Recent Articles
Stage Buzz: Ministry, Cradle of Filth, Brigette Calls Me Baby,
Ministry frontman Al Jourgensen has spent the past three decades rallying against the bandâs debut album, With Sympathy. He hated it so much that he even refused to sign copies of it unless someone coughed up $1000. Now, the unthinkable has happened. Jourgensen and crew are celebrating the album and Ministryâs early works on […]
CinemaScopes: UHF 35th Anniversary Edition
UHF 35th Anniversary Edition (Shout! Factory) Review by Jeff Elbel Itâs been 35 years since we were introduced to the Twinkie-wiener sandwich, and fans everywhere were encouraged to grab life by the lips and yank. Shout! Factory invites us once again to âturn up the volume, and yank of the knob.â All of that yanking […]
Photo Gallery: Japanese Breakfast
Japanese Breakfast The Salt Shed Chicago, IL April 30, 2025 Recap and photos by Curt Baran While not exactly the equivalent of securing an EGOT, at the very least, Michelle Zauner has established herself as a multi-hyphenate. Singer-songwriter-best-selling author is now her title to claim. Her book Crying In H Mart, a devastatingly emotional account […]
Rock of Pages: The Ballad of the Lost Dogs of East Nashville ⢠by John J. Thompson
The Ballad of the Lost Dogs of East Nashville By John J. Thompson (Gyroscope) Review by Jeff Elbel Like a few of the central characters in this book, singer-songwriter John J. Thompson of alt-country/gospel band the Wayside may seem a bit tardy in offering his best gifts to the world. Heâs an experienced storyteller and […]
Media: May 2025 ⢠Triton College Radio Celebrates 50 Years
50 years ago, college radio was thriving. Every major college or university had a college radio station, and most universities had a radio/TV department. Those college radio stations were the breeding ground for the hugely popular radio industry, spawning radio stars, up-and-coming musical artists, and a whole generation of hitmakers. Sadly, across the country, college […]
Cover Story: May 2025 ⢠Crimson Glory Co-Headlines Reggiesâ Storied Legions of Metal Festival 2025
The Chicago metal festival tradition continues with the seventh annual Legions of Metal Festival triumphantly returning to hallowed ground at Reggies on Friday, May 2nd, and Saturday, May 3rd. Friday nightâs headliners are Portland, Oregonâs speed/thrash wrecking machine, Toxic Holocaust, preceded by Bostonâs symphonic power metal darlings, Seven Spires, as the co-headliners. Saturday nightâs lineup […]
Photo Gallery: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds at The Salt Shed ⢠Chicago
Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds The Salt Shed Chicago, IL April 28, 2025 Recap and Photos by Curt Baran Seeing Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds always feels ritualistic. Not unlike attending a church service albeit a baptism with music instead of holy water. But Cave has no script, no good book to follow […]
Stage Buzz: Wednesday 13, Machine Head, Unto Others, Vintage Blonde
For the past two decades, Wednesday 13 aka The Duke of Spook has been serving up spooky tricks and ghostly gags with his brand of horrorpunk. Now, the rocker is looking back on his horrific career on the âThereâs No Such Things as Monstersâ tour, which celebrates 20 years of his debut album, Transylvania 90210, […]
Stage Buzz: Jon Anderson, Bullet For My Valentine, Spiritbox, L.S. Dunes
In only a few short years Spiritbox became one of the most notable bands in metal. They breathe new life into the genre with their blend of metalcore, shoe-gaze, hard rock, and nu metal. Theyâve even dipped their toes into hip hop with unexpected collabs with Megan The Stallion. Their second album, Tsunami Sea, cements […]
Stage Buzz: Mogwai, Peter Frampton, 2025 Millennium Tour
The legendary Peter Frampton forever changed how we thought about guitars with his iconic talk box. His landmark double album Frampton Comes Alive! featuring hits like âShow Me The Way,â âBaby I Love Your Way,â and âDo You Feel Like We Doâ earned him guitar hero status. Hear these classics and more when Frampton performs […]
Photo Gallery: The Linda Lindas at Metro ⢠Chicago
The Linda Lindas April 13, 2025 Metro Chicago Recap and photos by Curt Baran The web and social media have become a quasi-American Idol lottery. It has created a portal for musicians to get their music exposed, but the traffic and sheer volume of products make it nearly impossible to break through. In 2021, The Linda Lindas, […]
Photo Gallery: Ani DiFranco at Thalia Hall ⢠Chicago
Ani DiFranco Friday, April 11, 2025 Thalia Hall Chicago Recap and photos by Curt Baran âIn a coffee shop in a city/Which is every coffee shop in every city/On a day which is every day.â It could be argued that these lyrics are quintessential Ani Difranco. They certainly speak to her earliest days of busking […]
Stage Buzz: While She Sleeps, Jack White, The Linda Lindas
Over the past 19 years, While She Sleeps went from scrappy Sheffield punks with an itch to play music to one of the titans of metalcore. With their latest album, Self Hell, they chart new sonic territory, broadening their sound to push beyond the confines of metal. After the pandemic cut their 2020 US […]
Live Review: Daniel Lanois ⢠Epiphany Center for the Arts ⢠Chicago
Daniel Lanois Epiphany Center for the Arts Chicago Friday, April 4, 2025 Review and live photos by Jeff Elbel Fridayâs performance in the ornate Sanctuary at Chicagoâs Epiphany Center for the Arts was the latest entry in the venueâs second season of Reflections concerts. The series offers local fans of ambient music an immersive experience […]
Live Review: Stereophonics at The Vic Theatre ⢠Chicago
Stereophonics The Vic Theatre, Chicago, IL Sunday, March 30, 2025 Live review and photos by Jeff Elbel Welsh rock heroes, Stereophonics reunited with a sold-out roomful of Chicago-based fans to close the weekend at the Vic Theatre. Sundayâs setlist was loaded with European hit singles and favorites of the bandâs devoted local cult. In addition […]
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