Items filtered by date: November 2007

Throughout the music industry there are very gracious people that really want to help struggling musicians out. They are there to help push them along, do favors, and expect nothing in return other than a thank you. They are very helpful people and truly are fans of music and they need to be around it all the time. It’s just in their blood, heart, and soul!

We are not talking about groupie’s who drop their panties at the first sight of a bass player. We are talking about adult professionals within the music industry. These people will bend over backwards to help a local band that they believe in. Help in any way they can. They will support the local musicians until the day they die. Such passion for music can be found within Gina Planell, a.k.a. Sweet G.

Recently Sweet G was interviewed by Buzz and she shared quite a bit. She did sing “background vocals on a few tracks back in the day. I don’t even want to go there. I have played drums, bass, and guitar; not very well, but I can get by. I rage with ‘Smoke on the Water’.” She wears so many hats beyond that, including being a mother and wife, but one of the heaviest roles in music is with the Dirty Dan Radio Show.

“I produce the show. Make sure everyone is on the same page by way of interview subjects.” Sweet G also pursues newsworthy acts to use within the show. “I feel that my prior experience gives me an edge in this arena. I am very creative and generally come up with insane bits at the drop of a hat.”
 

Her list of accolades is quite amazing! Sweet G has worked for A&M records for a brief time and with Moon June as an administrator. “Worked at Guitar Center as a guitar accessories clerk for a few summers. Everything has always been tied into music in one way or another. In my early days, I had a penchant for photography. We had to do everything by hand. There was no digital anything. You had to wait for your pictures to be developed and you had to manually create flyers and mailing lists. No do-over’s! That was my job.”

As she developed her creative skills she got to join some bigger acts during recording sessions. “I made it a point to know every single facet of this industry so that I could accelerate this love of my life, from advertising to booking to interviewing and understanding a musician’s mind. I was hoping to somehow make tons of money at it, but if you know anything about this industry, anything you do are labors of love. I continue to look for new acts to extend my support to. My love for local music reaches far into my soul. It’s not something to turn on and off. It just exists.”

This is no run of the mill fly by night promoter. Sweet G is the real deal! Along with being a great photographer and writer (Chicagorocks.com and The Rocker) she has helped to promote some very large local gatherings that were outstanding.  She has helped charities; Breaking the Silence (Autism benefit) and Toys for Tots. These types of events are right up her alley as she is just a caring helpful person.

For the last five years Sweet G has helped to organize Woodsbash and Winterbash, which is one of the coolest parties ever. In the middle of Schiller Woods, bands play to a crowd of partiers that loved every minute of it. Her role in these events was huge for the last years and her help will be missed as she will no longer be assisting. Without her touch of class and Jell-o shots, this party will not be the same and for the first time in years the party did not go on.  

She spent a short time as a DJ for 88.3 and Sweet G loved it. She has worked with Entertainment-1 booking bands alongside Terry McGovern and Kris Valentine. “Entertainment 1 is bringing some serious main stream music this year. That’s all I’m going to say about that.” 

Sweet G was asked if she hung out at places like the Thirsty Whale. “Absolutely! Since the late 70’s. I was a very young attendee. I don’t think you can say underage here. Then, there was Haymakers, The Nickel Bag, The Rusty Nail, Night Gallery, Beginnings… I could go on. It was a great time for music and friends. I feel very lucky to have reconnected over the years to those people and memories. That time period was detrimental to my present state of insanity.”

She was asked who she has met over the years. “I have been privileged to meet a lot of great people. John Entwistle, Danny Seraphine, Steven Tyler, Dee Snyder, Dave Meniketti, Carmine Appice, Blackie Lawless, Yngwie Malmsteen, Eddie Van Halen, Joe Leste, Viv Campbell, Neil Schon, Carlos Santana, Dirty Dan Buck” and the list goes on from there.

Sweet G tells a story of a Halloween at the Aragon Ballroom with Lemmy. “I was fortunate enough to get first row and ultimately me with a bunch of musician friends, were asked backstage. Our costumes were a hit.” She wore a feathered mask and “Lemmy liked it. He told me to ‘Take it off!’ Inspiring a crowd rant. I was scared, so I took it off. He looked at me and said, ‘Put it back on,’” she recalls it laughing.  

As the night went on she actually was backstage; talking with Lemmy for quite a while and was able to interview him in a way. “We talked more and he kept signing autographs using my back as a writing board at times. He was one of the absolute nicest, coolest guys I had ever met.”

“As I was leaving, Lemmy insisted that I stay because ‘I reminded him of his wife.’  Touched, I decided to hang around a while longer and grill him a bit more about touring. It was exciting to talk to such a legend and in this very short period of time, I felt like he was a friend of sorts. I was watching VH1 and there was Motorhead. I saw Lemmy talking about his life and how he never married! I was hysterical. He’s was a great guy, one of my very favorites.” 

Her response about drugs; “I think that’s a personal decision as long as it doesn’t damage another. It’s definitely not as bad as it used to be. There were some extremely elaborate drug parties back then. There was no pressure to use like everyone says and people who did heroin or had it were usually beaten up or thrown out of parties. Now, heroin is almost on the casual use list which is frightening. I think some underestimate the power of heroin. It’s a killer. It needs to be stopped.”

She was asked who is her favorites in local music. “Back in the day, I was enamored with TRILLION. Bloodstream Parade, Paradoxx, Dirty Dan Buck, Cool Rockin’ Daddies, VEILSIDE. I have favorite individual musicians here in Chicago. I feel lucky to go out and see them all perform; hear them sing and play. It’s a great time for local music. Chicago has some serious talent. Way Serious! I’m thinking a lot of people take them all for granted.”

Her devotion to music is continued to be explained. “I support people who ask for my help. Whether that be, writing, photography, producing, booking or even artistic contributions. I think everyone wants to be helpful and feel good knowing that they’ve made some kind of difference. In the 80s, I was one of a few people locally that photographed and created promo packages. We used them to get bands booked in clubs. That included 8 x 10 glossies. I worked very hard and loved every minute of it. Now, it’s a serious hobby. It kind of stays in your blood.”  

“I left the music scene for about eight years or so, after my boy was born. Those were the RADAKKA years, dammit. So, I’m anxious to see if the original members will ever come together and do it again. I have that regret of not experiencing them. I wonder what’s taking them so damn long!”

When asked if she was a groupie her response was; “I’m not sure. Back in the day, groupie, was a bad thing. I don’t know what it means now. I never screwed anyone to get anywhere. My goal always was to find out as much about music and absorb all there was to learn to become a credible source of assistance. I was hungry for the knowledge. I never stop learning and understanding. I don’t think groupies do that. I do have to say that I’m not excited about the exploitation of women and sex-crap in this industry.  For such a long, long time women have been looked upon as sex toys. I thought most certainly we were coming out of that cave.”

“Not many women have been given the courtesy of being considered intelligent enough or having something viable to offer other than T&A, until just recently. It bothers me. I feel that kind of stuff keeps us from accelerating intellectually as women. It’s a personal opinion. I believe women who are happy, are sexy. Women who are educated, are sexy. I’ve written about it, most everyone knows my point of view on it. I wish a few women locally would find a way to make people see their sexy minds instead of their cockpits.  Just a personal thought.”

“First, I am now owner/President of RAW-M which is the Regional Alliance of Women in Music. We have a Chicago chapter and moving on to Philadelphia. There are currently 62 members in Chicago. It's a group of women in music supporting each other. Creating charity rock shows and contributing as a whole to this music movement. Strength in numbers.  Also, am currently considering creating my radio show which should air during the Summer months and run for a year as a demo.” 

It is quite apparent that Sweet G isn’t a fan of the sex sells campaign within music. It is also quite apparent that she is not just another pretty face either. This young lady has looks, but has the brain to match. You can compare her to whoever you want, but there will always only be one Sweet G.

It is something to see people truly helping others within this musical field. Gina “Sweet G” Planell is one of those rare finds that really wants to help. Her love and passion for music is flowing through her veins like a powerful drug. Her class cannot be duplicated or imitated. She is a true humanitarian to the music industry because deep down within her soul, music is her life. Sweet G is someone you should know. 

Luis Alfaro’s modern day adaptation of “Oedipus the King”, or “Oedipus Rex”, takes this tragic tale to the streets of gangland Los Angeles. It is there we meet young Oedipus, who was secretly spared after his father, the current “king”, condemned him to death after hearing the prophecy he would one day be killed by his son.  Directed by Chay Yew, “Oedipus el Ray” takes the audience inside gang and prison culture asking the question, “Is the fate of a person of a certain race and class to remain trapped in a system no matter how hard he or she tries to escape?”

With strong performances from lead Adam Poss (Oedipus), Eddie Torres (Tiresius), Madrid St. Angelo (Laius) and Charin Alverez (Jocasta), the audience is taken to a gritty reality of senseless tragedy and hopelessness. Set designer Kevin Depinet creates the perfect environment to host such a story while David Hyman provides just the right urban touches with his costume design to pull off the realistic surroundings.

Just a note to anyone concerned that “Oedipus el Ray” does contain a lengthy bedroom scene containing full frontal nudity – a scene that could have been just as effective in underwear or in sheets. There is also a good share of mature language, although that is necessary in creating the right setting.

All in all “Oedipus el Ray” gets its point across while remaining entertaining.

“Oedipus el Ray” is playing through July 29^th. For more information visit www.victorygardens.org. Victory Gardens Biograph Theater is located at 2433 N. Lincoln. 

Chicago Symphony Orchestra performing Mahler's "Symphony No. 6 In A Minor" Conducted by Jaap Van Zweden     Though even Mahler himself admitted that his Sixth "seems to be yet another hard nut" for critics and audience to crack, conductor Jaap Van Zweden held this nut in a vice-like grip for an uninterrupted 80 minutes at Ravinia this past Saturday.  A four-piece juggernaut of beautiful yet tragic music, Mahler's Sixth is not for the faint of heart.  It is considered by many in the classical realm, including Mahler's own wife, to be a prophetic autobiography--and if you know anything about Mahler's life after he wrote the piece, from his forced resignation from the Vienna Opera to the premature death of his daughter, you will understand the wrenching ride this symphony takes you on.     Three of the four movements are comprised of apocalyptic marches and drastic mood and tempo swings, with only fleeting moments of calm and beauty. The only rest we get is the more reserved third movement, the andante, before being thrown back to the fire that is the final movement.  The last movement is especially notable for featuring a giant hammer striking three times, the "blows of Fate" that fell our musical hero, before concluding in an agonizing pit of despair, a departure from Mahler's usual glorious finales.   Known to steer even the most disciplined conductors off the rails on occasion, Van Zweden expertly navigated the rocky path, pushing and pulling the tempo, bending the orchestra to his will to bring Mahler's story to life.  From the opening notes of the 1st movement, Van Zweden's intensity and ferocity set the tone and it was hard to take your eyes off him.  In true form, Chicago's Symphony Orchestra responded to Van Zweden's demands brilliantly, from overwhelming horn blasts to the most delicate of string melodies.  Their interpretation of this challenging piece was full of warmth and, at the same time, demonstrated the agility that the orchestra is known for.  This was not a musical experience one could soon forget and I'm sure it spawned some new Mahler fans as well, myself included.

Somewhere in the neighborhood of 13,000 people were on hand at Ravinia to watch Steve Martin blaze away on his banjo, ripping into one bluegrass song after another, along with his band, The Steep Canyon Rangers. The famous comedian treated the curious - and thoroughly entertained – crowd to a wide variety of songs ranging from a love song he had written for his wife, “Best Love” to the comedic “Atheists Don’t Have No Songs”.    

Steve Martin was in classic form utilizing his dry wit and humor between each song, but it was his demonstration of dazzling talent on the banjo that became the evening’s true focal point. Tabbed by International Bluegrass Association Awards as the 2011 Entertainers of the Year, Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers were as enjoyable to watch as some songs funny. And what better confines to have such an eventful show as Ravinia itself.

The Steep Canyon Rangers were tight and they were precise. Fiddle player Nicky Sanders could have successfully entertained the crowd with his own show as he flex around his instrument like a raging maniac. To spotlight their tremendous vocal skills, the band also performed a beautiful a cappella number without Steve Martin (while he was off Googling himself as he later claimed) called “I Can’t Sit Down.

A truly entertaining show in every aspect of the word, Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers lived up to the hype and beyond. As one of the first shows to kick off the official summer season, Ravinia struck gold with this one. Great comedy, music and ambience – what could make a better night?

With one night left before the end of the TBS Just for Laughs Festival, I decided to check out the Chicago Playground after reading about Sean Flannery’s “Never Been to Paris”. In doing some background on Sean Flannery I saw that he also does movie reviews without even seeing the film. That in itself was a funny enough concept for me to investigate this comedian further. So I hopped on the Red Line, got off at Belmont and walked over to Halsted and found 3209 North.

I hadn’t been to the Chicago Playground before, but now, after experiencing a comedy show there, can say what a great little venue it is – cozy, urban and friendly would be good adjectives to use. Before the show began, I was approached by a TBS hire who had asked me if I had seen Sean Flannery’s show prior. When I answered that I had not, she told me that Sean’s show was one of the funniest performances of the entire festival period – and this is coming from someone who had seen most of the big ticket shows in the week-long line up. She was right – I laughed my ass off from beginning to end, the kind of laughing that evokes tears and cramping below the rib cage.

Sean Flannery’s “Never Been to Paris” is based on the twelve or so times when the comedian had almost killed himself. With the help of animated slides, hilarious delivery and one outrageous story after another, “Never Been to Paris” is one of the most original and funny shows that I have ever come across.

From walking of a rooftop (WALKING off a rooftop – not falling from) to electrocuting himself unconscious at a job interview by licking a monster battery, Flannery explains each story in comical, side-splitting detail, barely giving the audience enough time to recover from the last big laugh. “Never Been to Paris” is a true madcap adventure filled with nonsensical judgment and uproarious scenarios that throws all caution to the wind – literally.

Hysterically brilliant!

I highly recommend you catch this comedian when you can.

For more information and show dates, visit http://www.worldsdumbestman.com/.

With the seating area set like the inside of a large ship, wonderment immediately ensues as audience members walk into the theatre. Wooden pews take the place of traditional theatre chairs and a large canopy encompassing the entire room hangs overhead. Excitement takes places throughout the crowd before the show even begins.

Written by Artistic Director Andrew White, “Eastland” is the story of the Eastland Disaster that took place in the summer of 1915. A ship that was first built to hold 1500 passengers was later cleared to carry 2000. However, on July 25^th 2,500 passengers were allowed to board. Despite an abnormal amount of swaying and rocking from side to side – while still docked – passengers, some already worried at the ship’s stability, were not told to exit the vessel. Finally, tragedy struck on the Chicago River near the intersection of Clark and LaSalle as the large boat capsized killing 844 passengers by drowning and being crushed.

The play is the telling of this Chicago catastrophe as it happens, along with flashbacks leading up to the event filled with highly anticipated excitement, curiosity and concern. “Eastland” is a musical that is done right. Its music, while explanatory, is memorable and in many cases aided with just the perfect amount of subtle choreography. Cast members double as the band members that provide all the show’s music complete with violin, banjo, piano and guitar.

Along with tremendous acting, Claire Wellin (“Bobbie”) gets to display her velvety vocals that have the makings of a pop superstar. The talent pool is vast in this production with great singing and acting performances from Michael Barrow Smith (“Pedersen”), Doug Hara (“Reggie”), Christine Mary Dunford (“Marianne”) and Lawrence E. Distasi (“Otto”, “Olaf”) to name a few.

“Eastland” is about last regrets, missed chances and unsaid goodbyes.

Imaginative and breathtaking, this is a show for everyone to enjoy – Chicago history buff or not. A truly entertaining story, “Eastland” is Chicago theatre at its best.

For more information and tickets visit www.lookingglasstheatre.org or call (312) 337-0665. Lookingglass Theatre is located at 821 N Michigan Avenue, Chicago. “Eastland” is running through July 29^th.           

As part of TBS’ “Just for Laughs Festival”, An Evening with Kevin Smith was certainly one of the highlights. Performing at the Chicago Theater, Kevin Smith fielded questions from audience members for just over two hours, responding with his quick wit and “open book” approach.

Probably known best as the brilliant creator behind Clerks, Mallrats, Dogma and Chasing Amy, Kevin Smith has found a new niche over the past decade in holding Q&A sessions where his engaging story telling ability is front and center to its audience. Courageous enough to answer any question thrown his way, no subject matter was taboo for Smith as he touched on anything from smoking pot to the most awkward and embarrassing situations in which he has found himself. Smith answers often drew laughs from the crowd, but many of his responses, especially when it comes to the film industry were honest and educational. Donned in a New Jersey Devils jersey, Smith preached how film school is overrated and that in this day in age anyone can become a successful film maker. However, he emphasized that a love for the art MUST be present and that he has no advice when it comes to doing film solely for money.

Smith’s answers often segue into more stories sometimes providing a twenty minute explanation that went in many different directions before returning to point. However, in many cases, the longer his response the better. Smith churned out one hilarious story after another, including one where his wife got stoned silly on “two baby hits” of medicinal marijuana and freaked out to the point that paramedics had to be called despite the fact that she was never in any danger. Another story had Smith trying to rewrite his lines for Law and Order – something that just isn’t done on the big time cop and lawyer drama. Each story was better than the next.

Most notable was Smith’s rapport with audience members and specifically those asking the questions. His ability to get the laughs when needed while truly relating to answer-seeking individuals the entire time was a true testament to his reputation as all-around cool guy. In many instances a small conversation between Smith and a participant at the microphone would develop, which was very entertaining to watch on the sidelines.

Kevin Smith was beyond doubt a true bright spot and great addition to the TBS “Just for Laughs Festival”. I look forward to his return to Chicago.

The Up Comedy Club is where the scene was at last Wednesday night, the second day of TBS’ Just for Laughs Festival. Geek humor alert – anything from Star Wars to Weezer was fair game for these nerdy comedians.

Hosted by tremendously humorous Pete Holmes, “The Nerd Show” is a super funny collection of geek stand-ups including Brent Weinbach, Dan Telfer, Hari Kondabolu, Mike Lawrence, Brian Posehn and even drop in T.J. Miller, who downed an entire Italian beef in one minute flat. 

Each comedian brought their A game to the stage. Weinbach wondered why heterosexual guys are cool going to strip clubs together so that they could sit next to each other having boners. And, would they still be comfortable have boners next to each other if just sitting in a car? Kondabolu, who once worshipped Weezer, asked why the band still writes their lyrics geared to 14-year-olds now that they are in their 40s and took it further stating how he feels like the old creepy dude – at 27 – when attending a Weezer concert. “I feel like all the teenage girls are looking at me waiting for me to ask ‘Hey, do you want to grind to Weezer?’”

Brian Posehn went into deep geekiness on his Star Wars obsession and also explored the world of Weird Al Yankovic, wondering if he should only present his versions of the songs to his kid rather then the real artists’. That way when his son hears “Beat It” for the first time, he would be like, “Holy shit! That sounds just like “Eat It”.

“The Nerd Show” had comedians talking about Apple, Marvel comics, Mortal Combat, World of Warcraft and pretty much anything else geek related, including computers from the ‘90s that took a full weekend to download a 4MB file.

By the way, if you have yet visited Up Comedy Club at 233 W. North Avenue in Chicago, it’s a great place to see live stand up. Drinks and food are served throughout the show and the ambience screams late night fun. 

Pine Box Theater Company really hits the funny bone hard with their latest production, “The Jammer”, currently playing at the Athenaeum Theatre (2936 N Southport).  In this hilarious play by Rolin Jones, the audience is blasted with funny from the beginning and the laughs never let up. Relying partly on the inspired direction of Vincent Tentinty, the show also comes with a strong script, but really makes it mark with its very talented cast.

The story revolves around “Jack Lovington”, who leaves his home in New York to join a traveling roller derby team. At home “Jack” has a close relationship with “Father Kosciusko” whom he seeks advice and counsel, while the love of his life, “Aurora” has just left him. Once “Jack” hits the road with his new teammates, it’s nothing but uproarious adventure and uncomfortable situations, as his dream turns out to be not so much what he had expected.

In “The Jammer” we are treated to imaginative set use that brings alive a roller coaster ride with all its twists and turns and takes the audience to several bloodthirsty, knock ‘em sock ‘em roller derby matches. Acting performances by Josh Oder (“Jack Lovington”) and Sara Gorsky as the foul-mouthed “Lindy Batello” are extremely fun to watch while Bill Bannon (“Father Kosciusko”, Jerry “Three Nuts” Kiger) is wonderful in each of his two roles. I really have to mention the entire cast as Kersten Haile, Miguel Nunez, Eliza Shin, Greg Rothman, Amy Johnson, Levenix Riddle and Michael Kevin Martin are just about as fantastic as it gets and do great jobs as multiple characters.

If you want fast action, blood, sex accompanied with side-splitting laughs, then the “The Jammer” is your show. Playing at the Athenaeum Theater through July 1^st, shows are performed on Thursdays and Fridays at 8:15pm, Saturdays at 5pm and 8:15pm and Sundays at 7pm. Tickets are $28 and are available at www.pineboxtheatre.org and by calling the box office at (773) 935-6875.

This derby is on! 

After a series of wonderful shows, Raven closes its 2011-2012 season on a high note with their production of “Bang the Drum Slowly”, directed by Michael Menendian. Playing through June 30^th, “Bang the Drum Slowly” is classic, smart, inspiring and a must for any theatre fan who also happens to like baseball.

Taking place in the late 1950s, we are told the story of a pitcher, Henry “Author” Wiggen, who befriends a third-string catcher, Bruce Pearson. Pearson is sick and diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease and confides this tragic news in Henry. Not wanting him to be cut from the team, a protective Wiggen keeps this a secret, especially from the team’s coach, “Dutch” Schnell. Eventually the news gradually breaks throughout the team, but the reaction is different then the one Henry expected. Instead, the teams offers a touching amount of support to Pearson. Even “Goose” Williams the starting, but aging catcher who had it out for the third-stringer since the beginning of the new season comes around and becomes one of Pearson’s biggest allies.   

The total package is nicely wrapped with a resourceful set, a wonderful script and a cast that can pull it off. Tim Walsh (“Dutch”) is simply fantastic and is no doubt the glue that holds the cast together. Whether blowing his lid or just managing the day to day operations as the fiery manager, Walsh was a real pleasure to watch. While Kevin Duvall does an admirable job as “Bruce Pearson”, Joshua J. Volkers also makes a noteworthy performance as “Goose”. 

A true inspirational piece, “Bang the Drum Slowly” is truly for everyone – young or old.

Tickets are $30 and performances take place through June 30^th on Thursday-Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 3pm. Raven Theatre is located at 6157 N Clark. For more information visit www.raventheatre.com or call 773-338-2177.