Brassneck
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Stage Buzz: Forbidden at Reggies • Chicago
Forbidden Reggies Chicago, IL October 30, 2026 San Francisco’s Forbidden helped pioneer the legendary Bay Area thrash metal movement that exploded in the ’80s alongside peers such as Death Angel, Heathen, Testament, Vio-lence, Exodus, and more. Originally formed in 1985 as Forbidden Evil, Forbidden has endured two lengthy hiatuses—from 1997 to 2007 and 2012 to […]
Stage Buzz: Sleeping With Sirens, The Black Keys, Jonas Brothers
Powerhouse blues rock duo The Black Keys are celebrating the release of their new covers album, Peaches!, on their ongoing “PEACHES ‘N KREAM” tour. The band will perform tracks from their latest along with fan favorites, like “Howlin’ For You,” “Your Touch,” “Lonely Boy,” and “Tighten’ Up” during their two-night stint at The Salt Shed […]
Live Review: King’s X at House of Blues • Chicago
King’s X House of Blues Chicago, IL October 16, 2026 Review and live photos by Jeff Elbel Originally from Houston, Texas, veteran hard rock trio King’s X has held longstanding esteem as musicians’ musicians and celebrated songwriters without attaining the full measure of financial reward to match the acclaim expressed by arena-filling peers like Soundgarden, […]
Live Review: Unto Others at Concord Hall • Chicago
Unto Others October 15, 2026 Concord Hall Chicago, IL Sometimes you don’t want metal that’s flashy, gimmicky, or a fusion of five different genres. Sometimes you just want music you can rock the fuck out to. Luckily, that’s exactly what Portland’s Unto Others delivered during their set opening for Castle Rat at Concord Music Hall […]
Stage Buzz: Digable Planets, Mike D., Castle Rat, Smashing Pumpkins
It’s been 30 years since Smashing Pumpkins released their seminal album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. They’re celebrating the milestone with a new tour that features a full set dedicated to songs from the record. The second set will span their catalog, from early releases to new material. Join the celebration when “The Rats […]
Stage Buzz: UB40, W.A.S.P., Afrojack
(WASP Photo: RKH images) Birmingham reggae giants UB40 kicked down the doors of commercially popular reggae in the States (along with Bob Marley) with “Red Red Wine, “ in the ‘80s, selling millions of records and concert tickets. Their groundbreaking soulful singer, Ali Campbell, left the band acrimoniously in 2008, and these Brummie stalwarts spent […]
Cover Story: Michael McDermott • Making Up for Lost Time
Michael McDermott is without question one of his generation’s most prolific and consistent songwriters, and Chicago should be proud to call him our own. Fans who have been along for the whole ride could track their own timelines by his records (the ones they know about), which now span three and a half decades. […]
Media: October 2026 • Nick D’s Horror Favorites
Nick Digilio is best known for his 35-year stint at WGN Radio, but his resume includes much more. He’s been a film critic for over four decades, currently hosts three podcasts on the Radio Misfits Podcast Network, including the popular Nick D podcast, and last year added “author” to his business card (40 Years, 40 […]
Stage Buzz: Ministry, 156/Silence, Knocked Loose and Denzel Curry
Riding on the wave of their collab single “Hive Mind,” Knocked Loose and Denzel Curry have teamed up again, this time for a North American tour. Featuring support from Superhaven and Boundaries, the co-headlining outing stops by Chicago’s Salt Shed on Wednesday, September 30th. Tickets available here. You may not know 156/Silence, but this metalcore […]
Photo Gallery: Riot Fest 2026 • Day One • Douglass Park • Chicago
Riot Fest Douglass Park, Chicago, IL Day 1: Friday, September 18, 2026 Photos by Curt Baran Congratulations Riot Fest! You’re officially old enough to drink legally!!! That, of course, means that the 21st addition of the now annual event once again converged on Chicago’s Douglass Park, bringing with it w Punk Rock-leaning lineup that focused […]
Photo Gallery + Bonus Coverage: Riot Fest 2026 • Day Two • Douglass Park • Chicago
Riot Fest Douglass Park, Chicago, IL Day 2: Saturday, September 19, 2026 Review by Jeff Elbel. Photos by Curt Baran. Moderate temperatures and overcast skies were a boon for bands that played early on Saturday’s bill at Riot Fest. Gaslight Anthem frontman Brian Fallon and his band, the Painkillers, played to a respectable crowd on […]
Photo Gallery + Bonus Coverage: Riot Fest 2026 • Day Three • Douglass Park • Chicago
Riot Fest Douglass Park, Chicago, IL Day 3: Sunday, September 20, 2026 Review by Jeff Elbel. Recap and Photos by Curt Baran. Rain that altered parts of Saturday’s schedule persisted overnight. Doors shifted to 2 p.m., reshaping the timeline again. Puddles of mud—no pun intended—formed on the Douglass Park grounds, echoing moist Riot Fests from […]
Stage Buzz: Cold Waves, Iron Maiden, Randy Stonehill, Sweet, Chelsea Wolfe
English heavy metal titans Iron Maiden are celebrating over 50 years of searing guitar riffs, Eddie the Monster, and Bruce Dickinson’s insane vocals. The band behind metal staples “Run to the Hills,” “The Trooper,” “Aces High,” and “2 Minutes to Midnight” continues to influence a new generation of fans. The band brings their “Run for […]
Stage Buzz and Spin: Blockchain Coalition • Postmodern Distraction Album Release Show • Tailgaters • Bolingbrook
Blockchain Coalition Postmodern Distraction (Blockchain Coalition) Chicago heavy harmonic rockers Blockchain Coalition return with a gratifying and solid follow-up to their 2023 standout debut album, The New Normal, proving they have the chops to deliver another strong set of music after a three-year layoff. Born from the ashes of the beloved Veilside (along with […]
Stage Buzz: Riot Fest Preview
Riot Fest weekend is approaching. To kick off the highly anticipated festival, Barbarians of California will perform a chaotic set at Cobra Lounge. The brainchild of AWOLNATION’s Aaron Bruno and producer/engineer Eric Stenman, the band makes hardcore that’s chaotic, loud, intense, and most importantly, fun. Expect to hear cuts from their latest album, MEGATONS, […]
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