The Kills’ live performance was an electrifying testament to the raw, unbridled energy that defines their unique sound. Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince, the dynamic duo at the heart of the band, commanded the stage with magnetic charisma. On this Valentine’s Day, 2024, at The Vic Theatre in Chicago, Mosshart’s vocals, a perfect balance of sultry and gritty, intertwined seamlessly with Hince’s masterful guitar work.

The setlist was a journey through their discography, from the edgy garage rock of “No Wow” to the haunting allure of “Black Balloon.” The Kills’ stage presence was minimalist yet potent, creating an intimate connection with the audience. The chemistry between Mosshart and Hince was palpable, translating into a performance that felt both raw and refined. The night was a sonic exploration, leaving the crowd immersed in the enigmatic allure of The Kills’ rock and roll mystique. #MindBlown

Their new album, God Games is out now!

The Kills —> Official Website

Legendary local and all-around good-time rock band, The Pimps (formerly known as, “The Goodyear Pimps”) have officially announced that after decades of making kick-ass ‘three chord rock ‘n roll,’ out of Rockford, Illinois, they will be calling it quits following their very last live performance on November 10, 2023, in Madison, Wisconsin. It will indeed be the end of an era for the Illinois local music scene that can only be described as, “amazeballs.” But, before you reach for the tissues, please take comfort in the fact that, just because The Pimps will soon be history, there’s still a possibility that its members might venture into new musical endeavors, creating fresh sounds and continuing to contribute to the musical landscape.

I sat down with The Pimps, vocalist, Stuart (“Stu”) Johnson on October 28th, just prior to the band’s very last hometown performance in Rockford, Illinois. We discussed the reasoning behind the official end of The Pimps, an ongoing community music project, as well as the potential for a whole new band to be taking the stage in the near or distant future (yes, that was meant to be vague).

While talking with Stu, he spoke a lot about a successful and ongoing community project that he started in his hometown, Rockford, back in 2013. His face literally lit up as he talked about the beloved, the Rock and Roll Institute. Similar to the School of Rock franchise, the Rock and Roll Institute is a dynamic and innovative kids’ music program that transforms aspiring young musicians into confident, stage-ready performers. But, there is one exception: The Rock and Roll Institute crams an entire educational and hands-on music journey into only five days…not several weeks like its predecessor. Just imagine it: You arrive at the program on a Monday, where you’ll meet some kids your age, likely for the first time. Then, you and said “other kids” break into a group to: form your band, name your band, learn how to play an instrument, learn how to play a song with that instrument with a group of others, then perform that song live with your band on that very next Friday. It is an admirable feat and Stu’s excitement and pride about the program is well deserved. The program is in collaboration with Rockford’s own, Keith Country Day School, a private school in the area that has 99% college success among its diverse student body. More information about the Rock and Roll Institute and the Keith Country Day School are linked below.

Next up, and most importantly, when asked about whether the band was calling it quits (for real this time), Johnson confirmed that it is indeed the final chapter for The Pimps. With a collective nod to the passage of time, the decision stemmed from a desire to gracefully embrace the next chapter of their lives. “There’s no hard feelings everybody’s super cool about it,” Stu added.

Johnson did mention however, yet another new project he has been working on, a new album that he and Pimps bassist (and Stu’s husband, btw), Tony, entitled, No Chalance. Currently, there are a bit more than a dozen tracks set for the album, narrowed down from 384 songs, says Stu with stone-faced seriousness. However, there was a hint of vulnerability in his voice when he confided that the prospect of releasing their latest creations which was accompanied by a wave of uncertainty, leaving the decision to share their intimate creations hanging in the balance. However, if and when it is decided to release the new stuff, you can expect a country’ish/punk’ish/chunky’ish style of music with songs such as, It’s All my Fault Your a Narcissist; I Fell in Love with a Rodeo Clown; and, Bloodshed at the Pizza Ranch, just to name a few. The name of the (potentially) new band, Precious Johnson & The Criddles. Thankfully, the sense of humor and similar music style of this duo is still intact and may carry on into the future. Keep an eye/ear out!

Later in the evening, as The Pimps, known for its entertaining/interactive stage presence and genre-defying sound, took to the stage for their hometown fans one last time, it was definitely bittersweet. The set was full of energy and enthusiasm however, the pauses between songs to give away a few key pieces of band memorabilia to their fans, i.e. their Mission Impossible 2 Platinum Award Plaque, original rehearsal space white board, and a giant piece of fan art, made it all the more apparent that this was indeed the end, forcing a collective sigh to echo through the crowd.

If you would like to catch the very last performance of The Pimps, they will be at the High Noon in Madison, Wisconsin on Friday, November 10th. As far as any last sentiments, the band states on their social media, “It’s time to Swedish Death Clean. We have said all we have to say.”

RIP The Pimps – Three Chord Rock ‘n Roll from Rockford, Illinois. Here’s to wishing all of them (Stu Johnson, Tony Crisman, Dave Deraosso, Michael “Hilly” Hilenburg and Todd Cooper) the very best with their future endeavors, no matter what they may be!

HIT THESE LINKS FOR MORE INFO:

The Pimps – Facebook
Rock and Roll Institute
Keith Country Day School
Rockford Area Arts Council

Andy Warhol Museum

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

October 6, 2023

By Andrew Latshaw

On October 6, 2023, Ethel Cain headlined the third annual Sound Series: Block Party at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Cain, a rising star in the alternative country scene, has been praised for her unique sound, which blends elements of rock, country, and gospel with her ethereal vocals and raw lyrics.

On a personal note, I used to live in Pittsburgh, and I worked at the Andy Warhol Museum, and while this was put on by the Warhol, it was outside, at the river’s edge at a pop-up stage which allowed quite a few people to attend! It was interesting to see how they did this concert, and utilizing the limited space that downtown Pittsburgh has to offer.

Cain and her band took the stage at 8:30 PM to a sold-out crowd. She opened with her fan-favorite song “A House in Nebraska,” setting the tone for the evening with her powerful voice and haunting lyrics. The band continued with a mix of songs from Cain’s EP Inbred and her full-length debut Preacher’s Daughter, including “American Teenager,” “Family Tree,” and “Gibson Girl.”

Cain’s performance was both captivating and moving. She commanded the stage with her presence and her music, and her connection with the audience was palpable. She sang about love, loss, and faith in her songs, and her raw emotion drew the audience in.

Cain’s performance, as I mentioned, was powerful and moving, it was not as energetic and chaotic as I am used to. Photographing mostly metal shows and listening to mostly metal. Cain’s performance was an unexpected trip to the opposite side of the spectrum of sounds and shows that I am accustomed to. Even with that being said, I will say that Cain’s voice was hauntingly infectious and made the trip worthwhile!

One of the highlights of the show was Cain’s performance of the song “Crush.” The song is a slow-burning ballad about a woman’s obsession with a man she can’t have. Cain’s vocals were particularly powerful on this song, and her performance was both heartbreaking and mesmerizing.

Another highlight was Cain’s performance of the song “Thoroughfare.” The song is a rock anthem about a woman breaking free from her chains and living her life on her own terms. Cain’s energy was electric on this song, and the crowd sang along with every word.

Cain closed out her set with the song “Strangers.” The song is a beautiful and haunting ballad about the connections we make with others, even the ones who are just passing through. Cain’s vocals were simply stunning on this song, and it was the perfect way to end an unforgettable evening of music.

Overall, Ethel Cain’s performance at the Andy Warhol Museum was a triumph. She is a talented performer with a unique and captivating sound. Her music is honest, raw, and emotionally resonant. She is definitely an artist to watch in the years to come.

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If you have not yet heard of Chicago’s infamous Riot Fest, you (clearly) must be living under a rock. However, under-rock-living or not, you’re in luck because with the information below, you will have all you need to know about this enormous and iconic Chicago music festival, so you’ll be prepared to rock…next year. Also below is our own photo gallery with what we considered to be our favorite headliners and up and comers to watch for in the very near future.

Riot Fest is an annual music festival that features a diverse lineup of punk rock, alternative rock, and various other music genres. The festival is known for its focus on punk and punk-related genres, as well as its commitment to showcasing both well-established and emerging artists. Here are some key points about Riot Fest:

1. History: Riot Fest was founded by Michael Petryshyn and Sean McKeough in Chicago, Illinois, in 2005. It originally started as a multi-venue festival with a primary focus on punk and punk-rock acts.
2. Expanding to Other Cities: While Riot Fest’s roots are in Chicago, it has expanded to other cities, including Denver and Toronto. Each city’s edition of the festival typically takes place over a weekend, featuring a mix of local and international artists.
3. Lineup Diversity: Riot Fest is known for its diverse lineup, which includes punk rock, alternative rock, metal, hip-hop, and other genres. The festival often features both iconic bands from the past and contemporary acts.
4. Notable Performers: Over the years, Riot Fest has hosted performances by a wide range of artists, including The Misfits, The Cure, Nine Inch Nails, Blink-182, Weezer, Public Enemy, and many others.
5. Carnival Atmosphere: Riot Fest often incorporates a carnival-like atmosphere into its festival experience, with attractions like carnival rides, games, food vendors, and sideshow acts. This adds to the festival’s unique character and appeal.
6. Community and DIY Spirit: The festival maintains a strong connection to the punk and DIY (Do It Yourself) ethos, celebrating independent and underground music scenes. It often includes local and independent artists, and small labels in its lineup and activities.
7. Focus on Chicago: The Chicago edition of Riot Fest has a special place in the festival’s history. It has taken place in various venues around the city, including Humboldt Park and Douglass Park. Riot Fest has also contributed to the local community by supporting local charities and causes.
8. Genre Inclusivity: While Riot Fest has its roots in punk rock, it has expanded to include a wide variety of genres, making it appealing to a broader audience.
9. Special Events: Riot Fest sometimes hosts special events or reunions of legendary bands that have been disbanded for many years, creating excitement among fans.
10. Art and Visuals: The festival often incorporates visual art installations and street art, adding an artistic element to the overall experience.

Riot Fest has become a significant event for music enthusiasts who appreciate a diverse range of musical styles and a sense of community. It continues to evolve and adapt to the changing music landscape while staying true to its punk and DIY roots.

With that being said, check out our photo gallery of Riot Fest 2023 below:

Out of more than 90 artists playing the Riot Fest stages and local Chicago venues alike, here are a few of our favorites from Riot Fest 2023:

The Cure –  (Crawley, West Sussex. England)

The Breeders – (Dayton, Ohio)

The Dresden Dolls – (Boston, Massachusetts) 

AFI – (abbreviation for A Fire Inside) – (Ukiah, California)

Corey Feldman – (Los Angeles, California)

Head Automatica – (Brooklyn, New York)

L.S. Dunes – (Chicago, Illinois)

Flogging Molly – (Los Angeles, California)

Nothing Nowhere – (Burlington, Vermont)

Snapcase – (Buffalo, New York)

Viagra Boys – (Stockholm, Sweden)

T.S.O.L. – (Long Beach, California)

Enola Gay – (Belfast, United Kingdom)

The Used – (Orem, Utah)

Pool Kids – (Tallahassee, Florida)

Total Chaos – (Pomona, California)

Lastly, it should also be noted that another Riot Fest favorite is that of, “Riot Pop,” a (beyond) delicious infusion of low-carbonation seltzers that come in several flavors, containing electrolytes, CBD, and alcohol. It should also be noted that there are non-alcohol varieties as well. Visit https://drinkriotpop.com/ for more information on this delectable beverage! YUM!

See you next year, Riot Fest!

Community College

Kirtland Ohio

Michelle Waters

As summer rolled through the campus of Lakeland Community College in Kirtland, Ohio the average festival goer might at first be confused by the music they heard coming from the multi-stage setup at Wonderstruck Festival.

Through a conscious decision, the once more pop and rock-focused fest has begun to morph into a wider variety of performances, including hip-hop and country music. In an effort to reach a wider audience, this is truly set to become the event for people who say they “Love all kinds of music”. After the sheets or rain let up halfway through day 1 of Wonderstruck, music lovers began to peel off their ponchos and trade in those protective layers for sunscreen. Yes, one of the coolest little discoveries I found at Wonderstruck this year was a crew walking around and spraying people with an airbrush gun loaded with sunscreen.

Paris Jackson

No matter your musical interests, you were sure to find something new to enjoy. Local artists were featured-mainly on the smaller Radd Stage, off to the side of festival grounds. Artists like Maybe, Mac Saturn, local favorites Wavrunner and The Vindys, Michael (Jackson)’s daughter, Paris, and true performers like Siena Liggins and Leah Kate all lit up the smallest stage of the three.

Echosmith

Looking for something eclectic? Indie artists, rock artists and hip-hop artists all rotated performances on the middle, White Claw stage. Here’s you could find artists such as Tall Tall Trees, Echosmith, The Struts, and Flo Rida on Saturday of the two-day festival. On day 2, this stage’s performance schedule included The Beaches, Tai Verdes and Nelly.

Walker Hayes

The largest stage, while at first listening seemed to feature mainly country artists, also included crowd favorites Coin, Khalid and Hembree. Folks who stuck around to the end of country star Walker Hayes’ performance on Saturday (night 1) got to see a rare live duo performance of he and Flo Rida performing their famous song, High Heels. How often do you get to attend an event where country and hip hop are so equally represented that this was possible?

Also under question was the possibility of The Struts joining forces with Paris Jackson for a duo of Low Key in Love, but that didn’t pan out. It could have been because the set schedule got a bit jumbled. But you can often only do so much with live performances. I didn’t hear anyone complaining, and really only heard how cool it was to check out such a diverse rotation of music in one place.

Check out a galley of bands Michelle photographed during the weekend.

I’ll definitely be checking out this festival again, next year. The “Wonder Series” also includes several other stops with Wonderbus (Columbus), Wonderroad (Indianapolis) and Wonderworks (Pittsburgh), and all events feature a completely different lineup.

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Review and Photos by Anita Maree

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A beautiful August summer night was glowing hot as three legendary bands hooked up for the “Letting It Go Show” tour and they rolled into Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, IL to showcase their hits to a sea of fans at the outdoor music venue.

Up next performing nine classics was the band Berlin.   Berlin is an American new wave/synth-pop band that achieved significant success in the 1980s.  The band has a few original members touring with them and Terri Nunn still showcases her sultry distinctive lead vocals.  The band performed all their hits including “Masquerade”, “No More Words”, “The Metro”, and during the song “Take My Breath Away” Terri left the stage and joined her fans in the arena seating area to sing with them the chorus.  The band ended their set with their breakthrough hit single “Sex (I’m A…).  During many of their songs the band played on the large video screens their timeless music videos from the 80’s and it was great to see these again. More bands should incorporate these into their shows.

Then, the band everyone was waiting for emerged. Boy George and Culture Club graced the stage bringing their vibrant energy and timeless hits to an ecstatic crowd. The air was filled with anticipation as fans of all ages gathered to witness the legendary band perform their classic hits.

As the lights dimmed, the unmistakable silhouette of Boy George emerged, adorned in his signature eclectic fashion, sending the audience into a frenzy of cheers and applause. The band kicked off the night with “Next Thing Will Be Amazing” and from the first note, it was evident that their musical prowess had not diminished over the years.

Boy George’s unique voice, with its velvety and soulful tones, soared through the venue as he effortlessly performed hits like “It’s A Miracle”, “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya”, and their break out hit “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me”. Boy George still has amazing stage presence as he engaged the crowd with his charismatic charm and witty banter between songs.

Culture Club’s musicians showcased their virtuosity, effortlessly transitioning between the infectious rhythms of their classic hits and the occasional surprise rearrangement like covering Bread’s “Everything I Own”. The skillful interplay between the band members was a testament to their years of camaraderie and musical collaboration.

One of the standout moments of the night was during “Time (Clock of the Heart),” where the crowd became a sea of waving hands and swaying bodies, singing along with heartfelt nostalgia. It was a beautiful reminder of the band’s enduring impact on multiple generations of music lovers.

Boy George told the audience he just celebrated his 62^nd birthday.  It was great to see Mikey Craig on bass and Roy Hay on guitar and keyboard.  The band had two incredible backing vocalists performing on most songs. 

The band’s set list also included crowd favorite “Church of the Poison Mind” and they intermixed the Wham hit “I’m Your Man” which was fun to hear. They also performed flawlessly “Miss Me Blind.”

The encore was nothing short of spectacular, with Boy George returning to the stage delivering a soul-stirring rendition of The Rolling Stone’s “Sympathy for the Devil”.  The crowd erupted during “Karma Chameleon” and they ended the night with the T.Rex cover “Bang a Gong (Get it On)”.

Boy George and Culture Club proved, once again, that their music remains as relevant and enchanting as ever. Their timeless melodies and message of love and acceptance united the audience in a memorable evening of joy and camaraderie. As the lights came up, fans left the venue with beaming smiles, dancing in the aisles, and cherishing the unforgettable experience of witnessing this iconic tour of three top notch bands.

Boy George Website | Facebook | YouTube | Twiter | Instagram | Tik Tok |

Howard Jones Website | Facebook | YouTube | Twiter | Instagram |

Berlin Website | Facebook | YouTube | Twiter | Instagram | Tik Tok

Union Park July 21-23

Chicago, IL

When you hear something that makes its return in Chicago, it’s usually some great news. One of the biggest eclectic music festival in makes its return to the windy city. Returning to Union Park, Pitchfork music festival is going to be bigger and better this year. Big Thief, Bon Iver, The smile and others headline the annual festival. With the popularity growing rapidly each year, the 3 day super festival usually book to similar artists last year. With Pitchfork Media being the curator, who knows what kind of special guests that he may bring out.

Some returning artists include Killer Mike, Jpegmafia, Big Thief, and others. Some of the female artists that’ll grace the stage include Yaya Bey, Grace Ives, Koffee and many more. With having so many artists on the lineup, the headliners balance well just as much as the undercard. Whether you want to listen to artists like 700 Bliss, Deeper, Jlin or bigger artists like Killer Mike and Bon Iver. Pitchfork Music Festival has plenty of artists to fill your listening pleasure.  

Having the festival in Chicago, the festival has plenty of artists from different regions of the country. The festival is one of those festivals that makes you feel like you’re welcomed by everybody that traveled from around the country. The music memories that’s going to be made this year will be throughout the festival.  The energy is very laid back and its one goal which is to have fun & be safe. Check out their socials to stay updated. Follow Lovers & Friends festival on Twitter and Instagram.  Be sure to get your tickets at https://pitchforkmusicfestival.com/

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May 8, 2023

by Andrew Latshaw

 – Better Late Than Never!

Looking back in my life, I cannot recall the first time I heard of Skinny Puppy, but I can say that it was when I was in college when my roommate who was obsessed with them, that I was introduced to their music, and they have been a staple of my mix tapes, CD’s, and play lists since the late 90’s!

While I did not learn of them for many years after their start in 1982, I would not know of them till 1998, and would not see them in concert till 2023 on their farewell tour at the Cleveland House of Blues. I got to the House of Blues, while waiting on my credentials, I heard someone at the next box office window trying to buy tickets and learned that the show was sold out.

The opening act was a band I had not heard of, but many of the people had, was Lead into Gold. While I am not well versed on Lead into Gold, I was excited and surprised to learn that Paul Barker, the former bassist of Ministry was half of the duo that is Lead into Gold.

The lightshow and the electronic music was quite interesting! I would happily see them again! While I was not familiar with their songs, I did really enjoy seeing the reaction of the people in the crowd! There was a lot of people who were emphatically singing along and a couple were even emotional while singing!

When Skinny Puppy took the stage, I was surprised and to see this curtain looking thing on the page, and then seeing Nivek Ogre was performing a shadow show behind that curtain in the framed structure. Watching the performance as it unfolded, it was not something I had ever seen, and being limited to the 1^st three songs of the set, I was getting a little frustrated due to wanting to see Ogre, get some pics of him.

As the show went on, and the third song started, Ogre had appeared from the shadow box or curtain, I was shocked to see the costume, and the minion to his antics. Ogre was in all black from hooded head to laced boots, and gloves. I was watching the show unfold, and the performance was not something I could have ever anticipated.

I could hear people raving how avant garde and how amazing this performance was just so far out of this world! In the moment, I was not sure what to think since I was trying to capture the mood and the experience, and I could not due to the light and Ogre being in all black, I feared that I would have nothing to show for it. I look back now and as I write this, removing the “photographer” mindset, the performative artistry that Ogre brought to the show was, as people said… out of this world!

It saddens me to know that this is their farewell tour, and it took this long to see them in person. I look back and I am was so impressed at the use of light and shadow, the costumes of Ogre, and his minion which was very futuristic and doing their dance, the mimic was beautifully haunting.

I want to say that if you are wanting to see a show that will entertain and make you question reality, I invite and encourage you to see this Skinny Puppy show! Get out to see their show, you will not regret it!

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Interview conducted on April 27, 2023

By Dan Locke

KRASHKARMA is the only Metal Duo with a female drummer on the main vocals. Niki Skistimas creates the foundation for a one of a kind  Guitar/Bass hybrid to come to life in the hands of co-lead vocalist Ralf Dietel.  With a larger-than-life sound that makes you feel like 5 people are slapping you upside the head,  KRASHKARMA is out to show the world what just 2 people can do.

What is your upbringing? 

I am from New Jersey and split my time between there and Missouri for most of my childhood and school life.  

How did you discover music? 

Both my father and stepfather were very into music, all be it different types.  My father played trumpet and would have me  count out jazz tunes in the car and we would sing Frank Sinatra songs together.  My stepfather played guitar and took me to my first concert which was Hank Williams Jr. He had an extensive record collection that I always got into after school and played albums from Queen, Led Zepplin, and Willy Nelson as loud as I could when no one was home.  

Ralf, How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?  

My parents gave it to me when I was a kid instead of a drum kit and I still have it.  

How did you go about to created your one of a kind guitar/bass hybrid called Frankenstein?

My father is a mad scientist/electrician and helped me bring my idea to have bass and guitar at the same time to life. 

During a performance, if something goes wrong what is your backup axe you use?

I have built 2 guitars so far with the same specs. I am working on building 2 more right now.  

Niki, how did you start playing drums?

I began on hand drums in drum circles at festivals.  Once I sat behind a kit, it has been a nonstop learning and growing experience ever since.  

How was it to be in a band with Kathy Valentine (The Blue Bonnets)?

Kathy is a super fine lady and the band was excellent!  

How did the band get together?

I was actually asked by the bass player Dominique Davalos to sit in for some shows whenever they needed a fill-in drummer. 

Describe your music.

KRASHKARMA is a combination of heavy riffs, pounding rhythms, haunting female vocals mixed with aggressive screams to make a unique and dynamic metal experience of sound. 

What was your first performance like? 

First ever??? Terrifying.  Every show is full of adrenaline and high energy from the first note to the last. 

What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?

The first song Ralf and I wrote together was called “Set all Christmas trees on Fire”.  We recorded it for fun one Christmas when we first started jamming together and it sparked the tradition of releasing a “Christmas Gone Wrong” song every year since.  We didrecord that one, but can’t find it anymore.   

What is the process of writing your music?

Our process varies. We usually start with a riff or a melody and maybe a tempo. Sometimes we already know the vibe that we are going for, but it can all change once we start messing around with vocal lines and who will sing what.  We have a lot of options having a male and a female singer.  It’s always an interesting ride to see where a song ends from its first conception.  

On social media, your views range from a few hundred to millions.  Tell me aobut your song Kill This Love (Blackpink).

We found Black Pink on youtube one day and just really thought that this song needed to be metal.  It was so perfect for it, so we took a few days and learned how to sing in Korean and arrange the song and then had to play and sing it live in the rehearsal room for the video. It was a huge pain in the butt. We hated ourselves by the end, but it came out so cool.  We love it.  

Are you going to do anymore K-Pop metal music?

You never know 

How was it to record Highway to Hell while in a moving car?

Tricky at best.  Not getting pulled over was still our biggest accomplishment with that whole scenario.

Tell me about your new album “Falling to Pieces”?

It’s coming out on June 23rd. It’s the heaviest music we’ve ever written and we are super excited about it.  

How was it to work with Metalliac drummer Lars Ulrich on your album?

We didn’t.  That was just a tiktok duet 

What are you feeling about streaming music? 

It’s the wave of the future. Not stoked about the $ for artists, but it is something we all have to deal with.  

The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash, pound sign and a sharp sign in music. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags”, and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag.

 Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?  

I’m guessing that unless people play music, that symbol only means “hashtag” to them  

Digital vs. vinyl?

Vinyl all day 

What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you? 

Well, thanks to your previous question, “Kill this Love” is in my head right now.  Oddly enough, that song actually reminds me how much diversity there is in music and how much I love finding Gems across genres.  I’m inspired by so many different types of artists and music and am still amazed to find so much great music from the past and the now. It’s the reason I play music and the reason I will never stop.  

Is pay to play still a thing?  Now pay to play also means things like a playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.

Yes, it’s a thing. A terrible thing, but a thing nonetheless. If I had my way, I would stop it at once, but it would take every artist to  be on board with that in order to make an impact. It’s usually not the artist who has any say in things like that.  

The show Star Trek introduced people to the holodeck: an immersive, realistic 3D holographic projection of a complete environment that you could interact with.

Today holograms are already being used in a variety of way, such as medical systems, education, art, security and defense

Performers like Tupac, Michael Jackson, Roy Orbison, Frank Zappa, Elvis Presley, Amy Winehouse, Buddy Holly, Ronnie James Dio, Marylin Monroe, and Whitney Houston have done it already. The band ABBA just announced that they will be doing a comeback together after nearly 40 years as holograms on their next tour.  With ABBA it was with the help of George Lucas. 

If the cost was down to the point, you could do it also, would you be willing to do Holographic concerts in our living room?

Sure! The cost of touring is pretty high right now and probably not getting better anytime soon.  

In the past if a musician stopped doing music, they found a new career.  For example, David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants. If you can’t do music, what would you like to be doing?

I would probably be on a little island somewhere selling coconuts filled with juice and or rum and renting out surfboards or other beach life-related things.  

That’s my mood today anyway.  

What is your happy place? 

On stage playing and singing my little heart out or at the beach.   

Red Hot Chili Peppers are about to sell their entire song catalog for $140 Million.  In the past year a lot of musicians such as Stevie Nicks ($100 Million) , Bob Dylan (over $400 Million), Taylor Swift, Journey, Def Leppard, K.T. Tunstall, John Legend, ZZ Top and Shakira have sold their catalog rights within the last year.  Bob Dylan sold his entire catalog for a reported $300 million.   Neil Young sold 50 percent of his worldwide copyright and income interest in his 1,180-song catalogue to Hipnosis Songs Fund limited. Once you get to the age of about 70.  Publishing is far more lucrative than the mechanical royalties paid to artists based on sales, airplay and streams.  A good example of this is Michael Jackson brought the rights to the Beatles catalog in 1985.  And in the late 80’s the Beatles Revolution appeared in a Nike commercial.

The lump sums being offered by publishing firms are more tax friendly concerning estate planning. 

Do you think you would be willing to sell your back catalog if someone like Universal is will to buy everything, such as all the rights to all your songs?   Remember anything that you create forward will be 100% yours.

I would most definitely consider it.   

Over half a billion active users around the world share their favorite music on TikTok either with something like a dance challenge and lip-sync videos or creating a funny skit or candid camera moment.

TikTok has become a great platform for music promotion, sharing songs, and finding new listeners.  In which it has become a place for music artists to earn revenue when people use their music.  In many cases the daily promotion on TikTok has led to huge boosts on other platforms like Spotify, Facebook and YouTube.

TikTok does this with the algorithm that generates a feed of content for each user, which you see as the displaying of #. The more a user engages with content, the smarter TikTok gets at guessing what kind of videos the viewer wants to watch. 

Because a song can go viral because of this. 

Sony Music and Warner Music Group- , The ByteDance-owned video app revealed that it has struck an “expanded” global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group.  Now that TikTok is now fully licensed by all three major record companies, will you start using TikTok more?

We really embrace tiktok and use it quite often. I think it’s great that they have created a space for new music to thrive and get heard. They are good about paying their partners and have made all of the other platforms step it up.  I support them fully.  

Breaking news: TikTok is launching TikTok Radio, a full-time SiriusXM music channel going live this summer. The station will be available in vehicles and as a streaming channel on the SiriusXM App, desktop, and all connected devices.

Some of the on TikTok include Cassyette, YukoEXE, Ashinikko, Palaye Royale, Josh Dun (Twenty One Pilots), Yungblud, Morrissey, Ozzy Osbourne, Joan Jett, Gene Simmons,  and Mick Jagger.

The station will be part of a new TikTok collaboration with SiriusXM and its subsidiary, Pandora, to jointly promote emerging talent.  Do you think this platform could become a force in the future of streaming music?

I hope so! It sounds like a pretty good option!  

Anything you would like to say in closing.

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Grand Sierra Resort

Reno, NV

Feb. 19, 2023

by Dan Locke

My first year spending St. Patrick in Reno.  They could at least dye the river green.  But NO they had some of the best bands you can have for St. Patrick Day. Floggy Molly, Anti-Flag and Skinny Lister.

The show was at the Grand Sierra Resort.  It was a sold out show with all 2700 seats sold out.  Generally there is no pit for the show.  But this time there was a Moshing Pit (an extreme style of dancing with which the crowd push, pull and slam each other as aggressive as they can get, causing some of the to fall to the flood. But being a good participant, someone would help them up and it starts all over again)

The first band was Skinny Lister an Folk Punk band with a true Irish sound.  They give the audience a good start for the night.  This was a band which I first saw at Riot Fest in Chicago and they did something there they could not do at the Grand Sierra Resort.  The bass player crowd surfing with his double bass.  That would have made the start of the show.

Next up we had Anti-Flag (which used to be a left-wing political activism have given way to bring a more positive message.  The common people of the world are better off living in unity and people.  They got the crowd rolling with songs from their 30 years of touring and some classics by the Clash and the Ramones.

And finally, the headlines came out Floggy Molly and you knew it would be a good time in the old town tonight.  With lots of drunken Lullabies.

It was a great night of drinking with one of the best Irish bands leading the night. They started the night with (No More) Paddy’s Lament , John L. Sullivan and Drunken Lullabies. Then the mushing started, and it didn’t stop unlit the last note from Salty Dog. It was a wonderful night of enjoyment.

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