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Stage Buzz: Corey Taylor, Duran Duran, North Coast Fest, Last Fling
Corey Taylor is best known as the crazed masked leader of Slipknot, but lately, heās been pulling double duty, performing with the Masked Nine, and breaking out on his own for a new solo career. Taylor returns this year with his second album, CMF2. Hear cuts from his upcoming album and from his previous […]
Photo Gallery: The Offspring, Sum 41, Simple Plan at Credit 1 Amphitheatre
The Offspring Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre Tinley Park, IL August 26, 2023 Words and photos by Curt Baran Perhaps it was the perfect convergence of a lingering, post-COVID thirst for live music and an absolutely beautiful summer evening. Of course, a triple bill of pop-punk featuring The Offspring, Sum 41, and Simple Plan might have […]
Stage Buzz: Lollapalooza, Repentance, Voice of Baceprot, Mudvayne
Whether it’s his outrageous outfits or causing controversy, Boy George knows how to get attention. Though he has a prolific solo career, heās best known as the androgynous singer of Culture Club. In a sea of endless new romantic acts and lots of hairspray, the band stood out not just for their look but […]
Cover Story: Butcher Babies ā¢ Double Trouble
From just a quick glance at each other while on stage, Butcher Babiesās duo bombshell vocalistsāHeidi Shepherd and Carla Harveyāknow exactly what each other is thinkingā¦ and they canāt help but to crack up or give each other a sly smile.Ā As best friends performing in a band, Shepherd and Harvey have been slugging it […]
Media: August 2023 ā¢ Road to Rock’s New Class
The Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66 is going to induct a new class to the Hall of Fame on September 17.Ā This yearās musical acts include Earth Wind & Fire, the Cryan Shames, the Shadows of Knight, Nat King Cole, and Miles Davis. John Prine is being inducted into the songwriting […]
Spins: Pete Townshend ā¢ Empty Glass (Vinyl Remaster)
The Who’s acclaimed, Rock Hall-of-Fame guitarist’s heralded second album (including breakout AOR single “Rough Boys”) gets a vinyl remaster.
Plus: Pete Townshend and Ronnie Lane’s “Rough Mix”
Stage Buzz: Avenged Sevenfold, Wicker Park Fest, Q101 Piqniq
Avenged Sevenfold became critical darlings of the metal scene with their breakthrough album City of Evil. In the nearly two decades since its release, the band has become heavy metal titans racking up a stream of accolades along the way. Though known for their heavy sound and iconic twin guitar solos, their latest release,Ā Life is […]
Live Review: Cheap Trick at Metro ā¢ Chicago
Cheap Trick with Brokeback Sunday, July 16, 2023 Metro, Chicago, IL Review by Jeff Elbel The 40th-anniversary celebration at Chicagoās venerable Metro continued on Sunday by welcoming Rockfordās finest rock and roll export,Ā Cheap Trick, for a sold–out show. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers maintain a regular presence in the area, but Sundayās show […]
Stage Buzz: Papa Roach, Kansas, Ed Bassmaster, Blood Red Shoes
Le Tigre, the electro-disco rock band fronted by the original Riot Grrrl Kathleen Hanna, are finally back for their first proper reunion tour in 18 years. Known for mixing punkās unapologetic political views with high-energy electropop, the band released three studio albums before taking a hiatus in 2007. Theyāve had some brief reunions […]
Photo Gallery: Jenny Lewis at The Salt Shed ā¢ Chicago
Jenny Lewis The Salt Shed Chicago, IL July 7, 2023 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Itās only the second night of the āJoyāAllā tour, but youād never guess it from the sounds emanating from the stage. Jenny Lewis is tearing through āPsychos,ā the first single from her album that shares a name with her […]
Stage Buzz: Sparks, Savage Master, Traveler, Less Than Jake
When Drake made the bold move from acting to rapping, no one couldāve guessed heād be one of the most prolific rappers of the 21st century. Not only is he among the worldās best-selling artists, but heās also one of the most influential rappers, old and new, taking after him. Before he drops his […]
Cover Story: Hozier ā¢ Beautiful Language
It might not have swept over him like some Hokusai-impressive wave. But Irish folk-rocker Andrew Hozier-Byrne ā who records and performs as simply Hozier ā has been caught in the subtle currents of spiritual change since he turned 33 this March. Itās the fabled Christ age, when your proper career trajectory is clearly revealed to […]
Live Review and Photo Gallery: American Music Festival – FitzGeraldās ā¢ Berwyn
American Music Festival FitzGeraldās June 30 – July 3 Berwyn, IL Reviewed by William Tokash Photos from Day One, Three, and Four by Curt Baran FitzGeraldās iconic American Music Festival in Berwyn, commenced on 4th of July weekend, celebrating its 40th year, making it one of the longest-running and storied music festivals in the country. […]
Spins: Cowboys in the Campfire ā¢ Wronger
Tommy Stinsonās Cowboys in the Campfire Wronger (Cobraside) The longstanding friendship and musical partnership between Philly guitar-slinger Chip Roberts and Replacements bassist Tommy Stinson (also a veteran of Bash & Pop, Perfect, Guns Nā Roses, and Soul Asylum) has yielded the pairās debut album as Cowboys in the Campfire. Stinson in particular, has roots in […]
Hello My Name is Tommy Stinson
Some folks just attract trouble magnetically. Take ex-Replacements bassist Tommy Stinson, for example ā when the coronavirus hit him, post-lockdown, it smacked him upside the scruffy head and just kept knocking him senseless. āThat was horrible, and Iām still reeling from it,ā the rasp-throated rock rapscallion recalls from his rustic home in upstate New York. […]
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