Oh, You Bowie Fans Have Pretty Many Things To Enjoy This Weekend

Social media was overflowing yesterday with tributes to David Bowie on his birthday, and if you’re still in the mood to celebrate, Sons Of The Silent Age are returning to Metro this Saturday night. Lead vocalist Chris Connelly has performed with Ministry and Revolting Cocks, and the other eight band members are also veterans of the Chicago music scene. They bring every aspect of Bowie’s mind-bending catalog—from intergalactic adventures to irresistible funk to life, and they’ll be concentrating on his The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust and Station To Station albums on Saturday. Chicago-based actor Michael Shannon, most recently seen in The Current War and Knives Out films, will be back again as a special guest. The six woman/one man Queen tribute band The Ready Freddies will be the opening act.

Tomorrow night, January 10, Late Bar is presenting the Oh, You Pretty Things – Bowie and Friends Birthday and Memorial Bash with DJ Sonic Marchesa and DJ Carrie MonStar. The concept is to spins records and screen videos of Bowie and the numerous musicians he collaborated with or who were inspired by him. The bar also promises a raffle featuring Bowie-related items. Late Bar is located at 3534 W. Belmont.

My copy of the Bowie - Stardust, Rayguns and Moonage Daydreams graphic novel arrived today; a day late for Bowie’s birthday and a belated Christmas present from my wife Pam. (I knew it wasn’t coming out until early January but it still seemed like such a perfect gift.) Written by Steve Horton and illustrated by Michael Allred and Laura Allred, it’s a wildly ambitious and totally successful hardcover bio. In addition to Bowie, there are full color illustrations of Elton John, Freddie Mercury, Iggy Pop, Roxy Music, The Who, The Monkees, T Rex, Pink Floyd, and other of his musical contemporaries. It’s available on Amazon.

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It will be a night of double fun this Friday at the Hey Nonny venue in Arlington Heights when rockabilly/garage rock band The Amazing Heeby Jeebies opens for surf rock instrumentalists Spies Who Surf. I have fond memories of seeing each of these guitar-driven acts, although it’s been much longer since I watched Spies Who Surf. (Probably at a Taste Of Lincoln Avenue outdoor festival.) The Amazing Heeby Jeebies have a charismatic lead vocalist in Ary Paloma Jeeby, who also keeps active in other music projects. It’s likely Spies Who Surf and The Amazing Heeby Jeebies will have CDs for sale at Hey Nonny, so if you like their shows, be sure to buy some albums.

The above-mentioned double bill is yet another example of Hey Nonny booking popular bands from Chicago’s club scene. Already the new year will bring gigs by Steve Dawson and Diane Christiansen from Dolly Varden, with special guest Chris Rawlins on January 17; guitarist Joel Paterson and The Modern Sounds on January 22; The Imperial Sound on February 7; and Tommi Zender with The 45 (featuring Chicago Cubs broadcaster/musician Len Kasper) on February 16. Hey Nonny will also host a Winter Blues Summit from January 31 through February 2.

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The arrival of this particular year presents a perfect opportunity to blast some tunes from 20/20. Formed in 1977, the Hollywood, CA power pop band was led by vocalist-guitarist Steve Allen and vocalist-bassist Ron Flynt. Anyone unfamiliar with 20/20 should check out its self-titled debut for gems such as “Remember The Lightning” and “Yellow Pills.”

Congratulations to Mary Dixon on bouncing back so quickly after losing her long-time news anchor gig at WXRT. She’s been named as the new Morning Edition host on public radio station WBEZ, and will start work there in February.

Reason number 3,765 why I want to visit England again. Sunny Afternoon, a musical based on the music of The Kinks, kicks off a new round of performances on August 7 at the Manchester Opera House, and will be staged at various UK venues through December 1.

There will be a bit of a reunion when Sunshine Boys open for Juliana Hatfield at SPACE in Evanston on January 16. Drummer Freda Love Smith was a member of Blake Babies with Hatfield long before she joined forces with Dag Juhlin from The Slugs and Jacqueline Schimmel in Sunshine Boys. 2020 looks to be a big year for Sunshine Boys, with their second album on the way, and the perfect timing of one of its tracks, “Infinity Girl.” The single officially comes out January 10, and a week later, we’ll see a video for it created by acclaimed director Jennifer Reeder.

Garage/rockabilly band Amazing Heeby Jeebies continue their Second Sundays residency at Montrose Saloon on January 12 with special guests The Handcuffs. It’s a great opportunity to catch two of Chicago’s best bands on the same bill.

The new season of Doctor Who kicked off this past Wednesday on BBC America with part one of the epic adventure Spyfall. The similarity to the title of the James Bond flick Skyfall was intentional, as evidenced by a social media post featuring Jodi Whittaker spoofing the intro to the Bond films. Whittaker continues to impress as the 13th version of The Doctor, tapping into the iconic character’s winning combination of superior intelligence, humor, courage, and compassion. The second half of Spyfall airs on BBC America this Sunday, and you can also see the entire episode Sunday in select movie theaters, as part of a Fathom event. After the screening at the Paley Center in New York, there will be a live interview with Jodi Whitaker and other cast members. The interview will be broadcast from the Paley Center to other theaters showing the episode.

Matt Smith—who was splendid during his tenure as The Doctor—will reunite with Claire Foy, his for co-star on the Netflix series The Crown, for a run of the Duncan Macmillan play Lungs. When it opens at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on March 25, it will mark the American stage debut for both performers.

The sad news earlier this week that the eccentric and multi-faceted British performer Neil Innes had passed away brought back a fond memory of when I talked to him at Fest For Beatles Fans - Chicago back in 2008. As he was autographing a poster of his movie The Seventh Python, I mentioned that his work inspired me as a member of a local comedy group. At first, he seemed to have no reaction to my comment but as he handed me the poster he said, “Good luck with the comedy. Put a smile on the world’s face.”

Local musicians Ellis Clark and Ary Paloma Jeebie will be hosting their annual George Harrison birthday celebration at Martyrs’ on Saturday, February 22. Clark’s extensive resume includes performing with Epicycle, Social Act, and The Handcuffs, as well as being a solo artist. He also produces records for Chicago area acts. Paloma Jeebie fronts the garage/rockabilly band The Amazing Heebie Jeebies. They’ve already lined up Phil Angotti, Gerald McClendon, vocalist Phoenix, for their 2020 Harrison bash, with other guests sure to follow. Martyrs’ is located at Lincoln Avenue.

Reason number 3,766 why I want to visit England again. The Museum Of London is presenting a free exhibit titled The Clash: London Calling that offers a “go behind the scenes” look at the ground-breaking double album from the English punk band. Items on display include what’s left of the bass guitar Paul Simonon smashed onstage at New York’s The Palladium in 1979 and a notebook Joe Strummer used during the recording sessions. The exhibit runs through April.

Mean Girls, the musical based on Tina Fey’s film of that same name, runs through January 26 at the James M. Nederlander Theatre. The book is by Fey, and the songs were created by lyricist Nell Benjamin and composer (and Fey’s husband) Jeff Richmond.

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As noted in a recent post on the Slicing Up Eyeballs website, the Hoodoo Gurus have a new single titled “Answered Prayers” that’s available to download on Amazon, iTunes, and other sites. The Australian power pop/garage rock band will kick off a U.S. tour next fall, and tickets for its City Winery Chicago gig on November 3 are already on sale. “Answered Prayers,” with its guitar-driven beat and Dave Faulkner’s snide vocals, is a good fit for the Gurus’ impressive repertoire, which dates back to 1981.

Tickets are also now on sale for Dave Alvin and The Guilty Ones at FitzGerald’s on January 25; the For Frankie! A Celebration Of Frankie Knuckles bash at Metro on January 19; Sarah Harmer at the Old Town School Of Folk Music on May 15; and Los Lobos and Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound at FitzGerald’s on January 17.

The Smithereens kicked off an east coast tour today in Scituate, MA, and it will continue with seven more dates in Virginia, New York, Connecticut, and the band’s home state of New Jersey. The shows will feature guest vocalists in place of the late Pat DiNizio, including Marshall Crenshaw, Robin Wilson, Ted Leo, and Susan Cowsill.

I have it on good authority that The Spindles will be performing “Bus Stop” by The Hollies as part of their show tomorrow night at the Friendly Tap in Berwyn. The band included an authentic take on The Hollies’ chiming early hit “Look Through Any Window” on its Past And Present album, so there’s every reason to believe their version of “Bus Stop” will be another gem.

The Spindles are part of an impressive holiday double bill at Friendly Tap with The Unswept. Both of these Chicago-based acts create tunes that sound like they could have sprung from the original British Invasion, and were very impressive when I saw them on the same bill at International Pop Overthrow - Chicago earlier this year.

She didn’t read the news today, oh boy. Those of us who’ve listened to progressive rock station WXRT’s morning show for decades were dealt a one-two punch earlier this week with the announcement that news anchor Mary Dixon had been let go and air personality Lin Brehmer will be moving to the mid-day shift early next year. Brehmer and Dixon have a fun, easy-going chemistry, and their in-person contact with fans at events over the years have forged genuine friendships.

The choice of Richard Milne to take over the morning show helps ease the pain; he’s also a long-time WXRT personality who’s earned the respect of listeners. But the complete absence of any news on this station, which used to win awards for its reporting in the morning, at noon, and 6:00 p.m., is a sad development. Dixon has sounded upbeat and confident on social media, as well she should be considering her talent. And Brehmer will continue to be “our best friend in the whole world” in his new time slot.

Fathom Events is bringing the Season 12 Premiere of Doctor Who to select movie theaters across America on January 5. After the screening at the Paley Center in New York, there will be a live interview with Jodi Whittaker and other cast members. The interview will be broadcast from the Paley Center to other theaters showing the episode.

If you live in New York City, you’ve got two more days to check out a pop-up version of The Beatles Store located at 163 Mercer Street. It’s a joint venture with The Thread Shop to celebrate a new partnership for the two companies. The pop-up shop will sell Beatles related clothing, toys, and loads of other branded stuff through December 22.

The Cortland Garage on Vail Street in Arlington Heights has been transformed into a Christmas-themed pop-up bar that will be open through December 31. Patrons will find tropical style drinks, along with the holiday ambience.

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Sunshine Boys and The Handcuffs will share a double bill at Reggie’s Music Joint on State Street tomorrow night. Both will perform songs from upcoming albums; both are coed, and both are among Chicago’s best bands. Sunshine Boys have a followup to their stellar Blue Music debut coming out, and The Handcuffs will be giving us album number four.

The Beatles Store, which sells the band’s official merchandise, will be celebrating its new partnership with The Thread Shop by opening a pop-up store in New York City. Located at 163 Mercer Street, the shop will sell Beatles related clothing, toys, and loads of other branded stuff from December 11 through December 22.

The California-based Wild Honey Foundation has another tribute concert coming up to raise funds for the Autism Think Tank. This time out, the foundation will gather an all-star lineup of musicians to honor The Lovin’ Spoonful. Elliot Easton of The Cars and Dennis Diken of The Smithereens have already signed on as part of The Wild Honey Orchestra, with other special guests to be announced soon. The benefit takes place February 29 at The Alex Theatre in Glendale.

Culture Canon will present a screening of I Am Trying To Break Your Heart: A Film About Wilco at the Virgin Hotel on Wabash in downtown Chicago on December 17. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., general admissionn is $12.

Upcoming performances by The Who in support of their new Who album range from a pair of Banquet Records acoustic shows at Pryzm on February 14 in Kingston, UK to a run at The Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. The Kingston show sold out in five minutes, so a second one was added; the Las Vegas shows are on May 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, and 16.

According to a recent post on the Consequence Of Sound website, the beguiling four-woman band Warpaint have started work on what will be their first album in four years.

Friendly Tap in Berwyn has an impressive holiday double bill coming up next Saturday, December 21. The Unswept and The Spindles, both Chicago-based acts that create original tunes that sound like they could have sprung from the original British Invasion, will be performing. I saw these bands on the same bill at International Pop Overthrow - Chicago earlier this year and they were both very impressive. This is being billed as a Christmas show, and it would certainly be fun to see these guys playing some seasonal classics.

The Cortland Garage on Vail Street in Arlington Heights has been transformed into a Christmas-themed pop-up bar that will be open through December 31. Patrons will find tropical style drinks, along with the holiday ambience.

Shortly after announcing a Steve Dawson and Diane Christiansen gig coming up on January 17, the Hey Nonny venue in Arlington Heights now has shows scheduled for jazz pop guitarist Joel Paterson on January 22, and Tommi Zender with The 45 featuring Len Kasper on February 16. I really like where this new club is going.

SHE (Sisters Helping Elevate The Arts) is presenting The Holidays, a new play written and directed by Katrina V. Miller from December 8 through December 22 at The Frontier on Chicago’s north side. Miller’s goal is to help bring awareness to help end Alzheimer’s disease, and a portion of the opening night performance will benefit Alz.org. The Frontier is located at 1106 W. Thorndale Avenue, tickets are available via the SHE website.

I got an early Christmas present today when my copy of the Shindig Collectors’ Edition Compendium came in the mail. Compiled from the U.K. magazine’s archives, it offers photos and articles about Donovan, The Hollies, The Monkees, The Rolling Stones, Sweet, Mott The Hoople, The Kinks, and other acts. It’s filled with fascinating quotes and memories from the musicians, and is available from the Silverback Publishing website.

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A hearty welcome to Chris Isaak, whose 2019 Holiday Tour brings him to the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan tomorrow night. As good as Isaak has been over a long career, I’d have to say my favorite album by him is still his 1985 debut effort Silvertone. It’s hard to beat a lineup that includes “Dancin’,” “Back On Your Side,” “The Lonely Ones,” and “Pretty Girls Don’t Cry.” In addition to all his hits, Isaak will probably croon a few Christmas songs at this gig.

Tickets went on sale today for Robyn Hitchcock at The Old Town School Of Folk Music on April 23; Jayhawks at The Old Town School Of Folk Music on April 18; Alanis Morissette, Garbage, and Liz Phair at The Hollywood Casino Amphitheater on July 17; Joel Patterson and The Modern Sounds at FitzGerald’s on January 10; and Soul Asylum and Local H at Metro on February 14.

Local alt rock band whitewolfsonicprincess is hosting its annual Toys For Tots event tomorrow night at The Store venue from 6:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. They’ll be joined by Lady Stardust, The Dark Room Men, The Rut, Ex Maquina!, Parallelicopter, Baby No Name, and The Telepaths. Bring toys (no stuffed animals or guns); otherwise pay $5 at the door. The Store is located at 2002 N. Halsted.

Los Lobos will kick off a three-night run at City Winery Chicago this Sunday.

Great Moments In Vinyl, the local tribute band that features a rotating cast of musicians, will perform hit singles and the entire Something Else album by The Kinks next Wednesday night at Martyrs’ on Lincoln Avenue. This time out, the featured musicians are Phil Angotti, Steve Gerlach, Carolyn Engelmann, Jim Barclay, and William Lindsey Cochran.

Next Wednesday is going to be busy night for rock in the Chicago area. The Thurston Moore Group will be performing at the Empty Bottle and Marshall Crenshaw has sold out his show at SPACE in Evanston.

With the digital release of “Broken Gnome” on his Egomaniac Music Bandcamp page,  Australian multi-instrumentalist Joe Algeri continues his tradition of giving us a free download of a Christmas song each year. Performing under the name The JAC, Algeri once again recruited bassist-vocalist Herb Eimerman and drummer Stefan Johansson—fellow members of the international power pop group The Britannicas—to join in the fun. Also per Algeri’s tradition, “Broken Gnome” isn’t your typical cup of holiday cheer. But its offbeat sentiments are set to a catchy 1960s style arrangement, and his harmonies with Eimerman are reminiscent of The Byrds.

A recent social media post from veteran English rockers The Zombies offered a suggestion for anyone still looking for unique rock and roll type gifts this holiday season. And this one is for a worthy cause. The Wear Your Music company uses guitar strings donated by famous musicians such as Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Joan Jett, Nancy Wilson from Heart, Paul McCartney, and James Taylor to creates jewelry. The strings would have otherwise wound up as landfill, and Wear Your Music ensures the profits are donated to charities chosen by the musicians.

Earlier this year when my wife Pam and I went to Cape May, NJ for vacation, I became obsessed with Exit Zero, a bar/restaurant/store/gas station/publishing empire that I first noticed via one of their publications in our bed and breakfast. If I were going to be there on January 25, I would consider attending to the Burns Supper, $45 three-course meal meant to celebrate “the spirit of Rabbie Burns and Celtic music.”

Kelly Hogan and Andrew Sa, Phil Angotti, Paul Cebar, The Amazing Heebies, Dave Drazin, and Nora O’Connor will be among the twelve locals acts covering famous country music and rock and roll stars tomorrow night at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn. The celebration marks the official release of the 2020 edition Chris and Heather’s Country Calendar. As in years past, the calendar will feature some really cool illustrations of musicians. Admission to the Country Calendar Show is $25, the music starts at 8:00 p.m.

Critical acclaimed artist Erika Iris will be featuring some of her unique portraits of celebrities and rock stars—she uses cassette tape and videotape—at the Cheap Kiss Records sponsored Vinyl Records Warehouse Sale tomorrow from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Record collectors will find a massive selection of just about every imaginable genre at the sale, which will be located at 604 Albion Avenue in Schaumburg.

The Toy Con Charity Toy Show will be held this Sunday, December 8 at the Bridgeview Community Center in Bridgeview, IL . There will be over 60 dealers selling action figures, dolls, comics, and collectibles, and all proceeds go to the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation. Toy donations will be accepted.

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Lonnie Flowers has a new album coming out this Friday.

Last Friday’s Slumgullion was delayed due to holiday events, starting with my morning trek to Reckless Records in downtown Chicago for Black Friday Record Store Day and ending with Thanksgiving dinner with my siblings and in-laws. My side of the family has celebrated Thanksgiving on the Friday afterward for decades now. It makes it easier for everyone who hang around longer.

The employees at the downtown Reckless Records were once efficient and friendly in handling customers’ lists and ringing up our vinyl treasures. They didn’t have the boxed set of U.K. Singles by The Pretenders or the Peter Holsapple Combo Christmas single I wanted, but those issues were beyond their control. I was able to buy the other releases on my list—the “Three” 12-inch single by U2, “Cruel To Be Kind” by Nick Lowe; “Holiday-ish” by The Regrettes; “Arthur” by The Kinks; and “Gimme Some Truth” by Cheap Trick.

Tickets are now on sale for Marcia Ball and Sonny Landreth at FitzGerald’s on February 16; Robbie Fulks at SPACE on April 18; Donnie Vie and Jay Goeppner at FitzGerald’s on January 4; and Wailers at SPACE on February 21.

Lannie Flowers, a widely recognized master of power pop, has a new album titled Home coming out this Friday. Katrina And The Waves have a new album on the way as well.

As her recently released tribute album to The Police picks up steam, Juliana Hatfield is extending her 2020 tour. It still kicks off at SPACE in Evanston, IL and includes stops in Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Milwaukee, and Brooklyn. Juliana Hatfield Sings The Police is a fun album brimming with raw energy that’s definitely worth picking up. It’s available through American Laundromat Records.

Chicago-based indie rock band Fort Frances has a show coming up next Thursday at Schubas on Southport Avenue. The Waco Brothers will be at that same venue on December 27.

Kelly Hogan and Andrew Sa, Phil Angotti, Paul Cebar, The Amazing Heebies, Dave Drazin, and Nora O’Connor will be among the twelve locals acts covering famous country music and rock and roll stars this coming Saturday, December 7 at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn. The celebration marks the official release of the 2020 edition of Chris and Heather’s Country Calendar. As in years past, the calendar will feature really cool illustrations of musicians. Admission to the Country Calendar Show is $25, the music starts at 8:00 p.m.

Critical acclaimed artist Erika Iris will be featuring some of her unique portraits of celebrities and rock stars—she uses cassette tape and videotape—at the Cheap Kiss Records sponsored Vinyl Records Warehouse Sale this Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Record collectors will find a massive selection of just about every imaginable genre at the sale, which will be located at 604 Albion Avenue in Schaumburg.

The Toy Con Charity Toy Show will be held this Sunday, December 8 at the Bridgeview Community Center in Bridgeview, IL . There will be over 60 dealers selling action figures, dolls, comics, and collectibles, and all proceeds go to the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation. Toy donations will be accepted.