Chicago noise rock band Masonic Wave joined me for a chat outside Estelle’s (2013 North Avenue). Bruce Lamont (vocals), Fritz Doreza (bass), Clayton DeMuth (drums) and Scott Spidale (guitar) talked about the new self-titled album, the band’s evolution, their other…

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…

Bill Jacobs (Owner, Piece Pizzeria & Brewery) returns to the show to talk about Piece’s Slice To Meet You pizza collaboration benefit for PAWS Chicago. Every time you order one of their celebrity chef featured pizzas, $50 gets donated to…

Car Con Carne pulls up to Wicker Park for a long chat with Bill Jacobs, owner of the much-celebrated Piece Pizzeria & Brewery (1927 W. North Avenue). As we eat Hot Doug’s Atomic Sausage pizza (red pizza with pepper jack,…

Chicago-based singer/songwriter Caroline Lucius is an artist I think you should know. She and her bandmate/brother Schaffer Lucius joined me for a fun episode that included incredible vegetarian food from Handlebar (2311 W. North Avenue). Caroline talked about her music,…

Excellent Chicago band. Iconic Chicago pizza.

Naked Raygun is simply one of the greatest bands to emerge from Chicago. They helped define the Chicago punk sound in the 1980s with a handful of timeless albums and legendary live shows.

Proving there is still justice to be found in the world, Raygun’s legend continues to be discovered and the band’s catalog is finding its way into a new generation’s streaming playlists. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that one of the band’s most high-profile evangelists is Dave Grohl, who frequently shares the story of seeing Naked Raygun back in the 1980s at the Cubby Bear in Chicago.

This week, I’m joined by Turnspit members Gillian McGhee and Jason Swearingen for hummus and falafel from Sultan’s Market (2057 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647). PRESENTED BY BOOST MOBILE Turnspit performs a stunning new song called “Walk Away,” but…

I’ve had this one “in the can” for a while, waiting to launch it simultaneously with Yak Channel. My timing was a little off. Okay, a lot off. Regarding online harassment, multimedia journalist/star Amy Guth had been told to “suck…

“Hot Doug” (Doug Sohn) sits shotgun for a trip to Wicker Park. James talks about a bomb scare he lived through in Rosemont. And James and Doug go back and forth about music, from Phil Collins to Sonic Youth. Was…