Recent Articles
Media • February 2024 • Remembering the Early Loop
One of the great advantages of writing an oral history like I recently wrote about WLUP Radio (The Loop Files) is the opportunity to hear the stories right from the horse’s mouth. I interviewed over a hundred of those horses (Loop employees). Since the book came out a few months ago, I’ve heard from […]
Stage Buzz: Madonna, John 5, Meet Me @ the Altar
Madonna has rightfully earned her title as the Queen of Pop. For the 40 past years, she has remained a cultural icon from giving us hit singles like “Vogue,” “Holiday,” “Like a Virgin,” and “Ray of Light” to her unforgettable performances. Never one to shy away from a little controversy, she has shocked […]
Spins: Paul McCartney & Wings • Band on the Run – 50th anniversary LP
Paul McCartney & Wings Band on the Run 50th anniversary LP (MPL/Apple/UMe) Paul McCartney scattered enduring pop singles across the seven albums made with post-Beatles group Wings, but few fans would dispute identifying Band on the Run as the band’s peak. Furthermore, Band on the Run is commonly cited as McCartney’s best overall work outside […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Black Pumas at Salt Shed • Chicago
Black Pumas The Salt Shed, Chicago, IL Saturday, January 27, 2024 Review by Jeff Elbel. Photos by Philamonjaro. Austin, Texas-based psychedelic soul duo Black Pumas crowned a triumphant three-night run in Chicago with Saturday night’s sold-out performance at the Salt Shed. Singer Eric Burton and former Grupo Fantasma guitarist Adrian Quesada led a sharp six-piece backing […]
Stage Buzz: Black Pumas, Story Of The Year, Lucius
Taking the roots of R&B and injecting it with a heavy dose of soul, a dash of folk, and a good amount of psychedelia, Black Pumas turned heads when they dropped their debut self-titled album in 2019. It also earned them a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 2020. On their latest record, […]
Spins: Beastie Boys • Hello Nasty 25th anniversary 4xLP box
Beastie Boys Hello Nasty 25th anniversary 4xLP box (UMe) By 1998, Beastie Boys ruled radio and MTV thanks to a steady stream of brash and catchy singles, beginning with 1986 noise-fest “Fight for Your Right” from the trio’s debut and continuing with tracks including “Hey Ladies,” “So What’cha Want,” and “Sabotage” from ensuing albums. After […]
Stage Buzz: Tomorrow Never Knows (TNK) Festival
Chicago’s premiere festival showcasing the best indie acts, both locally and internationally, Tomorrow Never Knows (TNK) returns this week. Over the course of five days, Lincoln Hall, Schubas, GMan Tavern, and Sleeping Village will feature performances from must-hear indie artists spanning various genres. This year’s lineup includes Aisha Burns, Alice Longyu Gao, Maneaters, Daybreaker, Sluice, […]
Spins • The Rolling Stones • Hackney Diamonds – Live Edition
The Rolling Stones Hackney Diamonds Live Edition (Polydor/Interscope/Geffen/A&M) It isn’t the backhanded compliment it sounds like to say that Hackney Diamonds is a better album than many Stones fans might have anticipated. Giving away the ending: This is strong work that earns its spot on many 2023 year-end lists, and it’s not unfair […]
Stage Buzz: Poison The Well, Ganser, Issues
Metalcore stalwarts Poison The Well had no idea the impact their third album and sole major label release You Come Before You would have on the second wave of metalcore. Building off the melodic style of their first two records, the album saw them pushing their boundaries, experimenting with new sounds and style blurring the […]
Media • January 2024 • Brent’s Food Destinations
Growing up in suburban Chicago, Brent Petersen never thought he would become one of the top foodie podcast hosts in the world. “My first career was in radio,” he explains about his stints in Champaign, Peoria, and Providence, Rhode Island. “I wanted to find a way to get back into that audio medium because I […]
Cover Story: John 5 • Immersed In Music
When it comes to musical diversity and performing genre-hopping styles, guitarist John William Lowery (aka John 5) is one of the most prolific. Whether he’s creating rock, industrial metal, funk, EDM, progressive, or bluegrass compositions, the lethal six-string slinger is guaranteed to shred all over it. With a musical resume that includes such diverse artists […]
Stage Buzz: Local H, Umphrey’s McGee, Patti Smith
Patti Smith is one of the most influential figures of the New York City punk rock movement. Her fusion of punk rock and poetry earned her the title of Punk poet laureate. With groundbreaking albums like Horses, Gone Again, and Peace and Noise, she remains an inspiration to creatives today. Just days before her birthday, […]
Stage Buzz: Holiday of Horrors at Reggies • Chicago
Holiday Of Horror Saturday, December 23, 2023 Reggies Chicago, IL Preview by Kelley Simms The Holiday Of Horror event has been a longtime Christmas tradition in Chicago. Initially hosted at the Fireside Bowl in 1998, it has since moved to the iconic Reggies Rock Club, which took over the event at least a decade […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: The Claudettes at Old Town School of Folk Music • Chicago
The Claudettes Old Town School of Folk Music December 9, 2023 Review by Jeff Elbel. Live Photos by Timothy Hiatt. The Claudettes concluded a sprint of travel dates with a sold-out hometown gig at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Lincoln Square on Saturday. The band’s wide-ranging set list drew from the […]
Stage Buzz: Aqua, Doja Cat, Juice WRLD
Heavy mock-rockers Steel Panther arrive at their home away from home locally at The Forge in Joliet on Tuesday, December 12. The band has taken its cues from hair-metal bands of the ’80s for nearly two decades with a comedic twist. Like other bands using comedy and serious songwriting chops and tight musicianship (like the […]
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