January 2015 • Volume 41, Number 03 • www.illinoisentertainer.com
COVER STORY:
SAM SMITH
Sam Smith has been taking his career seriously
ever since childhood. Long before he even had the
terminology to call it a career. "Singing is something I work hard on, but it's never felt like a chore
to me," says the affable, self-deprecating performer, who first came to prominence in 2012 as
the guest vocalist on Disclosure's hit "Latch" and
Naughty Boy's "La La La." Tom Lanham had the
honor of speaking to the future Grammy winner.
6
BEST OF 2014
8
HELLO MY NAME IS ERIC
20
We got a lot CDs and a lot more vinyl in 2014, and we saw a
lot of shows. IE's editors and contributors Curt Baran, Matt
Pollock, Arsenio Orteza and Patrick Conlan give our readers a
tally of the best albums and shows for 2014. Plus, check out our
best studio moments and musical gear in this issue.
Page 22
Around these parts, Trouble is a doom metal institution.
With the release of its first two albums, Trouble (1984) and The
Skull (1985), the band almost single-handedly pioneered the
sound that created an entire sub-genre of heavy metal. In
2012, ex-Trouble vocalist Eric Wagner, along with former
band cohorts, bassist Ron Holzner and drummer Jeff "Oly"
Olson, formed The Skull. Kelley Simms talked to Wagner as
the band prepared for their Midwest tour.
File
The Best of The Best!
Double Feature
Oscar season is here.
Sweet Home
ALL THINGS MAYFIELD
Sister, I'm a Blues Poet.
Reginald Torian, who, with his cutting falsetto, took over
Curtis Mayfield's spot in The Impressions in 1972 and has
remained there for many of the last 40 years, will present All
Things Mayfield, an elaborate multi-media musical revue that celebrates the late R&B legend. Premiering Saturday, January 31, at
The Promontory @ Hyde Park, it will feature Torian with an
exceptional cast of singers and an 11 piece orchestra. Bruce Pilato
has the preview.
Media
He's a Ramblin' Man.
Spins
6
12
18
20
24
D'Angelo, Orange Goblin, Spandau Ballet and more.
Calendar
29
IE's monthly listings of the best shows at the best venues.
Caught In A Mosh
Thirty years of Mayhem.
Studiophile
The best of Studiophile in 2014.
Classifieds
You dumped your drummer, now you're looking for a vocalist.
Gear
Best of 2014.
34
40
42
46
Around Hear
Returns next month.
Page 20
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, Brian Ormiston, Greg Olma
Arsenio Orteza, Rodney Pawlak,
Bruce Pilato, Matthew Pollock, Jason Scales,
Kelley Simms, Ed Spinelli,
Tim Shockley, James Turano
Contributing Editors
Curt Baran
Patrick Conlan
Bruce Pilato
Advertising Director
Design Team
Website Direction
Notion Pool
Dragon Design
Vision Design
Notion Pool
Classified Advertising
David Gedge
Founder
Kenneth L. Voss
Publisher Emeritis
David Roberts
4 illinoisentertainer.com january 2015
John Vernon
Senior Columnists
Rosalind Cummings-Yeates
- Sweet Home
Rick Kaempfer - Media
Kelley Simms - Caught In A Mosh
David C. Eldredge
- East Coast
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 unsolicited manuscripts or photographs.
Follow us online at:
facebook.com
illinoisentertainer.tumblr.com
twitter.com/ie_entertainer
Address All Correspondence to:
Illinois Entertainer
4223 W. Lake St., Suite 420
Chicago, IL 60624
(773) 717-5665 - Chicago/ North Sub
(630) 618-2177 - West/South Suburbs
(773) 717-5666 - Fax
email us at:
Editorial:
[email protected]
Advertising:
[email protected]
The ILLINOIS ENTERTAINER is published monthly
by Roberts Publishing, Inc, All materials copyright
2014 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.