Incoming

Smoking Popes will bring their Midwest Simmerfest event to the Off Broadway venue in St. Louis on November 10; the Backroom in Milwaukee on November 11, and the Bottom Lounge in Chicago on November 12. The tour also includes Off With Their Heads; Limbeck; and Color Fred.

Josh Caterer from Smoking Popes will be part of the CHIRP Radio Presents The First Time Stories And Songs event at Martyrs’ on November 16. Hosted by Jenn Sodini, it will also include Metro owner Joe Shanahan; Alicia Nesbary Moore of Herban Produce; journalist Keisa Reynolds; comedian Anna Lucero; and DJ CHIRP radio personality Josh Friedberg. Once again, Steve Frisbie, Gerald Dowd and Liam Davis will provide music as The First Time Three.

Peter Gabriel plans to release a new album titled i/o in 2023 and will launch i/o The Tour on May 18 in Krakow, Poland. The European tour will also include stops in Milan, Paris, Berlin, Stockholm, London, and Manchester. Gabriel, who likes to sign off as pg, recently noted on Facebook, “It’s been a while and I am now surrounded by a whole lot of new songs and am excited to be taking them out on the road for a spin.”

Famous In The Future, the sketch comedy group I co-founded in 1989 and performed with through 2008, will present its first Christmas-themed show on the weekend of December 15 –17 at The Den Theatre. Tickets are now on sale for A Judy Christmas, which cast member Desiree Burcum describes on Facebook as an opportunity to “join Judy in her studio audience in 1963 as she navigates her holiday special and her own musical ghosts of Christmas.” I went to several FIF Christmas parties during my tenure with the group, and they sometimes involved Burcum doing a Judy Garland impersonation.

Artist Vivienne Boucherat is selling art and lyric sheet prints based on songs from the Odessey and Oracle album by The Zombies on her website. Prices range from $60 to $120.

Penn Gillette’s promotional tour for his new novel Random will bring him to the Harold Washington Chicago Public Library this Thursday, November 10. Random is a comedy set in Las Vegas and features a 20-year-old protagonist searching for a lifesaving stroke of luck.

Doom Flamingo, the Charleston, SC band that describes itself as “a six-headed synthwave beast with a Jekyll and Hyde element to the songwriting” will be haunting Metro with a midnight 18 and over performance this Friday.

Dream Syndicate, one of the prime members of the adventurous 1980s Paisley Underground scene in Los Angeles, have a Chicago gig coming up at Lincoln Hall this Friday.

The Randolph Street Holiday Market returns to Plumber’s Hall this weekend, November 12 and 13.

The Pino Farina Band will return to Durty Nellie’s in Palatine this Saturday, November 12. The group recently released the funky, guitar-driven single “Microsun.”

Only The Strong Survive, Bruce Springsteen’s new album featuring cover versions of classic soul songs, will be available in CD, vinyl, and digital formats this Friday. 

Heather J. Miller (formerly Heather J. Svoboda), who performed all over the Chicago improv scene some years ago is now marking her 11th year at the Cat Adoption Team cat shelter in Portland, OR. CAT is holding a Whisker Wonderland virtual benefit at 7:00 pm on this Friday. Miller suggests making a donation of  “$11 or $111 or $1.1M” (that third figure might be her improvising) to help the shelter continue to save cats’ lives.

Rocking Stuffers: Part 2

A while back, the Chicago Tribune ran an article about how quickly Adult Happy Meals are selling out at McDonald’s restaurants. Apparently, the corporation’s marketing team correctly determined today’s grownups need a pick-me-up, and receiving a small toy is a fun, nostalgic way to achieve that. In a similar vein, YouTube personality Adam The Woo traveled to various McDonald’s looking for Adult Happy Meals and discovered each location had sold its entire supply.

The Adult Happy Meal situation calls to mind a post I did here on September 30, pitching the idea of giving traditional stockings for the holidays. Along with candy and fruit, these stockings would be stuffed with entertainment-focused ‘toys.’ Chances are, that special person on your gift list has a favorite band, movie, TV show, and/or graphic novel. A determined internet search will likely turn up t-shirts, guitar picks, stickers, mugs, buttons, pins, action figures, and other treasures that could fit inside a holiday stocking.

Pop Art Sports Cards, which can be found on Facebook, eBay and Etsy, taps into the carefree days of collecting and trading baseball cards. But instead of athletes, these cards feature musicians. There are dozens of stars to choose from, in various genres. I’ve already purchased a bunch of them, including The Hollies; Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young; Heart; Cheap Trick; The Kinks; and The Bangles. They’re designed to mimic vintage baseball cards; with a photo of the musician(s) on the front and year-by-year stats and an illustration on the back. Considering the craftsmanship behind these designs, the prices are definitely reasonable. And imagine the surprised look on your gift-recipient’s face. 

Saturday Slumgullion

The Wild Honey Foundation has put together a stellar lineup for tonight’s A 50th Anniversary All-Star Celebration Of Big Star’s #1 Record! taking place at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA. The house band includes Big Star musician Jody Stephens; Mike Mills from R.E.M.; Chris Stamey from The dB’s; and Pat Sansone from Wilco. The Lemon Twigs, Jon Auer from The Posies and Susanna Hoffs from The Bangles are listed as special guests. The event will benefit The Autism Healthcare Collaborative.

It’s Karma It’s Cool recently released the second installment in its quest to offer six digital singles in three months. The English band describes its catchy, original tunes as power pop with bite, so it’s no surprise “Old Bones” places intriguing lyrics to a catchy, guitar-driven arrangement. It follows the first installment “A Gentle Reminder,” which dropped in August. Both of these songs, as well as one yet to come, feature guest Peter Holsapple from The dB’s on keyboards. You won’t see Holsapple in these first two videos since he works with It’s Karma It’s Cool remotely.

Women’s Fest takes place today from 3:00 to 9:00 pm at the Blue Island Beer Company in Blue Island. The event will be hosted by The Edna White Community Garden, The Bloom Bar, and The B*U*B Cafe. Special guests will include WXRT early morning air personality Emma Mac, The Bourbon Belts,  Beverly Phono Mart, Sharon Baker, and Bridget Cavanaugh. Proceeds will benefit the “Crui de Sheela Scholarship for a Student Who Wants to Study the Arts and Sciences” and The Edna White Community Garden. Admission is $30 pre-sale and $35 at the door; Blue Island Beer Company is located at 13357 Olde Western Avenue.

A 55th anniversary 4CD/1 seven-inch single boxset edition of The Monkees album Headquarters will be available exclusively from The Monkees official website on November 18. It will feature outtakes, demos, and newly mixed songs from the original Headquarters.

Blue Heaven, a tribute to blues artists such as B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf, Big Mama Thornton, and Muddy Waters, has opened at The Black Ensemble and will run through November 27. As noted by theater critic Catey Sullivan in The Chicago SunTimes, the revue is set “at Pearly’s, the otherworldly on-stage venue.” Tickets range from $50 to $55; Black Ensemble Theatre is located at 4450 N. Clark on Chicago’s north side.

Jim Babjak and Dennis Diken of The Smithereens will host an online event on TALKSHOP LIVE on November 8 at 7:00 pm EST. They’ll take questions from fans about how to purchase their recently released effort The Lost Album and a special color vinyl reissue of Christmas With The Smithereens, as well as an autographed poster.

The Chicago Reader will celebrate five decades of being the city’s best-known free paper with a  50ish UnGala at Museum Of Contemporary Art on November 30. The event will take place on three floors, with four stages with live entertainment, food and beverages from the museum’s own catering service, and raffles. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase exclusive “50ish” anniversary merchandise. Tickets start at $25.

Women Sing The Who, the Bandcamp page that features women artists covering songs originally done by the iconic English rockers, posted its latest entry yesterday. Actress/singer-songwriter Mare Winningham brings an easygoing, tuneful approach to “Let My Love Open The Door.” Technically, that’s not a Who song—it’s from lead guitarist Pete Townshend’s 1980 solo effort Empty Glass—but why complain when the result is so enjoyable. Winningham is joined by former Wings guitarist (and frequent Fest For Beatles Fans guest) Laurence Juber, bassist Paul Marshall, and drummer Benjamin Lecourt. Carla Oloson joins Marshall on backup vocals. Olson, first known for her work with The Textones, kicked off the Women Sing The Who series last May with her rousing take on “I Can See For Miles.” It only costs $1 to download “Let My Love Open The Door,” and all proceeds benefit The Who’s charitable organization Teen Cancer America.

The Who have concert posters from their current Hits Back Tour for sale on their official website, and there are a variety to choose from. The debate for fans is whether you buy the one for your city or the one that looks the coolest to you. Personally, I most drawn to the one for Hollywood Bowl.

The 28th Annual Black Harvest Film Festival began yesterday and will run through November 27 at The Gene Siskel Film Center. The festival will present 20 feature films and 25 short films, plus over 15 filmmakers will make personal appearances.

Director Em Cooper has created a terrific video for The Beatles song “I’m Only Sleeping” that’s like an colorful oil painting springing to life in adventurous ways. It can be viewed on YouTube and other sites. This particular version of “I’m Only Sleeping” is from a brand new version of The Beatles’ groundbreaking album Revolver that benefits from the technical wizardry Giles Martin, George Martin’s son.

The long-form improv production of Anarchy: The Improvised Rock Operathe is now running at the recently reopened iO Theater. The venue had been closed since the summer of 2020.

Heather J. Miller (then known as Heather J. Svoboda) performed at iO and all over the Chicago improv scene some years ago. She’s now marking her 11th year at the Cat Adoption Team cat shelter in Portland, OR. CAT is holding a Whisker Wonderland virtual benefit at 7:00 pm on November 11. Miller suggests making a donation of  “$11 or $111 or $1.1M” (that third figure might be her improvising) to help the shelter continue to save cats’ lives.

Battersea Power Station, known to Pink Floyd fans around the globe as the four smokestack building on the band’s Animals album, is now an apartments/shopping complex thanks to a billion dollar rehab. Like they say, money, it’s a hit. No word on whether any of the shops selling souvenir flying pigs.

The Dungeons And Dragons inspired play The Twenty-Sided Tavern is now running at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place just north of downtown, and will be there through January15. https://www.thetwentysidedtavern.com/ The show has previously sold out previous engagements in Edinburgh, Pittsburg, and New York.

Steve Barton and Dave Scheff from Translator recently finished recording a two-sided holiday single with help from Peter Buck of R.E.M. and Scott McCaughey of Young Fresh Fellows. A Facebook post from Buck states the music will be available to stream soon, and will be hopefully be offered on colored vinyl in 2023.

Doom Flamingo, the Charleston, SC band that describes itself as “a six-headed synthwave beast with a Jekyll and Hyde element to the songwriting” will be haunting Metro with a midnight 18 and over performance on November 11.

The Pino Farina Band will return to Durty Nellie’s in Palatine on November 12. The group recently released the funky, guitar-driven single “Microsun.”

The English Beat’s Wine And Grind Tour 2022 will bring them to City Winery Chicago for shows on December 3 and 4.

 

There are Randolph Street Holiday Markets scheduled at Plumber’s Hall on the weekends of November 12 and 13 and December 17 and 18.

On November 18, The Spindles will be part of a four-band show at Ballydoyle Irish Pub in Downers Grove, with The Embryos, Thrift Store Halo, and Phil Yates and The Affiliates.

Dream Syndicate, one of the prime members of the 1980s Paisley Underground scene in Los Angeles, have a Chicago gig coming up at Lincoln Hall on November 11.

Peter Asher and Jeremy Clyde were each half of popular British Invasion duos (Peter and Gordon and Chad and Jeremy respectively), so it’s only natural they would be compatible as yet another duo. They done shows in the past and will be together again at the The Old Town School Of Folk Music on December 1.

Penn Gillette’s promotional tour for his new novel Random will bring him to the Harold Washington Chicago Public Library on November 10.

The 2022 Aidan Celebration Open House Party will take place on November 19 at the Shea home at 817 S. Fairfield in Elmhurst. The Aidan Shea Foundation supports the Lurie Children’s Hospital, Northwestern Medicine’s Lefkofsky Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and the University Of Illinois Law School Aidan Shea Memorial Scholarship. Plus, two new programs will benefit from this year’s event—the Illinois-based nonprofit Foster Progress and the 2023 Celtic Irish American Academy in Galway, Ireland. The open house will feature live music by singer-guitarist Scottie Long. 

Incoming

Director Em Cooper has created a terrific video for The Beatles song “I’m Only Sleeping”  that’s like an colorful oil painting springing to life in adventurous ways. It can be viewed on YouTube and other sites. This particular version of “I’m Only Sleeping” is from a brand new version of The Beatles’ groundbreaking album Revolver that benefits from the technical wizardry Giles Martin, George Martin’s son.

Power pop masters The Smithereens are always welcome in Chicago and they have a gig tomorrow night at City Winery. Jim Babjak and Dennis Diken of The Smithereens will host an online event on TALKSHOP LIVE on November 8 at 7:00 pm EST. They’ll take questions from fans about how to purchase their recently released effort The Lost Album and a special color vinyl reissue of Christmas With The Smithereens, as well as an autographed poster. Babjak posted a link to a special message on Facebook regarding the event.

Critically acclaimed indie band The Silos are celebrating the 35th Anniversary of their independently released album Cuba, with a special double LP reissue. There’s also an anniversary tour that will bring them to Montrose Saloon on Chicago’s north side this Thursday night. The music starts at 7:00 pm; admission is $20.

The 28th Annual Black Harvest Film Festival begins this Friday and runs through November 27 at The Gene Siskel Film Center. The festival will present 20 feature films and 25 short films, plus over 15 filmmakers will make personal appearances.

The Who have concert posters from their current Hits Back Tour for sale on their official website, and there’s a variety to choose from. The debate for fans is whether you buy the one for your city or the one that looks the coolest to you. Personally, I most drawn to the one for Hollywood Bowl.

Halloween Song: “Experiment In Terror”

A final repost from the BHT haunted vault for this year’s 31 Songs For Halloween series.

“Experiment In Terror” has a slow, ominous beat and twanging guitars that conjure images of a monster creeping along some darkened street. And we might just be its next victim. Surprisingly, this instrumental was composed by Henry Mancini for a 1962 cops and robbers movie called Experiment In Terror.

In the Chicago area, it’s much better known as the theme for Creature Features, which presented old time horror movies like House Of Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, and The Mummy’s Ghost on WGN every Saturday night from 1970 to 1976. “Experiment In Terror” will be forever linked to that show’s signature graphic of a horrifying guy in the top hat and cloak.

But “Experiment In Terror” also brings back memories of a childhood fascination with monsters, hours spent trick or treating, and neighborhood Halloween parties in garages or basements. Plus, it’s a great song. In addition to the eerie guitars, a string arrangement adds drama and a cinematic ambience. Later, there’s even a sexy sounding saxophone that puts the vamp in vampire.

Back when I was part of the Famous In The Future comedy group, I used this song an an intro for a satirical skit I had written about the workplace called “Night Of The Living Temps.”  

Halloween Song: “This Is Halloween”

This post is a slightly rewritten rerun from the BHT haunted vault.

Danny Elfman has been a spooky performer since the 1980s when he fronted Oingo Boingo on hit songs like “Dead Man’s Party” (see my October 10 post) and “Stay.” His quirky energy and maniacal grin, along with that unique voice, made lines like “Leave your body and soul at the door” simultaneously threatening and fun. He moved on to writing scores for Tim Burton movies such as Beetlejuice, Batman, Corpse Bride and Sleepy Hollow. His best work might have been for Burton’s dual holiday feature The Nightmare Before Christmas, which gave us the angst-ridden hero Jack Skellington.

“This Is Halloween”, one of the many highlights from the soundtrack, ushers us into the holiday town via an ominous beat, full orchestra, and operatic choruses. Comic voices abound as many of the creepy residents introduce themselves: “I am the one hiding under your bed./Teeth ground sharp and eyes glowing red.” Elfman’s clever rhyming couplets and macabre humor make “This Is Halloween” an enduring classic.

By now, homeowners across America have put the final touches on their Halloween decorations, aiming to surprise trick-or-treaters when they arrive tomorrow seeking candy. Hopefully, the kids won’t encounter anything as gruesome as the everyday activities in Jack Skellington’s haunted kingdom. Have a safe and happy holiday.

Halloween Song: “Hydrogenic”

Another rerun from the BHT haunted vault. 

Back in the early 1980s, Bohemia’s high-energy approach, led by charismatic lead vocalist/keyboards player Carla Evonne, prompted a Chicago daily newspaper critic to proclaim the band was every bit as good as X from Los Angeles. Following the release of a self-titled, three-song 10 inch EP in 1980, Bohemia struck again a year later with their impressive debut LP, Deviations. Among the energetic and offbeat highlights were “Plastic Doll,” “Standard Deviations,” “Empty Room,” and “Dr. Werner.”

“Hydrogenic” was a punk rock masterpiece, offering a girl meets mutant love story with an underlying jab at the perils of nuclear energy. Bass player Zirbel’s revved-up playing leads an extended instrumental intro before Carla Evonne sets the romantic tale in motion. “Since I met you baby/I haven’t been the same/You hit me like an H-bomb and now I hardly know my name.”

Even though her boyfriend’s appearance has been drastically changed by exposure to massive doses of radiation, the woman’s devotion is unwavering. “Momma says you’re different/With your long green hair/You got webs between your fingers/But I don’t even care.” Additional lyrics such “I can see you glowing in the dark/In my life you really caused a spark” are punctuated by an overjoyed chorus of, “Ooh, our love is new/Our love is new . . . nuclear.” It’s a protest song you can pogo to.

Sadly, Bohemia never found the fame and fortune it deserved, although the band did go on to release a few more recordings on its own label. On a personal note, Bohemia was the inspiration for a novel I based on Chicago's punk scene in the 1980s. It's been through several rewrites over the decades, but I'm convinced the latest version just needs a few edits and it will be ready for another round of submissions to independent publishers and literary agents.