Recent Articles
Stage Buzz: Megadeth, Weezer, Peter Hook and the Light
Peter Hook and the Light appear at the Riviera Theatre on Saturday, September 7. If Dave Mustaine hadn’t been ousted from Metallica 41 years ago, there would have been no Megadeth. Considered one of the Big Four of metal, the band has remained one of the genre’s most influential bands. Known for their biting lyrics […]
Cover Story: Fig Dish • Renewal and Rejuvenation
There’s an electricity in the air of late, bristling arm hairs here in Chicago. There’s the injection of HGH into the DNC going into their convention. The recent acknowledgment that the music industry spotlight is once again illuminating Chicago’s rock music scene in a seemingly cyclical fashion. Then there’s the excitement brewing about Fig Dish, […]
Media: September 2024 • Rewound Radio
Once again, Rewound Radio (rewoundradio.com) is spending the entire Labor Day Weekend featuring classic shows from WLS and WCFL from the 1960s and 1970s. Ted Gorden Smucker is the man behind the plan. “When I was a kid, I loved radio and TV,” Smucker explains, “and when I was probably around sixth, seventh grade or […]
Photo Gallery: Pearl Jam at Wrigley Field • Chicago
Pearl Jam Wrigley Field Chicago, IL Recap and photos by Curt Baran “I was talking with Bruce Springsteen…ah…sorry, Paul McCartney told me not to drop names.” Eddie Vedder laughed but continued to explain that when he spoke with his friends, who are also musicians, they all deduced that This was one of their favorite places […]
Spins: Ashley Naylor • Soundtracks, Volume 2
Ashley Naylor Soundtracks, Volume 2 (El Reno) If your record collection includes instrumental albums by solo rock guitarists – perhaps Jeff Beck’s Blow by Blow, Peter Frampton’s more recent All Blues, or efforts by the Fixx’s Jamie West-Oram and Television’s Tom Verlaine – the latest album by Australian guitarist Ashley Naylor will likely be up […]
Stage Buzz: Pravda Records Anniversary at FitzGerald’s, Mac Sabbath, Pearl Jam, TLC
What do you get when you combine an iconic metal band with an iconic fast-food chain? Mac Sabbath. These self-appointed founders of “Drive Thru Metal” are known for parody versions of Black Sabbath songs, which include “Frying Pan,” (“Iron Man”), “Pair-a-Buns” (“Paranoid”), “Sweet Beef” (“Sweet Leaf”), and “Zipping Up the Uniform” (“Symptom of the […]
Stage Buzz: KITTIE, Pink, Missy Elliot
Missy Elliott is one of the most influential rappers of all time. Known as “The First Lady of Hip Hop,” she changed the game with her experimental videos, eclectic style, and poignant lyrics that cover everything from body positivity to sex positivity. In 2023, she became the first female rapper nominated and inducted […]
Photo Gallery: Buckethead • Arcada Theatre • St. Charles, IL
Buckethead Arcada Theatre St. Charles, IL Aug 17, 2024 Acclaimed solo (and one-time Guns N’ Roses) guitarist Buckethead donned his signature KFC brim and played a sold-out show at The Arcada Theatre Friday to a largely adoring crowd. The two-set show gave his fans over two and a half hours of his music in St. […]
Live Review: Cage The Elephant and Young The Giant at Credit Union 1 Arena • Chicago
Cage The Elephant Young The Giant Credit Union 1 Arena Chicago, IL Thursday, August 15, 2024 Photos and Live Review by Jeff Elbel Cage the Elephant singer Matt Shultz is breaking new ground on the band’s tour, supporting its Neon Pill album. In the early 2000s, Peter Gabriel visited the former Tweeter Center in Tinley Park […]
Live Review and Gallery: Green Day with Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid and The Linda Lindas• Wrigley Field • Chicago
Green Day and friends Wrigley Field Chicago, IL Tuesday, August 13, 2024 Review by Jeff Elbel. Photos coming soon by Curt Baran. Rock fans in Chicago have had a busy summer, with Lollapalooza, Pitchfork, and stands by the Rolling Stones and Metallica as a few recent examples. Tuesday’s concert at Wrigley Field stands among the […]
Stage Buzz: The Struts, Haunt, Savage Master, Supernatural
Southern California metalheads Haunt roll into the Cobra Lounge this Thursday (August 15) to support their latest release, Dreamers. Co-headlining “Thee Eternal Reign” tour is Louisville, Kentucky’s Savage Master, who bring their special sword and sorcery metal with them. Highland, Indiana’s Idol Throne, will be opening the metal shindig, who just recently dropped their new […]
Photo Gallery: Metallica at Soldier Field • Chicago
Metallica Soldier Field Chicago, IL Fri., August 9, 2024 Recap and photos by Edward Spinelli With tickets on sale nearly two years from their dual performance dates in Chicago – you could say Metallica’s Friday show was the most anticipated of the year. Two years after they headlined Lollapalooza, the band brought their massive in-the-round […]
Lollapalooza 2024 • Day One (Part One) • Grant Park • Chicago
Lollapalooza 2024 Thursday, August 1 Day One (Part One) Grant Park Chicago, Il Recap and photos by Curt Baran It’s the time of year in Chicago when the big dog comes and lays on the city’s front lawn. Lollapalooza returned to Grant Park this past weekend and brought with it a performance that will prove […]
Lollapalooza 2024 • Day One (Part Two) • Grant Park • Chicago
Lollapalooza 2024 Thursday, August 1 Day One (Part Two) Grant Park Chicago, Il Recap and photos by Curt Baran It’s the time of year in Chicago when the big dog comes and lays on the city’s front lawn. Lollapalooza returned to Grant Park this past weekend and brought with it a performance that will prove […]
Lollapalooza 2024 • Day Two (Part One) • Grant Park • Chicago
Lollapalooza 2024 Friday, August 2 Day Two (Part One) Grant Park Chicago, Il Recap and photos by Curt Baran Oppressive weather welcomed attendees for the second day of the festival, but so did the unlimited choice of music as well. In between attempts to remain hydrated and shelter in the shade, performances could be had […]
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