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(Local
Music Monthly News Update) by Tom Lounges
Well... we made it! Spring
is finally here with us! So
come out to one or both of our warm weather celebrations taking place
this month and bask in the red hot glow of some talented rock ‘n’
roll “sons”...
Our first bash (“Spring
Has Sprung!”) happens at
BOOKIES SPORTS BAR in Dyer, Indiana on April 20.
That night we will welcome back EGNARO
from California where they have been busy recording their debut album
for JetSpeed Records. Opening
the show will be BRAINCAGE,
followed by DEMAGIN, who’s
been creating quite a BIG buzz in South Side clubs the last couple of
months! Our second bash (“Cabin Fever Melt Down”) happens a week later on April 27 at J.J. KELLEY’S in Lansing, Illinois. That’s a hard ‘n’ heavy night where we will be rocking to the music of –– LUGNUT MUDDA FUGGA and MAS KAOS! JOSH
HOLMES TO THE RESCUE... A rousing “THANK YOU!” goes out to JOSH HOLMES, leader and namesake of the talented and popular college rock combo, THE JOSH HOMES BAND. The singer/songwriter showed real class and community spirit on the second night of our “Midwest BEAT Music Awards” when our PA took a major dump during the second of the night’s three bands. Holmes, who had just finished up a gig with his band and had his gear in his van, hauled in his PA so we could finish out the night. Closing act, WOOKIE LUV, was thus saved the fate that befell SADIE'S CAGE (my apologies to you guys!). OZZFEST
ROCKS CHICAGO STYLE... •
Chicago bands have been a part of OzzFest
for the last few years (DISTURBED
and NO ONE are among the past
alumni) and this summer will be no different.
When the Ozzman cometh this time, the country will find two Windy
City bands –– CHEVELLE
and SOiL –– kicking it
out on his stage.
Sorry to say though... TOM
MORELLO (who hails from Libertyville, Illinois) will not be
representing the Land O’ Lincoln on the tour as expected.
His newly rebuilt RAGE
AGAINST THE MACHINE line-up with ex-Soundgarden singer CHRIS CORNELL, splintered apart just weeks after they wrapped up
work on their debut album. MUSHROOMHEAD, our scary, masked buddies from Cleveland that The Midwest BEAT first introduced to Chicagoland, will also be part of this summer’s “OzzFest” bill. Keep up with OzzFest at: www.ozzy.com HOOSIERS
WANT TO "FOLK YOU UP!"
CHAD CLIFFORD,
singer/songwriter of THE
CRAWPUPPIES is spearheading a fund drive so his hometown of
Valparaiso, IN can flip the power switch “on” at WVLP,
a low-watt radio station that will have a National Public Radio type of
community focus and alternative music programming.
“Alternative” in this case does NOT mean the latest Creed or Bush song. The
signal will air Americana music, ranging from country and bluegrass to
blues and acousti-rock a la WILCO.
“The same kind of music heard at Front Porch Music,”
explained Clifford, who manages that popular Valpo venue.
“Local music will definitely be a part of WVLP.” About $30,000 is needed in operating funds. Thousands have already been donated to the “Neighbors Broadcasting Fund,” by Valparaiso citizens and businesses. Call Clifford at (219) 464-4700 to help. REGIONAL
BANDS DO SOME SPRING CLEANING...
Seems a lot of bands are doing some “Spring cleaning.”
There’s a surprising number of bands getting an influx of new
blood and talent to their ranks. •
Although still considered a brand new band, SADIE'S CAGE, has already undergone a change in its ranks.
It seems that guitarist JOEY MIROBALLI (whose history includes time with the original bands Joker,
The Burn and Monkey Cocktail)
was unhappy that the group was adamant about remaining a cover bandand
left to pursue his own original project.
Joining the HEATHER PETERS-fronted
combo is versatile string bender, JIM
SHEPARD, who had previously played with Peters in his now defunct
pop/rock band, TAXI. •
Only a week after putting the finishing touches on their
five-song debut CD, JASON
“Jayo” O’DONNELL, surprised fans of Chicago’s fast rising XSEED
with his announcement that he was stepping
down as the group’s frontman/vocalist.
The usual “musical differences” malarkey was cited.
XSEED was a formidable heavy music force, as anyone who was
fortunate enough to have seen them perform live can attest.
The group is currently looking to fill O’Donnell’s shoes and
those thinking they have the mettle to metal it out with this stellar
group of cats, can set up an audition by emailing: visiondesign@mac.com
Stepping in to fill that big void very admirably is ALFREDO LOPEZ, who made his official stage debut with the band
March 29 at Backdoor Lounge in Griffith at our “Midwest BEAT Music Awards”
night. They sounded so good
that FREAK from “Mancow’s Morning
Madhouse” –– who was hanging out and tipping some with the
legion of South Side rockers taking awards home that night –– talked
to Cow about possibly having the group guest on the radio show. •
Heavy rockers DITCHWATER
has parted ways with their vocalist ERIC
CHEZ, who reportedly wishes to pursue a less heavy and more
commercial musical direction.
The three remaining band members will focus on writing original
music while looking for a new frontman/ shouter.
Singers wanting a shot can reach the band at (708)
331-9776 or via email at Ditchwater1@aol.com
•
Band leader JOE TEDESCO
of THE INFAMOUS reports that
his band is currently on hiatus while looking for a new rhythm
guitarist. Meanwhile,
Tedesco is working on a very hush-hush studio project with a rather
famous rocker, but you didn’t hear it from me.
Keep up with The Infamous at: www.pitbully.com • THE CALICO CATS, using up another of their nine lives, has likewise revamped their line-up. Recent additions to the band are bassist PAUL DADA and organist/pianist ED CONNELL, both of Chicago. Still on board are the band’s founding brothers, KRIS and JOHN-PAUL NOWAK, on guitar and drums, respectively. BAND
BITS: WHO’S
REELIN’, WHO’S ROCKIN’ & WHO'S ROLLIN’
• Looking
for an original local band who is quite left of center and really has
the musical goods? Then
check out, GROOVATRON, who I
just can not say enough good things about.
Their second CD, Yes Have
Some, is a remarkable piece of work –– a hybrid of progressive
jazz and progressive rock with a touch of funk.
We here at Midwest
BEAT like this band so much, that "Yes Have Some" took
home a “Publisher’s Award”
last month at our annual awards gala, as our “Regional
Album of the Year – 2001.”
The best part is that, as good as the album is, the band is even
better live. Catch ‘em on
April 11 when they headline a free concert at Wise Fool’s Pub (2270 N.
Lincoln). Meanwhile check them out at: www.groovatron.com
•
MIGHTY FINE MACHINE is
a new buzz band from Chicago that is said to be getting interest from Wind Up Records, the home of Creed. The MFM line up features ex-members of regional bands HEADSPACE
and TELEMUNDO. Catch them
as support act on area dates this month with the national touring band, DUST
FOR LIFE. Also on that
bill for it’s Midwest run is AMERICAN
MOTHERLOAD.
•
Regional alt-metal teen group –– SLITHERYN
–– likewise performed at “South By Southwest” after having
completed work on a 4-song CD with SLIPKNOT
vocalist, COREY TAYLOR, in
the producer’s chair. Taylor also contributed some vocals to the
project. Slitheryn will showcase for major labels on April 12 at the NEMO
Music Conference in Boston. They will perform with Elektra artists, REVEILLE. •
Chicago’s ROOTS ROCK
SOCIETY, hope to take their reggae sound from the Windy City to the
world now that they have recruited into their camp a trio of top
legal/management folks ––
Heather Nelson, Barbara Bates and LaFerrier
Turner –– who deal respectively in the realms of entertainment
law, business law and business management.
The three lady lawyers will create and market the band and it’s
music, the latest being Riddim
To Riddim, their new, soon-to-be-released CD. •
Our buds in NOVEMBER'S
DOOM are part of this month’s “New England Metal & Hardcore
Festival.” Joe,
Larry and the band are sure to kick some ass Chicago still while there.
Hey guys... I’m still waitin’ for the last disc!!! • THE
MERKINS of Michigan City are on hiatus.
In their place are THE
SMIRKINS. Band leader JON RICE
has downsized his long-running electric rock band in favor of taking the
acoustic route. Hence the
new name, although his pop/rock songs remain the same... •
Congratulations to DARRELL
WESTMORELAND and his lovely wife JoELLA
on the recent birth of their son,
DYLAN JAY WESTMORELAND. The
proud papa is drummer for THE
CURRENT, one of N.W. Indiana’s coolest cover bands. •
Remnants of two prominent Chicago-based rock bands have forged a
new musical alliance. Drummer
JOHN HORVATH and
guitarist/vocalist NICK SIKICH
of VIVID fame have teamed up with former SUPERMINT bassist/vocalist STEVE
MITCHELL to form the band, DRAGON
HALO. For more on this
promising new creative juncture, log online at: www.dragonflyhalo.com • Congratulations to AUTUMN DAWN on winning "Round Two" of the Midwest BEAT/Zion Productions monthly “Battle Of The Backdoor” on Easter Sunday. As a qualifying round winner, they join MAS KAOS (who took Round One) in moving onto the semi-finals in the fall and have a shot at the $1,000 cash prize. All monthly winners in the series, held at Griffith’s Backdoor Lounge (811 Ridge Rd.), receive a $100 gift certificate from our sponsor, Music Lab in Lansing, IL. ROLLING
TAPE... •
Chicago’s FROM ZERO,
presently working on songs for their sophomore national release, have
reportedly renegotiated their deal with Arista Records to secure more
support for that album than they got for their solid debut disc. •
Chicago’s bad boy baritone, RICHARD
BLACK, will soon be releasing yet another album with England’s
heavy metal icon, PAUL SAMSON,
the namesake of the globe-trotting ‘80s metal band, SAMSON.
The latest Black/Samson Project release, as yet untitled, is
expected on the Mystic Records imprint by mid-summer.
Black’s expected return to tour the U.K. with SAMSON has been
delayed for the time being. Email: teleryngg@msn.com •
•
N.W. Indiana singer/songwriter DON
BARON may best be known for fronting zany retro band, BRAVO JOHNNY, but he’s been writing/recording original music for a
few years under his own name and with side band, THE SPIN CYCLE. Baron
is compiling another solo set of his now trademark comical rock.
He’s also formed an acoustic guitar/vocal duo with MATT
VALUCKIS (ex-Drivin’ Blind)
called, CHEESE PIZZA. They do twisted and covers of such unlikely artists as Eddie
Rabbit, Abba and Wham!
•
Longtime Chicago popster, KEVIN,
has completed his latest CD, Loaded."
It should be in stores by the time you read this and online at: www.kevinleeonline.com
• Valparaiso’s eclectic Front Porch Music venue has released a special commemorative CD collection to celebrate it’s first decade in business. Aptly titled, Ten Years, the 17-track set includes contributions from a virtual Who’s Who of the region’s acoustic music scene. Among the more than two dozen area talents who contribute songs or playing to this way cool set of Americana music are –– CHAD CLIFFORD, JERRY SHORT, DANNY GIORGIi, LOU and SHANE SAMANIEGO and former local radio host, BETH NEWMAN. To get more info on the CD, or the venue, log on at: www.frontporchmusic.com
THIS
-N- THAT... RANDOM
RAMBLINGS •
Sending out props to CHRIS
WATSON for saving my butt last month while I was DJ-ing one of the
magazine’s Thursday
“Rock ‘N’ Roll Dance Party” nights at the Backdoor
Lounge in Griffith. My dual
CD deck lost a side and after seeing me trying to work with just one CD
player, Watson drove home and brought in his personal CD deck so we
could over-ride the problem. Whew!
Chris is guitarist of MUDDA
FUGGA, one of the area band’s who’ve been showing support for
the new weekly DJ series, where local music is played along with
national artists. Catch
MUDDA FUGGA live on April 27 at J.J. Kelley’s for our “Cabin Fever Meltdown Bash,” where they will jam out with LUGNUT
and MAS KAOS!
By the way, a couple of exceptionally cool Thursday
“Rock ‘N’ Roll Dance Parties” are coming up this month.
On April 18th, HEATHER PETERS
of Sadie’s Cage is the night’s sexy celebrity bartender.
Then on April 25, Your’s Truly will host
“THE BEAT'S BARELY THERE BIKINI CONTEST!” With $250.00 in cash going to the first place hottie, you gals
had best hit the tanning beds (at Safari Beach Salon...of course!) and
grab your “barely there bikinis”!
Summer’s almost here and it’s time to kick some sand up!
•
Our good friend of many years, TED
NUGENT, one of the coolest Midwest rockers of all time has fans
rallying to get him inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
And why not? The
Motor City Madman has certainly earned the right and we think he should
have been voted in a couple years ago, when he became eligible.
Anyway, if you want to add your name to the growing list of
Pro-Teddy petitioners, log on at: http://www.petitiononline.com/YOWZA/petition.html
Thanks to Pammy over at Giovanni’s Restaurant, the
self-proclaimed Ted Fan #1, for giving us all the 411 on this. •
California’s red hot swing band, BIG
BAD VOODOO DADDY, accepted an invitation from Munster High School
band director, KEN WOOD, and
are coming to Munster, Indiana on April 12.
The reason is to host a 90-minute clinic for the school’s music
students and to perform a public concert to raise money for the Munster
Music Education Foundation, a non-profit group organization that
supports “music in schools” programs.
For tix or more –– (219)
836-3200. •
Catch MAESTRO KIRK
MUSPRATT conducting the N.W.
INDIANA SYMPHONY for Broadway and film star, JOEL
GREY, on April 18 at the Star Plaza Theatre.
Tickets for this event range from $30-$60. Call Kim Radu, who is hands down coolest publicist in the Calumet Region,
for more information –– (219)
836-0525. •
Happy Birthday wishes go out to fellow Highland High Alumni
–– RODNEY LANGEL –– the cool proprietor of RODNEY'S
SPORTS BAR in downtown Highland.
Since it’s the only pub within stumbling distance to my house,
I’d better keep the old timer’s age under wraps. Join me in tipping
a cold one with Rodney at his joint on April 17.
RANSOM will be jamming
acoustically. •
On a sad note... As
we were putting this issue to press, word came that on March 26, the
rock world had lost yet another of its road warriors as drummer RANDY
CASTILLO succumbed to the brain cancer he had been fighting bravely
against. He was 51.
Though best known for his long run with OZZY
OSBOURNE's band, Castillo also drummed most recently warmed the drum
throne of MOTLEY CRUE during TOMMY LEE’s
absence.
Th...th...that’s all
folks! Until next time,
please support local music and all the local arts any way you can!
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