Illinois Entertainer August 2018 | Page 4

August 2018 • Volume 44, Number 10 • www.illinoisentertainer.com COVER STORY: BØRNS In 2014, BØRNS Candy album, preceded by the single “10,00 Emerald Pools” -- would hit the upper reaches of the Billboard charts, as would its sleek, chic follow-up, Dopamine. Soon, Borns was constantly touring, appearing alongside like- minded acts such as Bleachers, Charli XCX, and MisterWives; taping a PBS Front and Center concert special; and – thanks to his typically spiffy sartori- al choices – taken under the wing of no less than the house of Gucci. “So now I’m pretty invested in the fashion world since I’ve done work with some designers,” he says, with a substantial degree of pride. Touted also for his leonine-maned androgy- nous looks, there was no doubt about it – Borns was a star in the making, with a dandy-delicate voice combined with a visionary outlook reminis- cent of past textural masters like Brian Wilson and ELO’s brilliant Jeff Lynne. Tom Lanham talked to the Michigan native. 6 HELLO MY NAME IS ED Page 22 - BØRNS To Live leader Ed Kowalczyk – who acrimoniously quit the band in 2009, then later rejoined in 2016 – his new tour signifies so much this time. It’s the fourth time that he and Counting Crows leader Adam Duritz have been on the road together – the singers are old friends at this point – and it also marks the official reformation of Live’s founding members, a surprise only the most observant fan could have seen coming. Additionally, the group has quietly been writing and recording together again, and the results – as heard on the galloping new single “Love Lounge,” from a forthcoming, as-yet- untitled EP – are the first new tracks from the group in seven years. Kowalczyk can’t help it – he feels reinvigorated this time around like he’s caught his second wind. And, he’s happy to report, it all feels like a fairytale ending for the once ill-fated Live. Tom Lanham talked Byrd has found a home on The Drive. Media 6 12 14 Cinemascopes 16 File Riot Fest gives back, remembering Val, get a CD somewhere else . Sweet Home Blues: Amplified. to the alt-rock stalwart. Now, that's a SHARK. 20 Spins THE DEAD DAISIES U2, The English Beat and The Smithereens. Blasting off like a screaming rocket in 2013, The Dead Daisies (TDD) have watched its fan base explode into a worldwide phe- nomenon. In just five years, TDD has released four studio albums, two EPs, and a double live record. The band, featuring guitarist/co-founder David Lowy (Red Phoenix, Mink), John Corabi (ex-Mötley Crüe, The Scream), guitarist Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Lion, Dio), bassist Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake) and drummer Deen Castronovo (Journey, Bad English), were already veteran rock warriors before they even got together. Kelley Simms talked to vocalist Corabi as they prepared for a show at The Forge in Joliet on August 17th. Calendar Over 1300 showsto see the best bands at the best venues. Caught In A Mosh AX7 the sequel. Classifieds You dumped your boyfriend's bassist, now you're looking for another. Studiophile Remembering Mike Jones. Gear 24 28 34 42 45 46 Vox reinvents a classic amp. Publisher Advertising Sales Contributors: John Vernon Scott Assmann Mike Engel Andy Argyrakis, Guy Arnston, Penelope Biver, Patrick Conlan, Deena Dasein, Jaime de'Medici, Jeff Elbel Terrence Flamm, Steve Forstneger Michael Gallucci, Michael C. Harris, Max Herman, Tom Lanham, Carter Moss, Michael Obrecki, Greg Olma Arsenio Orteza, Rodney Pawlak, Bruce Pilato, Matthew Pollock, Jason Scales, Kelley Simms, Ed Spinelli, Tim Shockley, James Turano Contributing Editors Curt Baran Mike Meyer Tom Lanham Lori Vernon Advertising Director Design Team Notion Pool Notion Pool Dragon Design Vision Design Teknigram Graphics Senior Columnists John Vernon Website Direction David Gedge Rosalind Cummings-Yeates - Sweet Home Rick Kaempfer - Media Founder Kelley Simms - Caught In A Mosh Kenneth L. Voss David C. Eldredge - East Coast Classified Advertising Publisher Emeritis David Roberts 4 illinoisentertainer.com august 2018 SUBSCRIPTIONS: $35 per year (first class). Material for insertion must reach our office by the First Of The Month preceding publication. We cannot assume responsibility for unsolicit- ed manuscripts or photographs. Follow us online at: facebook.com/ieentertainer instagram: illinoisentertainermagazine twitter.com/ie_entertainer Address All Correspondence to: Illinois Entertainer 4223 W. Lake St., Suite 201 Chicago, IL 60624 [phone] - Chicago/North Sub [phone] - West/South Suburbs [phone] - Fax email us at: Editorial: [email protected] Advertising: [email protected] The ILLINOIS ENTERTAINER is published monthly by Roberts Publishing, Inc, All materials copyright 2018 by Roberts Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from Roberts Publishing, Inc. Current and back issues of the IE are $10.00 postpaid.