Slumgullion

When Skokie’s Backlot Bash takes place next weekend (August 27 – 29), it will feature a Saturday lineup that includes three of the Chicago area’s best rock bands. Material Issue (AKA Material Reissue in its current version) goes on at 4:30 pm, followed by The Handcuffs at 5:45 pm, and Smoking Popes at 7:00 pm. Topping off the evening will be The Verve Pipe, who aren’t from Chicago, but are Midwest natives. Friday night’s headline act will be funk chart toppers Ohio Players, and Tributosaurus will close out the festival on Sunday with a tribute to The Allman Brothers Band.

In other MI news, director Balin Schneider’s documentary Out Of Time - The Material Issue Story will be screened on December 2 at Lincoln Hall on Chicago’s north side. It’s due for wider release in 2022.

A Carnival Of Sorts, the 38-track R.E.M. tribute album compiled by U.K. alt rock website God Is In The TV is now available to purchase on Bandcamp. The numerous musicians GIITTV compiled for this album come from around the world, so there’s a nice variety of approaches. I forgot to mention two important things when I wrote about this project last week: You get all these songs for only £6 and all the profits go to the Help Musicians organization. 

The Glenwood Arts Festival will be marking its 20th Anniversary when it takes place this weekend, August 20 through 22. The performing acts include Amazing Heeby Jeebies, musician/artist/Chicago music archivist Plastic Crimewave; Joanna Connor; White Mystery; Son Maracas; The Polkaholics; Funkadesi; Clickbait; and Monarchy Over Monday. In addition to the live music, The Glenwood Arts Festival will feature over 150 artists and open studios, as well as food and craft beer vendors.

Over 200 juried artists will be displaying their work when the Gold Coast Art Fair takes place 10:00 am – 6:00 pm tomorrow and Sunday at Butler Field in Grant Park. Food and beverage vendors will also be on hand. The Gold Coast Art Fair is one of Chicago’s longest running art events, and always worth checking out.

Chicago’s annual Air And Water Show has taken another major hit this year, with everything cancelled except for the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. The team’s new Super Hornet jets will be zipping around the lakefront between Oak Street and Fullerton from noon to to 1:00 pm. 

Chicago-based singer-guitarist Michael Steven Cohen has what he’s calling a Big Old Birthday Weekend planned, with a pair of gigs tomorrow in Woodstock—noon at Porkies Pig Roast and 7:00 pm at Holzlager Brewing Company—and a 3:00 pm gig on Sunday at Montrose Saloon in Chicago. Cohen perfected a power pop approach with The Abbeys and The Pop Dollies, and he currently performs vintage love songs as a solo act. Happy Birthday, Michael.

Cohen’s mate in The Abbeys, singer-guitarist Jeff Janulis, is becoming a familiar face at Montrose Saloon as well. He’ll be performing with The Spindles there next Friday night, August 27. The band’s most recent album Past And Present is an impressive collection of original material and cover of songs by The Hollies and The Elvis Brothers. 

Singer-guitarist Katie Toupin, a former member of Houndmouth (“Sedona”), has a gig at Schubas next Thursday. She’ll likely be showcasing the catchy “Astronaut” and other songs from her recent Little Heart album.

Earlier this week, I caught a thoroughly enjoyable show by Steve Dawson at the Hey Nonny venue in Arlington Heights. Joined by his wife (and Dolly Varden co-founder) Diane Christiansen, Alton Smith, and John Abbey, Dawson performed songs from his recent At The Bottom Of A Canyon In The Branches Of A Tree solo effort. As it’s been mentioned numerous times elsewhere, when Dawson and Christiansen harmonize together, they’re amazing.

And it was cool buying a Pravda Records t-shirt at the merchandise table from Kenn Goodman, the guy who founded the indie rock label.

There are still some tickets available for the Elvis Costello and The Imposters Hello Again! Show at Chicago Theater on November 3.

Television historian Jim Engel will host a Remembering Garfield Goose fundraising event at the Kenosha Public Museum in Kenosha, WI on September 17. Doors open at 5:30 pm and there will be 90 minutes of food and games before the presentation starts. Proceeds will help Kenosha Community Media.

Sonic Youth founder and solo artist Kim Gordon will be performing at Thalia Hall on September 10.

Shemekia Copeland, Cedric Burnside, and Black Joe Lewis And The Honeybears will headline the Berwyn Blues Festival when it takes place September 21 – 26 at the FitzGerald’s venue. Other acts scheduled include Thornetta Davis, Jackie Venson, Zach Person, Lil’ Ed and The Blues Imperials, and Joanna Connor Band.

The Chicago Comics: 1960s To Now exhibit continues its run through October 3 at the Museum Of Contemporary Art. It features work by Lynda Barry, Nicole Hollander, Heather McAdams, Chris Ware, Chester Gould, and several other influential artists.

Band Aid Liverpool will present Live Aid Liverpool 21 on November 30 and December 1 at the Grand Hall in Liverpool. A special tribute to the late Gerry Marsden from Gerry And The Pacemakers will be part of the show. The event will aid Alder Hey Children’s Charity and Shelter. Live entertainment will be provided by “over 80 acts from across Merseyside.”

The Hideout venue on Chicago’s north side has a new onsite talk show series titled The Secret History Of Chicago Music With Host Plastic Crimewave. The concept will be familiar to anyone who gets The Chicago Reader. Plastic Crimewave, AKA Steve Krakow, has been creating a comic by that name in the free newspaper for years. Like the strip, The Hideout series aims to shine a spotlight on the city’s history of talented but often forgotten performers.

Goose Island Brewery is sponsoring free concerts on the patio outside Time Out Market in Chicago’s trendy Fulton Market this summer. EXPO ’76, the local covers band whose repertoire and humor are immeasurable, performed there last week, but unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to promote it here. The reggae band Akasha will be performing there next Thursday, August 26.

Daryl Cloran’s swinging London interpretation of As You Like It will run from October 6 through November at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier. The production will feature several Beatles songs.

The Standing In The Doorway - Chrissie Hynde Sings Bob Dylan album is now available in digital, CD and vinyl formats. Hynde will be performing songs from the album and “other favourites” at Queens Hall Edinburgh August 22 – 25.

Don’t pack away your tie-dyed t-shirts at the end of August. You’ll need them for the annual Yippie Fest taking place September 24 – 26. Nobody will see you wearing it because the festival is going virtual again this year. You can even fill your living room with mud and slide around in it if you’re feeling particularly freaky.

Yippie Fest was born after the annual Abbie Hoffman Died For Our Sins Festival—well, died—after its sponsor Mary-Arrchie Theatre closed down. Frank Carr, a founding member of the Famous In The Future Comedy Group, decided to carry on the tradition. It was a logical move since Famous In The Future was the only act other than Mary-Arrchie Theatre itself, to have appeared at every single Abbie Fest. I was a member of Famous In The Future for 20 of those annual performances, and kept attending the festival even after I wasn’t performing anymore.

Incoming

A few reminders:

Major stars from a variety of music genres will come together on the Great Lawn At Central Park this Saturday to celebrate New York City’s re-emergence from the pandemic. Produced by the city, Clive Davis, and Live Nation, We Love NYC - The Homecoming Concert will include performances by Bruce Springsteen; Paul Simon; Jennifer Hudson; Andrea Bocelli; LL Cool J; Elvis Costello; Jimmy Fallon; Wyclef Jean; Patti Smith; and Rob Thomas with Santana.

The Beatelles, a four-woman tribute band that honors Liverpool’s best-known export, has an outdoor concert tomorrow (Friday) night at the Fred P. Hall Amphitheater in Palatine.

One of The Beatelles is Ary Paloma. Sh’s also the lead vocalist for the rockabilly/garage rock band Amazing Heeby Jeebies, and they have a gig at Montrose Saloon this Saturday, as well as a gig at the Glenwood Arts Fest on Sunday.

Tickets are now on sale today for blues legend Buddy Guy’s November 14 concert at The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, IL.

Julian Daniell has an EP release party tomorrow night, August 20 at Schubas on Southport. The Chicago-based singer-songwriter infuses the five folk songs on Only Words with an appealing mix of soul, country and rock. The release party at Schubas starts at 8:00 p.m. Lillie Mae and Thompson Springs will be on the bill as well.

The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights will return to indoor performances when it kicks off its 2021-2022 season on September 16 with Shout! The Mod Musical. The show runs through October 30. Next year, the venue will be staging Lady Day (January 27 – March 12); Legally Blonde (April 26 – June 11); and Sister Act (July 14 – August 27).

Wilco and Sleater-Kinney will perform at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago on August 28 as part of their joint It’s Time Tour.

If you think of the Jay Pritzker Pavilion as more of a place to catch classical music,  Mozart Violin Concerto No. 3 will be performed there at 6:30 pm tomorrow and Saturday.

Celebrate Americana At Hey Nonny And Schubas This Week

Photo from Hey Nonny website.

Steve Dawson And Friends (Diane Christiansen, Alton Smith, and John Abbey) will be performing at the Hey Nonny venue in Arlington Heights tomorrow (Tuesday) night. At The Bottom Of A Canyon In The Branches Of A Tree, Dawson’s latest solo effort, has been getting rave reviews, so it’s a safe bet he’ll play some tracks from it at Hey Nonny. Dawson excels at crafting Americana and folk songs, whether they’re heartbreakers like “Hard Time Friend” and “I Will Never Stop Being Sorry” or the joyous reflection on raising a child “22 Rubber Bands.” Dawson and Christiansen are founding members of the critically acclaimed Dolly Varden, so the audience might hear a few tracks from that band as well tomorrow night. The music starts at at 7:30.

Julian Daniell has an EP release party coming up this Friday, August 20 at Schubas on Southport. The Chicago-based singer-songwriter and former Elk Walking band member takes an appealing approach to folk on the five-song Only Words that incorporates soul, country and rock. “The Other Side,” with Hannah Williams and Allie Robson on harmony vocals, as well Brian Wilke on pedal steel, evokes 1970s era Neil Young, while the toe-tapping “Sweet Serene” showcases Daniell’s keyboards playing. The release party at Schubas starts at 8:00 p.m. Lillie Mae and Thompson Springs will be on the bill as well.

The Sound He Appears To Make

Beyond Wild Heaven. The U.K. alt rock website God Is In The TV has demonstrated an interest in R.E.M. before, but its new recording project—a 38-track album titled A Carnival Of Sorts—outshines any other tribute to the Athens, GA band. The numerous musicians GIITTV compiled for this album come from around the world, and a quick spin through the exclusive (for a limited time) stream on its website reveals most of them hit the mark. Although I have to admit I’m not familiar with any of these acts other than The Darling Buds, who do a splendid job on “Low.” Kudos to the London-based band I, Doris for coming up with brand new lyrics for “It’s The End Of The World As We Know It,” and making it all the more frightening. A Carnival Of Sorts comes out next Friday, and is available for preorder on Bandcamp.

Closer to home, Red Spot Rhythm Section devotes its entire second album to songs originally done by Tom Petty. Won’t Back Down: A Roots Tribute To Tom Petty celebrates classic material like “You Got Lucky,” “I Won’t Back Down,” “Refugee,” “Breakdown,” and “The Waiting” with an inventive and appealing mix of reggae, ska, Americana, and soul. Several musicians were brought together by Chicago-based musician Joshua Siegal, and an extensive roster of vocalists (Livingston, Angela Peel, JC Brooks, Claire Liparulo, Jabal, Todd Kessler, Cosmos Ray, Matt Gandurski, and Jaik Willis) are all top notch. The renditions range from celebratory to inspirational.

Ringo Starr has a four-song EP titled Change The World coming out on September 24 that will be available on CD or cassette. “Let’s Change The World” finds Starr in full peace and love form, and we can always use more of that. The new release also features “Just That Way,” “Coming Undone,” and a cover of “Rock Around The Clock” driven by guitarist Joe Walsh. The Fest For Beatles Fans website has the cassette and CD for sale, and speculates that a 10-inch vinyl version will be coming in November.

 

The Webstirs recently released “For A Moment” on Bandcamp, the second single (following “Fiction” in 2020) from what will be their sixth full-length effort. “For A Moment” exudes the Chicago-based band’s flair for catchy pop tunes with clever lyrics, although the sentiment here (as it was on “Fiction”) concerns a broken relationship. The album, simply titled The Webstirs, is due out this fall.

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss have recorded a follow-up to their 2007 critically acclaimed album Raising Sand. “Can’t Let Go,” the first single from Raise The Roof is available now. The full album will be released in December.  

Incoming

The Bangles recently posted two separate videos on their Facebook page; each with an Anglo twist. The July 30 clip shows Debbie, Susanna, and Vicki, and I believe I believe bassist Derrick Anderson, performing The Beatles’ touching ballad “Yes It Is” live on Chris Carter’s KLOS FM Breakfast With The Beatles show. As always, the harmonies are great. The August 5 clip is a U.K. version of the band’s Jules Shear-penned hit single “If She Knew What She Wants” that I’ve never seen before. Filmed in 1986 when Michael Steele was still onboard, it’s simultaneously more atmospheric and lively than the American studio performance version.

As reported by Maudlyne IheJirika in the Chicago Sun-Times, it’s looking more likely that the house where blues legend Muddy Waters spent many years of his adult life and recorded with other iconic blues musicians will be granted landmark status by The Commission on Chicago Landmarks.

 

Drummer Charlie Watts won’t be performing with The Rolling Stones on their upcoming U.S. tour, due to a recent surgery. The good news is he’s recovering nicely while his longtime friend Steve Jordan fills in for him.

If you like bands that playfully combine rockabilly and garage rock, you can get a double dose on the weekend of August 21 and 22. Amazing Heeby Jeebies have a gig at Montrose Saloon on that Saturday, and they’ll be at the Glenwood Arts Fest the next day. The Chicago-based band’s debut album Bad Feeling is a nonstop carnival ride through twangy guitars and Ary Paloma Jeebie’s spirited vocals.

Ary Paloma is also a member of The Beatelles, and the four-woman tribute band has an August 20 outdoor concert at the Fred P. Hall Amphitheater in Palatine.

The Glenwood Arts Fest will be marking its 20th Anniversary when it takes place on the weekend of August 20 through 22. In addition to Amazing Heeby Jeebies, the performing acts include musician/artist/Chicago music archivist Plastic Crimewave; Joanna Connor; White Mystery; Son Maracas; The Polkaholics; Funkadesi; Clickbait; and Monarchy Over Monday. In addition to the live music, the Glenwood Arts Fest will feature over 150 artists and open studios, as well as food and craft beer vendors.

Major stars from a variety of music genres will come together on the Great Lawn At Central Park August 21 to celebrate New York City’s re-emergence from the pandemic. Produced by the city, Clive Davis, and Live Nation, We Love NYC - The Homecoming Concert will include performances by Bruce Springsteen; Paul Simon; Jennifer Hudson; Andrea Bocelli; LL Cool J; Elvis Costello; Jimmy Fallon; Wyclef Jean; Patti Smith; and Rob Thomas with Santana.

Daryl Cloran’s swinging London interpretation of As You Like It will run from October 6 through November at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier. The production will work several Beatles songs into the narrative. If you’re feeling a sense of deja vu, it’s because this particular take on the Shakespeare classic was scheduled to run at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre earlier but had to be postponed. As reported by theater critic Chris Jones in the Chicago Tribune, this version of As You Like It will be part of the Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s 2021-22 season.

Saturday Slumgullion

Tickets went on sale yesterday for the Elvis Costello and The Imposters Hello Again! show at the Chicago Theatre on November 3. Other stops on the tour include Memphis, New Orleans, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. In other Elvis Costello news, his 1978 album with The Attractions This Year’s Model has been re-recorded as a Spanish language version. The new album retains the original arrangements but Costello’s singing has been replaced with vocals by Juanes; Cami; DRACO ROSA; Nina Diaz; and other Latin recording artists. The album is due out September 10.

The Handcuffs were in top form last Saturday at the Belmont/Sheffield Festival. In addition to playing material from their three albums and a few cover versions, the band also tossed in a few songs that will be on their upcoming new release. Earlier that day, I checked out the Millennium Art Fair, and dropped by the Reckless Records store downtown for my Record Store Day purchases. The Handcuffs have a 7:00 pm show tomorrow night, as part of the Sundays On State series, and will be at The Northman on The Riverwalk August 14, and at the Skokie Backlot Bash on August 28.

The Handcuffs’ Saturday, August 28 Skokie Backlot Bash gig will be at 5:45 pm—sandwiched between Smoking Popes (7:00 pm) and Material Reissue (4:30 pm). That’s a lot of great Chicago original rock, and the headline act that night is The Verve Pipe. The August 27 headline act is Ohio Players and the August 29 headline act is Tributosaurus Becomes The Allman Brothers.

Avid Harry Potter fans across the globe may want to shell out the bucks for a trip to Manchester, England to experience A Forbidden Forest Experience. It’s an actual nature trail based on the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series. According to the Secret Manchester Instagram site, visitors will be taken “on a journey that will quite literally illuminate some of their favorite Forbidden Forest moments.” The trail will open this fall.

The Rolling Stones have announced the dates for their rescheduled U.S. tour, which kicks off in St. Louis, MO on September 26, and wraps up with a stop in Austin, TX on November 20. A post on the band’s Facebook page states all previously purchased tickets will be honored for the rescheduled dates. There were some shows that couldn’t be rescheduled, and few new ones were added. Unfortunately, Chicago doesn’t figure in any of this.

Tickets are now on sale for Kim Gordon (9/10), Mavis Staples (11/190, and Houndmouth (12/17 and 12/18); all at Thalia Hall in Chicago.

DiWulf Publishing House is sponsoring a book release party for SKA BOOM! – An American Ska and Reggae Oral History at Four City Brewing in Orange, New Jersey tomorrow, Sunday, July 25. Long-time Chicago ska band Heavy Manners is featured in this book.

Sunshine Boys are taking another stab at hosting a record release party for their 2020 Work And Love, this time at SPACE in Evanston on Thursday, July 29. The pandemic shut down everyone’s ability to stage live events when the album first came out, but there’s no holding back “Infinity Girl,” “Don’t Keep It Inside,” “A Ghost, At Best,” and the other well-crafted indie rock songs from the trio’s second effort. The Bobbleheads, a guitar-driven pop band visiting from San Francisco, will be the opening act.

SPACE has an impressive lineup for its Out Of  Space festival running August 5 – 8 . The Emmylou Harris and Los Lobos (8-5) and Caamp (8-8) shows are sold out; but there are still tickets available for Patti Smith And Her Band (8-6) and Ben Harper (8-7).

As reported on the Rolling Stone website, Rod Stewart, Ron Wood, and Kenny Jones have reunited in the studio and are working on new recordings.

The Chicago Brewing District’s Dancing In The Streets festival will take place August 6 – 8 on Hubbard between Paulina and Wood. The event will feature craft beer from Chicago Brewing District brewers and live music.

Singer-songwriter Andrew Krull, a veteran of Chicago’s indie rock/country scene, has released a solo EP that draws inspiration from Nick Drake and Elliott Smith. The first single from It All Goes  is “Magnolia,” which combines shimmering guitars and a duet between Krull and folk singer Alayne May. It All Goes is due out August 27.

Long Live The Zine. According to a recent Instagram post, Time Out London Magazine is now being printed again and will be available on the city streets as of July 20. Time Out Chicago used to be available in print at the Time Out Market at 916 W. Fulton in Chicago before the pandemic, but I dropped by there yesterday and didn’t see any. Hopefully, they’ll be back soon.

Indie rock band whitewolfsonicprincess will at Few Spirits in Evanston next Friday for “cocktails, friends, music and spirits.” The event starts at 5:00 pm.

Kid Gulliver, the Boston-based band that gave us the funny and meaningful Ramones-influenced “Susie Survived Chemotherapy” last year, is back with a new four-song EP titled Gimme Some Go. It kicks off with a revved-up take on The Bee Gees’ “I Started A Joke” that’s a must-buy for people like me who love 1960s rock cover versions fused with punk energy.

Steve Dawson - At The Bottom Of A Canyon In The Branches Of A Tree

Photo from Steve Dawson’s Facebook page.

Chicago-based singer/songwriter Steve Dawson has been crafting Americana-flavored indie rock since he formed the band Stump The Host with his wife Diane Christiansen in 1988. It’s a path that’s led to Dolly Varden (also with Christiansen), Funeral Bonsai Wedding, and occasional solo efforts. On his introspective, recently released album At The Bottom Of A Canyon In The Branches Of A Tree, Dawson plays almost all the instruments himself, and as producer, expertly layers his vocals.

It’s inevitable some of the somber reflections here evoke the pandemic. Especially “This Is All There Is” and “Hard Time Friend,” which finds Dawson singing, “I need to know that you’re gonna to be okay/But the only thing I’ve ever really learned is that are no guarantees.” Other songs, like the stinging title track and “Forgiveness Is Nothing Like I Thought It Would Be” examine the pain of fractured relationships. It’s hard to know if “I Will Never Stop Being Sorry” is really about a man who accidentally burned down his house or if it’s an allegory for irreparable damage done to a marriage.

 

Back in 2013 when I interviewed Dawson for the Illinois Entertainer about Dolly Varden’s For A While album, he seemed surprised but happy with my comparison of his song “Why Why Why” to Fleetwood Mac. (He thought it sounded more like Van Morrison.) “22 Rubber Bands” on At The Bottom also reminds me of Fleetwood Mac, with its shimmering guitar playing and gorgeous melody. The lines “I loved you from the minute I met you/You were taking your first breath curled up soaking wet” and “You spent your first night here on my chest” create a heartfelt message from a father to his child.

The short gem “The Spaces In Between” features Michael Miles on banjo and calls to mind John Prine with fun contradictions like “I’m filled with hope and I’m filled with dread” and “I want to remember, I wish I could forget.” The most energetic song on At There Bottom Of A Canyon In The Branches Of A Tree is “Time To Remember.” With its funky beat and nocturnal jazz ambience, it shows Dawson can succeed in a variety of musical styles.