All Entries in the "Columns" Category
Media: April 2012
Both children and their parents love singer/songwriter Ralph Covert’s “Ralph’s World” indie-pop CDs.
Studiophile: April 2012
Scott Lucas is best known as the singer/guitarist for the two-man, Chicago rock band Local H. But recently, he has broadened his musical scope and greatly expanded his lineup, pulling together a collective of musicians
Sweet Home: April 2012
Eric Davis does not look like the stereotypical bluesman. His muscular frame is typically adorned in fitted tanks or vests, and his shaved head is always covered with his trademark bandanna. His arms are emblazoned with tattoos and his face with a goatee.
Hello, My Name Is Paul
IE: You’re currently on tour with Peter Case. Were there other occasions when you performed together since The Nerves broke up?
Paul Collins: Only once. I did some songs with him during an encore at one of his shows.
Around Hear: March 2012
Local Band Reviews
Rich Ryan (a.k.a. Richie Rich) brought in some heavy hitters to record his debut album From The Streets with his Chi-Town Blues Band. Featuring Grammy-winning guitarist Billy Flynn, Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, and pianist Barrelhouse Chuck and the Tommy Dorsey horn section,
Caught In A Mosh: March 2012
In an analogy that might only otherwise work for Long Island’s hockey community or the blue half of Merseyside, metal fans are the sports equivalent of White Sox fans. There’s an inferiority complex that transcends their so-called rivalry with regional — or, in this case, cultural — opposition, coupled with a stilted pride about doing [...]
Digital Divide: March 2012
Is there a group of people more reviled these day than Wall Street brokers? The answer, of course, depends on whether the placard you have on your front lawn includes an elephant or a donkey. Oh sure, Congress is an easy target for the general public’s scorn, but let’s face it: there really isn’t a [...]
File: March 2012
In time for Black History Month, Sony’s reissue imprint Legacy released Golden Gate Groove: The Sound Of Philadelphia Live In San Francisco, a sweetly nostalgic collection of O’Jays, Harold Melvin, and Billy Paul performances from 1973.
Gear: March 2012
Rumors that San Diego-based Taylor Guitars was gonna dip its big toe in the deep end of the amp business had us excited us to no end. Unfortunately, Taylor has made its ES Guitar Amplifier part of their limited-edition Builder’s Reserve series as a guitar/amp package (limited to 30 amps) called the Expression System. The [...]
Media: March 2012
In the 1970s, local radio legend Steve Dahl revolutionized talk radio with his raw form of radio verite.
Now, he’s breaking new ground by turning his “Dahlcast” podcast (at dahl.com) into a podcast network haven for personalities who are no longer on airwaves and deserve to be heard.
Studiophile: March 2012
Million Yen engineer/producer Jeff Dean has formed a hardcore “supergroup” with the legendary Vic Bondi (Articles Of Faith), Derek Grant (Alkaline Trio), and Joe Principe (Rise Against). The band is going by the name Dead Ending, and seminal label Alternative Tentacles
Sweet Home: March 2012
The legacy of Muddy Waters looms over Chicago blues with a vivid, unforgettable presence that serves as the standard for what defines the genre.
Appearing: March 31st at Buddy Guy’s Legends with The Chicago Blues Angels and Eddie Taylor Jr.
From his swaggering vocals to the fierce slide-guitar riffs that electrified the blues, there are very few [...]
Around Hear: February 2012
Veilside’s sophomore effort, This Time . . ., mixes Godsmack riffs with Sevendust grooves. It’s six-songs of modern rock with huge power chords, multi-layered vocal harmonies, and well-thought out guitar leads.
Caught In A Mosh: February 2012
In mid December, Metallica – drunk on the euphoria building for their 30th-anniversary celebrations, or scampering to mitigate the damage caused by Lulu – made the unusual decision to sell some demos on iTunes.
Digital Divide: February 2012
Having a lot of buzz surrounding a film doesn’t always mean big box office. For all of the critical acclaim surrounding Drive, the returns didn’t match the hype. Unfortunate – as Drive is one of the best films of 2011.
