Tag: featured

Cover Story: Grace Potter [with added Photo Gallery from Riviera Theatre]

Brassneck | February 8, 2020 | 0 Comments

In the DC Comics universe, Superman always had his Fortress of Solitude, a secluded palace on the frozen Arctic tundra where he could go to muse on his complex relationships with villains, the Justice League, and indeed his planetary protectorate, humankind itself. Not bad, as exotic getaways go. Vermont-bred folk-rocker Grace Potter, on the other […]

Cover Story – Caroline Polachek

Brassneck | February 1, 2020 | 0 Comments

The relationship between art and its attendant inspiration has been analyzed countless times over the years. The French painter Henri Matisse, for instance, said that the main impetus for creativity was simply courage, while author Jack London believed that you had to hunt it down with a club. Renowned acting coach Stella Adler posited that […]

Photo Gallery: Heilung at The Riviera Theatre

Brassneck | January 30, 2020 | 0 Comments

Heilung Riviera Theatre 01/20/2020 Heilung (‘healing’ in German), the Nordic folk mood makers arrived in North America for the first time and easily sold out the Riv on their short tour. Originally booked at the Vic Theatre, the show was to moved to the Riviera to meet ticket demand. Ed Spinelli captured their Nordic spectacle. […]

Photo Gallery: The Black Keys at Aragon Ballroom

Brassneck | January 22, 2020 | 0 Comments

Q101 WKQX, Chicago’s flagship and only Alt-Rock station, threw itself a birthday party, Thursday. More specifically, hosted one to celebrate the one year anniversary of the morning drive time trio known as Brian, Ali and Justin. And they did so in glorious style by inviting a sold out Aragon Ballroom audience to enjoy a live […]

Stage Buzz: Tedeschi Trucks at Chicago Theatre [Updated with Photo Gallery]

Brassneck | January 12, 2020 | 0 Comments

Florida’s legendary Tedeschi Trucks Band, led by married blues guitarists Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, return to the Chicago Theatre for a 4-night run beginning this weekend. TTB has redefined blues and soul over their decade together, powered and defined best by the debut album Revelator. IE’s Ed Spinelli talked with Derek Trucks as he […]

Stage Buzz: Signal The Launch at House of Blues

Brassneck | January 6, 2020 | 0 Comments

The members of the Chicago power trio Signal the Launch share a strong musical bond. The Lane Tech College Prep and Rolling Meadows High School graduates — brothers Mariusz (guitars/vocals) and Dan Owczarczak (bass), and Kevin Karpa (drums) — formed the band in 2016 after a life-altering incident that happened to Mariusz while driving […]

Hello My Name Is…Michael Des Barres

Brassneck | January 6, 2020 | 0 Comments

Michael Des Barres doesn’t want to sound jaded like he’s seen it all before. But at a sage-like 71, he has, in many ways. So don’t fault the Renaissance man for his cynical view of most pop stars’ careers: “They pretty much have a formula now,” he chuckles. “Young kid writes some songs, has some […]

Holiday Hangover at House of Blues Chicago

Brassneck | December 13, 2019 | 0 Comments

House of Blues Chicago is kicking off the 2019 Holiday Season with their first-ever Holiday Hangover – ten days of top national tribute bands along with a roster of Chicago’s best tributes. The format has been a blast at other HOB locations across the country, and the talent buyers at the Windy City location […]

Live Review: Los Lobos at City Winery [with added photo gallery]

Brassneck | December 11, 2019 | 0 Comments

Los Lobos City Winery Sunday, December 8, 2019 Los Lobos set up camp at City Winery on Sunday for its eighth annual residency of Christmas shows. This time, the band brought new songs written specially for the occasion. Material from the band’s first Christmas album, Llegó Navidad, added to the already festive spirit of […]

Photo Gallery: George Clinton and Ohio Players at Horseshoe Casino

Brassneck | December 9, 2019 | 0 Comments

Ed Spinelli captured two of the most important members of Funk’s hall of fame class, George Clinton (with Funkadelic) and Ohio Players (who recorded many of their biggest hits in Chicago). George told Spinelli that retirement is not in the cards right now (“I’m having too much fun”), and proved it to an adoring crowd […]

Stage Buzz: Ace Frehley at Joe’s Live Rosemont [with added photo gallery]

Brassneck | December 8, 2019 | 0 Comments

Ace Frehley Friday, December 13 Joe’s Live Rosemont KISS co-founding guitarist and vocalist Ace Frehley takes the stage at Joe’s Live in Rosemont on Friday, December 13, with openers Ladrone and Like It beginning at 7:30 PM. Real rock fans know the history of this iconic guitar slinger. The former original lead guitarist for KISS […]

Live Review and Photo Gallery: Celine Dion at United Center

Brassneck | December 3, 2019 | 0 Comments

Celine Dion Sunday, December 1, 2019 United Center Over a decade has passed since Celine Dion performed in Chicago. Still, as the dynamite vocalist proclaimed at the start of another United Center sell out, “It’s All Coming Back To Be Now.” Indeed, the women who captivated the generations between Barbra Streisand and Adele sounded as […]

Cover Story – Liam Gallagher

Brassneck | December 3, 2019 | 1 Comment

What becomes a legend most? It’s an old question when it comes to pop stars and celebrities in general. Not rhetorical at all, but a real procedural, albeit aesthetic conundrum whose answer — either flamboyant or conversely simplified — can often have disastrous long-term results on the career of the said performer. You’ll […]

Recap and Photo Gallery: Slayer, Ministry, Primus and Phillip H. Anselmo at Tax Slayer Center

Brassneck | November 20, 2019 | 0 Comments

Slayer/Ministry/Philip H. Anselmo And The Illegals TaxSlayer Center Moline, IL 11/14/2019 Slayer made the last “area” appearance ever (after their Riot Fest appearance in September), and the Quad Cities (Moline, IL) got the honors. They brought a “cast of thousands” with them, including Philip H. Anselmo And The Illegals, who started the evening with a […]

Photo Gallery: Angel Olsen at The Riviera Theatre

Brassneck | November 18, 2019 | 0 Comments

Former Chicago native Angel Olsen made the most of her recent homecoming. She’s hit the road in support of her acclaimed album All Mirrors, and her performance was a kaleidoscope of dramatic strings, ethereal synths and Area 51-worthy strobes. But even if you stripped away all the extracurricular aesthetic, you’d still be left with Olsen’s […]