Illinois Entertainer March 2017

March 2017 • Volume 43, Number 05 • www. illinoisentertainer. com

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COVER STORY: MASTODON

That which doesn’ t kill you will only make you stronger, goes the old maxim. But in the case of sludge-heavy prog-metal quartet Mastodon, mortality can occasionally offer a surprising new strength, as well. The band has been rolling with the punches, finding solace in the studio, creating the fable of their Emperor of Sand.“ The four of us have been living these experiences deeply over the past two years,” bassist Troy Sanders told Tom Lanham.“ And that’ s what we were writing. When we showed up to band practice, we let that current of emotion flow through our fingers and into the instruments, and through the amps and onto the recording tape. That’ s how we build songs.”

HELLO MY NAME IS... ANN

Heart vocalist Ann Wilson is taking some time apart from her sister Nancy to pursue solo projects, like her latest EP. On her current tour, she’ s billed as Ann Wilson of Heart! Why the exclamation mark?“ Because it’ s exciting!,” she enthuses.“ It’ s to show that it‘ s in the moment, it’ s fun, it’ s right now – it isn’ t some dreary old thing. It’ s got energy behind it, it’ s got oxygen around it, it’ s an ' up ' thing. And I just put the‘ of Heart’ thing on for my concerts so people would actually know it’ s me!” Tom Lanham talked to the Hall of Famer.

THE SKULL

Initially, the premise of The Skull’ s formation was to go out and play tunes from the first two Trouble albums, Trouble( 1984) and The Skull( 1985). However, now that The Skull has garnered its own fan base, the former members of Trouble have become more focused on creating their own original material, with a new record tentatively scheduled to commence following the band’ s hometown appearance at Reggie’ s on March 24. Kelley Simms talked to vocalist Eric Wagner.

Page 22: Mastodon

File

Double Door moves and more.

Cinema Scopes

Spring movie preview.

Media

Len Kasper and Cubs baseball are back, with hardware.

Sweet Home

Blues Diva.

Spins

Ryan Adams, Colin Hay, Def Leppard and more.

Calendar

Over 1200 shows and 2000 bands in March.

Caught In A Mosh

UFO on it ' s way to St. Charles.

Classifieds

You dumped your boyfriend ' s vocalist, now you ' re looking for another.

Studiophile

What ' s going on at Bennet Road, Million Yen studios.

Gear

St. Vincent ' s fire.

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		Page 24: Ryan Adams
4				Publisher John Vernon Contributing Editors Curt Baran Tom Lanham Mike Meyer Lori Vernon illinoisentertainer. com march 2017 Design Team Notion Pool Dragon Design Vision Design Teknigram Graphics Classified Advertising David Gedge Founder Kenneth L. Voss Publisher Emeritis David Roberts			Advertising Sales Scott Assmann Mike Engel Advertising Director John Vernon Website Direction Notion Pool Senior Columnists Rosalind Cummings-Yeates - Sweet Home Rick Kaempfer- Media Kelley Simms- Caught In A Mosh David C. Eldredge Bruce Pilato - East Coast	Contributors: 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 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 490 Chicago, IL 60624 ( 773) 717-5665- Chicago / North Sub( 630) 618-2177- West / South Suburbs( 773) 717-5666- Fax email us at: Editorial: ed @ illinoisentertainer. com Advertising: service @ illinoisentertainer. com The ILLINOIS ENTERTAINER is published monthly by Roberts Publishing, Inc, All materials copyright 2017 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.

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