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Media : December 2022 ⢠Baby Onions – Itâs Chuck Swirsky
Chuck Swirsky is in the midst of his 25th season as an NBA play-by-play man, and his 15th year doing radio play-by-play for the Bulls. Next month heâll do his 2000th game. âIf everything goes according to plan,â he says, âit will happen on January 13, a Friday night, against Oklahoma City.â Thatâs a […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Suede and Manic Street Preachers at Auditorium Theatre ⢠Chicago
Suede and Manic Street Preachers Wednesday, November 16, 2022 Auditorium Theatre Chicago, Il Review by Jeff Elbel. Photos by Curt Baran. Despite careers spanning decades and ample respect among music fans in the know, British glam-rock innovators Suede and sociopolitical firebrands Manic Street Preachers are not household names in the United States. These facts were […]
Q&A and Photo Gallery: Steve Vai at Copernicus Center November 16 ⢠Chicago
Hey, Chicago: guitar extraordinaire Steve Vai wants to make it up to you for canceling his concert in March of this year at the Copernicus Center. Due to personal injuries (undergoing two serious surgeries), his Inviolate Tour 2022 was postponed and rescheduled to the new date of Wednesday, November 16. As Steve explains, he couldnât […]
Stage Buzz: AFI, MĂĽneskin. Lorna Shore
Though theyâve been around for 30 years, punk rock icons AFI know how to keep things fresh. Not ones to shy away from reinvention, their sound spans multiple genres from gothic punk to dance electronic and, of course, good ol punk rock. After previously postponing the tour due to COVID, AFI is finally bringing […]
Stage Buzz Q &A: John Petrucci at the Vic Theatre ⢠Chicago
Grammy Award-winning Dream Theater guitarist John Petrucci has stepped out on his own with his first-ever headlining solo tour. Performing material from his recently released solo album, Terminal Velocity, as well as songs from his widely acclaimed debut release, *Suspended Animation*, Petrucci has embarked on a 36-date tour, including a show at the Vic Theatre on […]
Mercyful Fate at Hard Rock Casino ⢠Gary, IN
Mercyful Fate with Kreator and Midnight Hard Rock Casino Gary IN Nov 3, 2022 Photo Gallery by Edward Spinelli Danish black metal legends Mercyful Fate returned to the Chicago area – this time at Hard Rock Casino in Gary after a 20 year hiatus to a near-capacity crowd with support in Kreator and Cleveland-based metal stalwarts […]
Stage Buzz: Jake Scott, Loathe, Big Suit, Blackpink, Paramore
After a five-year hiatus, iconic alt-rock stalwarts Paramore are back with a vengeance. The band has embarked on their first tour since 2018 in preparation for their upcoming 6th studio album, This is Why. The albumâs September released title track suggests a defiant clap-back thematically reminiscent of their pop-punk roots with a modern groove. […]
Stage Buzz: ANTIfest, Tegan & Sara, Joe Bonamassa
Anti-Flag has never been shy to speak up and speak out. Since their formation in 1988, theyâve created punk rock anthems that donât shy away from political issues, such as animal rights, anti-fracking, climate change, and their anti-war stance. Before they release their next album LIES THEY TELL OUR CHILDREN, next year, […]
Media: November 2022 ⢠Chicago Radio Archives
You may not be familiar with Don Benoâs radio career, although he had a long one with extended stays in the Chicago area at stations like WJOL (Joliet), WCFL (Morris, IL), The Bus (Kankakee), and WLS-FM. But if you are on Facebook and are interested in classic radio, youâve probably seen Donâs work. […]
Cover Story: Smashing Pumpkins: Never Mind the Gatekeepers
Itâs not often that an artist is afforded the privilege of seeing the importance of their career painstakingly delineated in its relative historical importance. You usually have to wait until your screen has faded to afterworld black for that kind of cumulative honor. But at 55, after nearly four decades spent helming Smashing […]
Photo Gallery: Judas Priest with Queensryche at Genesee Theatre ⢠Waukegan
Judas Priest with Queensryche Tuesday, October 25, 2022 Genesee Theatre Waukegan, IL Recap and photos by Edward Spinelli Soon-to-be Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee Judas Priest brought their 50th Anniversary tour to the Genesee Theatre with special guest QueensrĂżche in tow. The Priest pounded out a rock-solid setlist that, pretty much as expected, […]
Stage Buzz: Judas Priest, Panic! at the Disco, Kevin Morby, Smithereens
You canât think of heavy metal without thinking of the icons Judas Priest. The band has been âBreaking the Lawâ since the 1970s and has become one of the most successful metal acts in years since thanks to hits like âYouâve Got Another Thing Coming,â âLiving After Midnight,â and âPainkiller.â Now, these titans of metal […]
Stage Buzz: EXTC at Reggies, Chicago and SPACE, Evanston
EXTC Reggies, Chicago October 26, 2022 SPACE, Evanston October 28, 2022 Preview and live photos by Phil Solomonson Last spring, a reboot of English punk/new wave era pop masters XTC toured the states to a positive response from fans. This version, renamed “EXTC,” features original drummer Terry Chambers with a new ensemble of Steve […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Carrie Underwood at Allstate Arena ⢠Rosemont
Carrie Underwood Saturday, October 22 Allstate Arena Rosemont, IL Review and photos by Andy Argyrakis The title behind Carrie Underwoodâs newest album and tour of the same name, Denim & Rhinestones, couldnât be more fitting for the country and pop megastar, representing both a rougher side thatâs never afraid to rock but also one evoking […]
Rock of Pages: Creem Magazine 2022: David Bowie Special Edition
Rock of Pages Creem #001 David Bowie Special Edition by Jeff Elbel Rolling Stone be hanged; Creem brashly billed itself long ago as âAmericaâs Only Rock ânâ Roll Magazine.â The magazine was originally published from 1969 to 1989, featuring character-driven content brimming with opinion and attitude. Notable writers included Lester Bangs, Cameron Crowe, punk […]
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