Throb, Throb, Bobblehead
Andrew W.K., the man who continues to
show the world how to party, has been trans-
formed into a pint-sized party figure for a sec-
ond time.
This follow up to his first Throbblehead
brand figure from 2010 is limited to just 1000
numbered units, stands at six inches tall, and
is made of a super high quality polyresin.
Thanks to its lightweight, durable design, and
its adhesive base, you can even plant Andrew
on your dashboard and party bobble while
you drive. When it's time to party, we will
always drive the party car.
Wherever you decide to put him, this mini-
Andrew will stand strong and determined,
and radiate pure positive party power directly
into your soul!
Since 2009, AGGRONAUTIX has made
over 40 Throbbleheads mostly of punk Icons
like Wendy O Williams, GG Allin and Lee
Ving (Fear), almost all of which have sold out.
The company has also been featured in
Alternative Press, New Noise Magazine, and No
Echo and profiled in Billboard and The
Philadelphia Inquirer.
"The demand for the original Andrew W.K.
Throbblehead was so great that we decided to
gives fans a second version," said Clint Weiler
owner of AGGRONAUTIX. "Andrew has such
a great attitude and vibe... He's just awesome
to work with!" For details to get your Andrew
W.K. bobblehead visit andrewwk.com
05•2018
Guitar & Drum Amigos
We still consider it pretty weird that any musician could form a relationship with their instrument
online or through mail order. So we get pretty excited when the guys from Amigos Guitar Shows
bring their show back to Chicagoland. Finding the perfect guitar (especially a vintage instrument)
means feeling it, playing it, and letting it breathe: and the only way to do that is auditioning it in per-
son. This year's show comes to The Odeum in Villa Park on May 19 and 20. Dealers from around
the country and several of our favorites from the Chicago area will show their wares that weekend.
They'll also buy guitars and trade 'em. This year's show is the fourth since the death of show co-
founder John Brinkman, Sr. who passed away in 2013. Brinkman launched the show in the Chicago-
area 30 years ago in the DeKalb "'burb" of
Maple Park. It's a tribute to a gentleman
(along with his partners Dave Crocker and
widow Ruth Brinkman) who have taught
us to really appreciate a fine instrument.
Initially known as the Amigos, they first
hosted their show in Dallas. Today, it's the
granddaddy of US guitar shows, held in
Arlington, TX and Southern Carlifornia
(plus San Francisco and Nashville). The
Amigos produce the most visited con-
sumer guitar shows in the US, they also
hold the record of maximum sales. Along
with the guitar show in May, The Chicago
Drum Show will host it's annual event for
drummers the same weekend at the
Odeum. Its founder calls the show a swap-
meet, a drum expo, and an entertainment
event - featuring clinics, demonstrations,
raffles, classes, and over 20,000 square feet
(combined both shows) of exhibits. Master
Classes this year (a cross between a clinic
and a private lesson, and classes are limit-
ed to 25 registrants) include Kenny Aronoff,
Danny Seraphine, and Dom Famularo. For
details on both events go to amigogui-
tarshows.com and rebeats.com.
6 illinoisentertainer.com may 2018
Spirit of '76
They re-opened last summer, but now the food and drinks are flowing
at the all new Alley 1776 across the street from their old location at 3223 N.
Clark. With the suburbanization of the Clark & Belmont corridor, owner
Mark Thomas knew he needed a new concept for the longtime former
headshop, jewelry and lifestyle store, so Thomas teamed up with friend
and Philly's Best founder and restauranteur, Michael Markellos, to rein-
vent the Alley as a coffee shop and food destination on the first floor, along
with the t-shirts, leather jackets and jewelry they've always been known for
on the second floor.
Markellos and Thomas knew their cafe food options needed to be
unique to Chicago to separate themselves from the corporate franchise cof-
fee shops that dominate Lakeview and Wrigleyville, so they formulated a
menu that includes Freddo Cappucinos, waffles on a stick (Wafflepops!)
with dough imported from Belgium, and pizzas topped with biscuits and
gravy, along with Chicago's Dark Matter Coffee. Thomas told WBBM-
AM's Mike Ramsey "We think we've found a formula," he said. "But if
everyone's going to say, 'I love The Alley,' and show up once every other
year to walk through and maybe buy a dollar sticker, we won't be here.
People have got to learn to patronize locally owned retail stores, locally
owned coffee shops, locally owned restaurants."
The vibe is old Lakeview at the Alley 1776, and their liquor license
arrives later this month, so here's a toast to our friends from the Alley 1776.
Data Dump
Facebook's "betrayal" of their customers with online data collectors Cambridge
Analytica is alleged to have shared personal information from 50 million
Facebook users, packing it into personality profiles, evaluating them and using
the findings to exert a massive influence on the US elections and a boatload of
misinformation. You may call it fake news.
The Facebook sell-out reinforces that data monsters store everything about us:
the search for diseases, the amount of credit we have, vists to adult sites, online
shopping and much more.
German internet protection company eBlocker's privacy cube connects to your
home network, anonymizing your online behavior and ensures that only infor-
mation is passed on to websites. eBlocker protects a users entire network includ-
ing each device within it. The "blocker" protects tablets, smartTVs and game con-
soles which are especially vulnerable to hackers. They offer 3 versions of the
eBlocker that protects individual users and families, with starting prices in the
$119.00 price point. Go to eblocker.com for details.