Jazz star Chris Greene at Prairie Moon in Evanston
Posted in Episodes Evanston Jazz

Jazz star Chris Greene at Prairie Moon Evanston (Episode 1001)

Chris Greene is one of Chicago’s A-list sax players, and his band, Chris Greene Quartet, just put out their first album in 7 years, “Conversance.” It’s also the first-ever jazz release for long-running local indie label Pravda Records, and it’s…

clubdrugs interviewed for Car Con Carne Episode 1000 at Liar's Club in Chicago
Posted in Episode 1000 Episodes Live performances McHenry Q101 Woodridge

Episode 1000 – Pt. 3 (DEHD, AM Taxi, Siren Records, Showoff, clubdrugs)

Welcome to the third and final part of the Episode 1000 anniversary episode, recorded at live events held at four locations throughout the greater Chicagoland area. My original idea was to combine all the interviews and performances into one single…

Posted in Episodes venue owners

SubT and Beat Kitchen owner Robert Gomez (Episode 999)

This episode is brought to you by stubborn tenacity. SubT and Beat Kitchen are two of Chicago’s favorite music rooms, and for good reason. Both are embedded in their respective neighborhoods (Wicker Park and Roscoe Village, respectively), have warmth and…

Posted in Episodes

‘Mix of circus and cabaret acts designed to disturb and delight ‘ (Episode 998)

Sideshow Villains’ Deviant Cabaret brings their mix of circus and cabaret acts ‘designed to disturb and delight’ back to Alhambra Palace (1240 W. Randolph) on Sunday, October 27th. This is the latest project from Dante Ingram, and she joins me…

HellsGate Haunted House creator/owner John LaFlamboy, Tim Virgin and James VanOsdol on Car Con Carne
Posted in Episodes Halloween Q101 radio radio guests

Braving HellsGate Haunted House with 94.7’s Tim Virgin (Episode 997)

In what’s become a favorite annual tradition, old friend/radio colleague Tim Virgin (94.7 WLS) and I meet up at Hellsgate (hellsgate.com) in Lockport for a trip through the haunt and a podcast conversation with creator/owner John LaFlamboy. I say it…

T1 Fest returns to Reggie's from 10/10-10/12/24
Posted in Brent Sopel Golf Tournament Brewpub charity Episodes punk rock

T1 Fest returns to Reggies for 3 shows (Episode 996)

T1 Fest is back this year, with three nights worth of killer shows at Reggie’s (2105 S. State Street), from 10/10-10/12. T1 Fest’s mission is to fight Type 1 diabetes, otherwise known as juvenile diabetes. Their mission: “To make a…

Movie poster for 'Legend of Kingdom Come' documentary on the iconic Alex Ross and Mark Waid comic book
Posted in Comics crowdfunding Episodes Kickstarter

Documentary on legendary ‘Kingdom Come’ graphic novel series on the way (Episode 995)

Kingdom Come is a four-issue DC Comics graphic novel miniseries that came out in 1996. Mark Waid wrote it, Alex Ross envisioned it and painted it, and this epic story continues to ripple through not just the comics industry but…

The McHenry Outdoor Theater, featuring a Halloween Triple Feature
Posted in cult classics drive-in Episodes McHenry Movie guests movies

Preview: Halloween Triple Feature at McHenry Outdoor Theater (Episode 994)

McHenry Outdoor Theater – Golden Age Cinemas (1510 N Chapel Hill Rd, McHenry, IL 60051) will host a Halloween Triple Feature, including independent cult favorites “High on the Hog” and “Halloweed” and the sometimes overlooked/always awesome “Halloween 3.” I recorded…

Chicago Horror Film Fest Associate Producer Stephanie Sack and Car Con Carne host James VanOsdol
Posted in Episodes horror movies

The 25th Chicago Horror Film Fest is this weekend! (Episode 993)

Returning favorite Stephanie Sack is back to preview the 25th edition of the Chicago Horror Film Festival, happening this weekend. Stephanie’s an associate producer of this year’s event, which focuses on women in horror and the “Final Girl” trope. The…

Maxx McGathey (Gramps the Vamp) and James VanOsdol (Car Con Carne podcast)
Posted in Classical Music Episodes instrumental music

Instrumental music for people who think they don’t like instrumental music: Maxx McGathey (Episode 992)

Chicago composer Maxx McGathey, best known for his work with Gramps the Vamp, releases his first solo album, “Imaginary Eyes,” on September 27. We met at Roma’s (4237 N. Cicero) for Italian beef (that’s what we do here in Chicago)…