Slumgullion

This beauty will be available at your local record store tomorrow.

What an awesome feeling to be able to talk about International Pop Overthrow - Chicago and Record Store Day arriving at full power on the same weekend. IPO - Chicago kicks off a nine-day run tonight with a six-band showcase at Montrose Saloon. See my 4/16 post for a rundown on this event. I’m hoping to post a preview for each of the showcases. The traditional Record Store Day we came to love for so many years returns tomorrow, after the series of smaller RSD Drops that were held in 2020 and 2021. And it looks like Chicago will have pleasant standing-in-line-outside temperatures.

The list of limited-edition vinyl releases for Record Store Day is available on the official website and the first thing regulars will notice is that it’s a full seven pages. There will also be an RSD Drop on June 18, and those releases are in the same list with the April ones. Keep that in mind when you’re making a wish list or you might end up asking for a record that won’t be available for a couple more months. As always, RSD offers an ambitious mix of rereleases and never-before-available items in pretty much every genre—rock, soul, country, hip hop, blues, classical, and jazz. Come prepared with a list of the records you want to buy; depending on how a particular store’s employees feel, they’ll either ask you to read it out loud or hand it over to them. Under no circumstances should you stand at the counter and dither.

Chicago-based alt rock band whitewolfsonicprincess will carry on its Record Store Day tradition of performing on the sidewalk just outside of Vintage Vinyl in Evanston. You can catch them from 10:30 to 11:30 am. Check with your favorite record store to see if they’re having any in-store performances.

Chicago photographer Bill Sosin will be showcasing his work from 5:00 to 7:00 pm tomorrow, April 23 at the Chicago Art Source/Gallery 1871 at 1871 N. Clybourn on the 2nd floor. Artist Melissa Herrington will also be displaying her work at the exhibit.

The Cine Youth Festival 2022, which bills itself as a “celebration of the next generation of filmmakers from around the world,” takes place this weekend at Facets on Fullerton Avenue. 

The Petty Hearts - The National Tom Petty Tribute Show comes to the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights tomorrow night, April 23.

Vocalist-guitarist Steve Hackett, who’s performed with Genesis and GTR, as well as on solo projects, has a gig coming up on May 5 at the Copernicus Center on Chicago’s northwest side. The venue is a short walk away from the Jefferson Park Metra/CTA station.

Patti Smith has a concert coming up on May 4 at Metro on Chicago’s north side. It’s part of the iconic music venue’s 40th anniversary celebration. Other major events are expected to be announced.

Mud Morganfield, the son of Muddy Waters, has a performance coming up at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights on June 4. 

 

It’s hard to imagine Lennie from John Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice And Men dancing around the farm but after reading Catey Sullivan’s article about the upcoming Of Mice And Men ballet at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, it sounds plausible. Sullivan recently interviewed choreographer Cathy Marston in the Chicago Sun-Times. Marsten approached the people at The Joffrey Ballet about performing her adaptation, and they agreed to work with her. Of Mice And Men opens on April 27, in a shared run with George Balanchine’s Serenade.

Olivia Harrison has a 104-page hardcover book titled Came The Lightening - 20 Poems About George coming out in the fall. It will be available in autographed Collector’s and Deluxe editions from the high-end Genesis Publications, which means they’re gorgeous, well-crafted, and expensive. Both are available for pre-order on The Fest For Beatles Fans website, at $180 and $450, respectively. 

As noted in a recent article by Sheryl Devore in the Chicago Tribune, the Sock Monkey Museum has finally opened in Long Grove, IL. There were many times over the past few years when my wife Pam and I would sit outside the Covered Bridge Creamery sipping our lattes while looking at the building across the street with its Sock Monkey Museum Coming Soon sign. It became a sort of running joke with us that it would never arrive. Not that we were champing at the bit for such a thing, but as Devore explains in her article, there is an interesting history behind these creatures. Covered Bridge Creamery will return from its winter hibernation on April 28. In related news, there will be a Revive Handmade Market at Long Grove this Sunday. In addition to 100 handmade makers, there will be food trucks, workshops and live music.

A Double Dose Of IPO This Saturday

International Pop Overthrow - Chicago has its first 2022 showcase this Friday night at Montrose Saloon (see my 4/16 post), and will follow that bash (pun intended) with two separate lineups on Saturday. IPO Founder/CFO David Bash has additional shows scheduled at Montrose Saloon through April 30. Most of the 60+ acts involved are from the Chicago area, although there are some out-of-state visitors.

This Saturday’s first showcase starts with a 2:00 pm set by singer-songwriter Frederick Julius, who describes his approach as lo-fi indie pop with harmonies. His album Fixers and Elixirs earned a nod from Bash as one of the best albums of 2019. The Davenport, Iowa acoustic pop duo Douglas And Tucker return to IPO - Chicago for a performance at 2:45. Matt Specht, a Wisconsin native and guitarist/piano player with the indie pop band Rainy Day Crush, will perform at 3:30.

IPO - Chicago veterans Phil Yates and The Affiliates have three albums worth of catchy, guitar-driven pop to draw from for their 4:15 pm set. They’ve been known to take a humorous approach with their lyrics. Minneapolis band High On Stress adds a bit of country twang to their indie rock music, and their 5:00 pm set will likely showcase tracks from their 2020 album Hold Me In. The Thin Cherries are led by adventurous rock musicians Steve Delisi (Phenomenal  Cat) and Mark Lofgren (The Luck Of Eden Hall). Their latest single, “Weird World” has been picking up airplay on local stations. They’re the last act of the afternoon set, going on at 5:45 pm.

 

The Saturday evening showcase starts at 7:30, and as with the afternoon version, each of the six acts will have a 45-minute set. Bash is pretty good at keeping things on schedule, so you can do the math on starting times. Big Blast recording artists The Mark Watson Band kick things off things with their energetic power pop music. (Watson will be back on stage later that night, as he’s now also a member of The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club.) Power pop band The Queue has a new six-song EP titled Get Out Of Now, and recently performed live on radio station WZRD.

The Unswept features cousins Charlie, Ryan, and Liz O’Brien, who, legend has it, performed in Sheffield, England before moving to the Logan Square neighborhood in Chicago. Their clever material combines the original British Invasion with a more modern edge. They might just have copies of their new album Fast Casual for sale at Montrose Saloon. The Burkharts will be coming from Buffalo, NY for their IPO gig. Their new single “Be Your Lover” features Beach Boys harmonies set to an energetic power pop arrangement. Penthouse Sweets are celebrating 20 years of fun and often wild performances on the Chicago rock scene, and have recorded four albums of rough-edged indie rock. The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club continues its tradition of creating energetic power pop with its recently released new single “Hold You Up.” It’s a preview of their upcoming Big Blast Records album Please Stand By.

Check out the International Pop Overthrow website for the festival’s full schedule. 

IPO - Chicago 2022: Next Friday’s Kickoff

International Pop Overthrow - Chicago, which has been absent for two years due to COVID-19, returns next Friday for a nine-day run at Montrose Saloon on the city’s north side. CFO/founder David Bash has over 6o acts scheduled to perform, with many of them being favorites among long-time IPO fans. Named in honor of Material Issue’s stellar debut album, the annual multi-act festival is also held in Phoenix; Liverpool; Los Angeles; San Diego; Vancouver; Arlington, TX, and other cities.

Friday night’s six-band lineup starts with singer-guitarist Dolph Chaney. He’s on the Big Stir label and was named Woody Radio’s 2020 Artist Of Year. The hard-edged power pop band Go Time! is well-known on the local scene and has released several albums. The Milwaukee-based sextet Elephonic plays original symphonic pop.

The Spindles have spent several years on the Chicago club scene perfecting their British Invasion flavored power pop. Their critically acclaimed 2018 CD Past And Present was an entertaining mix of originals and well-chosen covers.The Tambourine People is a trio that describes its approach as sunshine pop-influenced music, and is offering its Tambourine Love album in CD, vinyl, cassette, and eight-track formats. Chicago power pop band Gal Gun offers catchy, guitar-driven songs on its 2020 album Critical Hit.

I’m hoping to provide previews of other IPO - Chicago lineups, if time and my off-kilter schedule allow. The full list of bands involved can be found on the International Pop Overthrow website with links for most of the acts.

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Tickets are now on sales for L7’s concert on October 15 at Metro in Chicago’s Wrigleyville neighborhood. The band will perform the entire Bricks Are Heavy album to honor its 30th Anniversary, along with other material. Patti Smith has a concert coming up there on May 4. The gigs are part of Metro’s 40th anniversary celebration.

When The Who perform on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS tonight, it will be to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Teen Cancer America. Founding members Pete Townshend and Roger Daltry started the charity organization in 2012 to help young people they felt were overlooked when it comes in cancer treatment.

The Chicago-based indie record label Pravda is staging Pravdafest in collaboration with Sketchbook Brewing Company on June 24 and 25. The event will celebrate Pravda’s 38 years of showcasing unique recording artists, and introduce a new Sketchbook beer called Pravda38. Josh Caterer, Steve Dawson, Hushdrops, and Boom Hank are scheduled to perform on the 24th and The Slugs, The Service, Diplomats Of Sound, and The Handcuffs are scheduled for 25th. That’s what you call an impressive lineup.

Wilco will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of its groundbreaking Yankee Hotel Foxtrot album with a 2022 tour that includes concerts on April 22 and 23 at the elegant Auditorium Theatre in Chicago. Band leader Jeff Tweedy will discuss the album on WXRT’s new series On The Record series this coming Monday, April 18, at 8:00 pm.

Chicago photographer Bill Sosin will be showcasing his work from 5:00 to 7:00 pm next Saturday, April 23 at the Chicago Art Source/Gallery 1871 at 1871 N. Clybourn on the 2nd floor. Artist Melissa Herrington will also be displaying her work at the exhibit.

The Cine Youth Festival 2022, which bills itself as a “celebration of the next generation of filmmakers from around the world,” will take place next weekend, April 22 – 24 at Facets on Fullerton Avenue.

So you think he’d be fun? Well, you’re probably right. Robin Hitchcock will bring his eclectic and melodic repertoire to the Old Town School Of Folk Music next Thursday. April 21.

Next Saturday, April 23 will mark the 15th Anniversary of Record Store Day, with limited-edition LPs coming to retail outlets across the globe. Vinyl junkies can show their appreciation by ordering a copy of author Larry Jaffee's new book Record Store Day - The Most Improbable Comeback of the 21st Century.

Tickets are now on sale for the hour-long Prince: The Immersive Experience, which opens at The Shops At North Bridge In Chicago on June 9. The official website promises 10 multidimensional spaces, and an opportunity to “step inside the iconic Purple Rain album cover.” All ages are welcome.

The Petty Hearts - The National Tom Petty Tribute Show comes to the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights next Saturday, April 23. Five days later, Shout! - The Mod Musical opens and will run through June 11.

My nephew Joe Flamm will celebrate the first anniversary of his Croatian-Italian restaurant Rose Mary in style on April 20. Joe was the Season 15 winner of Top Chef on the Bravo Channel, and he’s invited some fellow competitors to join him for a special event at the Fulton Market area restaurant. Chefs Joe Sasto, Carrie Baird, Adrienne Cheatham, and Tyler Anderson, who’ve all gone on to great success since the competition, will be on hand. The price is $150 per person, and 20% of all tickets will be donated to Alex’s Lemonade Stand in its battle against childhood cancer. On a related note, Joe had a guest appearance as a judge on the current season of Top Chef last night.

 

Not a Chef Show. That’s the description given by the official Seinfeld Facebook page regarding the Seinfeld Food Truck Tour. I’ve never heard of it before but apparently it’s been going on for at least a decade, and Junior Mints are on the menu. The Seinfeld Food Truck Tour will visit Chicago this year on the weekend of April 29 – May 1, but I wasn’t able to learn exactly where. Other cities on the tour include New York and Los Angeles (4/22 – 4/24) obviously, there’s more than one truck; Dallas (5/6 – 5/8); and San Francisco (5/13 – 5/15). The numerous comments in response to the Seinfeld Facebook announcement were pretty much all catch phrases, such as, “No soup for you!” Speaking of which, I met Larry Thomas, the actor whose terse delivery made the Soup Nazi so memorable, at the Wizard World Comic Con in Rosemont a few years back. I told him he must be one the most imitated actors ever from a sitcom, and he seemed to agree. 

Saturday Slumgullion

Rumbar Records is releasing a tribute album to The Go-Gos titled If You Gotta Go-Go, Go-Go Now on April 21 that will feature 24 acts covering songs originally recorded by the recent Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductees. As the Rumbar Bandcamp page notes, some of the acts involved aren’t very well known, but there are a number of power pop favorites (and even an actual Go-Go), such as Josie Cotton; Mike Skill/Nikki Corvette; The Coolies with Clem Burke and Kathy Valentine; Natalie Sweet; Paul Collins Beat and Holly and The Italians.

This is actually not the first time The Go-Go’s have been honored with a tribute album. The indie label 4 Alarm Records released the 12-track CD Unsealed in 1999. 

The above-mentioned Mike Skill still performs and records with The Romantics, but has also been known to release solo music. He has another recording coming out on April 15. It’s a cover of Wilson Pickett’s 1965 soul hit “In The Midnight Hour,” but Skill recently explained on Facebook he wanted to recreate the garage rock version he heard decades ago by the Grosse Pointe, MI group The Wanted. Sounds like a fun idea.

Meanwhile, Romantics drummer Brad Elvis has a new album with his other band, The Handcuffs, coming out on June 3. The Chicago-based indie rock group has just released “I Cry For You,” the first single from Burn The Rails. I’ve been listening to an advanced copy of Burn The Rails, and while all the material is strong, I’d agree that “I Cry For You,” with its mysterious Patti Smith vibe, is a good choice for the first single. The video was recently featured on the Glide Magazine site .

The Unswept have a new album titled Fast Casual coming out on April 22, and it’s now available for pre-order in digital and CD formats. One of the tracks, “Got Lucky,” is already available to download. It features a rare and certainly appealing lead vocal from band member Liz O’Brien, propelled by jangling guitars. Consistently fun in a vintage British Invasion vein, The Unswept is one of the many bands I’ve discovered at International Pop Overthrow - Chicago. It’s great to see the annual event is coming back this year, running from April 22 through April 30 at Montrose Saloon on the city’s north side.

In addition to The Unswept, The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club will also be showcasing a new release at IPO - Chicago. It’s likely other bands will perform new stuff as well. It’s not too soon to check out the full schedule on the International Pop Overthrow website.

It’s also not too early to check out the list of limited-edition vinyl releases for Record Store Day 2022, which is coming on April 22. The ones that immediately jump out at me are the “Sunday Girl” seven-inch EP by Blondie; Wireless World by Nick Lowe; Spirit, Power and Soul by Johnny Marr; New Improved Kim Shattuck Demos by The Muffs; Explosions In The Glass Palace by The Rain Parade; and More Hot Rocks (Big Hits And Fazed Cookies - 50th Anniversary) by The Rolling Stones.

According to the Facebook page for Irish punk/pop pioneers The Undertones, there’s a documentary about them in the works. The band also continues to tour.

Tickets are now on sale for the hour-long Prince: The Immersive Experience, which opens at The Shops At North Bridge In Chicago on June 9. The official website promises 10 multidimensional spaces, and an opportunity to “step inside the iconic Purple Rain album cover.” All ages are welcome.

The Petty Hearts - The National Tom Petty Tribute Show comes to the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights on April 23. Five days later, Shout! - The Mod Musical opens at on April 28 and will run through June 11.

Wilco will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of its Yankee Hotel Foxtrot album with a 2022 tour that includes shows on April 22 and 23 at the elegant Auditorium Theatre in Chicago.

Tickets are now on sale for OUT OF SPACE, the Evanston venue SPACE’s appropriately named outdoor festival held being this summer at the Canal Shores Golf Course. The schedule finds Jenny Lewis and Trampled By Turtles on August 4; Elvis Costello And The Imposters, with Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets, and Nicole Atkins on August 5; Lucinda Williams and Waxahatchee, with Liam Kazar on August 6; and Buddy Guy, with Big Head Todd and The Monsters frontman Todd Park Mohr, and Bobby Rush on August 7. 

  

Vocalist-guitarist Steve Hackett, who’s performed with Genesis and GTR, as well as on solo projects, has a gig coming up on May 5 at the Copernicus Center on Chicago’s northwest side. The venue is a short walk away from the Jefferson Park Metra/CTA station.

Patti Smith has a concert coming up on May 4 at Metro on Chicago’s north side. It’s part of the iconic music venue’s 40th anniversary celebration. Other major events are expected to be announced.

You definitely won’t find Precious Moments figurines and kids’ clothing at this one. Schubas, one of Chicago’s best-loved music venues, will be holding a Garage Sale on May 1. In addition to being able to buy various gig posters, furniture, and kitchen equipment, visitors can enjoy offerings from local vendors and DJs spinning tunes.

Congratulations to my nephew Joe Flamm on the first anniversary of his Croatian-Italian restaurant Rose Mary. Joe was the Season 15 winner of Top Chef on the Bravo Channel, and he’s invited some familiar names from that show to join him for a celebration at the Fulton Market area restaurant on April 20. Chefs Joe Sasto, Carrie Baird, Adrienne Cheatham, and Tyler Anderson, who’ve all gone on to great success since the competition, will be on hand. The price is $150 per person, and 20% of all tickets will be donated to Alex’s Lemonade Stand in its battle against childhood cancer. On a related note, Rose Mary is one of the 23 venues recently added to the prestigious Michelin Guide Chicago.

Incoming

Up until the past few years of COVID-19 complications, WXRT’s Opening Day Broadcast was a traditional way for the station to kick off a new Cubs season. Whether you were part of the boisterous crowd that gathered at Yak-Zies Bar And Grill at dawn to watch morning DJ Lin Brehmer host the event, or listened from home while getting ready for work, this was a definite party.

The celebration has returned, starting tomorrow morning at the more sensible (but still too early for drinking) hour of 10:00 am. Brehmer will be joined by fellow XRT personalities Terri Hemmert and Marty Lennartz at Yak-Zies, which is just down the block from Wrigley Field. Soul musician Phillip Michael Scales will perform live, and there will be other fun guest and activities. The broadcast runs through 1:00 pm. The Cubs will take on the Milwaukee Brewers at 1:20 pm.

Tickets are now on sale for the hour-long Prince: The Immersive Experience, which opens at The Shops At North Bridge In Chicago on June 9. The official website promises 10 multidimensional spaces, and an opportunity to “step inside the iconic Purple Rain album cover.” All ages are welcome.

The Gene Siskel Film Center and Chicago Film Society will co-present a 35-millimeter print of the rare 1929 Ukrainian silent documentary In Spring (Vesnoy) tomorrow (April 7) at 7:00 pm. Dave Drazin will provide piano accompaniment.

 

Eclipse Chicago - A Pink Floyd Tribute promises to bring the psychedelic when it comes to Durty Nellie’s in Palatine this Friday night, April 8.

The Petty Hearts - The National Tom Petty Tribute Show comes to the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights on April 23. Five days later, Shout! - The Mod Musical opens at on April 28 and will run through June 11.

Slumgullion

Chicago’s Goodman Theatre has announced its 2022 – 23 season, and there’s a surprise classic rock fans couldn’t have seen coming. The Who’s Tommy—with music and lyrics by Pete Townshend, book by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff, and directed by Des McAnuff—will have its world premiere at the critically acclaimed theatre and run from June 13 through July 23, 2023.

Fest For Beatles Fans - Jersey City is being held this weekend at the Hyatt Regency On The Hudson in New Jersey. Peter Jackson, who directed the monumental Beatles series Get Back on Disney+ , won’t be there physically, but he has agreed to appear via Zoom from New Zealand and answer questions from audience members. Scheduled in-person guests include Laurence Juber from Wings; 1960s pop singer Billy J. Kramer; lead vocalist from The Cyrkle Don Dannemann; and drummer Gregg Bissonette, who has toured with Ringo Starr. Liverpool, one of the best Beatles tribute bands I’ve ever seen, will perform each night of The Fest.

It doesn’t look like the guests have been announced yet for Fest For Beatles Fans - Chicago, which comes to the Hyatt Regency O’Hare on the weekend of August 12 – 14. If I could make a suggestion, it would be to book former Hollies lead vocalist Allan Clarke, who triumphantly resumed his solo career with the Resurgence album in 2019. Last week during a performance at SPACE in Evanston, Graham Nash revealed that he has been working with Clarke on new music.

Speaking of SPACE, tickets are now on sale for OUT OF SPACE, the Evanston venue’s appropriately named outdoor festival being held this summer at the Canal Shores Golf Course. The schedule finds Jenny Lewis and Trampled By Turtles on August 4; Elvis Costello And The Imposters, with Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets, and Nicole Atkins on August 5; Lucinda Williams and Waxahatchee, with Liam Kazar on August 6; and Buddy Guy, with Big Head Todd and The Monsters frontman Todd Park Mohr, and Bobby Rush on August 7.

   

The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles will celebrate the 15th Anniversary of Record Store Day on April 19. It will also mark the release of the book Record Store Day - The Most Improbable Comeback of the 21st Century by Larry Jaffee There will also be a panel discussion.

Vocalist-guitarist Steve Hackett, who’s performed with Genesis and GTR, as well as on solo projects, has a gig coming up on May 5 at the Copernicus Center on Chicago’s northwest side. The venue is a short walk away from the Jefferson Park Metra/CTA station.

Patti Smith has a concert coming up on May 4 at Metro on Chicago’s north side. It’s part of the iconic music venue’s 40th anniversary celebration. Other major events at Metro are expected to be announced soon.

Tickets are now on sale for the Chicago version of here and there, which is being billed as “a touring festival curated by Courtney Barnett.” Several cities and acts are involved, and each location will feature Barnett and two or three other performers. The Chicago stop will take place at The Salt Shed on August 16, with Barnett, Alvvays, and The Beths. The Salt Shed is one of Chicago’s newest venues; located at the old Morton Salt factory location at 1357 N. Elston Avenue.

You definitely won’t find Precious Moments figurines and kids’ clothing at this one. Schubas, one of Chicago’s best-loved music venues, will be holding a Garage Sale on May 1. In addition to being able to buy various gig posters, furniture, and kitchen equipment, visitors can enjoy offerings from local vendors and groove to DJs spinning tunes.

Congratulations to Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson on snagging the Best Director of an Original Documentary Academy Award for Summer Of Soul ( . . . Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised). The amazing thing about the documentary’s success is that Questlove rescued it from decades of being unseen. Hopefully, he’ll find similar commercial success with his joint effort with Mick Jagger on the production of the documentary James Brown: Say It Loud, which is to air on the A and E Network some time in 2023.

The Gene Siskel Film Center and Chicago Film Society will co-present a 35-millimeter print of the rare 1929 Ukrainian silent documentary In Spring (Vesnoy) on April 7 at 7:00 pm. Dave Drazin will provide piano accompaniment.

David Bromberg has a gig tomorrow night, April 2, at the Old Town School Of Folk Music.

Eclipse Chicago - A Pink Floyd Tribute promises to bring the psychedelic when it performs at Durty Nellie’s in Palatine next Friday, April 8.

Fire Shut Up In My Bones, the new opera that incorporates elements of jazz music created by Terrence Blanchard, is currently being staged at the Lyric Opera Of Chicago. The groundbreaking work is based on New York Times columnist Charles M. Blow’s memoir.

Bryan Ferry, Andy Mackay, Phil Manzanera, and Paul Thompson will be onboard when Roxy Music launches a 50th Anniversary Tour that will bring them to Chicago on September 19 for a concert at the United Center. St. Vincent will be their special guest for that event. Other cities on the tour include Boston, Austin, San Francisco, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia.