By: John 'Nunu' ZomotIn this age of funk-and-soul supergroups, it seems like a pick-up band can materialize -- full of a handful of musicians sourced from a pool of well-known jammers -- at any time and for any reason.This group of road warriors is ready to be drawn into battle at...

By: John 'Nunu' ZomotFormer Jerry Garcia Band organist Melvin Seals is no stranger to the Chicago area.  He appears frequently as a special guest with the local Dead tribute staple Terrapin Flyer.But it's been a minute since he's brought his JGB project through the city -- so it was nice to get a...

Photos: Adam MiszewskiI'm going to say it.  Beyond just their name, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong has a jambandy aesthetic that makes String Cheese Incident seem reserved, self-serious and demure by comparison.But good on them for just embracing the fuck out of it.  And you can't say the audience hasn't responded. The...

By: John 'Nunu' ZomotAs a music veteran, Stanley Clarke can fly a little bit under the radar, but when he pops up you best pay attention.The man is an absolute beast on the bass.  City Winery goers were treated to a full-on clinic during his March visit with his talented touring ensemble....

By: Philamonjaro StudioOn a Saturday night in Chicago, fans were treated to a rare concert by New York's favorite garage punk band, The Fleshtones.Having first debuted at CBGB in 1976, they were a part of the beating heart of the NYC punk scene.In 2018, the band harnessed energy from that storied era when they touched...

By: Michael LepekIt's nice when you can scratch a couple items off the bucket list.  On a recent trip to New York City, I was able to go for a pair: experiencing a show at the original Brooklyn Bowl and seeing a live performance of the seminal West Coast funk-jazz (or is it jazz-funk?)&...

By: Heidi PetersWhitney is a band that's all about love, so a hometown Valentine's runs suites them fine.  I caught the third and final night of the series at Thalia Hall, and all the pieces were in place, save for their trademark pause for a kiss, which was notably absent.Maybe it was lip...

By: John 'Nunu' ZomotWe've been doing some "housecleaning" this week, getting up some long-simmering contributions.I guess its appropriate that we had just celebrated Bob Marley's birthday as well, since we've got a bunch of great shots from Nunu's visit out west, where he as able to capture the Exodus 40 Live Concert, a celebration of...

By: John 'Nunu' ZomotMarilyn Manson has no doubt captured some headlines, and that hasn't changed recently after bassist Twiggy Ramirez was subject of some serious rape allegations.But the tour continues, and it hit Chicago's Riviera Theatre this week.  Nunu was on hand to capture the spectacle.As with everything that was once...

By: Ryan MannixUmphrey's McGee set up shop for two nights at the Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan with special guests Marcus King Band. This short winter run saw people coming in from all over the Midwest for the band's only regional shows of the season.The small hockey arena seemed like an odd choice...