Tag: Kelley Simms
Cover Story: John 5 and Richie Kotzen ⢠Dual Shredders
The exceptional guitar artistry of one John William Lowery, professionally known as John 5, is internationally celebrated. The guitaristâs musical resume includes a wide range of diverse artists, such as k.d. Lang, Rod Stewart, Dolly Parton, and Meat Loaf, while also contributing to projects with rockers like David Lee Roth, Rob Halford, Lita Ford, Lynyrd […]
Stage Buzz: Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters at Joe’s Live September 16 ⢠Rosemont
The Boxmasters â featuring musician/actor Billy Bob Thornton and guitarist J.D. Andrew – plays an amalgam of twangy country music, jangling rockabilly, and infectious pop, with large doses of Americana and British Invasion influences. Although most people are primarily familiar with Thornton as an actor, music was his first love. Thornton initially started out as […]
Stage Buzz: Robin Trower at The Copernicus Center ⢠Chicago
Robin Trower Copernicus Center Chicago, IL Friday, July 11, 2025 By Kelley Simms As a newly minted octogenarian, British blues-rock guitar legend Robin Trower continues to dazzle audiences with his signature Fender Stratocaster. From his musical beginnings in Procol Harum in the late â60s to a successful solo career in the early â70s (followed […]
Cover Story: May 2025 ⢠Crimson Glory Co-Headlines Reggiesâ Storied Legions of Metal Festival 2025
The Chicago metal festival tradition continues with the seventh annual Legions of Metal Festival triumphantly returning to hallowed ground at Reggies on Friday, May 2nd, and Saturday, May 3rd. Friday nightâs headliners are Portland, Oregonâs speed/thrash wrecking machine, Toxic Holocaust, preceded by Bostonâs symphonic power metal darlings, Seven Spires, as the co-headliners. Saturday nightâs lineup […]
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 thatâs exactly what happened to local doom metal pioneers Avernus. Formed in 1992 by drummer Rick Yifrach and guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist Rick McCoy â joined by guitarist Erik Kikke the following year (who was only 15 years old at the time)âthere was […]
Cover Story: Myles Kennedy ⢠The Golden Voice
Since stepping up on stage from the audience to join the fictitious metal band Steel Dragon from the 2001 motion picture Rockstar, starring Mark Wahlberg, Myles âThorâ Kennedy has shuffled from one extraordinary musical opportunity to the next. In 2002, Kennedy was offered an audition for the vocalist spot in the newly formed supergroup Velvet […]
Cover Story: John 5 ⢠Immersed In Music
When it comes to musical diversity and performing genre-hopping styles, guitarist John William Lowery (aka John 5) is one of the most prolific. Whether heâs creating rock, industrial metal, funk, EDM, progressive, or bluegrass compositions, the lethal six-string slinger is guaranteed to shred all over it. With a musical resume that includes such diverse artists […]
Stage Buzz: Holiday of Horrors at Reggies ⢠Chicago
Holiday Of Horror Saturday, December 23, 2023 Reggies Chicago, IL Preview by Kelley Simms The Holiday Of Horror event has been a longtime Christmas tradition in Chicago. Initially hosted at the Fireside Bowl in 1998, it has since moved to the iconic Reggies Rock Club, which took over the event at least a decade […]
Stage Buzz: Heavy Chicago Festival at Avondale Hall ⢠Chicago
Chicagoâs Avondale Music Hall will be hosting a brand-new metal festival, Heavy Chicago, over two weekends this fall. Beginning on Saturday, October 28, Chicagoâs beloved Trouble will be kicking things off with its first local show in five years. âIt has been far too long since our last Chicago show, but as we all know, […]
Stage Buzz: Anvil ⢠Reggies ⢠Chicago
Canadaâs heavy metal trio, Anvil, returns to Reggies on their Impact Is Imminent tour with White Wizzard and Midnite Hellion on Sunday, July 31. Featuring guitarist/vocalist Steve âLipsâ Kudlow, drummer Robb Reiner and bassist Chris Robertson, Anvil has been pumping out the same trademark tunes for over 40 years now. Formed in 1978, the band released a […]
Stage Buzz: Chicago Domination Fest ⢠Brauerhouse ⢠Lombard
After six successful years of Chicago Domination Fest (CDF), the 7th edition is back after a two-year hiatus (due to the global pandemic) from July 28 to 30 at Brauerhouse in Lombard. With three days of intense, non-stop brutal death metal with 32 bands confirmed, CDF7 promises to be even more crushing than previous fests. […]
Stage Buzz: Enuff Z’Nuff with Firehouse at The Arcada Theatre ⢠St. Charles
Enuff Z’Nuff with Firehouse Arcada Theatre Saturday, February 5 St. Charles, IL Thereâs nothing like a hometown show… and a two-for-one to boot. Chicagoâs power-pop rockers Enuff ZâNuff will be playing back-to-back nights at LiveWire Lounge in Chicago on Friday, Feb. 4, and the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles the following night (February 5) with […]
IE Rewind: The Outfit
Combining savvy songwriting rooted in power-pop and glammy metal, The Outfit is breaking the mold for local music veterans. Over two albums, they’ve managed to not only defy the sophomore slump, but they’ve also shown that educated music stalwarts can still have something to say. The band features a group of seasoned Chicago musicians, including […]
![Cover Story: Judas Priest [Updated]](http://illinoisentertainer.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/76cc05c4-a9bd-4acd-89fc-bc2b9fcde0f7-150x150.jpg "Cover Story: Judas Priest [Updated]")
Cover Story: Judas Priest [Updated]
After an impressive five-decades long career, British heavy metal pioneers Judas Priest show no signs of slowing down with the release of their explosive 18th full-length studio album Firepower (released March 9 on Epic Records). On 14 blistering tracks, Priest delivers the indisputable, classic heavy metal sound that hearkens back to the bandâs heyday. The […]
![Cover Story: Ministry [Updated]](http://illinoisentertainer.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/MINISTRY43-150x150.jpg "Cover Story: Ministry [Updated]")
Cover Story: Ministry [Updated]
Chicago’s beloved industrial metal machine Ministry is back. After the sudden death of longtime guitarist and friend Mike Scaccia in 2012, leader/vocalist Al Jourgensen decided to put Ministry on indefinite hiatus. During the bandâs downtime, “Uncle Al” spawned a side project, Surgical Meth Machine, and released a self-titled debut record in 2015. It was pretty […]
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