For Immediate Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…

by Tom Lounges / Editor

Hola Amigos!

Sorry...I guess I have been spending a lot of time at El Salto Mexican Restaurant (Rt. 49 & Indian Boundary Road) in Chesterton lately, doing X-ROCK 103.9 “Free Money Madness” remote broadcasts the last couple of months.

In fact, singer Jill Field of Zodiac and other local rock luminaries have been dropping by at these radio remotes and joining Hegewisch Lisa and myself. If you ever hear us chatting on the radio from a remote location, please feel free to come on down and join us.

That said, please note that Robert and his friendly El Salto staff now support live music in addition to serving up some damn tasty South Of The Border dinners.

On Thursday nights, El Salto features live acoustic acts and on Fridays, they literally move a wall to make room for full electric bands.

SOME OTHER NEW PLACES TO ROCK

Northwest Indiana live music fans and bands, have a few new places to rock.

The Drink Nightclub & Tiki Bar (2531 Portage Mall) is a newly opened venue in Portage, Indiana. It stands in the building that once housed The Twilight Zone and more recently, Lugnutz. They are open to all styles of music, so bands need to get their demos and publicity kits over there pronto. More info at: www.TheDrinkOnline.com

Though open for business for a while now, Jack Rabbits’ Roadhouse (8955 Indianapolis Blvd.) in Highland has started featuring live bands on ocassional weekends.

They are also hosting their weekly Sunday “Summer Rumble” nights, alternating classic car and bike shows. If you are a gear head or bike nut, you won’t want to miss these parties in the parking lot. They’ve even got the grills going from 5-10pm.

And when it comes to a HOT wait staff, you just don’t get any better than the ssssmokin’ ladies of Jack Rabbit’s. More than just dancing on the bar, these chicks do full shows.

And might I suggest that you ask about the Jack Rabbit’s barber chair shots! More info: www.jackrabbitsroadhouse.com

HAMMOND LIBRARY SET TO ROCK ‘N’ ROLL!

The amps are soon to be set to “10” on several displays, exhibits and programs at the Hammond Public library locations...

The Indiana Historical Society’s traveling exhibit, “Strike Up The Band: Musical Groups in Indiana” will run from June 1 through June 25 at the Main branch (564 State Street) and salute Hoosier talents in genres from ragtime to rock.

Also at the Main branch, novice musical artists can learn how to prepare a professional musical resume/biography and publish/copyright original musical pieces. That works shop, presented by the library and Wolf Breed Productions, happens from 5:30 to 6:30 on June 14.

Regional musician and music historian, Dan Nicksic, will give a multi-media lecture to area teens on the “History of Rock ‘N’ Roll”. Nicksic is lead vocalist/guitarist of the regional band, The Hydrophonics, and has presented this program at Purdue University. His two-hour lecture covers the progression of the music from early rock pioneers, up to current hit makers and takes place at the Main branch at 11:00am on June 18.

The Library’s “Second Annual Teen Battle of the Bands” takes place on June 30 from 2-4:30pm. All band members MUST be teens and only four bands may participate and pre-register. Call for more information: (219) 931-5100, Ext. 351.

LOCALS ON THE NATIONAL SCENE...

Chicago’s fave emo/punk combo, Alkaline Trio, will return to the forefront this month with yet another collection ambitious and melodic music.

The group’s fifth career release – Crimson – is the eagerly awaited follow up to their 2003 break-through CD, Good Mourning, which stormed into the national Top 40 and garnered rave reviews in all the major music trade publications.

This new 13-song set on Vagrant Records, includes their new single, “Time To Waste”, and was produced by Jerry Finn (Blink 182/Green Day).

Alkaline Trio kick off a two-month, cross-country trek on June 16 in Minneapolis, which brings them home to roost at Chicago’s Riviera Theatre on June 18th.

Chicago’s pop/rock band, The Redwalls’ long-awaited national debut album, De Nova , will finally be hitting stores coast to coast via Capitol Records June 21.

De Nova is their follow up to 2001’s local indie album, Universal Blues. This latest collection was recorded with producer Rob Schnapf (Beck/The Vines, etc.).

The Redwalls will perform live on the June 17 broadcast of “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and their song, “It’s Alright”, will also be featured on an episode this month of the Mark Wahlberg-produced comedy series, “Entourage”.

The Redwalls have been added on the Lollapalooza Tour, which hits Grant Park on July 23.

All in all, not bad for a teenage band who started playing backyard parties for their high school buddies in Deerfield, Illinois. www.theredwalls.com

LOCAL BAND BITS...

• Congratulations go out to Salamander Drake vocalist/frontman, Daryl Grady and his lovely wife Dara, on the May 22 birth of their daughter Tristan Kraay Grady. Also to proud grandmother, Kathy Kraay, a former member of the local bluegrass band, Flintlock.

• Deb Seitz & The Swank Daddys, now host a “Open Stage Blues Night” every Thursday at The Woodhollow Loft (at Omni 41) in Schererville. The versatile and well-seasoned Swank Daddys are: Nick Byrd on guitar, TJ Jenkins on keyboards, Jerry Porter on drums and local icon, Kenny Kinsey (The Kinsey Report) on bass.

“We welcome the whole spectrum of blues – from funky blues, to country blues, to Texas blues and jazzy blues. Acoustic or electric, original or covers, bring it on,” noted Seitz.

Regional classic rock and blues group, The Lake Effect Band, have bid goodbye to their longtime saxophone player, Cy Rangel, whose day job is requiring him to relocate outside of the Chicagoland area.

Stepping into the ranks for all future shows to blow horn with this sassy and brassy band, will be the female sax symbol, Jess Pergola.

• According to reports from his management and a representative of Canadian American Records, Keenan Baxter, has made the Top 40 Indie Records chart with his single, “Decent.”

The song is the first release from his self-produced, forthcoming album, “12 O’Clock.” More info at: www.keenanbaxter.com

Good luck wishes go out to Northwest Indiana guitarist, Nick Djorovic, who will compete as a grand finalist in a nationwide talent contest on June 18 in Los Angeles, California.

Having beat out a wealth of competition in these Local, Regional and District elimination rounds of the annual “Guitarmageddon” competition sponsored by the national music retail chain, Guitar Center, the 22-year-old graduate of Munster High School will jet off to L.A. to represent Middle America.

Though only been playing guitar for eight years, Djorovich has been amazing local music fans for the last five years as the lead guitarist of the area rock group, Closed World. That close-knit band released a self-titled original music CD in 2001 that generated a good deal of local press and landed them a gig at Star Plaza Theatre.

Though Closed World is on hiatus for the time being as the members attend school, Djorovic has a side project called Mr. Fun that is still rocking the region.

Congratulations to Highland High School 2005 graduate, Christopher Bailey, on being chosen as this year's recipient of the second annual “Paul Callaway III Memorial Music Scholarship".

The $500 scholarship is given each year to an HHS senior who shows great promise in the arts. It is named for the late lead vocalist of the popular late 1990's Highland rock band, Alison’s Mailbox.

Paul Callaway III was also a top athlete (swim team and football captain) for the Highland High Trojans and a former Homecoming King.

Presenting Bailey with his check and the full three CD recording catalog of Alison’s Mailbox, was Callaway’s close friend Alicia Castillio-Flores and the singer's nephew, Patrick O’Donnell III.

As a toddler, O’Donnell appeared on the front cover of A.M’s second studio album, Highland and was the pride and joy of his talented young uncle, who was taken much to soon from us.

• There is a strong buzz starting about a young new Hoosier group called, Lying Delilah. The group is the vehicle for singer/songwriter/pianist Jodi Rosenthal, who has been getting on stage and in studio help from the Groovatron rhythm section of drummer Andy Dumareso and bassist Steve Pesich.

A full length album of Rosenthal’s compositions are being laid down with engineer John Carpenter at Hammond’s Thunderclap Studios and is expected to be completed later this summer. More info at: www.ThunderclapRecording.com

• After being away for a few years while members moved on to other bands, Northwest Indiana rockers, Wicked City, have reformed. Fronting the group are husband/wife members Michael and Kris Lubecke, on bass and keyboards/vocals, respectively.

The new combo also features well known region drummer, Kid Jackson. Catch their stage debut at my Birthday Bash on Saturday, June 11 at Bookies Sports Bar in Dyer, Indiana. Also on the three-band bill are Beat Bash favorites X-Girlfriend and Zodiac.

That’s all for this month! Hope to see you June 11th!

‘Nuff said!

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