IPO Friday Night Preview

Photo from Rollo Time Facebook page.

It’s an all-hometown showcase for the second night of International Pop Overthrow - Chicago at the Red Line Tap. There will definitely be some power pop music going on, along with some quirky and eclectic fare. The festival runs through next Saturday night, April 25th. Be sure to check out the official IPO site for the full schedule and any last-minute changes. 

8:00 PM The Spindles Guitarist-vocalist Jeff Janulis of The Abbeys also works with this power pop band. The other members are bassist-guitarist Jerald Cross and drummer Duane Spindle. Influences include The Beatles, The Hollies, The Kinks, The Pretenders, and The Plimsouls. The Spindles’ melodic single “Young Heart” features Brad Elvis on drums and Bill Corston on bass.

8:45 PM Cooler By The Lake This group will put as many as nine musicians on stage and has been around for 20 years. Its repertoire draws influences from classic, punk, progressive and psychedelic rock, which explains why Cooler By The Lake has been able to open for a variety of major acts, including Molly Hatchett, The Fixx, Adam And The Ants and Asia. The band’s new album Summer’s Over comes out at the beginning of August.

9:30 PM Bob’s Your Uncle Formed in 1995, this quartet says it draws upon “no specific influences” while creating melodic original songs with harmony vocals.  Bob’s Your Uncle will have copies of its Xplod-i-mite CD available for sale and will no doubt be performing songs from it.

10:15 Food And Drug A coed indie rock band that describes its music as drawing inspiration from The Velvet Underground, The Pixies, and The Kinks.

11:00 PM Soft Candy Back from a two-year hiatus, this psychedelic garage pop band creates elaborate harmonies within 1960s style songs like “Song For Ellie Mae” and “Bixare Luv Pyramids.” The six-song Chelsea Boot +Violet Eyelids is the latest release from these catchy jokesters.

11:45 Rollo Time This power pop band’s 2010 CD, Victims Of The Crown was filled with catchy tunes like “’Til It All Comes Down.” Singer-songwriter Jon Raleigh was formerly with The Time Beings. Influences include Cheap Trick, Smashing Pumpkins, and Off Broadway.

The Seventh Ring Of Saturn - Ormythology

Photo from the Seventh Ring Of Saturn website.

The Seventh Ring Of Saturn is based in Northampton, MA but the band has fit in perfectly on a series of various artist compilations released by the UK label Fruits de Mer. In fact, its rendition of  “All The World Is Love” was one of the highlights on the Re-Evolution Hollies tribute album. Like Fruits de Mer, The Seventh Ring Of Saturn loves vintage psychedelic rock, and knows the genre inside and out.

Its second effort Ormythology has four appealing instrumentals—especially the Middle Eastern flavored “Teli Teli Teli”—but the tracks with lead-singer-bassist Ted Selke’s vocals are definitely more engaging. Fans of authentic psychedelia will definitely know they’ve come to the right place as he sings mind-bending lyrics like, “Can’t you see she’s burning a hole in my mind?” and “Nothing is what it seems” over the melodic dreamscape of  “Burning A Hole.” On “Time To Fly,” Selke opts for a more garage rock vocal approach as he and band mates guitarist Jacob Brown, guitarist Joe Giddings, and drummer Jamie Reilly unleash an energetic arrangement.

“Face” offers another adventure fueled by an irresistible melody, imaginative lyrics, and Selke’s layered vocals. The rollicking “Spaceman” is an older track with instrumentation that evokes Humble Pie and ZZ Top. Synth player Jeremy Knauff, who supplies the raw vocals, was lost to an apparent suicide in 2012. The Seventh Ring Of Saturn has dedicated Ormythology to him.

IPO Arrives In A Folksy Mood

Photo from Mallory Lennon’s website.

International Pop Overthrow returns to Chicago tonight with the opening salvo of multi-band showcases it will be holding at the Red Line Tap through April 25th. Check out the IPO website (which has links to all the acts involved) and plan ahead.

I wrote a preview of International Pop Overthrow - Chicago for the Illinois Entertainer that’s now up on their website. I’d like to thank IPO Founder/CEO David Bash for taking the time to respond a series of email questions I sent him. Justin Fielding, a Boston-based filmmaker who is working on a documentary called The Power Pop Movie, also contributed some email answers, along with a few musicians who will be taking part in this year’s IPO - Chicago. Mr. Fielding will be in Chicago this weekend, and hopefully will do some filming.

Tonight’s lineup has more of a Country and Western and indie rock flavor than some of the upcoming power pop-oriented showcases. All of these acts are from the Chicago area, unless otherwise noted.

8:00 PM Bryan Roberts The singer-guitarist performs original Americana and folk songs.

8:45 Skatterplot The moniker for keyboards player-studio recluse Steve Solomon, who describes his music as “Unique originals, nerd beats, pop!"

9:30 Mallory Lennon and the Sykadelix  Singer-acoustic guitarist who leans more toward folk and indie originals like the intimate “Built To Last” than psychedelic rock. She performs with guitarist-vocalist Keith Semple, and has been known to cover “Nights In White Satin” by The Moody Blues.

10:15 The Aaron Williams Band Aaron Williams, Dan Wonsover, and Kris Ahrens mix elements of classic, indie, and punk rock on their original material. They recently recorded music for the feature film Mind Over Mindy and will likely be showcasing songs from their recent release The Art Of Electricity.

11:00 Jennifer Fletcher And The Reckoning  The Country/folk singer-songwriter grew up in Beal City, MI and performs tuneful songs like “Beautiful Games” and “Little Bit Of Me.” The Reckoning is comprised of Frank Loria, Jason Vinluan, and Jeremy Schmidt.

It’s Here

Red Bull Sound Select/Record Store Day graphic from the Record Store Day website.

If your taste in music and film leads you away from the mainstream, if you’re willing to delve into the cultures of far away lands, if you take pride in collecting one-of-a-kind treasures and you’re willing to hunt for them; if your imagination transports you to other galaxies; this evening could kick off some exciting adventures and challenges. You’ll need funds, transportation around the city, and an itinerary that makes March Madness brackets look like tic-tac-toe. This is April Anticipation.

Every April, at least two entertainment events coincide at the same in Chicago. This year, there are five. CIMMfest (Chicago International Movies and Music) and the inaugural Lake FX Chicago 2015 Summit Expo run tonight through Sunday, April 19th; International Pop Overthrow - Chicago runs tonight through Sunday, April 25th; Record Store Day is Saturday, April 18th; and C2E2 (Chicago Comic And Entertainment Expo) runs Friday, April 24th through Sunday, April 26th.

This is the holiday season at Broken Hearted Toy. Hundreds of unpaid interns are brought in to help with the overwhelming research and workflow. It’s already proven to be too much. This particular post was scheduled to run last Monday, but freelance assignments and my writers group (not that those are bad things) caused it to be delayed. Your best best is to check out the websites for each of these events, find what most intrigues you, and start planning. Have a great time.

Saturday Slumgullion

Posters art graphic from the Curly Tale Fine Art Facebook page.

Here are a few bits that were left off yesterday’s Slumgullion due to my running out of time last night.

The Curly Tale Fine Art Gallery at 16 W. Erie Street in Chicago is having an opening night reception for its Vintage Music Poster Show on Friday, April 17th from 6:00 to 10 PM. Subtitled, “of the 60’s, 70’s, and other stuff we love,” the exhibit includes posters for The Sex Pistols, Johnny Cash, John Lennon, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and Grace Slick. It runs through May 30th.

Locomotive Breath and a Freeway Jam. Tickets for the Chicago Theatre events Jethro Tull - The Rock Opera Performed By Ian Anderson on November 1st and Jeff Beck’s concert on May 21st are now on sale.

The Rolling Stones’ North American stadium ZIP CODE Tour will be stopping at Summerfest in Milwaukee on June 23rd. Other dates include Columbus, Minneapolis, Kansas City and Quebec.

Yesterday’s Slumgullion noted that Simon Townshend will be doing a solo show at Martyrs’ on Lincoln Avenue on May 12th, the day before he’ll be performing with his brother Pete and The Who at the Allstate Arena. According to a recent issue of Rolling Stone (the one with Ringo on the cover) this 50th Anniversary Who Tour will include rarely performed songs from the band’s early days.

Slumgullion

Guster’s spring tour brought them to the Riviera Theatre in Chicago tonight, where they no doubt showcased hits like “Amsterdam” and “Satellite,” along with selections from their new Evermotion album. The band has upcoming dates in Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Portland and other cities.

The 13th Annual CHIRP Record Fair and Other Delights, a benefit for CHIRP - Chicago Independent Radio Project, takes place tomorrow at the Local 130 Plumbers Union Hall at 1340 W. Washington in Chicago. Loads of vendors will be on hand, offering an amazing selection of records, CDs, DVDs, and posters. Entertainment includes a Chic-a-Go-Go dance party, a music quiz, DJs, and art. Admission from 10:AM to 6:00 PM is $7 ($5 with a Record Fair flyer or ad); early admission from 8:00 to 10:00 AM costs $25, with readmission allowed all day.

SOPRO presents The 28th Annual Easter Parade Chicago All Star Blues Revue at Sullivan’s Irish Pub And Eatery in Midlothian, Illinois tomorrow night, April 11th. Joey Drada; John Falstrom; Scott Bonshire; Frank Anastos; Greg Wolfman; The Chicago Horns (Bill McFarland, Hank Ford, Kenny Anderson and Tony Ferraro); Billy King; Doug Lee; and Deb Seitz will be performing. In addition to the music, which starts at 9:00 PM, there will be prize giveaways.

Having run through The Beatles’ entire catalog with album showcases over the past few years, the critically acclaimed tribute band Tributosaurus will return to Rubber Soul and Revolver for a special WXRT sponsored all ages show this Sunday, April 12th at the Copernicus Center. Partial proceeds will benefit the Betty Hemmert Music Scholarship Fund. The show starts at 5:00 PM.

The CIMMfest (Chicago International Movies and Music) official program (which I helped proofread and edit) is now available at the Chicago Cultural Center and other locations. CIMMfest will be presenting a global selection of exciting flicks; concerts; flick/concert combos; and special presentations at venues around the city starting next Thursday, April 16th and running through Sunday, April 19th.

CIMMfest co-founder and Artistic Director Josh Chicoine will be a guest on WXRT’s Local Anesthetic  program this Sunday night, giving host Richard Milne a rundown on what films and live bands will be presented at this year’s event. If you’re going to The CHIRP Record Fair and Other Delights tomorrow, check out the CIMMfest table and tell the friendly volunteers that Broken Hearted Toy sent you. 

Translator’s recently released Sometimes People Forget compilation offers 22 previously unreleased demos and alternate versions of songs from its 1979 - 1985 days, including “Everywhere That I’m Not.” The San Francisco bred band has some tour dates coming up on the West Coast in May.

The Luck Of Eden Hall has now reached $5,616 of its $13, 500 target Kickstarter campaign to help pay for an upcoming European tour. The psychedelic band has a kaleidoscope of incentives for people make donations from now through April 30th.

Simon Townshend will be performing songs from his six solo albums at Martyrs’ on May 12th, the day before he’ll be joining his older brother Pete and Roger Daltry for a performance by The Who at Allstate Arena. Chicago-based singer-guitarist Dag Juhlin (The Slugs, Poi Dog Pondering, EXPO ‘76 and 3,000 other bands) will serve as the opening act.

Chanel Samson - The Beginning

Photo from Chanel Samson’s Facebook page.

Singer-songwriter Chanel Samson traveled from her hometown of Los Angeles to Liverpool to study at Paul McCartney’s Performing Arts School, LIPA, but the songs on her The Beginning EP could have sprung from a Broadway musical. A warped Broadway musical, considering the subject matter Samson explores within these big production numbers. She and her collaborator, the multi-instrumentalist-singer Felix Hagan from Felix Hagan and the Family, have dubbed their approach Circus Rock; which turns out to be an apt description.

“FU Matthew (Radio Edit),” a barely censored blast at an ex-lover prone to breaking his promises, finds Samson utilizing various vocal styles throughout the song’s unpredictable tempo shifts. Her spoken intro to “Little Red Dot” feels a bit forced but the song itself mixes irresistible doo-wop vocals, playful horns, and good-time piano with funny lyrics about a gal anxiously awaiting the result of her home pregnancy test. “This Old Guy (Radio Edit)” offers another massive arrangement as the lyrics detail the hazards of dating a lecherous codger. “Worth The Gold” tends more toward rock and roll; building a Bruce Springsteen style energy while Samson tosses in the occasional “uh huh” you’d expect to find in a Katy Perry hit.

A visit to Chanel Samson’s website reveals that The Beginning is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to her music. Other songs, like techno-oriented fantasy “Dried Fruit” and the punk rock environmental protest “Plant Killer” find her working in a more cutting-edge vein.