June 2018

An Appleton Native turned Nashville transplant, Christopher Kessenich fronts the folk-rock collective known as Arts Fishing Club (AFC). Kessenich debuted his first studio EP in 2015 and completed a 1,600-mile WALKING tour from Maine to Tennessee where he played more than 50 shows and shot a documentary as one of "The Walking Guys." Kessenich later met Matt Siffert (bass) and Peter Eddins (keys/sax) and the group toured throughout the midwest while polishing AFC's sound and preparing for their first full-length record to be released in 2017. AFC's live shows are known for their contemplative lyricism and foot-stomping grooves.

Made up of veteran Chicago musicians, SpaceFace is dedicated to the brilliance that is Bowie. Shows that are made up of his music that spans from his early years right to the last album. SpaceFace is a loving celebration of the music of David Bowie. His work, like the man himself, could never be pigeon-holed into one style or genre. Bowie's music was so crucial throughout our time that his fingerprints are all over the last 50 years of popular music. In a career-spanning show, these Chicago musicians have curated a set that contains classics as well as band favorites. So....hang on to yourself, and press your SpaceFace close to ours!

Michael McDermott burst onto the scene in his early 20s with his exceptional debut, 620 W. Surf and subsequently found himself touted as Rock's 'Next Big Thing'. MTV, Rolling Stone, The New York Times and even author, Stephen King added their appreciative nods and having the backing of Giant Records and prestigious producers like, Brian Koppelman and Don Gehman, seemed to go a long way towards assuring his success - overnight success.

The missteps and failures that followed, the collapse of an industry that once embraced him as its next sensation, are troubles and travails that either ruin a person completely, or they force a change of attitude and staunch determination to gather one's resolve to not only survive, but overcome. McDermott vowed to do both. Ten albums in, it's resulted in Willow Springs (Pauper Sky, June 17, 2016), one of the most honest, daring and defiant recordings of McDermott's career. Named for the small town where he now resides with his wife and young daughter, it reflects a certain circumspect about his life, the situations he's encountered, while realizing that ultimately, his fate resided in his own hands.

"This is an album of reckoning I suppose," McDermott reflects. "There was a real cacophony of change going on in my life at the time... being a new father, losing my own father, leaving the city for the country, dealing with sobriety, grief, death, mortality, shame and forgiveness. It was a veritable emotional tsunami and yet somehow I had to navigate through it all. That journey is reflected in these songs. Willow Springs is the name of the place where I took refuge and had to confront a lot of things".

Recorded at his home in the country and fan-funded, Willow Springs finds McDermott behind the boards as producer for the first time with longtime producer and collaborator, Lex Price doing the mix. Having enlisted a stellar support group of musicians -- including multi-instrumentalist, Price; guitarist, Will Kimbrough; keyboard player, John Deaderick ; sax player Rich Parenteau; and McDermott's wife, Heather Horton on backing vocals - McDermott found himself able to craft the unassuming yet cutting sound he envisioned.

Indeed, the results bear out the fact that Willow Springs is the most honest and expressive album of McDermott's extraordinary 25 year career. Songs such as, 'These Last Few Days', 'Getaway Car', 'Half Empty Kinda Guy', 'One Minus One' and the title track, convey all at once, a sound that's both reflective and confessional - borne by stark emotion and a tattered, battered delivery that's both sobering and sublime. McDermott remains more determined than ever, and Willow Springs is the result. "My enthusiasm is only matched by my desire to continue to evolve as an artist" he insists.

Accolades and kudos can be accumulated one minute and quickly dissipate the next. After all, the music biz is a fickle beast and it doesn't matter how much you pleased the masses last year, last month or even last week, but rather, about what you offer today.

Today, McDermott has offered his best.

Kudos to Michael McDermott - overnight success.

In 1981 GBH's album Leather, Bristles, Studs and Acne exploded out of nowhere and forever changed the sound of both punk rock and heavy metal. Originally clocking in at a little over 22 minutes the album launched the genre of hardcore punk and its brutal yet melodic sound has been a key influence for punk and metal bands ever since. The band is proud to announce that they will perform Leather, Bristles, Studs and Acne in its entirety as part of their September 2014 North American tour.

The idea of opening the set with Leather, Bristles, Studs and Acne originated in a San Diego hotel room in 2012. "We were sitting around on a day off," said vocalist Colin Abrahall, "and 'State Executioner' came on one of the crew's computer. Ross said 'who's this, they're pretty good'. The crew guy says 'it's you!' We all had a great laugh but the idea got planted that it had been far too long since some of these songs had been in the set."

With over 20 albums and EPs to their credit GBH could be forgiven for forgetting a track or two but their fans remember every note. "We tried it out back home," says Abrahall, "the response was incredible. People were singing every word". Coupled with classic early tracks like "City Babies Attacked By Rats" and "Diplomatic Immunity", as well as newer favorites like "Cadillac One" and "Kids Get Down" from 2010's critically acclaimed Perfume and Piss on Hellcat Records, the iconic band's current set cements their legacy for old and new fans alike. "What's great", says Abrahall, "is when people bring their kids to our shows. The dad might like 'Sick Boy' but his kid wants to hear 'Unique'".



Looking back on playing a record originally released in 1981 Abrahall confesses "we didn't think it'd last a week when we first got together. None of us could really play our instruments or do our specific job within the band." Nevertheless, GBH's unique sound, born in the Crown pub in Birmingham, UK -- the same working class watering hole where Black Sabbath got their start -- immediately influenced just about every punk and metal band from that point on. "I don't like metal," Abrahall declares, "but it's cool that metal kids like us. We share the same attitude...and that's what good rock and roll has always been about."

33 years later, GBH still tour constantly, playing everywhere from major rock festivals to illegal tenement squats. "It's what we live for -- the main purpose of each and every day is to get to the gig; that's the raison d'être."

And so what would the GBH of 1981 think about the GBH of 2014?

"I think they'd be pretty speechless that we're still together, doing what we're doing," Abrahall says, noting that 3 of the 4 original members still play in the band. "We used to live for the day. We never used to think about the future that much. We're still true to our roots."

Twenty-five years into a celebrated career is an unlikely time to switch things up, but the "divinely inspired" (Rolling Stone) Mother Hips have never been ones to follow convention. For their brilliant and exhilarating tenth album, 'Chorus,' the California stalwarts turned their recording process on its head in order to make their most fully realized and essential collection yet.

Originally signed by Rick Rubin while still just students at Chico State, The Mother Hips have spent two-and-a-half decades at the forefront of a new breed of California rock and roll--one equally informed by the breezy harmonies of the Beach Boys, the funky roots of The Band, and the psychedelic Americana of Buffalo Springfield--and established themselves as "one of the Bay Area's most beloved live outfits" (San Francisco Guardian) through countless headline shows, massive festival appearances, and dates with everyone from Johnny Cash and Wilco to Lucinda Williams and The Black Crowes. The New Yorker lauded the band's ability to "sing it sweet and play it dirty," and 'Chorus' is perhaps the finest example yet of that intoxicating dichotomy, a richly melodic album firmly rooted in gritty rock and roll with the kind of evocative storytelling that The Mother Hips do best.
The Mother Hips, the center of which is the duo of Tim Bluhm (vocals/guitar) and Greg Loiacono (guitar/vocals), have spent over two decades writing, recording and performing songs, and die-hard fans who still talk about their "first Hips show," have hung on every word and have enabled The Mother Hips to become a bona fide cottage industry. The band was even able to lay claim to a rock subgenre, "California Soul" (aptly arrived upon) so solidified that brands like Sierra Nevada Brewery crafted a beer "Hips Helles" based on the bands' sound, not to mention, spearhead a longstanding music and arts festival, The Hipnic, (now in its sixth year) slated for May 9-11 in Big Sur.

But most of all, what comes through loud and clear is that The Hips have already left us with an incredible legacy of music, from their stunning 1993 debut Back To The Grotto to 2013's Behind Beyond (their eighth studio album). 2011 saw a four (!) CD retrospective compilation of all previously unreleased material called Days of Sun and Grass-- a special treat to their fans for all their support over the years. And the fans aren't alone in their admiration of the impressive catalog. The Mother Hips have garnered critical acclaim from the likes of The New Yorker, Mojo, Relix, Rolling Stone and Pitchfork, among many other outlets, over the years.

The album kicks off with the dark ramble of "Desert Song," for years a forgotten and oftwhispered about mythic ode to sojourners of the West. Next up is "El Pancho Villa," a one-time live show favorite that takes the early Bee Gees and rides them hard over a fuzzy, shambolic groove. "St. Andrew," with its' historical lesson and downer country vibes, is the Hip's feel in a nutshell. From the jackhammer hard rock of the title track to the organ-laden blues raunch of "Headache To Headache," Chronicle Man's reintroduction of these unearthed gems will satisfy old fans and newcomers alike. Please step up and give it some of your time and attention.

Pundamonium is a slam-style pun contest. One by one, 15 contestants make puns based on prompts. Then they do it again.

Each contestant is immediately judged by five members of the audience, who have been selected before the show to be judges. They rank each punner on a scale of 1 to 10, often with hilariously long decimals and other commentary.

The top four contestants go head to head in a final pun-off.

Want to compete? Just show up! It's first come, first served.

http://www.midgeure.com
An artist who has received Ivor Novello, Grammy, BASCAP awards along with a flotilla of gold and platinum records, really needs very little introduction. Musical success is seldom measured in time spans of more than a few years, if not Andy Warhol's often quoted "fifteen minutes", so the fact that by the time Midge's single "If I Was" went to No1 in 1985 he had already crammed several musical lifetimes into a 10 year professional career speaks volumes - Slik, The Rich Kids, Thin Lizzy, Visage, Ultravox and of course the most famous one off group in musical history Band Aid had by then all had the guiding hand of his musical navigation.

Then you have to take account of Midge's musical directorship of a series of rock concerts for The Prince's Trust, Night of the Proms, Wicked Women for Breakthrough and in honour of Nelson Mandela; record production for Phil Lynott, Steve Harley and countless others; his video direction of memorable hits by the Fun Boy Three, Bananarama and others, or a whole swathe of landmark singles by Ultravox; TV, theatre and film music credits ranging from 'Max Headroom' to stage and big screen.

2015, being the 20th anniversary of Breathe being completed, Midge decided to perform the album in it's entirety for the first time. Ably accompanied by the boys from The India Electric Company, who had caught Midge's attention at a show in 2013, the songs took on a new dimension and the show was a total success both with the critics and audiences throughout the UK and Europe. A live CD of the show was released by Oblivion/SPV.

Never content with his many achievements Ure now embarks on a North American tour with a couple of American musician friends, this time with electric guitar and synthesizer in tow.

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Paul Antony Young was born January 17th 1956. He was the middle child of three, has an elder brother Mark and a younger sister Joanne. His interest in music dates back to when he was very young, when he learnt to play the piano and then the guitar. On leaving school he worked, as did his father and brother, for Vauxhall Motors and played in various bands at night. He played bass guitar in his first and second band, but always wanted to become the singer. However his preferred style of music, blues and in particular soul, was not that popular in Luton. So his second band, Kat Kool & The Kool Kats, gave him a small section in the middle of the set where Paul chose to sing covers of Bill Withers and Albert King amongst others, as well as a couple of self penned songs.

This wasn't enough though for Paul, and after hearing Paul's demos at a local recording studio, he left the Kool Kats, and moved to London in 1976 taking up the offer to be in the better known Streetband.

Towards the end of 2015, Paul was contacted by Gary Barlow (Take That) and asked to consider recording a song for a soundtrack that Gary was producing for a movie based around the story of Eddie The Eagle. The song in question "People Like Us" was a perfect fit for Paul.

The end of 2015 saw the final recording on the Paul/Arthur project, working title "Good Times" with a release date scheduled on the NewState label for March/April 2016,

2017 See's Paul following on from the well received "Good Times" release extensive touring throughout the UK during the months of March/April followed by in July/August a long awaited return tour in the USA along with Howard Jones & others.

It is a true, and nowadays rare, musician who writes lyrics so vulnerable and authentic that an audience is irrevocably captured by the powerful experience of sharing the journey. An album that is essentially an autobiographical account of personal mistakes, change, and growth, offers listeners a chance to reflect on their own experiences and connect with another's story.

With Griffin House's upcoming album, So On and So Forth, it is clear the artist digs deep and offers up his narrative after much reflection. House is now a young family man and artist who is choosing sobriety and celebrating the path to his success, through songs which share his perspective on how people remember the past with rose-colored glasses, how we grow up and realize what we deeply need, and how we must find happiness in ourselves in the present.

"The record has a lot to do with recognizing the ego in one's self and letting it die. It can feel like your whole identity is being wiped away, and you don't even know who you are anymore. For the person singing these songs, holding on to one's own individuality in order to remain special or important in the world has started to became far less important than being content with being a good, decent, and loving person. But old habits die hard," adds House.

The project was tracked last summer at Lakehouse Recording Studios, in Asbury Park, New Jersey. House's ties to Asbury Park go all the back to 2004, when he was invited to tour with Patti Scialfa. His first show in the boardwalk town was opening a show for Scialfa at the Paramount Theatre. It was there that Griffin met her husband, Bruce Springsteen, and all the wonderful characters in their crew and band. Those memories and experiences made returning to Asbury Park over a decade later to record So On and So Forth feel like a full circle moment in his career.

House recorded the essentially live project with no click track and very little overdubbing. Lakehouse owner, Jon Leidersdorff, helped assemble the band. Prior to walking into the studio, House had never met the musicians and had no idea how the songs would turn out. He adds, "The experience ended up being one of the most fun and positive of my career. The process was stress-free and freeing." The resulting album reflects this journey -- a leap of faith with triumphant results.

Recording and performing for over a decade, House has toured with Ron Sexsmith, Patti Scialfa, Josh Ritter, John Mellencamp, Mat Kearney, and The Cranberries. He received early critical acclaim on the CBS Sunday Morning, and his songs have since been featured in countless films and television shows such as One Tree Hill, Army Wives, and Brothers and Sisters. He has also appeared on Late Night with Craig Ferguson. Most recently, CNN Newsroom invited House to perform "Paris Calling," from So On and So Forth, live on the air, and the song has been picked up by radio prior to being serviced. House has released ten albums and continues to headline his own national tours. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife Jane and their two daughters.

The return of legendary Scorpions guitarist Uli Jon Roth for his 2018 Triple Anniversary North American Tour. Uli will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of Electric Sun, and the release of "Tokyo Tapes". It will be a very special three hour show with a full set of Electric Sun, a short intermission, and then a full set of Scorpions. It will be the first time he has done a full Electric Sun show in the US in over 30 years.

Uli Jon Roth is a true multi-instrumentalist who writes his own musical scores and arrangements. He is also a music director, paints realistic oil paintings, writes his own poetry as well as philosophical treaties.

Uli invented his own unique instrument - the by now legendary 6-octave Sky guitar which is without peer.

He produces his own albums and directs his own videos. Artistically he has been an inspiration to many of his fellow artists as well as his audience and continues to be so. He has been cited by countless guitarists from all over the world as one of their main influences.

Widely recognized as perhaps the single most important protagonist of Neo-classical guitar playing, Uli is seen by many as a trend-setter who has often been considerably ahead of his time.

In recognition of his remarkable artistic achievements Uli was officially inducted in the Walk of Fame by Europe's only Rock & Pop Museum, which is situated in Gronau, Germany. This took place in September 2003 at a concert in London.