Dec 16, 2019
Words: Ryan Mannix | Photos: Billy AndresFor many in Chicagos jam scene, Dopapods return was an important night. A band that has word-of-mouth built a following by combining technical precision and explosive creativity, it had been two years since they have been in town. The band seems to like Bottom Lounge a whole lot, playing there...
Nov 7, 2017
By: Ryan MannixIts fall tour time again and, for a certain segment of the jam scene, things are starting to feel a bit familiar; relentless driving, late nights, packing mid-sized clubs -- some are even expanding to bigger theaters in new parts of the country. These new bands (yeah, some have been...
Oct 27, 2017
Bootsy Collins World Wide Funk [10/27]Parliament leader and bassist Bootsy Collins returns with World Wide Funk, which may be one of his funkiest records yet. Joined by a slew of stars and admirers including Victor Wooten, Stanley Clarke and Buckethead, each song is offers a different side of the funk spectrum without losing its party-ready...
Dec 11, 2016
By: Ryan Mannix | Photos: Faraz Chaudry | Video: izeoftheworldphotosDopapod roared into Chicago on the heels of a lengthy winter tour with something to prove. Original drummer, Neal Fro Evans, returned to the band a few months back.His return left some fans upset at the loss of Scotty Zwang, and some curious as to how...
Jun 22, 2016
By: Ryan Mannix | Photos: Kristine Condon PhotographyThe final day of Summer Camp got started with the return of Umphreys McGees Sunday afternoon set.Starting the set off with Cemetery Walk, and the popular, danceable Bad Friday flew in the face of the relaxed atmosphere I was expecting. But, the boys "brought it down"...
Feb 10, 2016
A Chat With Dopapod's Rob CompaBy: Ryan Mannix | Videos: mk devo | Photo: Faraz ChaudryDopapod guitarist Rob Compa, is a skillful, diverse and interesting player. He blends rapid fire classic rock guitar shredding with some truly out jazz inspiration.Gypsy and country influences are also evident in his approach. And he's got...
Jul 16, 2014
Among the many things I like about Chicago is the diversity of of options on just about any night. This is amplified when Phish is in town.Case in point: not only can Phish set up shop for three big weekend shows, the city can simultaneously host a multi-band festival with some crossover appeal to...
Apr 30, 2014
"Jambands are dead! Long live jambands!" That's a bit of wordplay that my friends and I have been tossing around since sometime in the early 2000s.There is a roughly 15 year stretch -- from "Touch Of Grey" being released as a single in 1987 to the inaugural Bonnaroo in 2002 -- that represents the last era ofpeak...
Apr 9, 2014
One of our contributors, photographer Rickie Kostiner, had a busy night on Saturday, April 5th. After catching KarlD and the Tiny Universe, she popped over to Concord Music Hall for some late night fun with Papadosio.Papadosio has been steadily building an audience over the last few years, the packed room certainly spoke volumes about...