Brassneck

Brassneck's Latest Posts

Photo Gallery: Sons of The Apollo with Tony McAlpine at The Arcada Theatre

Brassneck | February 9, 2020 | 0 Comments

Ed Spinelli captured pro-metal supergroup Sons of The Apollo at The Arcada Theatre with guitar pioneer Tony McAlpine opening the show.

Hello My Name Is…Steve Harris from Iron Maiden and British Lion [with Photo Gallery from The Forge of Joliet]

Brassneck | February 9, 2020 | 0 Comments

Liam Gallagher always said that there are only two ways for an English lad to break free from his grey, oppressive, working-class environment — become a professional footballer or start a rock and roll band. Growing up in the London suburb of Leytonstone, Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris clearly remembers doing both. Quite well, […]

Live Review and Photo Gallery: EOB at Lincoln Center

Brassneck | February 9, 2020 | 1 Comment

Ed O’Brien (EOB) Lincoln Hall Saturday, February 8, 2020 Following in the footsteps of bandmates Thom Yorke, Colin Greenwood, and Phil Selway, guitarist and vocalist Ed O’Brien is stepping outside his role as a founding member of Radiohead and occasional high-profile sideman for other artists including Neil Finn. Performing under the name EOB, O’Brien […]

Stage Buzz: Hey Nonny’s Winter Blues Summit [with added Photo Gallery]

Brassneck | February 8, 2020 | 1 Comment

Winter has traditionally been a slow season for music festivals in Chicagoland while folks recover from their holiday hangovers. Other than the TNK Festival in Chicago, a sturdy and dependable showcase of emerging talent, there’s not been the equivalent in the suburbs. The folks at Hey Nonny and Straight Arrow Productions are changing the […]

Cover Story: Grace Potter [with added Photo Gallery from Riviera Theatre]

Brassneck | February 8, 2020 | 0 Comments

In the DC Comics universe, Superman always had his Fortress of Solitude, a secluded palace on the frozen Arctic tundra where he could go to muse on his complex relationships with villains, the Justice League, and indeed his planetary protectorate, humankind itself. Not bad, as exotic getaways go. Vermont-bred folk-rocker Grace Potter, on the other […]

Media: February 2020

Brassneck | February 1, 2020 | 0 Comments

Scott Miller was a regular on the radio in Chicago for several decades (WJMK, WCKG, WGN, WDRV, News 101.1 FM, Oprah Radio). Still, a few years ago, after his stint at the Drive (97.1 FM) with Pete McMurray and Dan McNeil, Miller found himself out of work. Despite knowing just about everyone in town, he […]

Cover Story – Caroline Polachek

Brassneck | February 1, 2020 | 0 Comments

The relationship between art and its attendant inspiration has been analyzed countless times over the years. The French painter Henri Matisse, for instance, said that the main impetus for creativity was simply courage, while author Jack London believed that you had to hunt it down with a club. Renowned acting coach Stella Adler posited that […]

Photo Gallery: Heilung at The Riviera Theatre

Brassneck | January 30, 2020 | 0 Comments

Heilung Riviera Theatre 01/20/2020 Heilung (‘healing’ in German), the Nordic folk mood makers arrived in North America for the first time and easily sold out the Riv on their short tour. Originally booked at the Vic Theatre, the show was to moved to the Riviera to meet ticket demand. Ed Spinelli captured their Nordic spectacle. […]

Photo Gallery: The Black Keys at Aragon Ballroom

Brassneck | January 22, 2020 | 0 Comments

Q101 WKQX, Chicago’s flagship and only Alt-Rock station, threw itself a birthday party, Thursday. More specifically, hosted one to celebrate the one year anniversary of the morning drive time trio known as Brian, Ali and Justin. And they did so in glorious style by inviting a sold out Aragon Ballroom audience to enjoy a live […]

Stage Buzz: Tedeschi Trucks at Chicago Theatre [Updated with Photo Gallery]

Brassneck | January 12, 2020 | 1 Comment

Florida’s legendary Tedeschi Trucks Band, led by married blues guitarists Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, return to the Chicago Theatre for a 4-night run beginning this weekend. TTB has redefined blues and soul over their decade together, powered and defined best by the debut album Revelator. IE’s Ed Spinelli talked with Derek Trucks as he […]

Stage Buzz: Signal The Launch at House of Blues

Brassneck | January 6, 2020 | 0 Comments

The members of the Chicago power trio Signal the Launch share a strong musical bond. The Lane Tech College Prep and Rolling Meadows High School graduates — brothers Mariusz (guitars/vocals) and Dan Owczarczak (bass), and Kevin Karpa (drums) — formed the band in 2016 after a life-altering incident that happened to Mariusz while driving […]

Hello My Name Is…Michael Des Barres

Brassneck | January 6, 2020 | 0 Comments

Michael Des Barres doesn’t want to sound jaded like he’s seen it all before. But at a sage-like 71, he has, in many ways. So don’t fault the Renaissance man for his cynical view of most pop stars’ careers: “They pretty much have a formula now,” he chuckles. “Young kid writes some songs, has some […]

Media – January 2020

Brassneck | January 1, 2020 | 1 Comment

When Brad Edwards was asked to be the co-anchor of the 5, 6, and 10 pm newscasts on CBS-2 Chicago in March of 2019, he was a little taken aback. Edwards had been a big part of the award-winning CBS investigative team since 2012, and “anchor” was a whole different ballgame. He knew what […]

Photo Gallery: KISS-FM Jingle Ball at Allstate Arena

Brassneck | December 23, 2019 | 0 Comments

‘‘Tis the season for the metaphorical kissing of the ring that is the radio station holiday concert. It’s the most wonderful time of the year when bands and artists pay homage to terrestrial radio by popping in for brief live sets as a way of thanking the radio overlords for putting their radio friendly unit […]

Holiday Hangover at House of Blues Chicago

Brassneck | December 13, 2019 | 0 Comments

House of Blues Chicago is kicking off the 2019 Holiday Season with their first-ever Holiday Hangover – ten days of top national tribute bands along with a roster of Chicago’s best tributes. The format has been a blast at other HOB locations across the country, and the talent buyers at the Windy City location […]