July 2016 • Volume 42, Number 09 • www.illinoisentertainer.com
COVER STORY:
THE STRUTS
For Struts frontman Luke Spiller, the makeupsporting, androgynous-costumed lead singer for
Britain’s great new glam-trashy outfit, whose
recent ‘70s-retro debut Everybody Wants is easily
one of the most exuberant albums of the year. Born
into a Christian family in Bristol, England – Spiller
always knew he marched to the beat of a different
drum. As his family moved often, he acquired a
chameleonesque ability to blend in to his new surroundings, no matter how initially daunting. Tom
Lanham talked to the Bowie-esque singer.
8
HELLO MY NAME IS MAXWELL
For Grammy-winning neo-soul stylist Maxwell, time is relative. He understands how it’s gauged in the entertainment industry – Disney, for instance only re-issues its classic animated video
titles every seven years, allowing for a new generation of kids
that has grown up in the interim. “And I really like that idea, that
metaphor,” says the Brooklynite, now 43, who took that long to
release his fourth album, BLACKsummers’night, and the same
protracted period again on its followup, the sleek new
BlackSUMMERS’night, the second in his planned trilogy which
will end with the following Blacksummers’NIGHT. He swears that
chapter-closing disc is already finished. But there’s method to his
madness – or absence – he wants to clarify. He definitely knows
exactly what he’s doing. Tom Lanham talked to the man.
Page 22 The Struts
File
Megafest undercard, and more.
Cinema Scopes
July movie preview.
20
ZAKK WYLDE
Sweet Home
Between his band Black Label Society (BLS), his part in the
Hendrix Experience Tour, his performances on the Generation
Axe Tour, the release of his second solo album Book of Shadows II,
the launching of his own line of guitars, amps and pedals called
Wylde Audio and his Sabbath cover band Zakk Sabbath, guitar
god Zakk Wylde is one busy dude. Book of Shadows II (released
April 8 via eOne Music), comes 20 years after its debut, Book of
Shadows I, and it continues the same amazing acoustic stylings
reminiscent of his other project, Pride & Glory. IE's Kelley Simms
was graciously granted an interview request with the hilarious
Mr. Wylde.
Essential Summer albums.
Media
Our talk with podcaster, Leslie Keiling.
Calendar
Over 1244 shows and 2200 bands in July.
Spins
Garbage, The Kinks, Tegan and Sara.
Caught In A Mosh
Warped Tour gets a classic band back.
Studiophile
You probably already know Benett Street Studios.
Classifieds
You dumped your boyfriend's guitarist, now you're looking for another.
Gear
6
14
16
18
26
28
34
48
50
54
News from NAMM.
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, Jessi Roti
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
Senior Columnists
Classified Advertising
David Gedge
Founder
John Vernon
Website Direction
Rosalind Cummings-Yeates
- Sweet Home
Rick Kaempfer - Media
Kenneth L. Voss
Kelley Simms - Caught In A Mosh
Publisher Emeritis
David C. Eldredge
Bruce Pilato
- East Coast
David Roberts
4 illinoisentertainer.com july 2016
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