Hanson is boppin’ to a pre-teen beat
While recording their album “Middle of Nowhere,” the Oklahoma-based trio Hanson went through a problem that few artists have to worry about. The singer’s voice changed.
Year: 1997
McCartney wings it during TV, Web chat
If there’s one thing Paul McCartney knows, it’s how to charm an audience. Wearing a casual black suit, white T-shirt and a pair of trendy “trainers” (they’re sneakers to us Yanks), the former Beatle came across as relaxed and congenial during a live telecast and Webcast Saturday afternoon.
Offspring good but grating
There are few things as irritating as bands that slag other groups from the stage. At the Offspring’s show Tuesday night at the Aragon, vocalist Dexter Holland repeatedly slammed the Spice Girls and took a couple of cheap shots at Guns N’ Roses as well as the youthful trio Hanson.
Psychotica’s Briggs gets `Over’ in starmaking turn
By Jae-Ha KimChicago Sun-TimesMay 9, 1997 Even Psychotica’s diehard fans will have a difficult time recognizing Pat Briggs in the film “All Over Me,” which opens today at Pipers Alley. Without his heavy stage makeup, skintight outfits and […]
Eyes, ears feast on U2: Show’s missteps forgivable
U2 started off its six-song encore with a mighty lemon drop – literally. Riding in the giant mirror ball, the musicians left more than a few fans wondering whether they might have a “Spinal Tap” moment and get stuck in the contraption. (They didn’t.) Rather than “Lemon” – the obvious choice – they played a slowed-down version of “Discotheque” that stripped the song of its oomph. Much better were the haunting ballads “With or Without You” and “One,” which closed the show.
Still big enough to stuff a stadium
While U2’s album “Pop” hasn’t been the sure thing that the music industry had hoped for, it has done well enough to kick-start the Irish supergroup’s 14-month, 100-city “PopMart” tour.
Susan Silver steers careers toward rock stardom
In a business that is dominated by men onstage and off, Susan Silver is an anomaly. For most of her adult life, the 38-year-old has guided the careers of superstar groups such as Soundgarden, which recently disbanded after 12 years together, and Alice in Chains. Silver got into band management for the love of music. Money wasn’t an issue. Until six years ago, Silver maintained secondary jobs to make sure the bills got paid.
Jonny Lang parks himself in the blues
Jonny Lang doesn’t have his drivers license yet, but the 16-year-old blues musician has already put in thousands of miles on the road. Of course, someone else is at the wheel. “That gives me a good excuse to sleep in the van,” Lang said, suppressing a yawn. “The other guys can’t get mad at me for not pulling my weight.”
No Bush leaguers: British band finds dreams in America despite critics’ objections
“I think that the whole Bush-copying-Nirvana (thing) is totally full of – – – -,” said Chicago-based producer Steve Albini, who recorded Bush’s latest double-platinum album, “Razorblade Suitcase.”
Local rocker spearheads second Asian arts fest
What does an indie rock star do when he’s not busy touring with his critically acclaimed band? If he’s Sooyoung Park, frontman for the Chicago-based Seam, he gets a couple of pals together and spearheads an arts festival in his hometown.