Columns
Don’t Look Back
Chicago radio was like a revolving door in 2007 – even at the left side of the dial. Last summer, Loyola University opted out of its contract with Chicago Public Radio, which had been running the college’s WLUW-FM (88.7) since 2002. Under the leadership of program director Shawn Campbell, WLUW had just become financially self-sufficient, […]
Studio Happenings
Backyard finished their second CD, American Dream, which was recorded at WULI RECORDS in Chicago. The band shoot a video for the song “Mercy” December 15th at Little Big Horn in Mundelein. Bible Of The Devil entered SEMAPHORE RECORDING STUDIO in Chicago and began recording the follow-up to 2006’s The Diabolic Procession with producer Sanford […]
The Good Doctor
“Son Seals was a man that everybody loved. I loved him, speaking for myself. And everybody that I know, you know, like the other entertainers and things, if they mentioned Son Seals, it was always something good they had to say.” – Koko Taylor
Hello, My Name Is Sammy
Hello, My Name Is Sammy Q&A With Sammy Hagar IE: What were some of the highlights from your 60th birthday celebration? Sammy Hagar: The highlights were two things: 1) They had huge surprises for me, I mean everyone kept calling me or leaving me messages or e-mailing me saying ‘Hey, we can’t make it. Tell […]
File: November 2007
Planet Neilsen Cheap Trickster Rick Nielsen has a bunch of guitars, and apparently he’s out of room for them in his house. According to Rockford’s WREX-TV, the pick-flipping guitarist and his business partner, Brent Johnson, want to build a rock ‘n’ roll hotel/restaurant/museum called (cleverly) Rick’s in Rockford. Besides the massive collection of one-of-a-kind axes […]
DVD Zone: November 2007
Grindhouse Presents: Planet Terror Grindhouse Presents: Death Proof Dimension B-movies have been around practically as long as the film industry itself. Originally, the studios would knock off a feature with second-tier actors to toss on the bill at drive-in theaters, often using the same sets as other films to keep the budget to a minimum.
Local CD Reviews
“Around Hear” is a monthly feature where a stable of IE writers review albums sent to us by local musicians. If you are interested in having your CD (must have a minimum of three songs) reviewed and are Illinois-based, mail it and any other media materials to 657 A W. Lake St., Chicago IL, 60661. […]
Around Hear Page 2
Illinois Humanities Council’s ambitious two-CD Folksongs Of Illinois blends vintage recordings and modern interpretations of local Americana music. The set’s historical value is enhanced by extensive liner notes and rare photos, but the real draw is the music. Carl Sandburg sings and plays guitar on a 1950 recording of “Jay Gould’s Daughter,” and Henry Spaulding‘s […]
Around Hear Page 3
The Orange Peel Sessions is a clever play on the venerable series of live recordings with the late John Peel. Here, Naked And Shameless tear through an acoustic set of hilarious covers (“Nice Legs (Shame About The Face),” “Pumpin’ 4 The Man”) and suitably comedic honky-tonk originals (“Blood Elegy (The Pain Of Love),” “Bill Monroe […]
Justice For All?
I visited the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in September. The six-hour drive to Cleveland was actually to see the Indians play, but I thought, being a music journalist and all, I should probably check out the Hall Of Fame as well. I’m glad I did it. Beautiful building, stunning architecture, built just off […]
Get In The Van!
CHEVROLET 2008 Express Series Cargo Van We spend alot of time talking about new music equipment in this column, yet in eight years writing “Gear,” we’ve never discussed how to haul it around.
Sister Act
Chicago is a city of firsts. It’s the home of the first steel-frame skyscraper, the first atomic reaction, and the first daytime TV soap opera. It’s also where the term “jazz” was coined, back in 1914. And on August 12th, the Windy City became one of the first major media markets in America to boast […]
Studio Happenings
At ENERGY COMMAND STUDIOS in Park Ridge, A Better Place To Be finished their five-song, self-titled CD. Amery (Amo) Schmeisser did ProTools editing and mixed two tracks. Schmeisser and Dave Banks engineered the sessions, and Banks produced the CD . . . Rapper Young Eighty (Darius McGee) recorded and released his latest CD, Madison Square. […]
Fooled Around & Fell In Love
Booty Bumpin’ (Blind Pig), by legendary good-time guitarist Elvin Bishop, is a CD you will listen to again and again. Bishop and his six-piece band were captured live December 3rd, 2006 at Constable Jack’s in California, and he is still the real deal after all these years. His authentic, rootsy approach to the blues was […]
Hello, My Name Is Kirk
Hello My Name Is Kirk Q&A With Kirk Windstein Of Down IE: Down was in a state of limbo for a while. Was there any question in your mind you guys would make another record? Kirk Windstein: I think when we, if you want to call it, “parted ways” after the last one and went […]
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