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Feature Story: Jay O’Rourke
If the Chicago music scene had a spine, Jay OâRourke would one of its vertebrae. Heâs been around a while, worked with some great artists as producer and engineer, and tasted some brief major-label success. But it wasnât until now, 40 years into his story, that he says heâs found his voice. Last month […]
Photo Gallery: Thom Yorke at Chicago Theatre
When Radioheadâs extensive tour for their 2016 release A Moon Shaped Pool came to a triumphant end this past summer, apparently one of its members still had some fuel left in his tank. Lead singer Thom Yorke immersed himself in recording the soundtrack to the motion picture Suspiria and almost immediately headed back out onto […]
Photo Gallery: Ministry at The Forge of Joliet
It was a homecoming of sorts at The Forge last Thursday as Ministry returned to the Chicago area where their careers got started on Wax Trax Records. As expected Al Jourgensen dominated the night, backed by his dynamic 2018 version of the band. Ed Spinelli captured all the action.
Media: December 2018
As 2018 comes to an end and a new year begins, itâs time once again to pay tribute to the people who passed away this year. Once again, we lost some of the all-time Chicago greats. Among them, the long-time anchor and reporter Warner Saunders. Saundersâ award-winning 29-year stint at NBC-5 in Chicago touched countless […]
Photo Gallery: Tenacious D at The Riviera Theatre
Uptown Chicago was graced with the presence of the self-proclaimed âgreatest and bestâ band in the world Tuesday and Wednesday night. Tenacious D, the comedic folk-metal duo, descended on a sold out Riviera Theatre for two nights of bathroom humor delivered with the contradictory assault of acoustic heaviness. Actors Jack Black and partner Kyle Gass […]
Cover Story and Gallery: The Struts
It was a popular, yet perhaps far-fetched concept that was titillating impressionable society a few years back. And it was relatively simple, all told, and loosely based on comic Danny Wallaceâs book Yes Man, which was later satirized to a zanier degree in Jim Carreyâs film version of the same name: If you simply responded […]
Photo Gallery: Keller Williams’ Duo at City Winery
IE’s Ed Spinelli caught the uber-talented acoustic guitar pioneer Keller Williams, who is touring with big bass sidekick Danton Boller in a super intimate acoustic show at City Winery last Thursday.
Photo Gallery: Good Charlotte at the Riviera Theatre
Although theyâre not exactly applying for AARP cards just yet, Waldorf, Marylandâs Good Charlotte is now entering its third decade as a band. Back in the mid-’90s, the Madden brothers, Benji and Joel, rode the initial punk-pop wave that today is influencing bands like 5 Seconds of Summer. Their 2018 release is titled Generation Rx […]
Caught In A Mosh: Jeremy Wagner’s “Rabid Heart”
Many know Chicago legacy death-metal band Broken Hopeâs guitarist Jeremy Wagner for his music. But some of you may not know that Wagner is also an accomplished fiction writer who has just released a new horror novel Rabid Heart (Riverdale Avenue Books). The 258-page post-apocalyptic nightmare tells the tale of a worldwide pandemic that infects […]
Photo Gallery: John 5 at The Forge of Joliet
Rob Zombie’s right hand man, John 5 visited The Forge of Joliet on The Day of Dead with Ed Spinelli manning the photo pit.
Photo Gallery: Elton John at United Center
Elton John delivered two nights at The United Center last week, shedding a few tears along the way. Though it wasn’t his final, final performance in the area (he’ll be back in Rosemont in February), for many fans it will be the last chance to see him perform again. “Reg” recruited longtime band members Davey […]
Media: November 2018
When Eric Ferguson started working at WTMX (The Mix), the studios had just moved from Skokie to downtown, and they were considered state of the art for their time. That time, unfortunately, was the 90s. Now, he is working in state of the art facilities again–brand new studios that are still under semi-construction. âLike anything […]
Recap and Photo Gallery: Nine Inch Nails with Jesus and Mary Chain at Aragon Ballroom
Since Nine Inch Nails embarked on the Cold and Black and Infinite tour back in September, theyâve kept fans on their toes by switching up the setlist every night and dropping in random covers and deep cuts where they see fit. It wasnât any different on the last of three nights at Chicago’s Aragon Ballroom. […]
Photo Gallery: Widespread Panic at The Riverside Theater
Widespread Panic didnât make it to the Windy City again this year, so Ed Spinelli packed up the vintage VW minivan and went to one of the bands favorite hot spots in Milwaukee. “Panic” have been hosting their Fall, 3-day weekends in the Cream City for over a decade. The shows usually sell-out in days, […]
Photo Gallery: Public Image Limited at Thalia Hall
It shouldnât come as a surprise to anyone that John Lydonâs current band has lasted longer than his previous one did. Of course, he is the former Johnny Rotten, who once fronted legendary punk pioneers the Sex Pistols, who historically burned brightly in the late 1970âs, then flamed out in spectacular fashion. But itâs also […]
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