Car Con Carne

16/08/2024

Practically four years since the last time we chatted (over Zoom in COVID days), ¾ of 8-bit crEEps met me in the parking lot of Cobra Lounge.

We talked about the band in advance of their opening slot for Ultimate Fakebook and Hembree at Cobra on Saturday 9/17.

While we talked, we also enjoyed delicious macarons from Offbeat Macarons. Band drummer Reasonable Andy provided them, and I think the vanilla is my favorite.

If you’ve yet to hear 8-bit crEEps, I’m a fan and hope you have the chance to dig in to their almost-ten-year’s-worth of music online!

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

Get a quote by visiting Easy-automation.net, or call Dan at 630.730.3728

13/08/2024

CHIRP Radio Founder/General Manager Shawn Campbell joins for this episode to talk about CHIRP’s growth, mission and approach.

If you haven’t yet had the chance to listen, CHIRP (chirpradio.org) is a totally independent, hyperlocal, “non-comm” station run by volunteers. It’s true to the spirit (and perhaps the promise) of radio, and runs live 24/7 from a North Center studio, playing tons of local music along the way.

Shawn and I talk about the origin of CHIRP, the differences between non commercial and commercial radio, how music is picked, how volunteers are added to the team, and why events matter.

Support CHIRP: chirpradio.org
Listen: chirpradio.org, 107.1 FM

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A smart home connects virtually all of the technology in your home. With an Easy Automation-installed smart home system, you and your family can control nearly every device and system in the house in ways that are easy and fun to use.

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

Get a quote by visiting Easy-automation.net, or call Dan at 630.730.3728

12/08/2024

Nathan Graham closes down the Nightclub Stage at Fitzgerald’s on 8/31 for Pravdafest, celebrating 40 years of the venerable Chicago label. Nathan performed in my car one year ago this week!

09/08/2024

Current through today:

Podcast guests: 1 Fat Willy’s Elliott Serrano 6/2/2014 2 Honey1 Tom Barnas 6/20/2014 3 Pork Shoppe Kiss Kiss Cabaret 6/28/2014 4 Ravenswood Q Rob LaFrentz 7/27/2014 5 Smoke Daddy Steve Gadlin 7/31/2014 6 Rub’s Smokehouse Chloe Orwell 8/15/2014 7 Smalls...

08/08/2024

Pravda Records celebrates 40 years of independent music with PRAVDAFEST at Fitzgerald’s in Berwyn (6615 Roosevelt) on August 31.

The all-day event spans three stages and includes performances from:
Nathan Graham, Steve Dawson, Diplomats of Solid Sound, The Handcuffs, Ivan Julian with Nick Tremulis, Chris Greene Quartet, Sunshine Boys, The Service, the Slugs, Chamber Strings, Cheer-Accident, Allen Hill, Susan Voelz, Brian Krumm & His Barfly Friends, Rex Daisy, Thrift Store Halo, the Swampland Jewels

To preview the event, I’m joined by Susan Voelz, Thymme Jones of Cheer-Accident and Scott Schaefer of Pravda.

We talk about Pravda’s history and impact while eating fantastic food from the always-enjoyable Honey Butter Fried Chicken (3361 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60618). Special thanks to the team there for the spectacular entrees and desserts; I have loved everything I’ve ever ordered from their menu.

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Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

Get a quote by visiting Easy-automation.net, or call Dan at 630.730.3728

06/08/2024

Mac Sabbath, fast food-themed Black Sabbath cover band, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. The band returns to Chicago for a show at Reggie’s on August 28.

Since the characters of Mac Sabbath exist under a cloak of anonymity, I’m joined by band manager Mike Odd for a conversation about one of the most insane band concepts I’ve ever seen.

See you at Reggie’s!

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A smart home connects virtually all of the technology in your home. With an Easy Automation-installed smart home system, you and your family can control nearly every device and system in the house in ways that are easy and fun to use.

Get a quote by visiting Easy-automation.net, or call Dan at 630.730.3728

01/08/2024

Roots/Americana/garage rock band Shukin and the Ramblers (actually, Matt Shukin and one Rambler, Rob) join me for Italian beef at Pop’s in Lyons.

We talk about the debut EP, No Canteen, and then Shukin and Rob play two acoustic songs in the car: “No Canteen” and “The Water.”

See Shukin and the Ramblers at Widows Harvest in Plano next month! It’s on the site of a youth camp. We talk about that.

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Car Con Carne is sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

Get a quote by visiting easy-automation.net, or give Dan a call at 630.730.3728

30/07/2024

Near ... far ... wherever you are.

24/07/2024

What is the state of the music industry in 2024? I know I can’t answer that one, so I invited old friend Tom Schmall to talk about it. Tom’s a Promotion, Marketing, and Artist Development Specialist for Red Light Management. In previous roles, he led promotion and marketing for record companies like Interscope and Maverick, and cut his teeth on independent promotion under Jeff McClusky.

Some of the things we talk about in this episode:
*What mistake do independent musicians most often make?
*When should an artist seek management?
*What is radio’s role in the present day?
*Is there a blueprint for new artists to follow?
*Why do some sh*tty bands break, while great ones don’t?
*Does “the album” matter in the music industry in 2024?

I feel like we only skimmed the surface in this episode, which means I need to plan for a follow up!

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Car Con Carne is sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net
Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.
Get a quote by visiting easy-automation.net, or give Dan a call at 630.730.3728

22/07/2024

What’s the current trajectory of the craft brewing industry? Mikerphone Brewing (121 Garlisch Dr, Elk Grove Village, IL ) owner Mike Pallen talks about that (and lots more) in the just-released Episode 978.

22/07/2024

Mike Pallen of award-winning Mikerphone Brewing (121 Garlisch Dr, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007) returns to Car Con Carne.

Moments before Mikerphone’s senses-shattering burger throwdown between Biker Dude Burgers (Darrin Klapprodt) and Chicago Culinary Kitchen (Greg Gaardbo), Mike jumped in the car to talk craft brewing trends, Mikerphone’s history and events, the need to be family-friendly (and dog friendly), pickle juice and … beer. Lots of beer talk.

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Car Con Carne is sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net
Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

Get a quote by visiting easy-automation.net, or give Dan a call at 630.730.3728

19/07/2024

Coming July 27:
12th annual Homegrown Arts and Music Festival 2024
Live from BaseCamp at Four Lakes - Lisle IL
20 Bands. 15 Acoustic Artists. 12 Art Vendors.

Aaron Williams (Homegrown Founder/Promoter) returns to the show to preview this year’s event. Joining him are two new-to-Car Con Carne guests: Michael (“Iggy”) from the Citrosonics and Arreis!

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Car Con Carne is sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

Get a quote by visiting easy-automation.net, or give Dan a call at 630.730.3728

17/07/2024

Remember DC’s “World’s Finest” comics, where Superman would join forces with Batman? Or Marvel’s “Marvel Team-Up,” where Spider-Man would be paired with a new hero every month? That’s kinda like what this episode is all about.

This episode’s content is done as a collaboration with “Barguments” podcast host Dan Levy (and will also be found on the Barguments feed). Dan’s an old radio friend, and we eat hot dogs while trading radio stories and “barguing” about “food bands” and women in alt rock. Special thanks to listener Joaquin, who spotted us in the parking lot and chatted with us while we were recording.

Car Con Carne is sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

Get a quote by visiting easy-automation.net, or give Dan a call at 630.730.3728

14/07/2024

Jack Russell of enduring rock band Great White gets the deep dive treatment in a new autobiography written by local author K.L. Doty, “The True Tale of Mista Bone: A Rock + Roll Narrative.”

K.L. Doty joins me in Geneva to chat about the book as we enjoy award-winning food from FoxFire Restaurant in Geneva (17 West State Street). FoxFire’s the real deal, having most recently been named 2023 Steakhouse of the Year and 2024 Best Steak in Kane County.

Owner/Chef KC Gulbro brought some of his menu into the car. I had the Certified Angus Beef Blackberry Brie Burger (Applewood smoked bacon, hoisin- blackberry jam, melted brie cheese, and pickled jalapenos on a pretzel roll). K.L. enjoyed the Avocado Salmon (Scottish salmon, tomato basil risotto with avocado pesto sauce, sliced avocado, grated pecorino, and lemon zest).

We recorded this episode on a painfully hot July day, and both my camera and phone (which manages the camera) overheated multiple times. Were it not for those issues, the conversation would likely have gone way longer. Next time!

Visit FoxFire online at foxfiregeneva.com
Learn more about K.L., and grab a copy of the book at jackrussellbook.com

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Car Con Carne is sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

Get a quote by visiting easy-automation.net, or give Dan a call at 630.730.3728

09/07/2024

Ravenswood on Tap comes to Ravenswood & Berteau on Chicago’s north side on July 20-21. “Malt Row” will be well-represented with a list of participants, including Begyle Brewing, Cultivate by Forbidden Root, Demo Brewing Company, Dovetail Brewery, Half Acre Beer Company, Hop Butcher For The World, Is/Was Brewing, KOVAL Distillery and Spiteful Brewing.

Joining me for a preview of this year’s event are Gene Wagendorf III (Associate Director of the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce), Kevin Cary (Owner, Begyle Brewing) and Chris Schroeder (Manager, Spiteful Brewing).

In addition to beer, this year’s festival is loaded with top-tier Chicago musicians (and several former podcast guests):

Saturday July 20
French Police / Serengeti / Bnny / No Men / Kill Scenes / The Microphone Misfitz / Guardrail / La Rosa Noir / One for the Ditch / Lawrence Tome

Sunday, July 21
She’s Crafty, Chicago’s All-Female Beastie Boys Tribute / Punk'd / wht.rbbt.obj / Madame Reaper & the Gentleman's Club / Lydia Cash / Hodie Snitch

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Car Con Carne is sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

Get a quote by visiting easy-automation.net, or give Dan a call at 630.730.3728

06/07/2024

They’re still having fun: Orleans (Episode 973)See Orleans, Peter Beckett (Player) and Walter Egan: Des Plaines Theatre on July 27!

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Orleans’ first album came out 51 years ago … and the band still exists in the present day. Orleans is joining forces with Peter Beckett (Player) and Walter Egan for a night of yacht rock awesomeness at the Des Plaines Theatre on July 27. Specific to Orleans, the band’s hits are indelible including “Still the One,” “Dance With Me” and “Let There Be Music.”

Founding member/bassist and singer Lance Hoppen talks about the band’s history, the music business then-and-now, the hits, the “yacht rock” label and *that* album cover.

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Car Con Carne is sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

Get a quote by visiting easy-automation.net, or give Dan a call at 630.730.3728

05/07/2024

Congratulations to Chicago's own Pat Bertoletti, winner of this year's Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest! Pat talked to me from the counter of his old restaurant back in 2018.

01/07/2024

Yacht rock is finally setting sail on Car Con Carne. Later this month...

01/07/2024

I’m back in Tinley Park for a chat with Flipside Brewing owner Erik Pizer.

As Flipside revs up its second anniversary plans, we chat about the business and beer while eating from Flipside’s menu (my order of smash burger and brussel sprouts was fantastic).

Erik also walks us through the nuances of different popular beer styles, kinda like an ad hoc “Beer 101” discussion.

Car Con Carne is sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

Get a quote by visiting easy-automation.net, or give Dan a call at 630.730.3728

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Horror fan? Don’t miss the double feature of “X” and “Pearl” at Facets (1517 W. Fullerton) on Friday, July 5. Both modern horror classics are being shown in one of Chicago’s best screens. Get caught up before “Ma###ine”hits theaters!

https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6333188

28/06/2024

wht.rbbt.obj performs and chats outside The Village Inn Pizzeria Sports Bar and Grill (8050 N. Lincoln in Skokie), bringing “femme fatale-fronted roadhouse raunch” to the Mazda 3.

Frank, River, Mike and AC all crammed in the car for an acoustic performance of “Your Love’s a Crime” (off the just-released EP, Romeo Bravo Bravo Tango).

See wht.rbbt.obj at Schubas on July 12!

Just as our interview was winding down, Village Inn owner Desi Mulingbayan jumped in the car (bringing the total amount of people in the Mazda to six) with a couple of fantastic pizzas. The pizzas didn’t last long.

Village Inn has been in business since 1990, and is a Skokie favorite. Stop by and stay late… the bar doesn’t close down until 11 on weeknights, and midnight on weekends.

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See major stars under the stars at Ravinia! There’s no better place to enjoy music outdoors this summer. Get tickets and info at ravinia.org. See you at the Beach Boys!

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Car Con Carne is sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

Get a quote by visiting easy-automation.net, or give Dan a call at 630.730.3728

28/06/2024

You only turn 1000 once.

27/06/2024

Ben's an excellent, thoughtful, listener and interviewer. I'm never comfortable being interviewed (the irony is duly noted), but this was a very easy conversation. Thanks for having me, Bending Brains Podcast.

20/06/2024

To the survey respondent who said, "Interview Ganser, you coward," here's one of the interviews I've done with the band, and I'm always hoping for more opportunities.

Chicago band Ganser at Riot Fest

18/06/2024

Looking for music conversation? In the past 9 days, I've posted episodes with Karen Shook, Fig Dish, Neptunes Core, Friko, Phantom Planet, Local H, Sincere Engineer and Devon Kay & the Solutions (the latter five were recorded on-site at Q101 Chicago's PIQNIQ at Taste of Randolph 2024.

You can watch the full videos (and clips) here on Facebook, but please also considering subscribing to the image-less audio feed ("Car Con Carne Classic"):

‎Music · 2024

18/06/2024

I last interviewed Devon Kay at Riot Fest 2021. Since then, Devon Kay & the Solutions have put out lots of music and done lots of things. This catch-up was long overdue.

Unlike our Riot Fest chat, we’re joined this time by four of the Solutions. Remarkably, they all fit in the backseat of my Mazda (perhaps not comfortably, but they fit).

While it’s true that Devon Kay & the Solutions is a great band, Devon is also a fantastically entertaining interviewee. Who needs filters when we’re all going to die some day, anyway?

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A smart home connects virtually all of the technology in your home. With an Easy Automation-installed smart home system, you and your family can control nearly every device and system in the house in ways that are easy and fun to use.

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

Get a quote by visiting Easy-automation.net, or call Dan at 630.730.3728

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Tickets for the The 2024 Ravinia Festival Summer Schedule are now on sale.
Don't miss your chance to see The Beach Boys, Elvis Costello, ZZ Top and more under the stars this year.

Book your Ravinia tickets today before they're gone: Visit Ravinia.org for full schedule and tickets.

17/06/2024

Deanna Belos of Sincere Engineer returns for a backstage conversation from Q101’s PIQNIQ at the Taste of Randolph.

Deanna’s one of the most authentic, enthusiastic and positive forces I’ve met in the scene, and that energy carries through to this chat.

Deanna also breaks the news that two new acoustic songs are coming soon!

Next stop for Sincere Engineer: Riot Fest and the New Found Glory tour. Can’t wait.

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A smart home connects virtually all of the technology in your home. With an Easy Automation-installed smart home system, you and your family can control nearly every device and system in the house in ways that are easy and fun to use.

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

Get a quote by visiting Easy-automation.net, or call Dan at 630.730.3728

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Tickets for the The 2024 Ravinia Festival Summer Schedule are now on sale.
Don't miss your chance to see The Beach Boys, Elvis Costello, ZZ Top and more under the stars this year.

Book your Ravinia tickets today before they're gone: Visit Ravinia.org for full schedule and tickets.

16/06/2024

Before Local H headlined the second night of Q101’s PIQNIQ at Taste of Randolph, Scott Lucas returned to Car Con Carne for a quick catch-up.

Scott gives an update on the reissue of “Whatever Happened to P.J. Soles,” chats about the Lifers podcast and the Lifers movie (branding!), and discusses the strategy behind making a Local H setlist.

And after the show last night, I’m pretty sure that opening songs don’t get much better than “Everyone Alive” (EVERYONE! EVERYONE!).

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A smart home connects virtually all of the technology in your home. With an Easy Automation-installed smart home system, you and your family can control nearly every device and system in the house in ways that are easy and fun to use.

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

Get a quote by visiting Easy-automation.net, or call Dan at 630.730.3728

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Tickets for the The 2024 Ravinia Festival Summer Schedule are now on sale.
Don't miss your chance to see The Beach Boys, Elvis Costello, ZZ Top and more under the stars this year.

Book your Ravinia tickets today before they're gone: Visit Ravinia.org for full schedule and tickets.

16/06/2024

This one was a delight to record. Alex Greenwald and Darren Robinson of the long-running California band Phantom Planet joined me backstage at Taste of Randolph to talk about their career, music and future.

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A smart home connects virtually all of the technology in your home. With an Easy Automation-installed smart home system, you and your family can control nearly every device and system in the house in ways that are easy and fun to use.

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

Get a quote by visiting Easy-automation.net, or call Dan at 630.730.3728

# #

Tickets for the The 2024 Ravinia Festival Summer Schedule are now on sale.
Don't miss your chance to see The Beach Boys, Elvis Costello, ZZ Top and more under the stars this year.

Book your Ravinia tickets today before they're gone: Visit Ravinia.org for full schedule and tickets.

15/06/2024

I caught up with Niko from Friko at Taste of Randolph, months after the release of “Where We’ve Been, Where We Go from Here,” and weeks before Friko takes the stage at Lollapalooza.

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A smart home connects virtually all of the technology in your home. With an Easy Automation-installed smart home system, you and your family can control nearly every device and system in the house in ways that are easy and fun to use.

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

Get a quote by visiting Easy-automation.net, or call Dan at 630.730.3728

# #

Tickets for the The 2024 Ravinia Festival Summer Schedule are now on sale.
Don't miss your chance to see The Beach Boys, Elvis Costello, ZZ Top and more under the stars this year.

Book your Ravinia tickets today before they are gone: Visit Ravinia.org for full schedule and tickets.

15/06/2024

Moments before doors opened on 2024’s Taste of Randolph, Julie Darling (West Loop Community Organization President) and Kelli Packer (West Loop Community Organization Spokesperson) jumped in the car to talk about the 27th Taste of Randolph, its vendors, the music acts and where that “suggested donation” at the gate goes to…

Sampled during the conversation: Food from Publican Quality Meats, Baked Cheese Haus and Matcha Cita. Glorious.

Car Con Carne is sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net

A smart home connects virtually all of the technology in your home. With an Easy Automation-installed smart home system, you and your family can control nearly every device and system in the house in ways that are easy and fun to use.

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.
Get a quote by visiting Easy-automation.net, or call Dan at 630.730.3728

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The summer season at Ravinia is underway… and there’s no place more comfortable to see outdoor shows.

Load up your picnic basket and head to the show… or take advantage of some of Ravinia’s outstanding food options inside the park.

Violent Femmes are set to do an album play of their debut album with the Chicago Philharmonic. It’s been hard for me to imagine stripped down songs like Gone Daddy Gone and Add It Up done with a classical collaboration. Get tickets and see the full schedule at ravinia.org.