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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 […]
Media: March 2025 • Flipside Records Remembered
Flip Side owners Carl and Larry Rosenbaum had three choices they were considering at the beginning of their careers. “Hot dog stand, a dry cleaner, or a record store,” Larry confirms. “And fortunately, we chose record store.” That record store became an empire in Chicago (1970s—1990s), a string of stores throughout Chicagoland, soon to […]
March 2025: CinemaScopes • March Films in Like A Lion
We start the month with the 97th Academy Awards airing on March 2. If you love festivals, the 12th Annual JCC Chicago Jewish Film Festival, running March 1-23, showcases culturally diverse, Jewishly-inspired films that will entertain, educate, and inspire audiences of all generations. A selection of 19 carefully curated films honor Jewish filmmakers, writers, […]
Stage Buzz: Jerry Cantrell, Lucy Dacus, Tiffany
I’m Legendary pop star Tiffany stole the hearts of teenagers with her number one hit single “I Think We’re Alone Now.” Nearly 40 years later, she’s still going strong with her latest album, Shadows, released in 2022. Relive Tiffany’s greatest hits when she brings her “Reflections Tour” to City Winery on Wednesday, February 19th. Doors open […]
Advertiser Message: Wardruna at Auditorium Theatre • Chicago • September 20, 2025
Wardruna, the globally renowned purveyors of Norwegian-tinged post-rock-meets-folk, recently returned with their sixth album, Birna, on last month via Sony Music/By Norse Music. The 10-song collection offers another powerful exploration of, and contemplation on, the natural world, with visionary composer Einar Selvik searching for the voice of the bear. Supporting the new album – the […]
Stage Buzz: Lynch Mob • Arcada Theatre • St. Charles
Lynch Mob Arcada Theatre St. Charles Saturday, February 8. George Lynch made his hay as the guitarist of Dokken in the 80s (the band hit paydirt during the hair band era with Tooth and Nail and Back For The Attack with heavy MTV airplay). By the decade’s end, he had enough, and Lynch Mob was […]
Advertiser Message: Steven Wilson at Auditorium Theatre • Chicago
STEVEN WILSON UNVEILS NORTH AMERICAN LEG OF THE OVERVIEW TOUR FIRST FULL-BAND SOLO HEADLINE RUN IN OVER SEVEN YEARS Arrives September 17 at Auditorium Theatre Tickets on sale now THE OVERVIEW TOUR CELEBRATES UPCOMING ARRIVAL OF WILDLY AMBITIOUS NEW SOLO WORK, THE OVERVIEW THE OVERVIEW ARRIVES IN WIDE ARRAY OF FORMATS VIA FICTION RECORDS […]
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 that’s exactly what happened to local doom metal pioneers Avernus. Formed in 1992 by drummer Rick Yifrach and guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist Rick McCoy — joined by guitarist Erik Kikke the following year (who was only 15 years old at the time)—there was […]
Media: February 2025 • 18 Seasons of Steve Wilkos
It’s hard to believe, but Steve Wilkos is now in his 18th season as the host of The Steve Wilkos Show. The show airs in Chicago on WCIU-TV. “18 seasons,” he says. “I wake up every morning, and I say the same thing. I still can’t believe it. I’ve been doing it, you know. I’ve […]
Stage Buzz: Guster, The String Cheese Incident, Marty Friedman
Marty Friedman, best known for his work with thrash icons Megadeth, is a guitar wizard. His improvisation and fusion of Eastern and Western music with elements of prog rock and thrash will leave you in awe. See the guitar virtuoso for yourself when he brings his guitar mastery to St. Charles’ Arcada Theatre on Thursday, […]
Stage Buzz: Tomorrow Never Knows Festival, Joy Oladokun, Myles Kennedy
Brace yourself against the January freeze to check out rising local indie artists with this year’s Tomorrow Never Knows festival. Taking place across various venues throughout the city, this year’s lineup features Half Waif, Airiel, Your Smith, Linda Sol, Maps & Atlases, Been Stellar, Manwolves, and more. Kick off your year by checking out […]
Stage Buzz: Knuckle Puck, CupcaKKe, G Love and Special Sauce
After a six-year wait, Chicago native CupcaKKe returned with her new album, Dauntless Manifesto, last year. And as you’d expect, it’s full of the brazen, unapologetic, and raunchy flows the rapper is known for. She returns to her hometown for a performance at Bottom Lounge this Thursday, January 9th, at 9 PM. If you want […]
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 […]
Media: January 2025 • Gone, But Not Forgotten
Every year, I write a piece about the people that we lost in the Chicago media world the previous year. We lost some great talent in 2024. Bob Newhart (July) If you’re my age or younger, you don’t remember a time when Bob Newhart was not famous. Bob was an ordinary Chicagoan when […]
Stage Buzz: NYE: Lake Street Dive, Local H, Laura Jane Grace, Mr. Blotto
Lake Street Dive will perform a pair of New Year’s Eve shows at Salt Shed. Even better, the performance will be featured on ABC’s Countdown Chicago with hosts Terrell Brown and Cheryl Scott. The celebration goes down at Salt Shed on Monday, December 30th, and Tuesday, December 31st, with support from Theo Katzman. Grab tickets […]
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