April 2026 • Volume 52, Number 06 • www. illinoisentertainer. com
TROUBLE
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By Kelley Simms hicago’ s beloved doom metal legends, Trouble, will be headlining the second night of the eighth annual Legions of Metal festival at Reggies on Saturday, May 2. Incidentally, it’ s the band’ s first-ever appearance at the famed Chicago rock club.
Formed in 1978, Trouble shares an allegiance with Black Sabbath, St. Vitus, and Pentagram, all considered progenitors of the doom metal subgenre. However, doom metal wasn’ t even a genre term at that point. It’ s this foundation laid by the aforementioned bands and Trouble that forged the path for future like-minded bands such as Candlemass, Cathedral, Electric Wizard, Sleep, and Solitude Aeturnus, to name a few.
Original vocalist Eric Wagner’ s dynamic vocals have always been a key component of the Trouble sound. Sadly, Wagner passed away in 2021 and is sorely missed in the Chicago metal community. The current Trouble lineup features original dual guitarists Rick Wartell and Bruce Franklin, vocalist Kyle Thomas, bassist Rob Hultz, and drummer Garry Naples.
According to Wartell, the current band camaraderie and musical chemistry between all of the Trouble members has never been better.“ I personally think this might be the best live lineup that we’ ve had since the very early days,” Wartell admits.“ Everyone knows their job. Everyone’ s into it, everyone thrives in it. Kelley Simms spoke to the headliners.
06 HELLO MY NAME IS PHILIP...
Given the current dire existential calamities facing our shared world, Philip Oakey’ s remarkably busy tour schedule with his classic synth-pop combo The Human League – aptly-dubbed“ The Generations Tour,” also features fellow‘ 80s icons Soft Cell and Yaz( oo) vocalist Alison Moyet, and kicks off June 2 in San Diego; it wends its way to Chicago’ s Chicago Theatre on June 23. The sonorous-toned singer is looking forward to the like-minded stage team-up with Moyet and Soft Cell’ s frontman, Marc Almond. He’ s not touting any new material— just a time-tested repertoire of chestnuts, many of which have taken on new, almost political gravity. Tom Lanham spoke to Oakey.
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CinerimaScopes
Mario in Command.
Spins
Ratboy, Brigitte Calls Me Baby and more.
Stage Buzz
Space Echo arrives May 2.
Media
100 years of Sirens In The Loop.
Calendar
1650 shows and 4000 bands, it’ s IE’ s live music calendar.
Studiophile
Studio and rehearsal space news.
Classifieds
Music services, musicians and more.
Record Store Day 2026
Complete listings, local store directory & more.
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Publisher
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4 illinoisentertainer. com april 2019 Contributing Editors Curt Baran T L h illinoisentertainer. com april 2026
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- Sweet Home Rick Kaempfer- Media
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Ad ti i Di t
Contributors: Andy Argyrakis, Guy Arnston, Penelope Biver, Patrick Conlan, Deena Dasein, Jaime de ' Medici, Andy Derer, Jeff Elbel Terrence Flamm, Steve Forstneger Michael Gallucci, Michael C. Harris, Max Herman, Tom Lanham, Aubrey Vernon Carter Moss, Michael Obrecki, Greg Olma Arsenio Orteza, Rodney Pawlak, Steven Kikoen Bruce Pilato, Matthew Pollock, Jason Scales, Kelley Simms, Ed Spinelli, Riley Vernon, Tim Shockley, James Turano
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