Recent Articles
Spins: Buck Curran ⢠One Evening and Other Folk Songs
Buck Curran One Evening and Other Folk Songs (ESP-Diskâ/Obsolete Recordings) Singer-songwriter Buck Curran offers the aptly named One Evening and Other Folk Songs as a snapshot of creative evolution since 2020âs No Love is Sorrow. Learned quickly and captured mostly in intuitive live takes in an Italian studio, these psychedelic folk songs find Curran and […]
Spins: Thompson Twins ⢠Into the Gap 40th Anniversary LP
Thompson Twins Into the Gap 40th anniversary LP (BMG) Thompson Twinsâ fourth album, Into the Gap, is one of the emblematic New Wave albums of the â80s. The album was a creative, cultural, and commercial smash that saturated radio and then-influential MTV. The albumâs indelible singles include a song of reconciliation, âHold Me Now,â the moody and amorous […]
Spins: Neon Horse ⢠Habit of Creature
Neon Horse Habit of Creature (Velvet Blue) The originally clandestine gothic rockers Neon Horse released a second full-length album called Haunted Horse: Songs of Love, Defiance, and Delusion in 2009. Already about as underground as they come, the band went further underground. Fifteen years later, the disbanded band has re-banded to lob this Molotov […]
Media: December 2024 ⢠Chicago “Hearts” Billy Gardell
Billy Gardell became a household name while co-starring with Melissa McCarthy in the (2010-2016) sitcom Mike & Molly, but heâs certainly not a one-hit-wonder. He followed that with another five-year sitcom hit, Bob (heart emoji) Abishola. If youâve ever wondered how to pronounce that correctly, youâre not alone. âIt’s not Bob loves,â Billy explains. […]
Stage Buzz: Deacon Blues at Des Plaines Theatre
Deacon Blues Friday, November 29 Des Plaines Theatre Des Plaines, IL The acclaimed Chicago-based Steely Dan tribute Deacon Blues celebrates the holidays annually with a post Thanksgiving show at Arcada Theatre. The band is giving northwest-siders a treat this year by bringing the show to the Des Plaines Theatre Friday, November 29 to treat fans […]
Advertiser Message: Experience Hendrix ⢠March 21 at Chicago Theatre ⢠Chicago
Experience Hendrix is back Friday, March 21, at Chicago Theatre featuring Kenny Wayne Shepard, Marcus King, Eric Johnson & more!On sale tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov 13 10 am (use presale code STRAT70) https://www.ticketmaster.com/experience-hendrix-chicago-illinois-03-21-2025/event/07006155AE1E1CA0?utm_campaign=Adv-3032242&utm_source=illinois+entertainer&utm_medium=other_med_ln_digital The Experience Hendrix Tour evokes the era when artists treated each performance as a unique interaction with their audience. Jimi Hendrix called this […]
Stage Buzz: Interpol, Modest Mouse Billie Eilish
From âBury a Friendâ to âWhat Was I Made For?â Billie Eilish continues to captivate listeners with her haunting vocals, unique music approach, and confessional lyrics. In support of her latest album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, the singer will play the United Center across two nights with Nat & Alex Wolf. The shows occur […]
Stage Buzz: Bear Hands, Cursive, Destroy Boys, Damaged Justice,
Indie rockers Bear Hands surprised fans with the release of their first new single in five years, followed by their latest album, The Key to What. With a new record under their belt and re-signing with the newly reformed Contora Records, the band is ready to embark on the next chapter of their career. […]
Live Review: BEAT at Copernicus Center ⢠Chicago
BEAT Copernicus Center Chicago, IL November 1, 2024 Review by Steven Kikoen. Photos from San Diego by Marc Glassman. Flashback to the Fall of 1981 when I was asked by friends to join them in attending a concert at the Park West Theatre in Chicago to catch the newest incarnation of one of the […]
Cover Story: Steel Panther ⢠Canât Stop The Rock
When it comes to Steel Panther, no subject matter is off-limits. The Los Angeles âhair metalâ revivalists donât hold back â or sugarcoat anything â when creating the bandâs humorous, tongue-in-cheek lyrics. Tracks such as âAsian Hooker,â âFat Girl (Thar She Blows),â âBig Boobs,â âWeenie Ride,â âGlory Hole,â and many more prove that the band […]
Media: November 2024 ⢠Danny Macâs Beloved Bears Book
Dan McNeil was one of Chicago’s most controversial sports talk show hosts for decades. After long stints at the Score (670 AM) and ESPN (AM 1000), along with a few other stops on the radio dial (the Drive, the Loop), Dan has turned his talents to the written word. He has a new book […]
Live Review: Richard Lloyd Trio with Ganser at The Hideout ⢠Chicago
Richard Lloyd Trio with special guest Ganser The Hideout, Chicago, IL Sunday, October 27, 2024 Review and photos by Jeff Elbel Richard Lloyd brought a taste of the formative punk and art rock movements centered at the New York City club CBGB to the Hideout of Sunday Night. The founding television guitarist brought his Richard […]
Live Review: Sixpence None Sixpence None the Richer at City Winery ⢠Chicago
Sixpence None the Richer City Winery Chicago, IL Friday, October 25, 2024 Review and photos by Jeff Elbel Sixpence None the Richerâs We Are Love tour is the bandâs first extended road trip in over 20 years. The ambitious 50-date run stopped on Friday at Chicagoâs City Winery for a sold-out show. The bandâs […]
Stage Buzz: B-52s, Beat, Steve Wonder, Usher
Multi-platinum R&B star Usher dazzled audiences with his unforgettable Super Bowl halftime performance earlier this year. Now, the megastar is bringing his slick moves and soulful voice to the United Center as part of his âPast Present Futureâ tour. The singer will perform his latest and greatest across three nights starting Monday, October 28th, through […]
Photo Gallery: The The in Chicago
The The Salt Shed Chicago, IL October 25th, 2024 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Deep into The Theâs second music set at Chicagoâs Salt Shed, listeners were reminded how bottomless this bandâs catalog goes. Now entering their fourth decade, The The (the chosen moniker singer/songwriter Matt Johnson has used throughout his career) broke their […]
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