Brassneck
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Media – December 2023 • In Memoriam
Every December, I write a column dedicated to the great pros we lost in the media this year. This year was a particularly cruel one. We lost writers like Bill Zehme and Joe Goddard (Chicago Sun-Times), television stars like Jerry Springer, Richard Belzer, Suzanne Somers, Matthew Perry, and Richard Moll, recording and movie stars […]
Cover Story: Trans-Siberian Orchestra • A Quarter Century of Christmas
If you still haven’t experienced the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s annual winter holiday show, you should seriously consider adding it to your bucket list. The TSO traveling holiday rock opera is a multimillion-dollar act that has grown exponentially since the band’s inception, making it one of the biggest-grossing concert bands in the US. In true holiday-giving […]
Stage Buzz: Pierce The Veil, Jingle Ball, Mariah Carey
California rockers Pierce the Veil returned with their first new album in seven years, The Jaws of Life, back in February, earning yet another chart-topping record. Now, the band braves the Chicago cold to perform new songs along with fan favorites on their “The Jaws of Life Tour” with special guests L.S. Dunes, Dayseeker, […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: The Tubes at Arcada Theatre • St. Charles
The Tubes Arcada Theatre St. Charles, IL November 29, 2023 Review by Jeff Elbel. Photos by Ed Spinelli. Veteran art rockers the Tubes made their third visit to the Arcada Theatre on Wednesday night, playing a set that touched on popular favorites and deep tracks alike. The show began with a run through […]
Show Recap: KISS at Allstate Arena • Rosemont
KISS Allstate Arena Rosemont, IL November 27, 2023 By Curt Baran; Setlist via Setlist.FM The “End Of The Road” Tour recently flirted with the end of times. Paul Stanley, lead singer and guitarist of the rock band Kiss, was forced to cancel three of the band’s final eight performances. A serious bout of influenza landed […]
Stage Buzz: Noname, Deafhaven, KISS, Deacon Blues
After releasing her critically acclaimed debut album Room 25, Chicago rapper Noname took a break from music to deal with her frustrations about the scene and to focus her energy on her education and her book club. She wasn’t completely absent, releasing various one-off singles now and then. But she finally returned with her long-awaited […]
Hello My Name is… Geddy Lee of Rush – talks about his “Effin’ Life”
Rush bassist and frontman Geddy Lee makes it clear that the word “retirement” has no place in his vocabulary. Rush may be finished (or is it?), but Lee is a whirlwind of activity. His series for Paramount+, Geddy Lee Asks: Are Bass Players Human Too?, premieres on December 5 as an outgrowth of his best-selling […]
Stage Buzz: Beauty School Dropout, Jackyl, Off Broadway, Baroness, Orianthi
When Beauty School Dropout formed, they could’ve never imagined touring with one of their idols, Mark Hoppus of blink-182. Fast forward to 2022, and the band is traveling with the band and being mentored by Hoppus, who signed them to new record label Verswire. After spending the first half of the year opening […]
Photo Gallery: Mark Farner at Des Plaines Theatre • Des Plaines
Mark Farner Des Plaines Theatre Des Plaines Saturday, November 11 Photos by Edward Spinelli Grand Funk (Railroad) co-founder Mark Farner brought his version (the best version, IMHO) of the storied band (Grand Funk) to the Des Plaines Theatre complete with a deep catalog of classics (“Were an American Band, “Your Captain” (Closer To Home)”) to […]
IE Record Store Day Black Friday Guide 2023
Record Store Black Friday is Fri., November 24. Our guide includes complete RSD listings, previews, album reviews, local RSD lists, and advertisements from your favorite local stores. READ IT HERE
Stage Buzz: Wednesday 13, Depeche Mode, Skinny Puppy
My Morning Jacket is celebrating the 20th anniversary of their critically acclaimed third album, It Still Moves by performing the album in full on their latest tour. The outing ends with a three-night stint at the Chicago Theatre starting on Thursday, November 9, with a complete performance of It Still Moves, followed by non-anniversary shows […]
Spins: The Vince Guaraldi Quintet • A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving: Original Soundtrack Recording
The Vince Guaraldi Quintet A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving: Original Soundtrack Recording (LMFP) Following 1965’s A Charlie Brown Christmas and 1966’s It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, 1973 saw the arrival of the third Peanuts holiday special with A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. Fifty years after first airing, the cartoon’s complete soundtrack is released as a vinyl […]
Photo Gallery: The Hives at Bottom Lounge • Chicago
The Hives Bottom Lounge Chicago, IL Sunday, November 5, 2023 Photos by Curt Baran IE November cover subjects The Hives sold-out show on Lake Street delivered all the energy and joy you’d expect on this tour supporting their long-awaited album The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons. The Swedish garage rockers delivered a night of unbridled energy, […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Marvelous 3 at House of Blues • Chicago
Marvelous 3 House of Blues Chicago, IL Friday, November 3, 2023 Review and photos by Jeff Elbel The energy, musicianship, and production of Friday’s concert at House of Blues by the Marvelous 3 did not seem like the work of a band playing a mere five gigs after 22 years apart (aside from a […]
Photo Gallery: Steve Hackett at Pabst Theater • Milwaukee
Steve Hackett Pabst Theater, Milwaukee, WI Friday, November 3, 2023 Recap and photos by Ed Spinelli Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Steve Hackett brought the groundbreaking Genesis 1972 album Foxtrot to the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee Friday. Let’s say it’s probably the closest any member, past or present, will ever achieve recreating the classic […]
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