Cover Story

Cover Story: Peter Murphy • Return of the Lion
As an Artist matures, amasses a tangible catalog of work, and inches — or even hurtles — toward their career’s coda, many arrive at moments of insightful, illuminating wisdom that effectively encapsulate their achievements for posterity. For example, Picasso noted that “Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working,” while Thoreau insisted that “It’s […]

Cover Story: Smoking Popes • For The Love of the Game
When Smoking Popes entered Solid Sound Studios in Hoffman Estates in 1994 to record the follow-up to their debut album Get Fired, there were no expectations. There was no pressure from the label to deliver a “hit record.” They just had a bunch of songs they wanted to record. So, they made a record […]

Cover Story: Alison Moyet • Legacy is Overrated
She may not have descended to the cynical, humanity-doubting depths of Moliere’s “The Misanthrope.” But synth-pop diva turned Neo-soul stylist Alison Moyet could be getting awfully close. The French-descended, English-bred artist first conquered worldwide charts via Yazoo (or just Yaz Stateside), her memorable duo with ex-Depeche Mode keyboardist Vince Clarke, and […]

Cover Story: The Effigies • The Spirit of the Scene
At its outset, 2023 looked to be an unexpected banner year for Chicago punk-scene legends The Effigies. COVID had finally waned, national concert attendance had rebounded, and the once-moribund music business itself was on a creative upswing — a perfect backdrop for Burned, the band’s latest (fifth) album, a surprise power-chorded treat for longtime fans […]

Cover Story: Steel Panther • Can’t Stop The Rock
When it comes to Steel Panther, no subject matter is off-limits. The Los Angeles “hair metal” revivalists don’t hold back — or sugarcoat anything — when creating the band’s humorous, tongue-in-cheek lyrics. Tracks such as “Asian Hooker,” “Fat Girl (Thar She Blows),” “Big Boobs,” “Weenie Ride,” “Glory Hole,” and many more prove that the band […]

Cover Story: Myles Kennedy • The Golden Voice
Since stepping up on stage from the audience to join the fictitious metal band Steel Dragon from the 2001 motion picture Rockstar, starring Mark Wahlberg, Myles “Thor” Kennedy has shuffled from one extraordinary musical opportunity to the next. In 2002, Kennedy was offered an audition for the vocalist spot in the newly formed supergroup Velvet […]

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, […]

Cover Story: Slash • Raised on the Blues
Over four decades, Slash has established himself as one of the greatest guitarists in the world. It seems he’s done it all. Aside from laying down iconic riffs for Guns N’ Roses, he’s worked with just about anyone you can think of: Lenny Kravitz, Alice Cooper, Bob Dylan, Michael Jackson, Miles Kennedy, Carole King, Iggy […]

Cover Story: Plain White T’s: The Timing is Right
It’s 2024, and somehow, “Hey There Delilah” is making headlines. Again. The iconic Plain White T’s song went viral when Drake and parody rapper Snowd4y shared their version entitled “Wah Gawn Deliah.” So, what did Plain White T’s singer/songwriter Tom Higgenson think? He’s flattered but still questions if it’s real. Yet, he’s in awe […]

Cover Story: Kerry King • Solo Time
Five years since Slayer played what was to be the band’s final gig on November 30, 2019, on their Farewell Tour during a hometown show at the Forum in Los Angeles, guitarist Kerry King has resurfaced with the release of his first solo album, From Hell I Rise (via Reigning Phoenix Music). Recruiting former Slayer […]

IE REWIND: The Sisters of Mercy • The Proud Villains • Appearing at Aragon Ballroom October 23 • Chicago
Like many of us over the past three COVID-constricted years, I — as both a journalist and a human being, in general — spent a great deal of time looking back, reflecting on past decisions, discoveries, and early drug-related derailments, and not always comfortably. I’ve made a few mistakes over my crazy, always-colorful 46-year career, […]

Cover Story: Elbow • Love & Friendship
In Almost Famous, Cameron Crowe’s semi-autobiographical film covering his early mid-‘70s music-scribe years, Philip Seymour Hoffman — channeling legendary rock critic Lester Bangs — has some sage advice for Patrick Fugit’s earnest teen hopeful William Miller. In the cold, cutthroat new world he’s entering of publicists, exotic junkets, free booze, and possibly drugs, it’s all […]
Recent Comments