Year: 1996

No Doubt calls out the flock to pitch in with Toys for Tots

Jae-Ha Kim

“I’m not a male,” Gwen Stefani said. You wouldn’t think that the willowy blonde would have to state the obvious. But as the frontwoman for No Doubt, which has the No. 1 album in America, she has grown used to speculation and innuendo. But even Stefani was surprised at the latest rumor being spread about her on the Internet: that she has too little body fat to be a woman and therefore must be a transsexual. “I have to work out all the time ’cause if I don’t I’d get really chubby,” said Stefani, 26. She tried to punctuate this point by scrunching up her black sweater – a present from Gavin Rossdale of Bush – and pinching her stomach “fat.” Her fingers had little to grasp.

Pumpkins are expanding their patch

Jae-Ha Kim

Got the itch to party? The place to be on Saturday is the Metro, where Scratchie Records will host its Christmas party. Fulflej, Chainsaw Kittens, Fountains of Wayne and Kid Million are the headliners, but the evening’s hosts are pretty fabulous, too. The Smashing Pumpkins’ James Iha and D’Arcy Wretzky-Brown – who goes by D’Arcy – are co-owners of the Chicago-based record label and likely will jam with their friends.

Model rockers were inevitable

Jae-Ha Kim

It used to be that the primary link between rock stars and models was that they dated each other. These days, the line between the two factions is blurred at best. Oh sure, they’re still dating each other. But check it out: Jon Bon Jovi and Madonna posing seductively for Versace ad campaigns while human clothes hangers Donovan Leitch and Milla sing their hearts out  onstage.

These Local heroes learn to make do with just two

Jae-Ha Kim

Bassists everywhere are probably shuddering in horror as Local H climbs up the music charts.  The Chicago-based duo is making a name for itself without the benefit of a bass guitar. “We have a big sound,” said drummer Joe Daniels, phoning from Rochester, N.Y.  “Scott (Lucas) has a huge guitar sound, and our soundman is like the icing on the cake. He really makes everything sound good. People ask us all the time what we’d do if a cable went out or something, and the answer is the same for us as for anyone else in a band. You fix it and keep going on. We’ve been doing this a long time.”

She’s Got a Ticket to ride: Our music critic goes on the road

Jae-Ha Kim

There isn’t a rock fan out there who hasn’t fantasized about hanging with his or her favorite band for a few days. So when I was offered the opportunity to hit the road with Dishwalla, who are on tour with the Refreshments and Tonic, I said, “Yes!” I didn’t think it was going to be 100 percent fun all the time, but I also knew that thanks to the unions that regulate such things, I wouldn’t be allowed to lift any heavy objects. Heck. That’s a better deal than the MTV contest winner whose prize was to be a roadie for Bruce Springsteen.

Salad, cornbread or steak filet, Bandera’s takeout stands out

Jae-Ha Kim

When you’re really, really hungry, the last thing you want to do is pore over a takeout menu that’s longer than a Stephen King novel. On days like that, Bandera is the answer. Boasting a concise menu of hearty treats ranging from tasty salads to spicy jambalaya to a thick, tender steak filet, Bandera hasn’t given my tastebuds a bad experience yet. It’s one thing to get a delicious meal in a restaurant, but Bandera’s food translates well when carrying out, too.

Kula Shaker debut stacks up as one of best shows of ’96

Jae-Ha Kim

With his saucer-sized eyes and wispy blond bangs, Kula Shaker vocalist-guitarist Crispian Mills didn’t look like he could cause much damage when his band made its Chicago debut Saturday night at the Double Door. But looks are deceiving. While Mills’ angelic face may be that of a pinup boy, the 23-year-old musician is a rightful heir to the rock-god throne. He is a frontman who oozes charisma and confidence, minus the arrogance. More importantly, Mills has a distinctive voice that is as capable of handling Far Eastern mantras as blues-based numbers.

Overshadowed by Wallflowers: Blues Traveler no match for its opener

Jae-Ha Kim

It wasn’t that the Wallflowers were particularly physical performers. If anything, they remained as immobile on stage as Blues Traveler. However, their songs had variety and veered in tempo, and singer-guitarist-songwriter Jakob Dylan’s passionate delivery made each song spring to life. The Wallflowers are having their first taste of commercial success, thanks to their haunting hit single, “6th Avenue Heartache.” Their hourlong set included most of the songs on their latest album, “Bringing Down the Horse,” as well as a rocking cover of “Tears of a Clown.”

A Dylan in full bloom: Rocker flourishes with Wallflowers

Jae-Ha Kim

“I’d hate for you to write this story and have everyone think I’m a happy, cheerful person,” Jakob Dylan said. “It’s not good for the image of the group.” He’s joking. The Wallflowers’ lead singer-songwriter-guitarist proved to be anything but a wallflower during a recent telephone interview from his Los Angeles home. His pensive songs may exude bittersweet longing, but in real life he is chatty and quick-witted and the first one to poke fun at himself.

Eye Candy

Jae-Ha Kim

Eye Candy keeps watch on music-related items worth a closer look: The shotgun reunion between David Lee Roth and Van Halen may have been a bust, but the original Van Halen lineup looks young and happy in “Van Halen – Video Hits, Volume 1” (Warner Reprise Video). The 64-minute home video also includes “Me Wise Magic,” a new track featuring Roth on vocals . . . 

Los Lobos turns up the beat

Jae-Ha Kim

You wouldn’t expect to see fans doing the polka at a rock concert, but then again, Los Lobos isn’t just any old rock ‘n’ roll band. So when the East Los Angelenos kicked into a rowdy polka, Latin style, halfway through their sold-out concert Friday night at the Riviera, the fans followed suit by partnering up and actually dancing (rather than body surfing or slam dancing).

Melissa Etheridge goes 2nd stage for fans

Jae-Ha Kim

At most rock concerts at the Rosemont Horizon, the poor suckers stuck in the back rows have to make do with catching glimpses of the performers on the huge video monitors. Not at Melissa Etheridge’s show Saturday night. An hour after her 8:20 start, the singer briefly disappeared, only to reappear on a makeshift stage at the back of the stadium, where she played for the next 50 minutes.

The Smashing Pumpkins are back – with spectacular intensity

Jae-Ha Kim

You’d think that after performing for almost 2 1/2 hours and giving the audience three sets of encores, the Smashing Pumpkins would have run off the stage after their sold-out concert Friday night at the Rosemont Horizon. But when the house lights came on, there was a strange sight on stage. Singer Billy Corgan was still there, acknowledging the adulation of his cheering fans and obviously relishing the band’s triumphant homecoming.

Smashing Pumpkins return unbowed

Jae-Ha Kim

When the album “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart last fall, the Smashing Pumpkins seemed destined for a stunning future.  Their previous works “Gish” and “Siamese Dream” had made them superstars, but no one in the band imagined that “Mellon Collie,” which  has sold more than 7 million copies in the  United States, would become the most successful double CD ever.