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since 2015 . What do you like most about playing here , and especially in Chicago ? Erik : Touring the States is always a great adventure , full of wild nights and solemn days . Chicago is without a doubt one of the most fucking metal cities we ’ ve ever played . You can tell that the heavy metal tradition runs way back . We can ’ t wait to come back and join forces with all the Chicago death bangers again ! Watain performs with Australian blackened thrashers Deströyer 666 March 2 at Metro in Chicago .
MOSH-WORTHY RELEASES : Orphaned Land Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs ( Century Media Records ), Avatar Avatar Country ( Entertainment One ), Circus of Power Four ( Noize In The Attic Records ).
MOSH-WORTHY LIVE : Septicflesh , Dark Funeral , Thy Antichrist ( Reggies , 03 / 04 ), Michael Schenker Fest ( Concord Music
Hall , 03 / 17 ), Iced Earth , Sanctuary , Kill Ritual ( Bottom Lounge , 03 / 29 ).
MENTION-WORTHY : Rise of L . A . Thrash Metal Part I ( the first of a three-part DVD series ) released on Jan . 8 . The documentary focuses on the L . A . thrash metal explosion of the early-mid ‘ 80s and features interviews with members of Metallica , Megadeth , Testament , and many more . Part II is tentatively scheduled for release later this year . If you ’ ve heard the crushing new Judas Priest song , “ Lightning Strike ,” then it ’ s a clear indication that the Priest is back and potentially better than ever . Their 18th studio album Firepower gets released on March 9 and reunites the band with former producer Tom Allom — who produced several early-era classic Priest albums . The 14 cuts take Priest back their golden-era sound on first listen .
Continued from page 34 queen Ruthie Foster wrecks every stage she appears on , and the intimate set up of Space is a great place to experience it . Her shows feature a seamless mix of blues , gospel , and folk but it ’ s her traditional blues singing and picking that blows listeners away .
Carlos Johnson - 210 Live , 210 Green Bay Rd ., Highwood , Feb 22 One of Chicago ' s best kept secrets for many years , Johnson made his name as a guitarist for Sons Seals , Otis Rush and Billy Branch & The Sons of The Blues . His Jimi Hendrix upside / lefty style meshes fiery traditional blues with soul , gospel and bonus , ( seriously ) he is big in Japan .
Source One Band - Odyssey East Lounge , 9942 S . Torrence Ave ., February 23
Another Southside blues treasure that has been quietly hosting live blues for years , Odyssey East features the tight , master ensemble Source One , every Friday , and Sunday . Members include singers Sydney Joe Stalls and New Orleans Beau with bassist Joe Pratt and the legendary Sir Walter Scott on guitar . There are usually special featured guests who join in the hip-shaking mix of raw blues and R & B .
The Smiley Tillmon Band - Cuzin ’ s Bar , 17704 Oak Park Avenue , Tinley Park , February 24 Blues master Smiley Tillmon has been dazzling crowds for 60 years with his engaging showmanship and vocals . With his signature hat and broad smile , Tilmon leads his band in a groove-heavy line-up of blues and soul standards .
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went up to visit David and his wife , but when we got there he already had mikes set up , and he said , “ Why don ’ t we try and record something and see how it goes ?” So we did , and we ended up recording the whole album Pickin ’, then David mastered in his home studio , a couple months later the record comes out , then we went out on tour . We played 18 dates together and it was a lot of fun .
IE : What stylistic secrets do you have ? TE : Ha ! I don ’ t know any secrets !
Everything is on display . When I teach – when I do guitar workshops or master classes – I always tell the students , “ If you want to do what I ’ m doing , play as a solo player like I do , you ’ d better be okay about being completely naked onstage , because everything is exposed . There ’ s no distortion , no drum kits or keyboards to hide behind . Everything is on display – your playing ability , your arrangements , your tone , your timing . So you ’ d better get used to that .
Tommy Emmanuel appears at Thalia Hall Chicago , February 10 and February 11 .
Tom Lanham
44 illinoisentertainer . com february 2018