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Photo Gallery: Wednesday at the Riviera Theatre • Chicago
Wednesday Riviera Theatre November 17, 2025 Chicago, IL Recap and photos by Curt Baran Not unlike its predecessor (2023’s Rat Saw God), don’t be surprised to see Wednesday’s Bleeds on numerous 2025 year-end, best-of lists. It’s a massive step forward in both songwriting and musicianship. The tour supporting it touched down at The Riviera Theatre […]
Spins: Foreigner • 4 – Deluxe
Foreigner 4 Deluxe (Atlantic/Rhino) 1981’s 4 saw the peak refinement of the Foreigner formula by guitarist and principal composer Mick Jones, singer Lou Gramm, drummer Dennis Elliott, and bassist Rick Wills. The album charted at #1 for 10 weeks with three singles that became major pop hits. “Urgent” reached an appropriate #4 position on […]
Spins: Supertramp – Crime of the Century • Crisis? What Crisis? – Half-speed LP Remaster
Supertramp Crime of the Century half-speed LP remaster Crisis? What Crisis? half-speed LP remaster (A&M/UMe) These two Supertramp albums arrive as the first pair of entries in a campaign of vinyl LP reissues restored via half-speed mastering at Abbey Road Studios. 1974’s Crime of the Century was the English group’s third album and the […]
Stage Buzz: Mario, Smashing Pumpkins, Luke Spiller, Paul McCartney
R&B singer Mario is bringing his electrifying stage show to intimate theaters for a rare, up-close-and-personal experience. The singer will serenade fans with hits like “Let Me Love You,” “Just a Friend,” and “Crying Out for Me” during his show at Concord Music Hall this Friday, November 21st. Find tickets here. Smashing Pumpkins’ Mellon Collie […]
Live Review: The Saints ‘73 -‘78 at Metro • Chicago
The Saints ‘73-‘78 Metro Chicago, IL November 11, 2025 Review and Live Photos by Jeff Elbel Fans of classic punk rock arrived at the Metro on Tuesday night for a rare opportunity to see originators of the form when founding guitarist Ed Kuepper and original drummer Ivor Hay brought The Saints ‘73-‘78 from Australia […]
Stage Buzz: IC3PEAK, Pixel Grip, Tom Morello, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets
It’s no surprise that IC3PEAK’s music found an audience outside of their native Russia. Their latest album, Coming Home, arrived amid political unrest and social uprising. This is the duo’s bread and butter. They’ve come under fire in their country for their unapologetic criticism of the Russian government. Despite numerous attempts from authorities to censor […]
IE Record Store Day – Black Friday Guide
Record Store Day Black Friday takes place on Friday, November 28. Our guide includes complete RSD listings, release previews, album reviews, and local RSD locations, plus advertisements and RSD info from your favorite local stores: Rolling Stones Records, Laurie’s Planet of Sound, Blue Village Vinyl, Bob’s Blues & Jazz Mart, Scratched Vinyl, Hoarders Records […]
Stage Buzz: Thrice, Halsey, Thundercat, The Saints ’73-’78
Singer/bass maestro Thundercat keeps fans clamoring for new music. He hasn’t released an album since 2020’s It Is What It Is. Luckily, fans can still experience their favorite songs live on Thundercat’s latest outing. The tour makes its Chicago stop at Aragon Ballroom this Friday, November 7th. You can still grab tickets here. Singer/songwriter […]
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 guitarist’s 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 […]
Media: November 2025 • Wild Kingdom: Full Circle
Mutual of Omaha is so closely associated with wildlife that some people don’t even realize it’s an insurance company. “True,” host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, Peter Gros, says with a laugh. “They ask us if we run an amusement park.” Since 1963, Mutual of Omaha has been the sponsor of the ultimate nature show, Wild […]
Spins: Frank Zappa • Halloween ’78: Live at the Palladium, NY Super Deluxe
Frank Zappa Halloween ’78: Live at the Palladium, NY Super Deluxe (UMe/Zappa) Spooky! Scary! I am, of course, referring to the compositional skill and dazzling technical chops on display by Frank Zappa and his top-flight band on the Halloween night of 1978 in New York City. This is the fourth Super Deluxe costume box […]
Live Review & Gallery: David Byrne at Auditorium Theatre • Chicago
David Byrne Auditorium Theatre October 28, 2025 Chicago, IL Live review by Jeff Elbel, Live photos by Curt Baran. Tuesday’s concert by David Byrne began with a recorded welcome from the artist, informing patrons that the Auditorium Theatre management had agreed to allow dancing if the aisles were kept clear. “In the event of a […]
Spooky (Stage) Buzz: Plain White T’s and We the Kings, Ho99o9, My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult,
Chicago industrial legends My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult have been shakin’ and groovin’ to their brand of sleazy metal for nearly 40 years. With an eclectic sound spanning disco, metal, and rockabilly, their music is still fresh, exciting, and tantalizing as it was three decades ago. Catch Groovie Mann and co in action […]
Spins: Clifton Chenier/The Rolling Stones featuring Steve Riley
Clifton Chenier/The Rolling Stones featuring Steve Riley Zydeco Sont Pas Salés Valcour/Arhoolie/Smithsonian Folkways This 7” vinyl single is a six-minute getaway to the Big Easy by way of London and a tribute by some surprising acolytes of Creole and Cajun music. King of Zydeco Clifton Chenier’s original single occupies the A-side. “Zydeco et Pas Salés” […]
Rock of Pages/Spins: The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Mick Rock Rocky Horror: A Behind the Scenes Look at the Cult Classic (HarperPop) Original Cast The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Ode) Let’s do the Time Warp again! These two complementary projects arrive in time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the grandaddy of all B-movie cult films. Famed rock photographer […]
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