Recent Articles
Media: April 2022 ⢠Dana Kozlov ⢠Home at Channel 2
Sheâs the new weekend anchor at WBBM-TV, Channel 2 in Chicago, but Dana Kozlov has been in the news business for a long time.âThis month is my 30th anniversary as a paid reporter.â After paying her dues hustling for stories for Channel 2, and before that, WGN Channel 9, sheâs excited about the chance to […]
Photo Gallery: Ministry at The Riviera Theatre ⢠Chicago
Ministry Riviera Theatre Chicago, IL March 31, 2022 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Although he now resides in multiple locales, whenever Al Jourgensen brings his Ministry project to Chicago, it will always feel like a homecoming. The band has long outgrown its synth-pop genesis, but even then, its sound hinted at the menacing Metal […]
Photo Gallery: The Darkness at Park West ⢠Chicago
The Darkness Park West Chicago, IL March 30, 2022 Recap and photos by Curt Baran When The Darkness debuted in 2003, they set off an are-they-are-they-not-sincere debate. Their Glam-Rock compositions were so over the top, it was hard to distinguish between flattery and parody. Fortunately, the one thing that was never in doubt was that […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Nick Cave and Warren Ellis – Auditorium Theatre ⢠Chicago
Nick Cave and Warren Ellis Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL Sunday, March 20, 2022 Review by Jeff Elbel Photos by Andy Argyrakis courtesy of the Auditorium Theatre When Australian singer-songwriter Nick Cave last performed at the venerable Auditorium Theatre in 2017, there was no trace of worry about a global pandemic. The show became a religious […]
Cover Story: Midnight Oil ⢠“The Last Dance”
As combustible as ever, Midnight Oil is again doing what theyâve done better than anyone else. At home and abroad, the band is rocking with furious post-punk energy and pop-savvy while agitating for change on social, political, and environmental issues. Like its biggest hit, âBeds are Burning,â the Oilsâ 2020 release The Makarrata Project advocated […]
Stage Buzz: The Darkness, Ministry, Darryl Hall & Todd Rundgren
Join MusiCares: Music on a Mission as they celebrate âthe power of music to make a differenceâ with a virtual show featuring never-before-seen performances from Cage the Elephant, Brandi Carlile, Shawn Colvin, Jason Isbell, k.d. lang, Fantastic Negrito, and more. Catch the stream Wednesday, March 30Â at 7 PM. Tickets are on sale now. Donât miss […]
Gear Review ⢠Apogee Digital: Symphony Desktop Interface
The most basic function of Apogee Digitalâs Symphony Desktop is its capability as a two-channel audio interface. Apogee has a range of portable interfaces available, but Symphony Desktop represents the companyâs first offering of its top-quality converters in a desktop format that travels easily. Boasting a pair of Apogeeâs flagship Symphony microphone preamps and analog […]
Spins: Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs ⢠External Combustion
Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs External Combustion (BMG) Mike Campbell wrote piles of great rock ânâ roll and jangle-pop songs during a 40-year career as lead guitarist for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (and Mudcrutch), but waited until the untimely 2017 loss of his co-captain before releasing his own album. Campbell even sublimated his […]
Stage Buzz: PUP at The Riviera Theatre ⢠Chicago
Just a day after the release of their highly anticipated new album, THE UNRAVELING OF PUPTHEBAND, Toronto punks PUP will play the Riviera Theatre on Sunday, April 3. PUP is one of those rare bands who hasnât released a bad album. If anything, theyâve only gotten better, but if you told them that, they would probably […]
Photo Gallery: Circle Jerks, 7 Seconds and Negative Approach at the Vic Theatre ⢠Chicago
Circle Jerks Vic Theatre Chicago, IL March 25, 2022 Words and photos by Curt Baran Itâs was a big night out for the aging punk rockers (stares deeply into a mirror). The initial plan was for the Circle Jerks to embark on a tour to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their 1980 album Group Sex. Unfortunately, for […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Colin Hay at Thalia Hall ⢠Chicago
Colin Hay at Thalia Hall, Chicago, IL Saturday, March 26, 2022 Review by Jeff Elbel Photos by Philamonjaro Even more welcome to many music lovers than the first robin of spring is the return of Colin Hay to touring as a solo acoustic juggernaut. The erstwhile Men at Work bandleader is now well established as […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Zebra and Angel at Arcada Theatre
Zebra at Arcada Theatre, with special guest Angel St. Charles, IL Friday, March 18, 2022 Review and Photos by Jeff Elbel  An otherwise wet and dreary Friday evening was enlivened for those who visited the Arcada Theatre to witness the return of â80s rock heroes Zebra. In the bandâs 47-year career, it was only […]
Stage Buzz: Black Midi, Jimmie Vaughan, Western Elstons, Circle Jerks, Poppy, Umphrey’s McGees
Donât miss Black Midi and NNAMDĂ at The Metro on Wednesday, March 23. Doors open at 8 PM. You can still get tickets here. Poppy brings her âNever Find My Placeâ tour to Park West on Wednesday, March 23, at 7 PM. Tickets are available here. Umphreyâs McGee will play three nights at […]
Photo Gallery: Mammoth WVH and Dirty Honey at House of Blues ⢠Chicago
Mammoth WVH and Dirty Honey March 16, 2022 House of Blues Chicago, IL Recap and photos by Edward Spinelli The âYoung Guns Tour,â featuring Mammoth WVH and Dirty Honey, finally made its way through Chicago at House of Blues on Wednesday. Like hundreds of other shows during the pandemic, the original tour dates were derailed […]
IE Advertiser Message: Zebra and Angel at Arcada Theatre ⢠St. Charles
Arcada Theatre in St. Charles is bringing 2 stalwart bands of  ’70s and ’80s hard rock, Zebra, and Angel to the venue on Friday, March 18, IE readers can get 25%off tickets with a special offer listed below. Long Island-based heavy rockers Zebra, crashed out of the gate on their self-titled debut album in 1983 and […]
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