The Official Release: Various Artists - 3X4

The concept behind 3X4 was to reignite the psychedelic atmosphere and catchy songs of the early 1980s Paisley Underground by bringing together some of the era’s best-known participants. The album was released last November as part of the Black Friday Record Store Day limited vinyl editions, but was recently given an official release. The curveball here is that the four major players from that Los Angeles scene recorded new versions of each other’s vintage songs.

The Bangles are the best known of the acts involved, but don’t expect anything resembling “Eternal Flame.” This is the band as their true fans know them; mixing 1960s pop and garage rock with lush harmonies and strong melodies. The Three O’Clock, The Dream Syndicate, and Rain Parade follow the same blueprint, and like The Bangles, they sound like they’re having a blast on 3X4. After all, this is music they’ve known and loved for decades.

The Dream Syndicate’s Steve Wynn states in the extensive liner notes that he wanted his band’s new version of The Salvation Army (a precursor of The Three O’Clock) song “She Turns To Flowers” to capture the original’s “beautiful chaos,” and the result is a mind-bending gem. The Bangles’ exotic take on Rain Parade’s “Talking In My Sleep” features tabla playing from guest musician Meena Makhijani, and The Three O’Clock capture the lilting arrangement of The Dream Syndicate’s psychedelic “What She’s Done To Your Mind.”

Rain Parade slows the tempo a bit on The Bangles’ romantic “The Real World,” giving it a delicate beauty as well as ringing guitars. But the best example of how well 3X4 works comes on The Dream Syndicate’s guitar-fueled take on The Bangles’ first hit “Hero Takes A Fall,” which features Linda Pitmon and Bangle Vicki Peterson supporting Steve Wynn on backing vocals. Here’s hoping we’ll hear more collaborations from these for bands and even a tour.

Various Artists - 3X4

The 3X4 album does a great job of bringing listeners back to the collaborative spirit and catchy songs of the Paisley Underground in the early 1980s. One of this past Black Friday Record Store Day’s limited editions but slated for an official release at some point in 2019, 3X4 brings together four major players from that Los Angeles scene and features them recording each other’s vintage songs. The Bangles are the best known of the acts involved, but don’t expect anything resembling “Eternal Flame.”

This is The Bangles as their true fans know them; a band that created original 1960s style pop and garage rock that they performed in clubs with The Three O’Clock, The Dream Syndicate, and Rain Parade. All four of these groups are in top form and sound like they’re having a blast on 3X4, as well they should. This is music they’ve known and loved for decades.

The Dream Syndicate’s Steve Wynn states in the extensive liner notes that he wanted his band’s new version of The Salvation Army (a precursor of The Three O’Clock) song “She Turns To Flowers” to reignite the original’s “beautiful chaos.” The Bangles’ exotic take on Rain Parade’s “Talking In My Sleep” features tabla playing from guest musician Meena Makhijani, and The Three O’Clock captures the lilting arrangement of The Dream Syndicate’s psychedelic “What She’s Done To Your Mind.”

Rain Parade slows the tempo a bit on The Bangles’ romantic “The Real World,” giving it a delicate beauty as well as ringing guitars. But the best example of how well 3X4 works comes on The Dream Syndicate’s guitar-fueled take on The Bangles’ first hit “Hero Takes A Fall” featuring Linda Pitmon and Bangle Vicki Peterson supporting Steve Wynn on backing vocals. Here’s hoping we’ll hear more collaborations from these four bands and even a tour.

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Considering the success of their Play R.E.M.’s Murmur tour earlier this year, it’s no surprise Michael Shannon And Jason Narducy And Friends are planning to hit the road in tribute to another R.E.M. album. Tickets are already on sale for their Celebrate The 40th Anniversary of R.E.M.’s Fables Of The Reconstruction tour kicking off in Pioneertown, CA on Valentine’s Day 2025. Other cities on the tour include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Boston, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Chicago. There will be two shows (2/27, 2/28) in Athens, GA, which is where members of R.E.M. dropped by during the Murmur tour. The Chicago date is March 14 at Metro. Dave Hill will be a special guest on the tour.

Roses For The Roches: A Tribute to Maggie, Terre, and Suzzy Roche, featuring critically acclaimed vocalists Nora O’Connor, Sima Cunningham, and Kelly Hogan will take place November 26 at Old Town School Of Folk Music on Chicago’s north side. Alex Grelle, a multi-faceted entertainer, will serve as the evening’s host.

Although we haven’t heard any new material from The Bangles since they joined forces with fellow Paisley Underground pioneers Rain Parade, The Three O’Clock, and The Dream Syndicate on the 3 x 4 album in 2019, Susanna Hoffs, Debbi Peterson, and Vicki Peterson have kept busy with other projects. The latest example comes from Hoffs, who will soon release a collection of songs she recorded in her garage back in 1999. Charlotte Caffey and Jane Wiedlin from The Go-Go’s were there to help out, along with musicians Bill Bottrell, Brian MacLeod, and Dan Schwartz. The Lost Record will have 10 tracks, and is due out on October 18.

Here’s a Saturday night event I wasn’t aware of when I compiled yesterday’s Weekend Reminders post. Montrose Saloon has a four-act showcase starting at 7:30 pm. The lineup, listed in order of performing, comprises Modern Day Saints, Thrift Store Halo, The Bon Mots, and Brian Krumm And His Barfly Friends. All well-known acts on the Chicago club scene.

If you’re ever having a conversation with Smashing Pumpkins founder Billy Corgan and he calls you a Bozo, don’t be offended. According to Chicago Sun-Times staff reporter Stefano Esposito’s article in yesterday’s issue, Corgan loved watching the Bozo’s Circus TV show as a child. He and his wife Chloe Mendel are planning a Bozo-themed festival on the weekend of October 18 – 20 at their Madame Zuzu’s restaurant in Highland Park, IL. Tickets are $8.50 for kids, and $14 for grownups.

Maybe Smashing Pumpkins fans should search for hidden Bozo messages on the band’s new album Aghori Mhori Mei. Staff writer Andy Deer gave it an 8 out of 10 rating in the September issue of the Illinois Entertainer.

Tall Poppy Syndrome has followed its March 2024 cover of The Kinks’ “This Time Tomorrow” with a version of the 1964 Brenda Lee hit “Is It True.” (Apparently, nobody liked question marks back then.) Guest vocalist Carla Olson of The Textones and solo career fame guarantees a faithful take, and Tall Poppy Syndrome regulars Paul Kopf, Vince Melouney, Jonathan Lea, Alec Palao, and Clem Burke provide a hard-edged backdrop. Surprisingly, the instrumentation on Brenda Lee’s original also had some bite to it.

 

This year’s Phil Angotti and Friends John Lennon Birthday Bash will take place next Saturday, October 5 at Martyrs’. Martyrs’ is located at 3855 N. Lincoln Avenue. As in recent years, the event will be divided into an afternoon show and an evening show.

As noted in the Celebrities (from news services) column in today’s Chicago Tribune, The Cure have a new album, titled Songs For A Lost World, coming out November 1.

Reeling 2024 - The 42nd Chicago LGBTO + International Film Festival, a production of Chicago Filmmakers, this week and will run through October 6 at various venues around the city.

The forever-suave Roxy Music frontman and solo performer Bryan Ferry will release the 81-track Retrospective - Bryan Ferry 1973 – 2023 on October 25. Available on colored vinyl or as a 5-CD deluxe box set, it will include new and unreleased recordings, along with extensive liner notes and rare photography. It’s currently available for pre-order from his official website.

Congratulations to the always inventive PJ Harvey on selling out her September 30 concert at The Salt Shed here in Chicago. It’s her first American tour in quite a while.

Twisted Dream Machine - The Paisley Underground - California’s Psychedelic Renaissance: 1982-1986 is now available to preorder as a double-LP or CD Digipak from the Futurismo site. It’s the next volume in Futurismo's Altered Vision compilation series, and features tracks by The Three O’Clock, The Rain Parade, True West, The Bangles, Thin White Rope, Game Theory, The Dream Syndicate, The Long Ryders, Green On Red, 28th Day, The Pandoras, and Wednesday Week.

The Zombies’ 2024 Begin Here Festival, which takes place November 8 – 10 in St. Albans in the UK, will include a Tribute To Rod Argent on November 9. The longtime keyboards player/songwriter gave up live performances after recently experiencing a stroke, but will continue to record with the band. The tribute will include special guests Russ Ballard, Tanita Tikaram, Danny Mattin, Millies Riquelme, Hugh Grundy and Chris White.

 

As recently noted by Albert Williams on the Chicago, Theatre Capital of America: Past. Present. Future. Facebook page, Matt Fotis has just released his new book Fifty Key Improv Performers: Actors, Troupes, and Schools from Theatre, Film, and TV. Several key comedic/theatrical figures are covered, including Viola Spolin, Del Close, Charna Halpern Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Mick Napier.

  

The Matthew Sweet Acoustic Trio tour begins October 1 in Des Moines, Iowa and will travel extensively around America and wrap up on November 16, with a show in Seattle. Sweet will be joined by Paul Chastain and Adrian Carter, who along with playing instruments, will join him for lots of three-part harmonies. For some of the dates, including October 6 in Chicago show, the trio will be opening for Hanson.

A new album titled Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young Live At Fillmore East, 1969, which is being described as “a newly discovered multi-track recording,” will be released in CD and double LP formats on Oct. 25. It’s currently available to pre-order from Rhino Records. Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young Live At Fillmore East, 1969 will also be available in digital format.

Chicago: Home Of House, an exhibit honoring the city’s pivotal role in widespread success of house music over the past 40 years, runs through the end of October,at Navy Pier. 

Issue 19 of the very cool Pittsburgh-based alternative rock publication Second Scene can be purchased for $7 (plus shipping) on its Bandcamp page. This issue features stories on The Telescopes, Vince Melouney, Amy Rigby, and several other musicians.

Music industry veteran Dean Brownrout will have a book release party for his No Big Deal memoir at the Marble + Rye  bar/lounge in New York on September 30.

Thank You For The Days - Fans of The Kinks Share 60 Years Of Stories, a new book edited by Chris Kocher, will be available from Sonicbond Publishing in England on November 29, and in America on January 31. The collection includes a preface by band members Ray and Dave Davies and Mick Avory.

Monty Python members Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam have now raised £79,554 of the £120,000 they need in their GoFundMe campaign to finance an effort to erect a statue honoring late Python member Terry Jones on the promenade in his home town of Colwyn Bay in Wales. Those interested in helping “A Python On The Prom” campaign reach its goal can donate at the official GoFundMe page. 

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.

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Chicago indie rock band The Handcuffs have a gig coming up at Liar’s Club on October 19 to promote the vinyl release of their latest album, Burn The Rails. Morgan Fisher from Mott The Hoople will be their guest keyboards player that night. The gatefold LP comes with a seven-inch blue vinyl single featuring the new Handcuffs track “Jubilee” and a cover of the George Harrison/Jackie Lomax song “Sour Milk Sea.” In my review of Burn The Rails back when it was released on Bandcamp, I noted: The Chicago-based indie rock quintet is justifiably praised for its expertise in channeling 1970s glam rock, but that’s just part of the story. As on their previous release, Waiting For The Robot, the new Burn The Rails successfully explores a variety of approaches.

Just a reminder there are few hours left in this month’s Bandcamp Friday. That’s when Bandcamp waives its revenue and passes the funds directly to artists and labels.

The crew behind Record Store Day has just released the list for this year’s Black Friday Record Store Day, and once again, there are vinyl treasures to be found in all genres of music. One of the most fascinating items is the 2-LP set The Byrds/Buffalo Springfield: Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival. Not only were those two of the best bands from that era, but David Crosby performed with each one of them at the festival. As the official RSD site explains, “These sets mark a pivotal moment in Crosby’s career: One of his final performances before leaving The Byrds and, sitting in with Buffalo Springfield at the request of Stephen Stills  . . .”

Other acts on the 2023 RSD Black Friday list include Allman Brothers Band; The Blasters; Sam Cooke; Cypress Hill; The Doors; Echo And The Bunnymen; Billie Eilish; The English Beat; a collection of cover versions by Garbage; Jerry Garcia; Grateful Dead (have they ever not been part of an RSD event?); Herbie Hancock; Jimi Hendrix; B.B. King; Steve Martin; Joni Mitchell; Stevie Nicks; Buck Owens; Pearl Jam; Ramones; The Rolling Stones; Santana; Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson; T-Rex; Tangerine Dream; U2; Van Halen; War; and Yes. Glancing through the descriptions of these releases, you’ll find many of them have interesting background stories.

The David Bowie tribute band Super Creeps has a show coming up next Friday, October 11 at Park West in Chicago.

Congratulations to f News Magazine, published by The School Of The Art Institute, on its 40th Anniversary. The current issue, which I picked up at the Gene Siskel Film Center on State Street, features Kit Montgomery’s A Guide to Live Music Venues in Chicago. Montgomery offers profiles of The Subterranean; Bottom Lounge; Metro; House Of Blues; Auditorium Theater; The Salt Shed; The Aragon Ballroom; Radius; and United Center.

The Englewood Jazz Festival - Three Days Of Free Music In The Community takes place September 19 – 21 at the Hamilton Park and Cultural Center at 513 W. 72nd Street.

October should be an exciting month for film buffs in the Chicago area, with the Destinos 7th Chicago International Theater Festival running from September 30 to November 17; and the 60th Chicago International Film Festival taking place from October 16 through October 27. Both events will have screenings at various locations.

Considering the success of their Play R.E.M.’s Murmur tour earlier this year, it’s no surprise Michael Shannon And Jason Narducy And Friends are planning to hit the road in tribute to another R.E.M. album. Tickets are already on sale for their Celebrate The 40th Anniversary of R.E.M.’s Fables Of The Reconstruction tour kicking off  in Pioneertown, CA on Valentine’s Day 2025. Other cities on the tour include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Boston, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Chicago. There will be two shows (2/27, 2/28) in Athens, GA, which is where members of R.E.M. dropped by on the Murmur tour. The Chicago date is March 14 at Metro. Dave Hill will be a special guest on the tour.

Susanna Hoffs will soon release The Lost Record, a collection of songs she recorded with Charlotte Caffey and Jane Wiedlin from The Go-Go’s in her garage back in 1999. Musicians Bill Bottrell, Brian MacLeod, and Dan Schwartz also contributed to the 10 tracks. The album is due out on October 18.

Smashing Pumpkins founder Billy Corgan and his wife Chloe Mendel are planning a Bozo-themed festival on the weekend of October 18 – 20 at their Madame Zuzu’s restaurant in Highland Park, IL. Tickets are $8.50 for kids, and $14 for grownups.

Tall Poppy Syndrome has followed its March 2024 cover of The Kinks’ “This  Time Tomorrow” with a version of the 1964 Brenda Lee hit “Is It True.” (Apparently, nobody liked question marks back then.) Guest vocalist Carla Olson of The Textones and solo career fame guarantees a faithful take, and Tall Poppy Syndrome regulars Paul Kopf, Vince Maloney Jonathan Lea, Alec Palao, and Clem Burke provide a hard-edged backdrop. Surprisingly, the instrumentation on Brenda Lee’s original also had some bite to it. 

Twisted Dream Machine - The Paisley Underground - California’s Psychedelic Renaissance: 1982-1986 is now available to pre-order as a double-LP or CD Digipak from the Futurismo site. It’s the next volume in Futurismo's Altered Vision compilation series, and features tracks by The Three O’Clock, The Rain Parade, True West, The Bangles, Thin White Rope, Game Theory, The Dream Syndicate, The Long Ryders, Green On Red, 28th Day, The Pandoras, and Wednesday Week.

 

The Zombies’ 2024 Begin Here Festival, which takes place November 8 – 10 in St. Albans in the UK, will include a Tribute To Rod Argent on November 9. The longtime keyboards player/songwriter gave up live performances after recently experiencing a stroke, but will continue to record with the band. The tribute will include special guests Russ Ballard, Tanita Tikaram, Danny Mattin, Millies Riquelme, Hugh Grundy and Chris White.

 

A new album titled Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young Live At Fillmore East, 1969, which is being described as “a newly discovered multi-track recording,” will be released in CD and double LP formats on Oct. 25. It’s currently available to pre-order from Rhino Records. Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young Live At Fillmore East, 1969 will also be available in digital format.

Chicago: Home Of House, an exhibit honoring the city’s pivotal role in widespread success of house music over the past 40 years, runs through the end of October.

Congratulations to Monty Python members Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam on quickly raising £94,000 of the £120,000 they need in their GoFundMe campaign to finance an effort to erect a statue honoring late Python member Terry Jones on the promenade in his home town of Colwyn Bay in Wales. In a recent email to those who have donated, the funds administrators stated, “We just wanted to say a massive thank you for your donation and that with your help Terry’s statue will be raised!”

Big Ideas 2014

Happy New Year!

Best wishes for a safe and successful 2014.

The Elvis Brothers once sang, “I got big ideas on my mind,” and the start of a new year is always the perfect time for people to present those ideas in the form of resolutions and plans. Here’s my second annual Big Ideas column; a mix of upcoming events regarding entertainers, and some cases, a suggestion of my own for them.

The Bangles The band will perform at the Whiskey A Go Go on January 26th as part of the famous West Hollywood club’s month-long celebration marking 50 years of presenting live rock and roll. Suggestion: The Bangles are overdue for a boxed set with rarities and live tracks. It would also be nice to see them release a new CD, and a color vinyl 45 for Record Store Day.

The Paisley Underground Reunion The Bangles, The Three O’Clock, Dream Syndicate, and Rain Parade joined forces for a few concerts on the West Coast in late 2013. Suggestion: Tour across the US, including a stop in Chicago.

Record Store Day The annual celebration of vinyl arrives on the third Saturday in April, with loads of collectable one-day only releases from artists across the music industry. Previous years have seen rarities from Cheap Trick, The Animals, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Shoes, Pink Floyd, The Three O’Clock, and R.E.M. 

Dan Pavelich The musician/journalist/cartoonist/indie label honcho’s impressive resume includes performing with The Bradburys and putting out charity records like the Hi-Fi Christmas series and Christmas Without Cancer. He announced on Facebook that, “I’m going to start recording and releasing more of my own music” in 2014.

The Handcuffs The four-woman/one man Chicago indie band lead by the husband and wife duo of drummer Brad Elvis and singer-guitarist Chloe F. Orwell, will release their fourth CD at some point this year.

Magatha Trysty The Chicago band led by singer-keyboards player Catherine Louise and singer-guitarist Chris Bevard plans to release the follow-up to its impressive 2012 CD Your Clothes Will Wear Themselves in 2014. The first single, “Raygun,” gives reason to be optimistic. 

The Hollies The British Invasion band has never broken up. The current lineup, led by original members guitarist-vocalist Tony Hicks and drummer Bobby Elliott, continues to tour and has 2014 dates in Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, and Norway. Suggestion: Add the United States to this tour, and Chicago in particular.

Susan Kaye Quinn She’s not only a member of my writers group and a former rocket scientist, Quinn continues to supply her self-publishing empire with her own adventurous efforts like The Mindjack Trilogy, Debt Collector Serial, Faery Swap and Third Daughter. Want to know how she does it? Pick up a copy of Quinn’s Indie Author Survival Guide on Amazon.

Cherie Colyer The longtime member/co-leader of my writers group will have her Challenging Destiny novel out on Wild Rose Press in 2014. This will be her third published Young Adult/paranormal novel, following Embrace and Hold Tight. 

Kym Brunner A funny and imaginative person with a keen ear for how teenagers think and talk, this longtime member/co-leader of my writers group will have her Young Adult novels Wanted Dead Or In Love and One Smart Cookie published this year. 

The Abbeys The veteran Chicago power pop band will debut its newest lineup at the Red Line Tap on February 15th, and later, in April, when International Pop Overthrow returns to Chicago.

Fest For Beatles Fans The annual celebration returns to New York for the first time in 30 years February 7th through the 9th in order to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the first time The Beatles visited America. Guests will include The Smithereens, recreating the Beatles’ 1964 Washington, D.C.concert; Peter Asher; Donovan; Chad & Jeremy; Billy J. Kramer; Freda Kelly; and  the Liverpool cover band; along with co-hosts/masters of ceremonies, comedian/producer Martin Lewis and radio personality Ken Dashow. Other plans include a replica of The Cavern Club, and a recreation of the ride from JFK Airport to the Ed Sullivan Theatre. Suggestion: Do as many of those things scheduled for New York at the Fest For Beatles Fans - Chicago. Obviously, they can’t duplicate the ride from JFK Airport, but The Smithereens’ concert and The Cavern replica? Most definitely! 

Phil Angotti Looks like the Chicago singer-writer and master of 1960s tribute shows will be channeling The Zombies again at FitzGerald’s on January 24th. Look for more tribute shows from him during year. Suggestion: Record a holiday CD where he imagines how various 1960s bands would sound singing Christmas carols, in much the same way the band The Fab Four does with The Beatles. 

If you have big plans for the upcoming months, please feel free to contact me here at Broken Hearted Toy.

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The official schedule for this year’s Halloweekend has been announced, and once again the lineup features local musicians paying tribute to an eclectic selection of world famous acts. The event was staged at various Chicago venues for the better part of this century before finding a home at Montrose Saloon in 2018. Halloweekend 2024 will run on October 25 and 26, with long-time participants such as Rachel Drew; Phil Angotti; Metropolly; Androgynous Mustache; and Dead Freddie scheduled to appear. If some of the other band names seem unfamiliar, keep in mind musicians sometimes craft a one-off identity strictly for this event.

I was happy to receive an update from the people working on the Melanie And Kim Monday fanzine that’s due out soon via the GiveSmart Fundraise campaign. Pre-orders are now closed for the limited-edition, 60-page tribute to musicians Melanie Vammen and the late Kim Shattuck, and it’s now in the process of being printed. All proceeds from the fanzine will benefit the ALS Network.

Prog rock master and The Luck Of Eden Hall founding member Gregory Curvey, AKA Custard Flux, will open for vocalist-guitarist Jane Getter and her Jane Getter Premonition band at Reggies Shack in Chicago’s south loop next Thursday, October 17. The date is part of Jane Getter Premonition Division World Tour 1st Leg.

I just received my copy of Issue 19 of the Second Scene alt rock newspaper, and once again, it’s filled with eye-catching graphics, along with news and reviews. Readers won’t find much copy here on big-name acts, other than a profile on the legendary KROQ DJ Rodney Bingenheimer. But, much like MOJO magazine promotes Brit musicians many of us in the States are unfamiliar with, Second Scene introduces us to indie acts worth checking out. Issues can be ordered from the Second Scene Bandcamp page.

The Creston Illinois Acoustic Music Festival will be held at the Opera House on October 19. Cornelius And The Sleddogs; Mark Walters; Wesley Carr; Peter Irving; Josiah Simon; The Woodruffs; Nik Person; Joel La Vaughn; and Beaverhead are scheduled to perform. The event starts at 3:00 pm; Creston is located approximately 80 miles west of Chicago and 30 miles south of Rockford.

 

Tickets are now available for the Joey’s Song Freezing Man Festival taking place January 8 – 11, 2025 at the Majestic Theater in Madison, WI. Several well-known acts will take part in the charity event, which raises funds to help find treatments and cures for epilepsy. This year’s performers are Debbi and Vicki Peterson, Jane Wiedlin, Tracy Bonham, Belly, The Know-It-All Boyfriends, Cory Chisel, Letters To Cleo, Look Park, John Cowsill, Garbage, Against Me!, Kenny Hoopla, Freedy Johnstone, Portugal. The Man, Silversun Pickups, Heather Porcaro, Steve Porcaro, The Goo Goo Dolls, Sierra Swan, The Nielsen Trust, and Gina Volpe.

Sonic45, the self-proclaimed “Chicago-based new-wave quintet” led by sports broadcaster/musician/songwriter Len Kasper, will return to the Hey Nonny venue in Arlington Heights on November 24. The band’s second album, SuperSonic, has several standout songs, such as “You And I Are Stereo,” “Flying Away,” and the quite unnerving “The Phantom.” In addition to Kasper, the band features Matt Spiegel, Dag Juhlin, Gerald Dowd, and Liam Davis—all veterans of critically acclaimed Chicago area acts. Tickets for the Hey Nonny November 24 gig will be available soon.

Fans of The dB’s will be happy to know a new version of “Ask For Jill” is now available as a single on various streaming sites. The song is one of the many catchy gems on the band’s 1981 album Repercussion, which will be released in a remastered format on October 18 from Propeller Sound Recordings. 

Record Store Day has released the list for this year’s Black Friday Record Store Day, and per tradition, there are vinyl treasures to be found in all genres of music.

“Revelation Blues,” the first single from whitewolfsonicprincess' upcoming album, Love Without Fear, is now available to stream on Spotify and Bandcamp. Guitarist-vocalist James Moeller describes it as, “a bit Celtic blues, a bit wild-fire.” The band has a record release party for Love Without Fear coming up on Halloween night at Evanston SPACE.

Tickets are now on sale for Stevie Wonder’s tour, which opened in Pittsburgh on October 8. Its slogan, Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation’s Heart, is inspired by Wonder’s call for peace and unity on his new single “Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart?” New York City; Philadelphia; Baltimore; Greensboro; Atlanta; Detroit; Milwaukee; Minneapolis; Grand Rapids; and Chicago are the other stops on the tour.

Chicago indie rock band The Handcuffs have a gig coming up at Liar’s Club on October 19 to promote the vinyl release of their latest album, Burn The Rails. Morgan Fisher from Mott The Hoople will be their guest keyboards player that night. The gatefold LP comes with a seven-inch blue vinyl single featuring the new Handcuffs track “Jubilee” and a cover of the George Harrison/Jackie Lomax song “Sour Milk Sea.”

Chicago: Home Of House, an exhibit honoring the city’s pivotal role in widespread success of house music over the past 40 years, runs through the end of October.

 

Vinto Van Go has a gig coming up on October 18 at the LiveWire Lounge on Chicago’s north side. In the meantime, the Chicago band’s REMIX Single “Comeuppance” is now available “everywhere in every way.”

Susanna Hoffs will release The Lost Record, a collection of songs she recorded with Charlotte Caffey and Jane Wiedlin from The Go-Go’s in her garage back in 1999 on October 18.

Congratulations to f News Magazine, published by The School Of The Art Institute, on its 40th Anniversary. The current issue, which I picked up at the Gene Siskel Film Center on State Street, features Kit Montgomery’s A Guide to Live Music Venues in Chicago.

A new album titled Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young Live At Fillmore East, 1969, which is being described as “a newly discovered multi-track recording,” will be released in CD and double LP formats on Oct. 25. It’s currently available to pre-order from Rhino Records. Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young Live At Fillmore East, 1969 will also be available in digital format.

The Destinos 7th Chicago International Theater Festival continues its run through November 17; and the 60th Chicago International Film Festival opens on October 16 and will run through October 27. Both events will have screenings at various locations.

Tall Poppy Syndrome has followed its March 2024 cover of The Kinks’ “This  Time Tomorrow” with a version of the 1964 Brenda Lee hit “Is It True.” Guest vocalist Carla Olson of The Textones and solo career fame guarantees a faithful take, and Tall Poppy Syndrome regulars Paul Kopf, Vince Maloney Jonathan Lea, Alec Palao, and Clem Burke provide a hard-edged backdrop.

English musician Matt Johnson will bring his band The The to North America for the first time 25 years to perform several of concerts. An October 25 show at The Salt Shed in Chicago will be part of radio station WXRT’s Fall Jam Series. 

Twisted Dream Machine - The Paisley Underground - California’s Psychedelic Renaissance: 1982-1986 is now available to preorder as a double-LP or CD Digipak from the Futurismo  site. It’s the next volume in Futurismo's Altered Vision compilation series, and features tracks by The Three O’Clock, The Rain Parade, True West, The Bangles, Thin White Rope, Game Theory, The Dream Syndicate, The Long Ryders, Green On Red, 28th Day, The Pandoras, and Wednesday Week.

Smashing Pumpkins founder Billy Corgan and his wife Chloe Mendel are planning a Bozo-themed festival on the weekend of October 18 – 20 at their Madame Zuzu’s restaurant in Highland Park, IL. Tickets are $8.50 for kids, and $14 for grownups.

Slumgullion

George Harrison’s birthday is Monday, February 25 but there will celebrations in the late Beatle’s honor over this weekend. WXRT DJ Terri Hemmert’s Breakfast With The Beatles program this Sunday morning will have a George theme, so look for her and correspondent Professor Moptop to serve up his best songs as well as some rarities and fun trivia.

My Sweet George, the George Harrison Birthday Tribute Concert hosted by local musician Ellis Clark each year, returns to Martyrs’ tomorrow night. Clark, a founding member of Epicycle and Social Act, always brings together some of the city’s best acts, and serves as Master Of Ceremonies. Ary Paloma Jeebie from the garage/rockabilly band Amazing Heeby Jeebies will once again be his co-host.

Scheduled performers include Ken Mottet; Clar Monaco/Sandalwood Sitar; Constantine; Greg Jackson Combs; Phoenix; Frankie B; The Unswept; Gerald McClendan; Robin and Jenny Bieneman; The Handcuffs; Gunner Cleemann; Tom Linsk; Southside Exiles; The Fluffers; The Beyond; and Scott Williams. There’s a genuine atmosphere of peace and harmony at this fest that George himself would (does?) love. Martyrs’ is located at 3855 N. Lincoln Avenue.

Local music fans will have to make a tough choice tomorrow night because there’s also a show featuring the original lineup of legendary power pop band Off Broadway at Reggie’s Rock Club. Cliff Johnson and his mates will celebrating the 40th Anniversary of their debut album On. Singer-guitarist Phil Angotti, another veteran of Chicago’s power pop elite and founding member of The Idea, and The Evictions are also on the bill. Reggie’s Rock Club is located on State Street just south of downtown.

Out on the West Coast, The Wild Honey Orchestra, comprised of all-star musicians, will recreate The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society album at the Alex Theatre in Glendale. The Three O’Clock; Dennis Diken from The Smithereens; Peter Holsaple and Chris Stamey from The dB’s; Jason Falkner; Scott MCaughey from from Minus 5; Clem Burke from Blondie; Elliot Easton from The Cars; Mike Mills from R.E.M. and Jody Stephens from Big Star are among the numerous participants. The event is being organized by the Wild Honey Foundation, and once again, proceeds will go towards the Autism Think Tank. Past Wild Honey events have honored The Beatles, Buffalo Springfield, Big Star, and The Hollies.

Kevin Lee and The Kings, a veteran power pop band that fills its catchy songs with a lot of guitar firepower, has a gig tomorrow night at the Chicago Loop bar in Streamwood.

Tickets went on sale today for Johnny Marr at The Vic on on May 13; Bruce Cockburn at The Old Town School Of Folk Music on September 27 and 28; Al Green at the Chicago Theatre on May 7; and John Mayall at City Winery Chicago on August 1

A lot of us Paisley Underground fans bought the 3X4 vinyl album featuring The Bangles, The Dream Syndicate, Rain Parade, and The Three O’Clock on Black Friday Record Store Day last year, but now it’s officially available on CD and for streaming. I highly recommend it.

The Chicago Film Society will co-present with CHIRP Radio The Ramones musical comedy flick Rock ‘N’ Roll High School  this Monday evening at The Music Box Theatre on Southport. Showtime is 7:00 p.m.

The Chills will be performing at The Empty Bottle next Wednesday, February 27 as part of rare U.S. tour. The New Zealand band found worldwide success with “Heavenly Pop Hit” back in the 1980s, but with Martin Phillipps still at the helm, continues to record engaging albums like the recently released Snow Bound and their politically charged 2016 effort Silver Bullets.

The Chicago Feminist Film Festival runs next Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, at Film Row Cinema on the 8th floor at 1104 S. Wabash Avenue.

The Chicago Irish Film Festival will mark its 20th anniversary of “Celebraring Films From The Land Of Storytelling” when it runs Friday through Sunday next week. Films will be screened at Theater on the Lake, The Logan Theatre, and Gallery Theatre.

Reason number 4,387 why I’d love to visit England again: There a venue called Southsea’s Pie and Vinyl Café that’s sponsoring a Record Store Day Official List Launch on February 28 and March 1. There will be DJs, a live performance by the band Barbudo, and free cider. They have a great slogan as well: Record stores are for life, not just a day so come and visit us every week and prove the physical experience is alive and kicking!

Matt Smith fans will get a chance to see the Doctor Who and The Crown star as they never have before when director Ondi Timoner’s 2018 film Mapplethorpe opens its first Chicago run at the Gene Siskel Film Center from next Friday, March 1. The Gene Siskel Film Center describes Mapplethorpe as a “fictionalized biopic” that “benefits from the full authorization of the artist’s estate.” It runs through March 7.

Local bands Sonia Dada; The Way Moves; Nicholas Tremulis and The Prodical 9; and Dick Holiday and The Bamboo Gang join WXRT air personality Lin Brehmer for Kocour Fest – A Celebration of the Life of Steve Kocour on March at Metro. Kocour was a highly regarded and popular sound/lighting expert and teacher who worked with several bans in the Chicago area.

International Pop Overthrow hasn’t announced the schedule for this year’s Chicago edition, but a few local bands are promoting their IPO gigs already. Thrift Store Halo and The Collectors will be performing on April 19. Note: this year’s IPO Chicago is being held at the Live Wire venue on Milwaukee Avenue.

Chicago radio station WXRT’s Friday Feature this week was prog rock, and morning DJ Lin Brehmer kicked things off by playing “In The Beginning” and “Lovely To See You” from The Moody Blues album On The Threshold Of A Dream. I haven’t heard those songs in ages (I used to own the album) but they still rock.

The English indie/vinyl-only label Fruits de Mer specializes in prog and psychedelic rock, and has just announced its release of three new double LPs. Moose Goose creates guitar-driven instrumentals on its FdM debut Source Code; 16th Dream Of Dr. Sardonicus Live offers live performances of various prog rocks acts; and Astralasia finds Marc Swordfish remixing tracks from bands he’s worked with throughout his career.

Chris O’Dowd, who was funny in Juliet, Naked, Pirate Radio, and pretty much everything he’s been in, will star in a new sitcom titled State Of The Union on Sundance TV this spring.

The Weeklings, a band that has released two albums of obscure Beatles songs and similar-sounding originals, recently came up with a great idea. They joined forces with Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits to record a new version of The Easybeats’ garage rock classic “Friday On My Mind.” It’s available on Amazon, Spotify, and iTunes.

Chicago-based, hard-edged power pop band Go Time! just released a 19-track new album titled Midway. Lead vocalist Scott Niekelski has also been working as a solo act in Chicago area venues. He’ll be performing an acoustic show with Patrick Potts from The Drysdales at District Kitchen and Tap in Oak Park tomorrow from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.