Saturday, March 7th. Both efforts are based on traditional Irish tales of magical creatures that have a dual existence as humans and as seals. Smith’s live performance of her album was recorded at the Irish American Heritage Center.

There will a free evening of Chicago rock at Cole’s Bar on Milwaukee Avenue on March 20 featuring singer-songwriter Dann Morr, Post Child, and indie rock band Mooner.

Lannie Flowers - “Best I Can”

Before getting to the new Lannie Flowers single, just a quick note that folk singer/musical satirist/author/model car builder Dean Milano will be performing tonight at Mac’s On Slade in Palatine. The music starts at 8:00 PM.

It was no surprise when filmmaker Justin Fielding posted on Facebook that he had just done an interview with Lannie Flowers for his upcoming documentary The Power Pop Movie.  Over the course of two studio albums and one live album since 2008, Flowers has established himself as a master of power pop. He’s also a veteran of International Pop Overthrow, having performed in a number of cities on the festival’s circuit.

His new single “Best I Can” is a catchy, mid-tempo song from the point of view of a guy faced with a relationship dilemma that lies just beneath lines like, “I’ve got to live my life the way I choose ‘cause when you’re in it I can’t lose.” He knows this woman brings out the best in him but suspects she’s a control freak determined to make him follow a regimen for self improvement. “I guess you need less of the humdrum and more of the romance” he concludes but his insistence that he’s doing the best he can rings a little false and also kind of funny. This celebration of not being perfect is set to a guitar-based arrangement with a hint of Tom Petty, along with an almost classical interlude with piano and strings.

The more hard-edged B-Side is a faithful cover of Big Star’s “Back Of A Car,” in which Flowers is backed by some solid harmony vocals from his band members. This particular take on the Alex Chilton/Andy Hummel gem first appeared on Lannie Flowers Live In NYC, an impressive collection of songs that were recorded at the Trash Bar in Brooklyn about a month after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. Lannie Flowers will be performing at The Red Line Tap in Chicago on April 25th as part of the final night of International Pop Overthrow - Chicago.

April, Rock She Will

April doesn’t arrive for another 34 days but since that month is like the holiday season here at Broken Hearted Toy, it warrants some advance planning. International Pop Overthrow runs from April 16th through the 25th in Chicago at the Red Line Tap, and Record Store Day, which involves several area stores and at least a few live performances, takes place on April 18th. Which means some tough decisions will have to be made. Plus, the second volume of  journalist Ken Sharp’s Play On! Power Pop Heroes is scheduled to be shipped in late April for those who order it by March 31st. There will be more extensive coverage on BHT as these events get closer, but in the meantime, here’s a brief preview of each.

Over 70 bands will take the stage during International Pop Overthrow’s 2015 run at Red Line Tap; including veterans like Jeremy, The Abbeys, The Webstirs, The Right Tidys, Dave Rave, The Red Plastic Buddha, The Luck Of Eden Hall, The Romeros, The Viaducts, Van Go, Larry O. Dean, The Pralines, and Lannie Flowers. Generally, the weekend showcases feature six acts each, while the week night showcases have five. Admission for each showcase is $10.

The international phenomenon Record Store Day will return for its eighth year on April 18th. The event’s official website has yet to offer a comprehensive list of all the one-of-kind releases that will become available for just that one day, but it does have an inspiring message from Record Store Day Ambassador Dave Grohl. The Nirvana/Foo Fighters musician promises he’ll bring a slab of rare vinyl right to the front door to anyone who wants him to do that. Actually, he reminisces about his favorite record store in Springfield, Virginia when he was growing up. In addition to the collectibles for sale, Record Store Day is also a time when places like Laurie’s Planet Of Sound, Val’s Halla, Vintage Vinyl, and Reckless Records feature live performances by local bands. This year, Purple Dog Records in Naperville is hoping to stage a concert at the nearby Orazio Pub.

In Play On! Power Pop Heroes - Vol.1, noted rock critic Ken Sharp compiled a fascinating collection of interviews with musicians he viewed as “progenitors” of the power pop genre. Musicians from bands like that arrived in the 1960s or ‘70s, and whose music still resonates decades later. With Vol. 2,  Sharp moves on to artists “who built the genre’s foundation.” Sharp revealed yesterday that a colorful portrait of Rick Nielsen by artist Christopher Franchi will grace the cover of this 750-page book, which includes interviews with members of Cheap Trick, Shoes, Squeeze,  XTC, The Posies, Pezband, The Records, and other bands.

Nielsen looks pretty much the same on the cover as he did at the University of Illinois at Chicago where he flipped a guitar pick into my left eye while performing in the school’s cafeteria on a Saturday night back in the 1970s. Those who order Play On! Power Pop Heroes - Vol. 2 by March 31st will also receive over 90 tracks of rare live performances from some of the artists featured in the book. Note: the first volume in this series quickly sold out and is no longer available.