Posted in beer breweries Brewpub Episodes Tinley Park

Metal! Beer! Tacos! Cats! ‘Feed the Beasts’ fundraiser preview at Soundgrowler (Episode 817)

Feed the Beasts is hosting a metal-themed cat rescue benefit at Soundgrowler Brewing Co. (8201 183rd Street Suite P, Tinley Park) on February 18 (5pm start). I’m joined by Nicci and Dan, the kind souls behind Feed the Beasts, as…

Posted in documentary Episodes Record Store Day vinyl

The personal side of record collecting explored in ‘Vinyl Nation’ (Episode 816)

For the second year in a row, vinyl records outsold CDs in the U.S. I’m at a point where I have a turntable. My son has a turntable. My daughter has a turntable. The appeal… the draw… of vinyl records…

Posted in Episodes fish Palatine Restaurateurs Seafood

Visiting new Palatine hotspot Pink’s Shrimp with LOTEC (Episode 815)

In this episode, I’m joined by Chicago indie band LOTEC (Dan, Kenny and Sean) for a visit to PINK’S SHRIMP & OYSTERS (773 N. Quentin Road). LOTEC’s back after being away for… decades (how is that even possible?). We talk…

Posted in Episodes Pizza punk rock

The Brokedowns talk new album, eat pizza slices (Episode 813)

Mustafa, Eric and Jon from the Brokedowns joined me for a chat over slices from Dante’s Pizzeria (3028 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647). We talked about their fantastic new album, “Maximum Khaki,” their first release in five (!) years….

Posted in Comedians Encased Meats Episodes hot dog joints

Comedian Mike Stricker eats hot dogs, says funny things (Episode 812)

Comedian Mike Stricker joins me for hot dogs from Gene & Jude’s in this episode. He’s a very funny guy, and we talked about: *How I totally forgot we’d already met, and feel really dumb about it. *Gene & Jude’s…

Posted in Episodes Italian food Little Italy Restaurateurs

Peanut Park Trattoria serves killer pasta, tiramisu and more in Little Italy (Episode 811)

Chicago Magazine says Peanut Park Trattoria (1359 W. Taylor St.) is one of the “10 hottest restaurants in Chicago right now.” Time Out named it one of the 30 best Italian restaurants in the city. The accolades are well-deserved. Dave…

Posted in Episodes

Sweetie: Raw, bluesy, garage rock awesomeness (Episode 810)

 Sweetie is an excellent Chicago-based punk band with Birdy Vee, Sweet Johnny Marble, and Joe Pennington. The band joined me for a chat before a gig at Punk Rock Tacos on 1/13/23, and we talked about: The religious rebellion…

Posted in Episodes Mexican food punk rock tacos

Punk Rock Tacos brings local all-ages shows back to forefront (Episode 809)

Noah Corona, creator and curator of Punk Rock Tacos, joins me for an episode about the ongoing live music series. The need for all-ages shows has never been stronger, and Punk Rock Tacos nailed it. This was my first visit,…

Posted in beer Episodes NA Naperville non alcoholic

Illinois’ first NA brewery, Go Brewing, celebrates Dry January (Episode 808)

It’s Dry January, and I think a lot of us are working toward GO BREWING’s mantra of “Less alcohol, fewer calories… more productive tomorrows.” Go Brewing is the first low-alcohol or NA brewery in Illinois, and I’m joined by Go…

Posted in Episodes post punk

Chicago post-punk band Ghost Forest delivers raw, primal debut (Episode 807)

The members of GHOST FOREST (singer/guitarist Scott “Gub” Conway, drummer James Kimball, bassist Brant McCrea, join me on the first episode of 2023. We recorded at the super cool Rot Shop (a former location and topic for Car Con Carne)…