For The Records

Photo from The Dyes Facebook page.

The Bottom Lounge, located just west of downtown Chicago, is holding a fundraiser/tribute show tomorrow night (June 7th) involving an eccentric rock label. The Roctober Hurockane Relief Revue  aims to help Norton Records, which lost a huge chunk of its inventory due to Hurricane Sandy last Fall when its East Coast warehouse became flooded. Norton Records has specialized in rock-a-billy, blues, and unique artists for 25 years.

Rhythm and Blues singer T. Valentine, whose latest effort, The Vampire was released on Norton late last year, will be the headliner. He'll be backed by The Bama Lamas, and locals bands will perform tributes to other acts on the label's roster. The Cable Access program Chic-A-Go-Go intends to tape the proceedings for an upcoming episode.

The tribute format reminds me of the Halloweekend shows that have been held in October at The Abbey Pub and Martyrs. In this case, Girl Group Chicago will salute The Shangri Las (original member Mary Weiss, a Little Steven Van Zandt favorite, is currently signed to Norton); The Dyes will pay homage to the label's rock-a-billy acts; and James Porter and will take on Sam The Sham. The Polkaholics will become Detroit lounge band King Uszniewicz and his Uszniewicztones. In addition to all that music, Roctober Hurockane Relief Revue will have DJs Todd Killings and The East Of Edens Soul Express; raffles; and an auction.

The Roctober Hurockane Relief Revue kicks off at 8:30 PM tomorrow in The Bottom Lounge's Volcano Room Rum Bar.

CD Review: The Three O’Clock - The Hidden World Revealed

Back in the early 1980s, The Three O’Clock created a unique sound by drawing 1960s Top 40 and psychedelic elements into power pop arrangements. Some of their songs, particularly on early efforts like the Baroque Hoedown EP and full-length debut Sixteen Tambourines, had a delicate beauty reminiscent of The Bee Gees. Back then, vocalist-bassist Mike Quercio and guitarist-vocalist Louis Gutierrez co-wrote most of the material. The Three O’Clock, along with other L.A.-based bands like The Bangles and The Rain Parade, were part of a movement Quercio and his mates dubbed The Paisley Underground. 

The Three O’Clock has resurfaced in the past year, with a live gig at Coachella, and an appearance on Conan O’Brien’s TV show. The nondescriptly packaged (other than the green vinyl) Live At The Waldorf (recorded in 1983) was one of this year’s Record Store Day treasures, and now Omnivore Recordings has released The Hidden World Revealed. The 20 tracks, which were originally recorded between 1981 and ‘86, include demos, alternate takes, and a promo for a local radio station. While it doesn’t offer all the great songs The Three O’Clock released over its career, it does provide a fascinating snapshot of the band in its earliest days.

“Stupid Einstein” might be the best example of a Three O’Clock song that should have topped the charts. Opening with the pensive line, “Things went oh so wrong today,” it’s irresistibly catchy and perfectly suited to its era. Like Scott Miller of Game Theory and Mitch Easter of Let’s Active, Quercio and Gutierrez excelled at composing exquisite melodies. And like those bands, The Three O’Clock could also crank up the energy level. “Jet Fighter” and “With A Cantaloupe Girlfriend” hit harder while retaining the band’s signature sound.

The experimental “A Day In Erotica,” appearing on Hidden World in an alternate version, and the Latin hymn “Regina Caeli” show The Three O’Clock’s willingness to push past its own boundaries, while the previously unreleased demo, “Sounds Surrounds” is absolutely Vaudeville with a peppy keyboards arrangement. “Lucifer Sam” has a classic new wave feel that evokes The Cure, while “The Girl With Guitar,” widely believed to be about Susanna Hoffs from The Bangles, has a spare but beautiful arrangement. “Why Cream Curdles in Orange Tea” sounds disjointed and strained, making it the collection’s only disappointment.

Elsewhere, The Three O’Clock offers faithful and energetic versions of The Bee Gees’ “My Own Time” and The Byrds’ “Feel A Whole Lot Better.” There’s also a brief plug for legendary DJ Rodney Bingenheimer, whose KROQ radio program provided an early (and possibly the only) showcase of The Paisley Underground.

Mr. Smith Goes To The End Of The Universe

Photo of Matt Smith and Karen Gillan from Doctor Who And The TARDIS Facebook page.

When the BBC and BBC America revealed that Matt Smith will wrap up his tenure as The Doctor on Doctor Who this coming Christmas, it seemed like only yesterday when he took over the role from David Tennant with a triumphant shout of “Geronimo!” But Smith's version of the Time Lord has been bouncing around the universe--first with the Ponds and then with Clara--through four seasons. As fans well know, The Doctor's ability to regenerate allows the long-running British sci-fi series to travel on even after its lead actor has gone.

The producers have made wise casting choices since the show returned to the airwaves in 2005 after a 16-year hiatus. Christopher Eccleston, the first of the new breed, was hard-edged and cynical, but also had an engaging personality, which is essential to the character. He was one of the main reasons the relaunched Doctor Who took hold, but surprisingly, he quit after the first season. Tennant gave us a more brooding and romantic Doctor, who experienced heartbreak each time one of his companions departed. It was a winning combination that had fans and critics alike declaring Tennant was the best Doctor since Tom Baker revolutionized the role during his seven-year run.

So Matt Smith had some big shoes to fill, but he didn’t shy away from putting his own stamp on the iconic sci-fi character. His Doctor exuded a childlike wonder about traveling through time and space. He treasured his companions as playmates and loved coming up with witty responses. Asked if people ever told him he was crazy, Smith’s Doctor replied, “They never stop.” When a companion began with, “Not to criticize, Doctor - - -” he responded, “Meaning the opposite.” Then there was the quote posted by Doctor Who And The TARDIS on Facebook today: “Anybody remotely interesting is mad in some way or another.” 

Smith’s Doctor could also lose his temper and deal harshly with his enemies; a swing of emotions that earned him a BAFTA nomination as Best Actor in a British television series. The writers seemed to place this Doctor in more ribald situations than any of his predecessors, and he relished those as well. So here’s to Matt Smith; his continued success in acting; and the big shoes he left to be filled by the next performer who portrays The Doctor.

Note: In last Friday’s Chicago Tribune, theatre critic Kerry Reid reviewed a local, all-ages production that will be of interest to Doctor Who fans. The Timey Wimey Fantastic Brilliant Extravaganza (Geronimo!), staged by Right Brain Project, runs through June 23rd at RBP Rorshach, 4001 N. Ravenswood in Chicago.

Also note: Karen Gillan. whose portrayal of The Doctor’s companion Amy Pond grew progressively powerful her two and a half season on the show, has just been cast in the Marvel Studios production of  Guardians Of The Galaxy. Gillan also stars in the about-to-be released Not Another Happy Ending.

Slumgullion

Photo from the Archie Powell And The Exports Facebook page.

I’ve thoroughly cleaned my gazebo in the hope that The Rolling Stones will use it to rehearse during their extended Chicago area visit, but so far I haven’t heard from them.

As written up in the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times, noted photographer Paul Natkin is now displaying some of his most famous rock and roll pics at an exhibit at the Elmhurst Historical Museum. Shutter To Think: The Rock And Roll Lens Of Paul Natkin, runs through August 25th. I still have my copies of Bright*Lights, the PhotoReserve free paper Natkin put out with fellow photographer Bill Sosin, in the late 1970s. Freelance writer Cary Baker and rock DJs Bob Gelms, Scott McConnell, and Mitch Michaels were among the guests who contributed copy.

Archie Powell & The Exports are one of the acts that will be playing at the Do Division Street Fest and Sidewalk Sale this weekend on Division from Damen to Leavitt. The band’s Great Ideas In Action CD came in second on the BHT list of 2012’s top releases.

The Right Tidys, a co-ed power pop band that will be releasing its debut in the coming months, are performing at a Do Division After Party at Phyllis’ Musical Inn tomorrow night. Power pop veterans 92 Degrees go on at 10:00 PM, The Right Tidys at 11:00 PM, and Moist Guitars go on at Midnight.

Singer Sharon Van Etten will be giving a free performance at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park this coming Monday, June 3rd at 6:30 PM.

Eleanor Friedberger, one half of the duo Fiery Furnaces, will be performing songs from her new Personal Record release during an in-store solo acoustic set at the Reckless Records location in Wicker Park nerxt Friday at 6:00 PM.

If you check out The Smithereens next Saturday when they perform at the Wells Street Art Fair, be sure to tell them you saw an item on Broken Hearted Toy about the new Smithereens 11 Live Compilation that will soon be available on iTunes. Lead vocalist-guitarist Pat DiNizio posted about it on Facebook. The compilation has live songs, demos, and alternate versions among its 21 tracks.

Fest For Beatles Fans has announced the lineup for its Chicago event on August 9th - 11th. British Invasion duo Chad and Jeremy and power pop musician Greg Kihn will be appearing for the first time. Returning favorites Joey Molland from Badfinger, singer Billy J. Kramer, and producer/musician Mark Hudson are also on the bill.

The Handcuffs are scheduled to return to the studio next week to begin work on their fourth release. The Chicago-based indie rock band recently added guitarist Susie Q to replace longtime member Ellis Clark, who left earlier this year. That leaves drummer Brad Elvis as the only dude in the band. Clark’s new solo effort, LP Number One, is already picking some positive reviews.

Mighty Con, a toys, comics, and gaming convention, will be held at Pheasant Run Megacenter in St. Charles on the weekend of June 21st -23rd. A one day pass is $10, a weekend pass is $15.

Peter Tork, the most lovable Monkee according Desiree Burcum from my former comedy group, Famous In The Future, has a gig at the Old Town School Of Folk Music on Sunday, June 9th. Burcum and fellow FIF members Frank Carr and Tina Teske will be performing as The Rut at The Rolling Stones Tribute show being hosted by alt rock band whitewolfsonicprincess next Saturday, June 8th at The Brothers K CoffeeHouse in Evanston. Maybe if she promises to see Tork on Sunday, he’ll come to see The Rut on Saturday.

Glancing over the Official Hollies Facebook page, I noticed a post about a Hollies Tribute band in the UK called The Hollywood Bees. This is the first Hollies tribute band I’ve heard of, and judging from their promo video on YouTube, they’re fairly successful. If there are any other Hollies tribute bands out there, I’d love to hear from you.

Robin Hitchcock, the eccentric English musician whose critically acclaimed career dates back to his time with the Soft Boys back in the 1970s, dropped by Chicago radio station WXRT yesterday morning for a visit with DJ Terri Hemmert. He was promoting his performance last night at City Winery, which involved the audience imbibing fine wines specially chosen by XRT Program Director Norm Winer between songs. It’s a new concert/wine tasting series the venue has started.

Hitchcock also chatted with Hemmert about his latest release, Love From London, and he performed an acoustic version of one of the songs from it. He also did an older tune, “Serpent At The Gate.” The interview touched on Hitchcock’s work as a writer and artist (he created the front and back cover art for Love From London), as well as his recent musical collaborations with Peter Buck from R.E.M. He came across as hip and funny; it was clear that he and Hemmert have a good rapport.

Edge City, a syndicated comic by Terry and Patty Laban, and carried by the Chicago Sun-Times, is currently running a story about its main character Len going to a punk concert with his buddy. I had to laugh since the band is called The Measles.

Long ago in another era, I wrote a parody of Rolling Stone magazine's Random Notes column called Rancid Notes for a local paper called Metro Calendar. One of the fictional items I came up with was about a punk band called The Measles. I don’t remember all the particulars, and I’m not about to hunt through my archives, but there was a member named Lita Rebellion, and the band’s debut was titled, Eat Yer Offal. This was back when I was an uninformed child who hated punk rock. These days, I know better.

Your Own Private IPO

I can never relate to people who complain there’s no good music these days. The charts may be jammed with overly commercial artists, but with a little effort, it’s still possible to find new stuff you’ll love in rock, soul, new wave, C&W, or punk. That’s obviously the case for power pop since David Bash, Founder/CEO of International Pop Overthrow, has just released another three-CD collection featuring power pop and indie rock acts associated with his traveling music festival. With over 60 tracks, some misfires are inevitable, but International Pop Overthrow - Volume 15 serves as a great resource (complete with the website for each act) for discovering music. Here are some highlights from the numerous worthwhile tracks.

Bash gives power pop veterans Shoes the honor of kicking off this volume with the guitar-driven “Head Vs. Heart” from their impressive comeback CD, Ignition. The Tor Guides use a similar approach on “Summer’s Green,” as does Robin Stanley on “Make Up Your Mind.” The Condors crank up the energy on “Queer Fascination,” and there are high-speed, catchy efforts from The Issue, The Seasons, 302, and The Afternoons. Go Time! mixes in a bit of hard rock on “Give It A Chance,” while Lily Sparks bring a Stones-like swagger to their song, “Stars.” 

The Reflections evoke a 1960s Top 40 hit through jangling guitars and harmonies on “Girl From Out Of Town,” The Pondhawks combine Paul McCartney and Squeeze on the infectious “Drive,” and The Beat Rats travel back to the British Invasion for “Only 16.” Garage rock is well-represented by Dave Rave’s “You’re My Sensation” and John McMullan’s “That’s What Dick Dawson Said.” 

NUSHU, a duo comprised of Lisa Mychols and Hilary Burton, delivers a fun and faithful take on The Cars’ “My Best Friend’s Girl,” and Mychols also succeeds with her power pop gem, “Taken.” Laurie Biagini’s catchy love song, “Two Of A Kind” is an immediate attention-grabber, and Sue Hedges crafts an amiable folk arrangement for “Song For Last Year’s Lover.” “Impossible To Be With,” by Ramune, is a bit disjointed at the start, but then kicks into gear.

Although International Pop Overthrow is primarily concerned with power pop and indie rock, Bash obviously relishes the opportunity to toss the occasional curve ball. The Dirty Royals use acoustic instruments to back “Hey Katrina,” their tale of an abused wife, The Foreign Films build an orchestrated sound on “Sweet Sorrow,” and The Star Fire Band breaks out some honky tonk piano on “Home.” David Dattner & Troy Warkentin draw listeners in with the pulsating techno beat of “Skating On The Thin Ice,” and Liar’s Club is abrasive but enjoyable with its punkish “There You Go Again.”  IPO - Volume 15 wraps up with the dreamily psychedelic “Barbie” by Ed Tulipa.

Beatles (etc.) For Sale

Chad & Jeremy photo from the Fest For Beatles Fans Facebook page.

The Fest For Beatles Fans announced the lineup for its 37th annual Chicago visit on Facebook last Friday, revealing a mix of longtime favorites and a few new faces. As always, the three-day celebration will present musicians, authors, artists/photographers, and music biz people who have some connection to The Beatles. Most are accessible to fans in both the general sense of watching them being interviewed in a large meeting room, and on a face-to-face basis at the autograph tables. A huge marketplace with loads of music-related memorabilia is also a major draw. Plus, this year will offer the public debut of an intriguing documentary. Fest For Beatles Fans will take place at the Hyatt Regency O’Hara in suburban Rosemont on August 9th through 11th.

The British Invasion duo Chad and Jeremy (“Yesterday’s Gone,” “Summer Song”) and 1980s power pop artist Greg Kihn (“Breakup Song,” “Valerie”) are set to make their Fest For Beatles Fans debut, and both acts are scheduled to perform in concert. Freda Kelly, who charmed Fest-goers in 2012, will return in order to introduce the screening of Good Ol Freda, a documentary detailing her experiences as the secretary for The Official Beatles Fan Club throughout the band’s career. Some of the returning favorites include Joey Molland, former vocalist-guitarist for Badfinger; singer Billy J. Kramer, producer-musician Mark Hudson, who has worked with Ringo Starr; Beatles artists Georgina Flood and Eric Cash; Master of Ceremonies Terri Hemmert, whose Breakfast With The Beatles show airs on WXRT every Sunday morning; and quick-witted British comedian-writer-filmmaker Martin Lewis. At previous Fests, Hemmert and Lewis have taken turns interviewing the various celebrities.

Liverpool, a New York-based band that expertly covers The Beatles without trying to impersonate them, will perform on Saturday and Sunday night. Considering that Liverpool usually invites some of the musical guests to join them onstage for a few songs, this year’s lineup of Chad and Jeremy; Greg Kihn, Mark Hudson, and Joey Molland looks even more interesting.

I’m planning on doing a more extensive preview closer to the event. Fest For Beatles Fans tickets are $39.00 for Friday; $49.00 for Saturday or Sunday; and $115.00 for the entire weekend.

Slumgullion

BHT Welcomes The Stones To Chicago. Graphic from The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

The Gene Siskel Film Center presented the Chicago premiere of The Crumbles tonight. The 2012 film concerns a pair of female musicians (played by Teresa Michelle Lee and Katie Hipol) who form a band with a male drummer. The Crumbles, which the Film’s Center’s May program describes as a “winningly good-hearted movie,” will also be shown on Monday at 3:00 PM. It’s part of the Gene Siskel Film Center’s Asian American Showcase.

My Kingdom For A Harley. The revved-up version of Shakespeare’s Richard III that drew critical acclaim during its earlier stay at the Underground Wonder Bar can now be seen at the The Den Theatre  on Milwaukee Avenue from tonight through June 30th. Director Carlos Lorenzo Garcia, a veteran of the Mary-Arrchie Theatre, has re-imagined the Bard’s royal characters as warring bikers.

Speaking of the Mary-Arrchie Theatre, its highly successful take on Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie is also coming back. Director/performer Han Fleischmann’s bold reworking resulted in sold-out shows and rave reviews during its last run. This time, it’s being staged (with the same cast) at Theatre Wit, rather than at Mary-Archie’s home base. All the people who missed The Glass Menagerie last time around will have until June 30th to catch it.

The Rolling Stones are coming to Chicago next Friday, May 31st, and then they’re going to stay here! Well, until June 3rd, for the last of their three concerts at the United Center. WXRT featured The Stones today and DJ Terri Hemmert speculated that Mick and the lads might be seen hanging out here during that time. The gazebo in my backyard is available for practice if they need it.

Too bad The Stones won’t still be in town on June 8th for the free admission, all-ages Rolling Stones Tribute Show being held at the Brother K Coffeehouse in Evanston. It’s another event organized by alt rockers whitewolfsonicprincess, who’ve honored John Lennon and Neil Young in the past. Some of the acts scheduled to join wwsp include Hannah Frank, Mr. Mo, The Alley Cats, Dave Newman, and The Rut.

In related news, The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame opened its new Rolling Stones: 50 Years Of Satisfaction exhibit at its headquarters in Cleveland today. Fans can check out 4,000 square feet of instruments, clothing, art, and other memorabilia.

Power pop band The Viaducts hope to usher in the Summer next Friday night at Phyllis’s Musical Inn on Division in Chicago. Suicide Bunnies are also on the bill. The show starts at 9:00 PM. The Viaducts, led by singer-guitarist Jimmy Rane, performed at International Pop Overthrow - Chicago last month.

Meanwhile, International Pop Overthrow opened in London tonight at the Surya venue and will stay throughout the weekend. The Len Price 3 will be performing tomorrow at 10:15 PM, and other acts include Spygenius, Dave Rave, and The 286, who bill themselves as “The UK’s only rock orchestra.” As I often do when IPO hits another town, I did some research on the London schedule and found at least two new acts, Semion and The Silver Factory, that I had never heard of before, but instantly liked. So by all means, use that IPO website as a means of discovering new music. 

Crushed Out, the hard-hitting duo comprised of vocalist-guitarist Frank Hoier and drummer Moselle Spiller, will be performing at the Paper City Music Festival in Chillicothe, OH on June 15th. Crushed Out’s 2012 release, Want To Give, was a freewheeling blend of rock-a-billy, punk and hard rock. The David Mayfield Parade and PALEFACE! are also part of the Paper City Music Festival, which will be held at the Majestic Theatre.