Recent Articles
Hello My Name is Ville Valo • Live Recap: House of Blues • Chicago
The last time Ville Valo performed at Chicago’s House of Blues he was reaching the end of a lengthy chapter in his life. HIM, the band he fronted for 25 years, was calling it quits. It was the last time they’d be on that stage together; a stage Valo wasn’t sure he’d ever return to. […]
Stage Buzz: Night Demon at Reggies • Chicago
Night Demon Reggies, Chicago Thursday, March 30, 2023 Ventura, California’s metal power trio Night Demon is finally returning to Chicago. It’s been a long six years since they last appeared at Reggies opening for Anvil. Bassist Jarvis Leatherby, guitarist Armand, and drummer Dusty Squires are out in support of their new Century Media release Outsider which hit […]
Stage Buzz: QueensrĂżche, Blockchain Coalition, Snarky Puppy, Rise Against
Chicago alt-punk rockers Rise Against have come a long way from their humble beginnings as a local underground band. Because of their furious sound and their unwavering political commentary, it didn’t take long for the rest of the world to take notice. Now, they’re a staple of the punk rock world. To help celebrate […]
Live Review: The Church at Thalia Hall • Chicago
The Church Thalia Hall, Chicago, IL Sunday, March 26, 2023 Review by Jeff Elbel Australian psychedelic rockers The Church returned to Chicago following a five-year absence, playing to a full house at the Pilsen neighborhood’s Thalia Hall on Sunday. A selection of captivating new songs honored the band’s beloved sound while carrying it […]
File: In The Face Of Loss – A GoFundMe for The Empty PocketsÂ
Over St. Patrick’s Day weekend, Chicago’s Empty Pockets returned home from a string of tour dates. As was their usual routine, they had secured the trailer in their studio lot in the city. Monday morning, they were alerted their trailer had been stolen. This was a massive blow, and the band was devastated. After […]
Stage Buzz: The Wonder Years, Show Me The Body, The Roots
Rotator photo: Show Me the Body (Photo Nick Stehi) When emo band The Wonder Years released their seventh album, The Hum Goes on Forever in 2022, it was a momentous occasion that was a long time coming. Lockdown, COVID precautions, and vinyl shortages caused delays with the record. But the band is finally back […]
Live Review & Photo Gallery: Winery Dogs at Arcada Theatre • St. Charles`
The Winery Dogs The Arcada Theatre, St. Charles, IL Friday, March 10, 2023 Review by Jeff Elbel. Photos by Ed Spinelli. On Friday night, the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles welcomed a full house of faithful hard rockers. Fans were on their feet from the moment that supergroup The Winery Dogs walked onstage. The celebratory […]
Feature: Circa Waves
“Keep calm and carry on” was a mass-produced British poster from 1939 intended to help rally spirits in the face of a looming WWII and its attendant Blitz-strafing air raids. But it’s since become a much larger metaphor for the traditionally stoic, unflappable English constitution, in general, the type of personality that remains virtually […]
Stage Buzz: Iggy Pop, New Found Glory, Meet Me @ The Altar, CupcakKe, Big Suit
Acclaimed New Orleans pianist John “Papa” Gros arrives at City Winery on Monday, March 6. New Orleans Advocate said Gros is a “keyboardist, singer and songwriter who draws on funk, rhythm and blues and Americana song-craft. He also knows his way around the Mardi Gras music repertoire about as well as anyone.” There is no question […]
Spins: Paramore • This Is Why
Paramore This Is Why (Atlantic) After a nearly 6 year hiatus, Paramore is back with a vengeance, and their new album This Is Why is proof that time apart makes the musical heart grow fonder. Joining its neo-pop predecessor After Laughter in solidifying Paramore’s golden trio — Zac Farro on drums, Taylor York on guitar, and the […]
Media: March 2023 • Sky Daniels Remembers The Loop FM98
Sky Daniels was one of the biggest stars at the Loop in their first heyday (1979-1981), and although he has gone on to an incredibly successful career in the record and radio business and is now retired and living in California, he still has very fond memories of his time in Chicago. But […]
Cover Story: Betty Who
As Australian-born pop composer Betty Who recalls it, the only things missing from her recent spine-tingling trip into the supernatural were Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, and their trusty old VeeDubs Mystery Machine with which to beat a hasty retreat. Because Zoinks! The three specters she encountered were all too real and not engineered by some local huckster […]
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