Monthly
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, […]
Live Review: Cy Curnin • Belly Up Tavern • San Diego, CA
Cy Curnin Belly Up Tavern, San Diego, CA Tuesday, February 18, 2025 Review and photos by Jeff Elbel “Fixxtures” on the West Coast and American Southwest had a rare opportunity on Tuesday to see Fixx frontman Cy Curnin dig into his solo catalog during a brief sprint that included the Belly Up Tavern in […]
Photo Gallery: Lauren Mayberry at Thalia Hall • Chicago
Lauren Mayberry Thalia Hall Chicago, IL February 5, 2025 Recap and photos by Curt Baran “During sound check, I was amazed by the size of this room. I was terrified that only 12 people would show up. I’m so relieved to see all of you here.” Lauren Mayberry alluded to the inherent risks of going […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Media: December 2024 • Chicago “Hearts” Billy Gardell
Billy Gardell became a household name while co-starring with Melissa McCarthy in the (2010-2016) sitcom Mike & Molly, but he’s certainly not a one-hit-wonder. He followed that with another five-year sitcom hit, Bob (heart emoji) Abishola. If you’ve ever wondered how to pronounce that correctly, you’re not alone. “It’s not Bob loves,” Billy explains. […]
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 […]
Media: November 2024 • Danny Mac’s Beloved Bears Book
Dan McNeil was one of Chicago’s most controversial sports talk show hosts for decades. After long stints at the Score (670 AM) and ESPN (AM 1000), along with a few other stops on the radio dial (the Drive, the Loop), Dan has turned his talents to the written word. He has a new book […]
Live Review: Sixpence None Sixpence None the Richer at City Winery • Chicago
Sixpence None the Richer City Winery Chicago, IL Friday, October 25, 2024 Review and photos by Jeff Elbel Sixpence None the Richer’s We Are Love tour is the band’s first extended road trip in over 20 years. The ambitious 50-date run stopped on Friday at Chicago’s City Winery for a sold-out show. The band’s […]
Photo Gallery: The The in Chicago
The The Salt Shed Chicago, IL October 25th, 2024 Recap and photos by Curt Baran Deep into The The’s second music set at Chicago’s Salt Shed, listeners were reminded how bottomless this band’s catalog goes. Now entering their fourth decade, The The (the chosen moniker singer/songwriter Matt Johnson has used throughout his career) broke their […]
Stage Buzz: Heavy Chicago Fest November 1, 2 and 3
By Kelley Simms Heavy Chicago returns to Avondale Music Hall in this weekend for a second consecutive year. Last year’s festival was considered a rousing success, and this year’s fest is already living up to its prestige. A fantastic lineup is scheduled for three sweat-inducing days beginning this Friday, Nov. 1, and ending on Sunday, […]
Live Review & Photo Gallery: Iron Maiden at Allstate Arena • Rosemont
Iron Maiden Allstate Arena October 24, 2024 Rosemont, IL Live Review by Justice Petersen, photos by Edward Spinelli On Thursday, British heavy metal legends Iron Maiden brought The Future Past World Tour to Rosemont’s Allstate Arena. This tour is a thrilling and satisfying spectacle for well-experienced Iron Maiden fans. Like the band’s Eddie Rips Up […]
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