Cover Story
Cover Story: Cheap Trick ⢠Won’t Slow Down
Itâs not a cautionary tale exactly, nor is it an Abandon-All-Hope-Ye-Who-Enter-Here warning. But for any bright-eyed, optimistic young artists out there currently considering a career in music, Cheap Trick bassist Tom Petersson has a few wise words to offer that might, at the very least, give you pause. Or, at worst, stagger you as senseless […]
Cover Story: John 5 and Richie Kotzen ⢠Dual Shredders
The exceptional guitar artistry of one John William Lowery, professionally known as John 5, is internationally celebrated. The guitaristâs musical resume includes a wide range of diverse artists, such as k.d. Lang, Rod Stewart, Dolly Parton, and Meat Loaf, while also contributing to projects with rockers like David Lee Roth, Rob Halford, Lita Ford, Lynyrd […]
Cover Story: The Barbarians of California ⢠From L.A. to Riot Fest
At first glance, the Barbarians of California seemingly appeared out of nowhere. For Aaron Bruno and Eric Stenman, this has been decades in the making. The hardcore scene is one of Brunoâs first loves. He discovered the music during a pivotal time in his life as a 14-year-old punk skater. He was not only […]
Cover Story: Natalie Bergman ⢠Redefining Legacy
Mortality. Itâs a real motherfucker. And, sadly, the existential concept of Legacy â as in, how will we be remembered after weâre gone? â Is there nothing you ever considered in your brash, reckless youth, when youâre too busy blazing your own trail to a bright, accomplished future? And when classic Gospel hymns assured us […]
Cover Story: Push Puppets ⢠Risk Takers
Erich Specht is a risk taker. Whether itâs using homemade backstage passes to meet one of his idols or adding a spicy horn section to his song, he believes in taking chances. Thatâs part of what drives his band, Push Puppets. The project began as a musical outlet for Specht, where he played […]
Cover Story: The Feelies ⢠Be Kind, Rewind
 The Feelies (photo by Doug Seymour)     When most rock bands release a new album, itâs usually the hard-won result of weeks, months, sometimes even years of careful consideration and execution. But New Jersey quintet The Feelies recently stumbled on a new, more reckless method of adding a new volume to its […]
Cover Story: May 2025 ⢠Crimson Glory Co-Headlines Reggiesâ Storied Legions of Metal Festival 2025
The Chicago metal festival tradition continues with the seventh annual Legions of Metal Festival triumphantly returning to hallowed ground at Reggies on Friday, May 2nd, and Saturday, May 3rd. Friday nightâs headliners are Portland, Oregonâs speed/thrash wrecking machine, Toxic Holocaust, preceded by Bostonâs symphonic power metal darlings, Seven Spires, as the co-headliners. Saturday nightâs lineup […]
Cover Story: Peter Murphy ⢠Return of the Lion
As an Artist matures, amasses a tangible catalog of work, and inches â or even hurtles â toward their careerâs coda, many arrive at moments of insightful, illuminating wisdom that effectively encapsulate their achievements for posterity. For example, Picasso noted that âInspiration does exist, but it must find you working,â while Thoreau insisted that âItâs […]
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 âhit record.â They just had a bunch of songs they wanted to record. So, they made a record […]
Cover Story: Avernus ⢠As Heavy As We Can Be
Twenty-seven years between full-length albums for a band is a long time to wait. But thatâs exactly what happened to local doom metal pioneers Avernus. Formed in 1992 by drummer Rick Yifrach and guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist Rick McCoy â joined by guitarist Erik Kikke the following year (who was only 15 years old at the time)âthere was […]
Cover Story: Alison Moyet ⢠Legacy is Overrated
 She may not have descended to the cynical, humanity-doubting depths of Moliereâs âThe Misanthrope.â 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 â a perfect backdrop for Burned, the bandâs latest (fifth) album, a surprise power-chorded treat for longtime fans […]
Cover Story: Steel Panther ⢠Canât Stop The Rock
When it comes to Steel Panther, no subject matter is off-limits. The Los Angeles âhair metalâ revivalists donât hold back â or sugarcoat anything â when creating the bandâs humorous, tongue-in-cheek lyrics. Tracks such as âAsian Hooker,â âFat Girl (Thar She Blows),â âBig Boobs,â âWeenie Ride,â âGlory Hole,â 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 âThorâ 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
Thereâs an electricity in the air of late, bristling arm hairs here in Chicago. Thereâs the injection of HGH into the DNC going into their convention. The recent acknowledgment that the music industry spotlight is once again illuminating Chicagoâs rock music scene in a seemingly cyclical fashion. Then thereâs the excitement brewing about Fig Dish, […]
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