For this episode, I’m joined by Jim Marcus (Die Warzau, Go Fight), Karen Righeimer (Bellhead) and David Schock (concert promoter). All of them are involved with “Thrashnetic – The Josh Russo Memorial Benefit for Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention,”…

Guitarist Nigel Pulsford earned his reputation as a lead guitarist through his years in Bush. He was there through the “hitmaking years” for the band, performing on the first four albums (Sixteen Stone, Razorblade Suitcase, The Science of Things, Golden…

It’s Car Con Blarney! Tony Duggins, Aaron Duggins and Mike Pawla joined us for a chat from Million Yen Studios on Chicago’s Northwest Side. (Thanks to Andy Gerber for the hospitality.) In advance of the Tossers’ annual St. Patrick’s Day…

Cinephile Stephanie Sack returns to the podcast to promote cool, non-mainstream, movie events for you to check out in March! Car Con Carne (a Q101 podcast) is presented by Alex Ross Art. Visit Alex Ross on YouTube (@TheAlexRossArt) to keep…

Liar’s Club (1665 W. Fullerton) just kicked off “Sunday Church with Reverend Herb,” a weekly event aimed at “old schoolers, Sunday day drinkers, saints and sinners.” Returning favorite (and Liar’s Club owner) Herb Rosen joined me just as the first…

Darkpop, darkwave, electropop artist Brittany Bindrim joins me to talk about her first-ever solo album, “Velella Velella” (out March 8). As we eat tacos from La Traspasada in Avondale, we also talk about: *Brittany’s non-music hobbies *Why the members of…

Tiffany’s one of my favorite people to interview, and I was delighted to catch up with her after her recent show at Austin’s Fuel Room in Libertyville. We talked a lot about her approach to club shows, which I told…

Chicago favorites Sybris have returned! I’m joined outside DMen Tap (2849 W. Belmont Ave.) by all four members of the band: Angela Mullenhour (vocals, guitar) Phil Naumann (guitar) Shawn Podgurski (bass) Clayton DeMuth (drums) We talk about their soon-to-be-released, many-years-delayed,…

Chicago Magazine says Rami Atassi’s music shows an “eclectic range of influences—desert guitar, jazz, Tropicália, samba, Arabic folk music, and Afrobeat.” And it’s true: Rami is one of a kind, making truly unique world-flavored music. Rami met me at Gene…

Friko was a “first listen” band for me… a band that’s pop smart, experimental, noisy, contemplative, bombastic and shoegazy… sometimes within the same 4-5 minute song. And the vocals… oh man. Niko Kapetan (vocals/guitar) of Friko joins me for Thai…