Illinois Entertainer November 2020 | Page 4

November 2020 • Volume 47 , Number 01 • www . illinoisentertainer . com
COVER STORY : STEVE KILBEY
Steve Kilbey used the pandemic to spontaneously write and record a brand-new solo set , Eleven Women , which jangles like the best of his vigorous ‘ 80s Church work ( including their moody anthem “ Under The Milky Way ”) — the singer takes regular swims in the Pacific but prefers dogpaddling through local sea pools , extensions of coastal tidal pools that are always relaxing . And he always wears a diving mask so he can spot every alien marine visitor . “ There are so many sea pools in Sydney , and in my neighborhood alone , there are four ,” he reveals . “ They fill up and empty with the tide , and my particular pool is full of fish , octopi , birds diving in and out , and sea slugs , which are actually quite lovely creatures .” Don ’ t even get him started on the occasional jellyfish , some with stinging tentacles , like the Bluebottle , some not — eternal vigilance is the price you pay for a daring dip . Tom Lanham spoke to SK .
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JOE GRUSHECKY
Pittsburgh-bred Joe Grushecky — longtime frontman for The Houserockers , nee The Iron City Houserockers — harnessedBruce Springsteen ' s current feelings about our country first , two years ago , when they collaborated on the rousing anthem “ That ’ s What Makes Us Great .” Featured on The Houserockers ’ “ Glory Days ” -minded , 2018 indie outing More Yesterdays Than Tomorrows , the duet was just reissued as a perfect pre-election single by a recently-resuscitated Cleveland International Records , the imprint that initially signed Grushecky in the mid- ‘ 70s ; run then by the late Steve Popovich , Sr ., it ’ s now overseen by his equally-canny son , Steve Popovich , Jr .
And when Grushecky and Springsteen ’ s ragged rasps dovetail on the anthemic “ Great ” chorus , you can ’ t help but want to stand up and cheer for the dying concept of Democracy , which still might be able to be salvaged : “ Let ’ s turn this thing around before it gets too late / It ’ s up to me and you , love can conquer hate / I know this to be true , and that ’ s what makes us great .” Tom Lanham talked to the Pittsburgh legend .
File
Our interview with Springsteen collaborator Joe Grushecky
Cinemascopes
Movies that made it to release .
Media
John Landecker makes it to WGN .
Spins
New Order , Tears for Fears , Frank Zappa and more .
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TOM PETTY : WILDFLOWERS & ALL THE REST
After seven gold and platinum-selling albums with the Heartbreakers , Tom Petty released his first solo album in 1989 . Chart favorites including “ Free Falling ” and “ I Won ’ t Back Down ” helped the Jeff Lynne-produced Full Moon Fever eclipse even the success of 1979 ’ s Damn the Torpedoes . When Into the Great Wide Open with Lynne and the Heartbreakers achieved respectable but lesser results , there was a natural interest in another release under Petty ’ s name alone . Petty took the opportunity to shake up his workflow , his lineup , and craft the most intimate and personal record of his career . In a catalog crowded with classic rock staples , many point to 1994 ’ s Wildflowers as the brightest jewel in Petty ’ s crown . Jeff Elbel reviewed Wildflowers & All The Rest in an extended deluxe box set review .
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Publisher John Vernon
Contributing Editors Curt Baran Mike Meyer Tom Lanham Lori Vernon
Design Team Notion Pool Dragon Design Vision Design Teknigram Graphics
Classified Advertising David Gedge
Founder Kenneth L . Voss
Publisher Emeritis David Roberts
illinoisentertainer . com november 2020
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 - 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 , Aubrey Vernon Carter Moss , Michael Obrecki , Greg Olma Arsenio Orteza , Rodney Pawlak , Bruce Pilato , Matthew Pollock , Jason Scales , Kelley Simms , Ed Spinelli , Riley Vernon , Tim Shockley , James Turano
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