ilentertainer's Latest Posts
When life gives you Lemonade . . .
. . . you certainly don’t make tracks like U2’s “Lemon.” Nevertheless, in town this weekend are Lemonade, Madonna-picked DJ Martin Solveig, and Royal Headache. Whether you add raspberry, Lynchburg tea, or gobs of sugar is up to you.
New Edition reunion
Even though New Edition’s remained a consistent presence on the road in various incarnations, this year marks a complete reunion for the R&B supergroup in celebration of its 30th anniversary. Besides taking a trip down memory lane to dust off
Thrice’s last Chicago show!
Farewell shows and tours are a tricky proposition. Few acts truly stay broken up (welcome back, Soundgarden). And even the finality of death isn’t quite the performance deterrent it once was (nice to have you back, Pac).
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros live!
Anyone awaiting the second coming only had to snatch up tickets to Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros‘ sold out stop in Chicago to see it come to fruition. At least that’s how the sweaty throngs up front treated the streamlined show
Cover Story: Tenacious D
Following the undisputed success of their debut album and given the experience of a cult-favorite HBO series, letting Tenacious D make a movie seemed the logical thing to do. Few expected 2006’s Tenacious D In The Pick Of Destiny
Interview: The dB’s
However few they may have been at the time (or remain still today), those of a certain age with some degree of rock enlightenment in the 1980s found a moment of pure pop incandescence in The dB’s‘ (however seemingly brief) rise to
Interview: Like Pioneers
When it comes to Chicago’s fraternal indie-rock pool, few outfits are in as deeply as Like Pioneers. In fact, it wouldn’t be that far-fetched to suggest the quintet is an underground supergroup of sorts, thanks to former
Around Hear: June 2012
With an acoustic guitar and a sweet, Midwestern croon, singer/songwriter Heather Styka sings her heart out on Lifeboats For Atlantis. Styka’s sincerity and a knack for vivid storytelling permeate the 14 tracks. Traces of Janis Joplin, Karen
Caught In A Mosh: June 2012
Our July 2007 cover story on Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival at Toyota Park focused on the increasingly limited role of lead guitarists in pop music. Les Paul and Jim Marshall have since died, meanwhile potential investors have been
Digital Divide: June 2012
It’s got to be quite a daunting task: how do you make the transition from creating an iconic film character beloved around the world, to leaving it behind and staking your claim to a long and successful career? Some, like Sean Connery, manage
File: June 2012
In what was expected to be a slam-dunk conviction, Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan acquitted Justin Pivec of aggravated battery in 2010’s brutal beating of Madina Lake bassist
Hello, My Name Is Jackie
IE: It’s been 28 years since The Jacksons hit the road. Why did this summer feel right for the “Unity” Tour? Jackie Jackson: We decided we should go out because the fans kept calling us and saying we should tour.
Hello, My Name Is Kelly
IE: You recorded your first solo album in more than a decade, at Hollywood’s famed EastWest Studios. Kelly Hogan: There’s just so much history – it’s an iceberg of history. My vocals were going through the echo chamber that Frank Sinatra used on “It Was A Very Good Year” and “My Way,” so I could […]
Gear: June 2012
New Jersey-based Tech 21 went “one louder” by introducing a live version of its popular Liverpool pedal from the SansAmp Character Series — available direct through their Private Stock Division. According to a company press release, as a boutique pedal quantities are extremely limited. The SansAmp Liverpool Deluxe features a combination of an all-analog signal […]
Media: June 2012
After nearly a year without a commercial alternative-rock station, Chicago has now has two — both of which pay homage to the old Q101: WKQX-LP on 87.7-FM and Q101 on WJJG-AM (1530).
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