Recent Articles
Stage Buzz: Wednesday 13, Depeche Mode, Skinny Puppy
My Morning Jacket is celebrating the 20th anniversary of their critically acclaimed third album, It Still Moves by performing the album in full on their latest tour. The outing ends with a three-night stint at the Chicago Theatre starting on Thursday, November 9, with a complete performance of It Still Moves, followed by non-anniversary shows […]
Spins: The Vince Guaraldi Quintet • A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving: Original Soundtrack Recording
The Vince Guaraldi Quintet A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving: Original Soundtrack Recording (LMFP) Following 1965’s A Charlie Brown Christmas and 1966’s It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, 1973 saw the arrival of the third Peanuts holiday special with A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. Fifty years after first airing, the cartoon’s complete soundtrack is released as a vinyl […]
Photo Gallery: The Hives at Bottom Lounge • Chicago
The Hives Bottom Lounge Chicago, IL Sunday, November 5, 2023 Photos by Curt Baran IE November cover subjects The Hives sold-out show on Lake Street delivered all the energy and joy you’d expect on this tour supporting their long-awaited album The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons. The Swedish garage rockers delivered a night of unbridled energy, […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: Marvelous 3 at House of Blues • Chicago
Marvelous 3 House of Blues Chicago, IL Friday, November 3, 2023 Review and photos by Jeff Elbel The energy, musicianship, and production of Friday’s concert at House of Blues by the Marvelous 3 did not seem like the work of a band playing a mere five gigs after 22 years apart (aside from a […]
Photo Gallery: Steve Hackett at Pabst Theater • Milwaukee
Steve Hackett Pabst Theater, Milwaukee, WI Friday, November 3, 2023 Recap and photos by Ed Spinelli Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Steve Hackett brought the groundbreaking Genesis 1972 album Foxtrot to the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee Friday. Let’s say it’s probably the closest any member, past or present, will ever achieve recreating the classic […]
Photo Gallery: Queen + Adam Lambert • United Center • Chicago
Queen + Adam Lambert United Center, Chicago, IL Monday, October 30, 2023 Recap and photos by Ed Spinelli “The Rhapsody” Tour keeps rolling for Queen + Adam Lambert, who stopped by the United Center on Halloween Eve before its encore on the official holiday. It was the perfect season to see a band that was […]
Photo Gallery: deadMau5 at Radius • Chicago
deadmau5 Radius Chicago Saturday, October 28 Gallery by Edward Spinelli Ed Spinelli captured storied DJ deadmau5 at Radius Chicago, waiting through a near monsoon on the West Side and a late/early Sunday start (1:30 a.m.) for the master of ceremonies powered by a sold-out crowd dressed to the nines in Halloween gear. His signature deadmau […]
Stage Buzz: My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult, LP, Corrosion of Conformity at Heavy Chicago
When you first hear singer/songwriter LP, you never forget it. They have a soulful yet haunting voice that’s truly mesmerizing. Starting with breakout single 2017’s “Lost On You,” they have garnered critical acclaim with albums like Lost on You and Churches. Hear this enchanting singer for yourself when they perform at The […]
Media: November 2023: The Loop Files: An Oral History
I’ve written a new book called The Loop Files: An Oral History of the Most Outrageous Radio Station Ever. The book comes out officially at the end of this month, but this month’s media column is a free preview.  All the biggest stars who helped make the Loop (FM 98) so memorable tell the […]
Cover Story: The Hives – The Best Part of the Day
When a band makes a grand return after a decades-long absence, it’s a mix of emotions. There’s equal parts dread and excitement, happy to return to adoring fans, yet anxious to see if anyone still cares, especially in the short attention span of the streaming age. But those pesky thoughts never seemed to bother The […]
Spins: Tom Waits • Island ’83-’93 LP reissues
Tom Waits Island ’83-’93 LP reissues (Island/UMe) Ten years into his recording career, Tom Waits began a significant stretch of work and creative reboot that continued for another decade and helped cement his reputation as a singularly unclassifiable and consistently engaging artist. This key middle-period run of Waits’ eighth through twelfth albums for Island Records […]
Stage Buzz: Clown Core, Trouble at Heavy Chicago, The 1975
It’s hard to describe exactly what Clown Core is. The avant-garde duo is comprised of two mysterious musicians, speculated to be Louis Cole and Sam Gendel, whose music is an eclectic blend of funk, jazz, electronica, synth, metal, and lots of clown horns. You can experience this oddball duo yourself when they play […]
Stage Buzz: Motionless in White, Bullet For My Valentine, Laufey with Adam Melchor
John Mayer has spent the past few years moonlighting as the leader of Dead & Company. Now, Mayer gets back to basics with his solo acoustic tour. The Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter will treat fans to the latest tracks from his recent album Sob Rock along with classics like “Daughters” and “Your Body is a Wonderland” […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: The Darkness at The Vic Theatre • Chicago
The Darkness The Vic Theatre, Chicago, IL Friday, October 13, 2023 Review and photos by Jeff Elbel Bone-crunching guitar riffs, pop hooks, soaring falsetto melodies, cheeky lyrics, and dazzling solos were in ample supply on Friday as the Darkness visited the Vic Theatre to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut album Permission to Land. […]
Spins: The Empty Pockets • Gotta Find The Moon
The Empty Pockets Gotta Find The Moon (Self) Chicagoland-based, roots-rock quartet The Empty Pockets just released their latest studio effort Gotta Find The Moon. The follow-up to their 2022 Billboard #1 (blues album chart)Â Outside Spectrum. Members Josh Solomon (Guitar), Erika Brett (Keyboards), Nate Bellon (Bass), and Adam Balasco (drums) recorded the 14 tracks at the […]
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