Summer heat came early to Cleveland with a tour stop by Californian prog-rock, post-hardcore Hail the Sun, supported by Cincinnati’s own Foxy Shazam and a pair of rock bands out of the Sunshine State – Makari and Resilia.

Six-piece Resilia, led by vocalist Daisy Chamberlin (formerly of the band I Met a Yeti), is touring its debut album, “By a Thread,” though the band has been performing since 2022 and has confidently found its progressive niche with emotionally charged vocals and intricate guitar-led power anthems.

Fronted by energetic vocalist Andy Cizek, who led a revival of the Orlando-based project when he joined in 2018, Makari threw down with powerful medleys off their two albums, including the latest, 2024’s “Wave Machine,” in a set that sparked a firestorm in the crowd at Cleveland’s Globe Iron.

Foxy Shazam then turned that heat up to a vigorous boil with a performance that would not be contained. The band, who was featured in the HBO/DC series “Peacemaker,” is led by vocalist Eric Nally, who brings real Freddie Mercury (Queen) energy and style to the stage. Sky White on keys, Alex Nauth on trumpet, Misster Universe on bass, Devin Williams on guitar and drummer Teddy Aitkins round out this circus tent of spectacular, high-wire rockers. The vibe is equal parts classic glam rock and progressive, new-wave alternative. And it never slows down.

Teed up perfectly, Hail the Sun set off a solar flare of its own, with frontman and vocalist Don Melero seemingly at war with the celestial, thrusting his mic stand skyward and belting out supercharged lyrics. Melero walked a kind of catwalk at the front of the stage, backed by Shane Gann and Aric Garcia on guitars, bassist John Stirrat and Allen Casillas on the drum kit. The fans provided backing vocals, singing along on many of the tracks.

Wrapping up a U.S. tour in Alaska this spring, Hail the Sun next heads to the Land Down Under, Australia, for a handful of shows this summer.

Follow Rob McCune on Instagram (@Every_Thing_After_Photo) and listen to the “Every.Thing.After Podcast” on Spotify.

Space

April 28, 2026

by Maja Rios

Rachel Drew,Chicago area vocalist,performed the complete album of songs from Amy Winehouse album,” Back to Black”plus a few from Amy’s” Frank” album, and a few ska favorites that Amy only did live.

Racheal was backed up by an eight-piece band, consisting of piano, guitar, bass, drums, and a horn section of trumpet, baritone sax, and tenor sax. The horns added a nice jazzy feel to the pop-rock sounding band. Rachel sang Amys’tunes in her own style, which I liked; not trying to move or sound like Amy, that unfortunately so many tribute artists online, sadly do. Rachel has a strong alto voice which fit the material nicely.

    Some of the songs covered included, Rehab, You Know I’m No Good, Unholy War, Just Friends, Back to Black, Stronger Than Me, and Cupid and You’ re Wondering Why, two ska favorites, that Amy only sang live.

I enjoyed the band, however, but the house PA had the drums set a little too loud, and vocal mike, at times, was a little muffled, but I still enjoyed hearing a good local artist,  Ms. Rachel Drew, covering her songs well.

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Seeing Electric Callboy live for the first time on May 3rd at Wintrust Arena was an experience I walked into with very little expectation beyond the enthusiastic recommendation of a music obsessed friend. What unfolded over the next couple of hours completely won me over. The band delivered a performance that was equal parts heavy concert, comedy show, rave, and full blown arena party, all without losing an ounce of musical precision.

Vocalists Kevin Ratajczak and Nico Sallach were magnetic from the start, feeding off each other’s energy while keeping the crowd constantly engaged. Crushing breakdowns collided with electronic hooks, synchronized dancing, outrageous visuals, and moments that had the entire arena laughing before immediately jumping back into the chaos. Despite the intensity of their music, Electric Callboy somehow make everything feel welcoming and genuinely fun, which is a rare balance in heavy music.

By the end of the night, it was obvious why the band has developed such a loyal following. The show felt less like a standard concert and more like an escape, a room full of people forgetting about real life for a while and fully embracing the madness together. For a first experience with Electric Callboy, I could not have asked for a better introduction. Highly recommend!

Electric Callboy – OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Wintrust Arena – OFFICIAL WEBSITE

There is something undeniably electric about catching a band right as momentum turns into movement, and that is exactly where Bloodywood stands today. On May 2nd, their performance at House of Blues Chicago felt like more than just a tour stop, it felt like a clear signal that this Indian-metal group is stepping into a much bigger spotlight.

Hailing from New Delhi, Bloodywood has carved out a distinct identity by blending traditional Indian elements with modern metal. Vocalist Jayant Bhadula delivers powerful melodic lines that contrast sharply with the aggressive rap of Raoul Kerr, while guitarist Karan Katiyar drives the band’s sound with tight, heavy riffs. Live, that fusion is truly unreal and hits even harder, shifting between crushing intensity and rhythmic, folk inspired passages that feel both rooted and forward looking.

The energy in the sold-out House of Blues built quickly and never let up. The crowd responded to every shift in tempo and tone, from explosive mosh moments to more unified, chant like sections. With Katiyar anchoring the instrumentation and Bhadula and Kerr feeding off each other’s energy, the performance felt dynamic and intentional. Bloodywood’s stage presence carries both confidence and hunger, a combination that keeps their set engaging from start to finish.

As metal continues to evolve, Bloodywood stands out as part of its next wave. Their rise is not just about novelty, it is about delivering a sound that resonates across cultures while staying true to their roots. By the end of the night in Chicago, it was clear they are not just an up and coming act, they are a band with real staying power.

Bloodywood – OFFICIAL WEBSITE
House of Blues (Chicago) – OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Night one of They Might Be Giants’ three-night stand at The Vic Theatre felt less like the start of a run and more like a fully realized event. It was tight, playful, and deeply in sync with a crowd that knew exactly what it came for.

Presented by Jam Productions and 93XRT, the show leaned into the band’s signature blend of sharp musicianship and offbeat charm. Over the course of a nearly three-hour set , the group moved effortlessly between eras, delivering a mix of fan favorites and newer material with the kind of precision that comes from decades of touring, yet never feeling routine.

Frontmen John Linnell and John Flansburgh balanced dry humor with genuine warmth, peppering the night with witty banter that felt spontaneous rather than scripted, a hallmark of the band’s live identity. Their ability to pivot from absurdist commentary to airtight arrangements remains one of their greatest strengths, reinforcing why their catalog, often described as both whimsical and musically inventive, continues to resonate across generations.

The audience, packed wall-to-wall, responded in kind, singing along, laughing at every sideways joke, and fully buying into the band’s delightfully strange universe. It’s a dynamic that has long defined a They Might Be Giants show: unpredictable setlists, engaging stage presence, and a sense that anything could happen next .

If night one is any indication, Chicago audiences are in for something special as the run continues. With two more shows ahead, both part of this rare multi-night residency, the band has already set a high bar, and seem more than capable of clearing it again tonight and tomorrow.

They Might Be Giants – OFFICIAL WEBSITE
The Vic Theatre – OFFICIAL WEBSITE

by Dan Locke

COVER TEASER

“We’re coming to your town… we’ll help you party it down.”
Grand Funk Railroad’s Don Brewer looks back at fifty years on the road, anthems that shaped rock radio, battles behind the scenes, and why—after all this time—the music still hits just as hard.

THE HEARTBEAT OF AMERICAN ROCK: DON BREWER ON FIVE DECADES OF FUNK, FIRE & FM RADIO

There’s a certain rhythm that underpins American rock: a pulse equal parts grit, sweat, and rebellion. Few drummers personify that heartbeat more than Don Brewer, co‑founder and longtime rhythmic anchor of Grand Funk Railroad. With his unmistakable backbeat, powerhouse vocals, and songwriting chops, Brewer helped turn a blue‑collar trio from Flint, Michigan into one of the biggest arena‑filling acts of the 1970s.

From the early days of playing gymnasiums, to breaking the Beatles’ record by selling out Shea Stadium, to shifting gears in the era of FM hit radio, Brewer’s journey mirrors the evolution of American rock itself. In this expanded interview, he opens up about the music, the mayhem, the management battles, the fans, and the future.

Q&A WITH DON BREWER (EXTENDED EDITION)

EARLY DAYS — FROM GYM FLOORS TO FESTIVAL STAGES

Q: Grand Funk Railroad started in the late ’60s, right?
A: That’s right—1969. That was our first official show.

Q: Do you remember that show?
A: Vaguely. It was somewhere near Buffalo or across the border in Canada. Just a gymnasium dance, nothing glamorous. But it was new, exciting—we’d just taken on the name Grand Funk Railroad, and we were still figuring out who we were as a band.

Q: And pretty soon you were on massive stages.
A: The real turning point was the first Atlanta Pop Festival. We went down there as a favor for a friend and played for free. First day, 30,000 people. We finished our set and suddenly it was like, “Who are these guys?” The buzz was instant.

Q: That kind of exposure in 1969 was huge.
A: Massive. Back then, festivals were how you got discovered. No internet. No viral clips. You played your heart out and hoped people talked about you.
And they talked about us.

THE ROCKET RIDE — SHEA STADIUM & BEYOND

Q: Let’s talk Shea Stadium.
A: That was 1971. One of the wildest moments of our career. We were coming off our third album Closer to Home, which had “I’m Your Captain” on it. We’d built this insane fan base, and the Shea show sold out faster than the Beatles—a record at the time.

Q: Did you feel that momentum in the moment, or only in hindsight?
A: Both. You could feel the energy changing. We’d gone from being the underdogs the critics hated to this unstoppable live act fans adored. Shea was the confirmation.

THE BUSINESS BATTLES — “WE DISCOVERED THE TRUTH THE HARD WAY”

Q: You went through a major management dispute around then.
A: Yes. We found out our manager Terry Knight—and a couple attorneys working with him—had been taking our money. A huge chunk of it. We were young, hungry, and trusting. Bad combination.
Rock and roll isn’t just guitars and drums—it’s contracts, and not always good ones.

Q: That must have changed everything.
A: It forced us to grow up quickly. Suddenly we weren’t just musicians—we were a business fighting to survive.

FM RADIO CHANGES — ADAPTING OR DYING

Q: Around that time, FM radio was shifting too.
A: Oh, absolutely. FM underground radio used to play 7‑minute songs. Long arrangements. Experimental stuff. Then suddenly FM stations wanted tight, radio‑friendly, three‑minute singles. If you didn’t adapt, you disappeared.

Q: And that’s when Todd Rundgren entered the picture.
A: Exactly. We needed a new direction. Todd helped us craft a punchier, hit‑driven sound without losing who we were.

TODD RUNDGREN — “HE CHANGED HOW WE HEARD OURSELVES”

Q: What was working with Todd Rundgren like?
A: Fantastic. Todd recorded things the way he wanted them to sound in the end—effects, EQ, everything—right into the headphones. So while you’re performing, you’re already hearing the final product. That changes how you play. Most engineers kept everything dry until the mix stage. Todd blew that up.

Q: Did that affect your performances?
A: Completely. When you hear the real tone and texture in your headphones, you play differently—more confidently, more musically.

LYNN GOLDSMITH — PHOTOGRAPHY, IMAGE & THE POP SHIFT

Q: Lynn Goldsmith worked with you creatively as well.
A: She did. She added a poppier, more visual approach. Album photography, publicity strategy—she had a strong vision. At the time, FM radio was heading more toward mainstream pop, and what she brought fit that.

ROCK LORE — SWEET CONNIE, THE ROAD & “AMERICAN BAND”

Q: In “We’re an American Band,” you mention Sweet Connie.
A: Sweet Connie—Connie Hamzy—was introduced to us in Little Rock. She was legendary among musicians. I wrote the lyrics from real moments on the road. Connie, the “four young Chiquitas,” Freddie King, all those snapshots became part of the story.

Q: Did you ever meet Pamela Des Barres?
A: Not that I know of.

ZAPPA, SEGER & NEW CREATIVE WORLDS

Q: Frank Zappa produced one of your albums.
A: Yes, Good Singin’, Good Playin’. We’d seen 200 Motels, where he jokingly took a shot at Grand Funk. We thought it was hilarious and said, “Why not get Frank to produce us?” He loved the idea.
Working with him was incredible—funny, smart, sharp as a razor.

Q: And you’ve worked with Bob Seger for decades.
A: I’ve been his touring drummer on and off for forty years. Bob runs a tight ship, and the band is always top‑notch. Playing with him keeps you sharp.

THE FANS — FOUR GENERATIONS STRONG

Q: How has the fan base changed since the ’60s?
A: The same fans—just older and grayer!
But now they bring their kids and grandkids. Seeing four generations sing “Some Kind of Wonderful” or “We’re an American Band” together… that’s something special.

Q: That must be surreal.
A: It is. That’s when it hits you—you’ve become part of people’s lives.

DRUMS, TECHNOLOGY & THE MODERN STAGE

Q: How has drum technology changed for you?
A: The drums themselves? Not by much. They’re still acoustic instruments. But drumheads, sticks, hardware—they’re better than ever.
The real leap is the technology around the music: soundboards, PA systems, lighting, amplification. I wish we had today’s gear back in the 70s.

Q: Do you think musicians rely too heavily on tech today?
A: Sometimes, yeah. Technology is great, but it can overshadow the basics. A great song and a great performance—that’s what matters.

Q: Your drum heroes?
A: Mitch Mitchell, Ginger Baker, Dino Danelli… and older legends like Louie Bellson and Buddy Rich. Those guys were powerhouses.

OFF THE STAGE — LIFE, CARS & RADIO

Q: What’s on your phone musically?
A: I don’t listen to much music on my phone. Mostly talk radio. Satellite stations tend to repeat the same playlist over and over.

Q: First big purchase after your first gold record?
A: A 1974 Midnight Blue Thunderbird. Gorgeous car.

Q: When did you start playing drums?
A: Around 13 or 14. I hated clarinet, the band needed someone in the drum section, the drumline had girls in it, and my dad—who was a drummer—taught me. Easy decision.

THE ROAD TODAY — STILL ROLLING

Q: Your 2018 tour kicked off recently.
A: Yep, two shows so far. One in Delaware, another sold‑out show near Cleveland.
We stay busy. Grand Funk never really stopped touring.

Q: Favorite city from the early days?
A: I loved New York in the ’60s and ’70s. Now? Sedona, Arizona. Great energy, breathtaking scenery.

CLOSING THOUGHTS — “WE’RE STILL HAVING THE TIME OF OUR LIVES.”

Q: Any final message for fans?
A: This lineup has been together since 2000—18 years, which is rare. The last two years have been our best in decades.
We’re excited for another great year.
We’re coming to your town—come out and see us.

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By Rob McCune

A significant force in the alt-rock/grunge wave of the early-1990s, Soul Asylum was on a “Runaway Train” (to coin the band’s biggest hit) to stardom. Now, nearly 40 years since the band formed (or changed its name from Loud Fast Rules) in 1983, that train seems nowhere near derailing.

The crew has shifted over the years, but still driving the train is frontman Dave Pirner, who has stoked the coals and refined the Soul Asylum sound over 13 albums, including five records before the band’s breakout 1992 “Grave Dancers Union,” and seven since.

Their latest is 2024’s “Slowly but Shirley;” before that was 2020’s “Hurry Up and Wait” – two titles that echo the dichotomy of fast, ripping guitar anthems and slow, soulful sonnets that represent the ranging appeal of this enduring asylum.

On an “Acoustic Tour” that kicked off this spring in middle America, Soul Asylum left only their drummer, Michael Bland, behind. Pirner is joined on stage by Ryan Smith on lead guitar and Jeremy Tappero on bass.

And despite valid assumptions about what an “acoustic” show is, nothing is unplugged here, and the guys certainly aren’t sitting down or holding back.

Opener Corey Glover, lead singer of the funk rock group Living Colour, delivered what might be expected from acoustic set with Michael Ciro on an unplugged guitar and a couple of chairs and mics center stage. But nothing was typical about their performance. Ciro’s masterful guitar riffs and Glover’s powerfully soulful voice ignited the audience on tracks including covers of Bill Withers’ “Use Me” and fully unique renditions of Beatle George Harrison’s “Here Comes the Sun” and Prince’s “The Cross.”

Soul Asylum’s set at The Kent Stage in Kent, Ohio, featured tracks from seven albums, dominated by “Grave Dancers,” and a couple of covers. The trio came out rocking on “Somebody to Shove,” and slowed things down a bit on bittersweet harmonics like “To My Own Devices.” Crowd-pleasers “Misery” (about halfway through the set) and “Runaway Train” (saved for the encore) got the crowd on its feet, too.

A couple of times, including during Glover’s set, the artists referenced and paid tribute to protesters in Minnesota, where Soul Asylum is from.

Pirner brought the tragic killing of two protesters by ICE agents home with a cover of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s “Ohio,” a song about Kent State University student protesters being shot in 1970, just down the road from the venue. He also made it personal, talking about the First Avenue nightclub frequented by Soul Asylum that (though now closed) is a block away from where Minnesotan Alex Pretti was killed. “Stand Up and Be Strong,” a song off of the band’s 2006 record “The Silver Lining,” was played in tribute to Pretti and Renee Good, also shot and killed this year in Minneapolis.

Lifting the mood, Pirner practiced his on-stage banter, which he says hasn’t been a strong suit, with jokes like (paraphrasing here): “I met a drug dealer outside the theater earlier. He sold me a pair of shoes. … I’m not sure what he laced them with, but I’ve been tripping all day.”
For “Get On Out,” the last encore, Soul Asylum’s three amigos swung and slung their respective axes and finished with a synchronized strum.

It was a finish that bears a message for fans who still have a chance to experience this tour: “Get On Out.”

Follow Rob McCune on Instagram (@Every_Thing_After_Photo) and listen to the “Every.Thing.After Podcast” on Spotify.

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Life’s Rich Pageant Tour

Opener: Bobcat Goldthwait

By Rob McCune

Michael Shannon doesn’t look like Michael Stipe.

For one thing, Shannon – the actor known for playing the parts of imposing men who seemingly could level a city block with a hard stare and crater the Earth with an outburst – is six inches taller than the former REM frontman.

Still, at 6-foot-3, when the music takes him, Shannon moves like Stipe, and with Jason Narducy & Friends (Dag Juhlin, John Stirratt, Vijay Tellis-Nayak and Jon Wurster) backing him up, it can be easy to forget you’re not at an REM show.

Having previously toured to play in full REM’s “Murmur” and “Fables of the Reconstruction” albums in their 40th years, Shannon, Narducy & Friends hit the road to throw a similar birthday party for the 1986 album “Life’s Rich Pageant.”

The spectacle toured for 22 shows this year, starting in Denver in mid-February and ending in Bloomington, Indiana, in mid-March. The crowd at Brooklyn’s The Bowery got a special treat with a surprise appearance by Stipe, who sang two songs – “These Days” (“Life’s Rich Pageant”) and “The Great Beyond” (“Man on the Moon” soundtrack).

The tour was also enlivened by the presence of comedian and filmmaker Bobcat Goldthwait, who performed a 30-minute standup routine that left more people in stitches than an entire season of “The Pitt.”

At the Cleveland stop, March 10 at Globe Iron, the band played for two hours, playing two sets and 30 REM songs.

The first 12-song set covered “Life’s Rich Pageant” in full, in tracklist order – including “Cuyahoga,” a song about Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River, just steps from the venue. Shannon, Narducy & Friends left the stage for a few minutes – bathroom breaks, and in Shannon’s words, to give the album its own moment.

The next 12-song set covered a variety of REM hits and B-sides, from “Lotus” to “Burning Down.” Still not done, the show featured a six-song encore, starting with a stripped-down “Nightswimming,” and ending with “Radio Free Europe” and “Star 69.”

Following the 40th anniversary trend, next up for the band will be REM’s 1987 album “Document,” which includes such iconic tracks as “The One I Love” and “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine).”

Follow Rob McCune on Instagram (@Every_Thing_After_Photo) and listen to the “Every.Thing.After Podcast” on Spotify.

In Canton, a small city in west-central Illinois, roughly 30 miles southwest of Peoria, a new uptown space is generating buzz and excitement across the community. A new and exciting live music series has been announced that promises a summer of high-energy performances and crowd-favorite hits, with nationally touring tribute acts bringing familiar songs to life in a live, open-air setting. The events will take place at the new Canton Opera House Plaza, built on a site affected by a 2016 natural gas explosion, the Plaza represents a brand new era for Canton’s downtown.

Sponsored by the Canton History & Arts Alliance, the live music series will bring performances to the plaza as part of a wider effort to reactivate the downtown district and create shared experiences for the community and surrounding areas. Designed with broad appeal in mind, the series leans into crowd favorites and recognizable hits, creating an atmosphere where audiences can jump in immediately. It’s a format built on nationally recognized tribute artists, with each show offering a new take on familiar music, including the likes of Almost Taylor, a Taylor Swift Tribute, The Ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute, JUMP, America’s Van Halen Experience, and more. Admission is FREE and it is open to all-ages. As far as food/beverages, there will be some amazing food truck options that will be announced very soon.

“Canton has long flew under the radar as a community with a lot to offer for a town of its size,” said Alliance member and Alderman, John Lovell. “When the Plaza was built, the intention was to help reinvigorate and revitalize the downtown and now that we have it, providing quality entertainment to the community is another step in making Canton a destination for those wanting to enjoy live music along with all of our other offerings.” It is clear that this space is something that will bring people together, not just from Canton, but from surrounding communities as well.

Organizers also describe the series as intentionally accessible and community-driven, with an emphasis on fostering a relaxed, welcoming environment. Attendees can expect open-air performances in a setting designed to encourage connection, where families gather, local businesses benefit from increased foot traffic, and visitors are introduced to a revitalized uptown Canton.

Beyond entertainment, the initiative reflects a broader strategy shared by many small American cities: investing in cultural programming as a way to strengthen local identity, economic activity, and a strengthened sense of community…all while jamming out to your favorite music.

For Canton, the Opera House Plaza is more than a new venue, it is a statement about the city’s future.

Event details and updates are available through the organizers’ official event page (linked below).

Canton History & Art Alliance – Live at the Plaza – OfficialFacebookPage

The Salt Shed in Chicago was packed wall to wall on March 26th as The Hives took the stage for a sold out show that felt more like a full blown spectacle than a standard concert. From the moment the band walked out, Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist led the charge alongside Nicholaus Arson, Vigilante Carlstroem, Dr Matt Destruction, and Chris Dangerous, all dressed in their signature sharp black and white. Their look was elevated even further with lighting fitted directly into the design of their jackets, giving the band a striking, almost futuristic presence under the stage lights. This was my first time seeing the band live, and I will admit I walked in curious more than anything else. I left genuinely impressed, and a little stunned at just how relentless and polished their performance turned out to be.

The band wasted no time setting the tone, launching into their set with a level of energy that never really let up. Every song hit with precision, yet nothing felt stiff or overly rehearsed. Instead, there was a controlled chaos that kept the crowd locked in from start to finish. Almqvist stood at the center of it all, delivering not just powerful vocals but an almost comedic level of charisma. His banter between songs was sharp, self aware, and genuinely funny, giving the night a personality that elevated it beyond just a loud rock show. Around him, Arson and Carlstroem traded riffs with effortless chemistry, while Matt Destruction and Chris Dangerous held everything together with a driving, no nonsense rhythm section.

One of the most memorable moments came when Almqvist grabbed what had to be a 200 plus foot microphone cord and made his way deep into the middle of the crowd, continuing to perform surrounded by fans, including my pal, Craig, who drove all the way from Peoria to catch the show. It was the kind of move that could feel gimmicky in the wrong hands, but here it felt completely natural, almost necessary given the connection the band had built with the audience. By the end of the night, it was clear that The Hives are not just a band that plays songs, they create an experience, and for a first time viewer, it was a surprisingly thrilling introduction.

The Hives – OFFICIAL WEBSITE
The Salt Shed (Chicago) – OFFICIAL WEBSITE