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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