ACT OUT: ATTEND THE TALE OF DANNY TANNER: A FULL HOUSE MUSICAL At Gorilla Tango

(sitting): Rob Speer (Danny Tanner)
(top): Ali Keirn (Michelle Tanner)
L-R (bottom): James Dolbeare (Jesse Katsopolis),Katie Johnston-Smith (DJ Tanner), Meghan M. Hillmeyer (Stephanie Tanner), and Chris Gorton (Joey Gladstone)   GT production photo   Credit:  Brian Work

Heads up--head out.   But ya may not want to drink and drive after this show...

We gave you the heads up last month.   Now it's time to head out...to Gorilla Tango Theatre tonight!    

Chi, IL Live Theatre Opening Tonight:

Wake up San Fran, if you can… It’s been seven years since Danny Tanner’s wife – the sweet, sweet Pamela Tanner – was tragically killed by a drunk driver, throwing the Tanners’ lives into equal parts chaos and hilarity. Every year since then, Danny, his brother-in-law Jesse, and best friend Joey kill a drunk driver on the anniversary of Pamela’s death. This is the year everything goes wrong…

Darkly comedic, ATTEND THE TALE OF DANNY TANNER: A FULL HOUSE MUSICAL performs Wednesdays at 7:30pm, May 9 – June 27, 2012 at 1919 N. Milwaukee. Tickets are $15; www.gorillatango.com or 773-598-4549 for tickets and more info.

In this original musical, the true life of Danny Tanner and his family is exposed; promises will be broken, sinister paths explored, lives (maybe even of main characters!) will be lost, and yes, songs will be sung. Whether you're a member of the Full House fan club or scoff in a superior fashion when you hear someone utter "Cut It Out", you will find both a touch of nostalgia and an illuminating light shining brightly on the Tanners' most clandestine realities in this black comedy with a twist. Come see the Tanners as you've never seen them before. Attend the Tale.

The idea for a Sweeney Todd-esque Full House musical came to Katie Johnston-Smith while she was brainstorming new parody show ideas for Gorilla Tango. Katie knew Chris Gorton through various improv ventures and was aware of his songwriting talents. She approached him with the show idea in November 2011 and together they started writing and developing what would be come ATTEND THE TALE…. Once all of the songs were mostly completed, they enlisted the assistance of another local musician, Tara Trudel to help put the finishing touches on the show, musically speaking.

This is the first musical that Johnston-Smith and Gorton have written, although all they are both well versed (pun intended) in improvised musicals and song writing.

Katie Johnston-Smith, a native of Pittsburgh, has a Bachelor's Degree in Music with an emphasis in musical theatre performance from Belmont University in Nashville. She can be seen performing around town with Second City Training Center's Musical House Ensemble Infinite Sundaes, and as a featured member of The Cupid Players.  She is also Gorilla Tango Theatre Bucktown's Executive Producer. 

Chris Gorton sang his first song at the age of four, saw his first musical at the age of eight, and has been in love with singing ever since. He's performed numerous musicals, been in a variety of shows, learned about harmonies in his college a capella group, and then sang on a cruise ship. He has no musical training other than singing in chorus in elementary and high school, but he loves music passionately, so that makes up for it. He writes songs for fun, and he makes up other songs for more fun. He taught himself the guitar. Combining all of his loves he wrote his first musical; this is that musical. He plans to write more. He currently performs improv and sketch comedy throughout Chicago.

Written by Chris Gorton and Katie Johnston-Smith
Music written by Chris Gorton, Katie Johnston-Smith, and Tara Trudel
Directed by Kelly Williams
Choreographed by Nikki Pierce
Fight Choreography by Bobby Hoffman
Musically Directed by Rhapsody Snyder
Costumes and props by Vanessa Walilko

Featuring: Rob Speer (Danny Tanner), Katie Johnston-Smith (DJ Tanner), Meghan M. Hillmeyer (Stephanie Tanner), Ali Keirn (Michelle Tanner), James Dolbeare (Jesse Katsopolis), Chris Gorton (Joey Gladstone), Tom Daily (Man, Steve, Woodchuck, etc), and Miryam Andrews (Woman, Becky, Kimmy Gibbler, etc).

Gorilla Tango Theatre (GTT) provides year-round theatrical venues where audiences of all ages can consistently go to see a wide variety of talented artists. GTT exists to provide artists with an opportunity to produce their work in professional environment. GTT was created by Dan Abbate and boasts two venues: an 80-seat performance space in Bucktown and a 150-seat performance space in Skokie. GTT Bucktown is conveniently located at the intersection of Western and Milwaukee in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood. Easily accessible by public transportation, GTT is steps away from the Western Blue Line stop and the #49 Western, #73 Armitage and #56 Milwaukee buses. Street parking is readily available.  Gorilla Tango’s Skokie Theatre is located in the heart of Downtown Skokie; street and lot parking available. With shows for all ages, all GTT performances are on a rating system, similar to the one used in movie theatres. GTT offers a variety of affordable beer and wine for purchase. Consult the website Calendar for all Gorilla Tango shows, locations, rating information, tickets, and more.

www.gorillatango.com – 773.598.4549
Gorilla Tango (Bucktown) - 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60647
Gorilla Tango’s Skokie Theatre - 7924 Lincoln Ave. Skokie, IL 60077

The Cribs-New Release Out May 15th

The Cribs' In The Belly Of The Brazen Bull Now Streaming On Hype
Fifth Studio Album Out In Two Weeks, On May 15th Via Wichita Records
North American Tour Dates Announced


ChiIL Live Shows has been kicking you clips the past few months and hope you had a chance to see The Cribs amazing, high energy, sold out pair of Schubas shows last month in Chi-Town.   We were there April 9th and will have live clips, show stills and a full album review up for you in conjunction with the release.   For our followers across the nation, the remaining tour dates are below and selling out fast.   Catch 
'em while you can.   They rock hard live!

On May 15th, the Wakefield trio will release their fifth studio album, In The Belly of the Brazen Bull, via Wichita Records. Recorded between Abbey Road in London, Steve Albini’s EAR studio in Chicago, and David Fridmann’s Tarbox Road studio in Upstate New York, the album can now be streamed in it's entirety over at Hype Machine.

After sold out UK and US  Spring Tours, culminating with a packed house at Music Hall Of Williamsburg, The Cribs are also excited to announce they are returning to North America. Next month they will kick of the tour on the East Coast and will then make their way across the country to the West Coast. Tickets are on sale now, head over to The Cribs website to grab your tickets while they last.

Tour Dates

06/05 - Johnny Brendas - Philadelphia, PA
06/06 - Irving Plaza - New York, NY
06/07 - Black Cat - Washington DC
06/08 - Motorco Music Hall - Durham, NC
06/09 - Masquerade: Hell Stage - Atlanta, GA
06/11 - Fitzgerald's: Upstairs - Houston, TX
06/12 - The Parish - Austin, TX
06/15 - El Rey Theater - Los Angeles, CA
06/16 - Great American Music Hall - San Francisco, CA
06/18 - Venue - Vancouver CA

Copyright © 2011 Tell All Your Friends.

Jane's Going To Summer Camp #SCamp 2012

Memorial Day weekend is rapidly approaching.   And ChiIL Live Shows will be spending it with Jane's Addiction at summer camp!    Check back with us like we vote in Chi, IL...early and often for loads of photo filled features on this year's hottest SCamp bands.   Hope to see you there.  

Check out our full show review of Jane's Addiction at The Metro, Chicago HERE.

Check out ChiIL Live Shows/ChiIL Mama's past photo filled Summer Camp Music Fest 09-11 coverage HERE.


Check out Summer Camp Music Festival's Main Site and Full Details HERE. 

It's not too late to get tickets and make some memories.   Come SCamp with the stars.

Great New News From Fitz & The Tantrums

ChiIL Live Shows caught up with Fitz  & The Tantrums at Chicago's Comma, for an intimate industry show, during their run of 3 sold out shows at The Metro.   Click the links here to check out our live footage, original video interview with members of the band, and parenting related video interview with their drummer, John Wicks, father of young twins, for our series on How Creatives Parent and How Parents Create. 
Here's what Fitz has to say:

Hello Everyone!

We are excited to announce that we've teamed up with producer Tony Hoffer (M83, The Kooks, Beck) and will begin recording the follow up to 'Pickin' Up The Pieces today in Los Angeles!! We've written over 30 songs and are ready to record!!

We're gonna do something very special with our fans this time and bring you ALL in on the process of making the new album.  You'll get video and photo updates from the studio and on the road during the recording and mixing of the new record!  We'll bring you to our photo and video shoots.  You'll be on the bus on our way to Bonnaroo while we listen to rough mixes.  You'll help us chose artwork and special package options.   Plus, you'll be the first to know when we are finished and when we release it for pre-order and streaming!  We want you to know what it's like to be IN the band!   

Come along for the ride!  Visit our website blog and social networks often so you can follow us each step of the way...

Finally, since we can not express our gratitude enough to everyone for making our dreams come true, we would like to offer you a FREE EP!!  Sign up on our WEBSITE to download a FREE LIVE EP from the House of Blues Boston and the "Breakin' The Chains of Love (Brand New Karate World Remix)" by our very own drummer Mr. John Wicks!  All we ask is that you spread the LOV and share it with your friends!!

Thank you for coming along on our journey!  We will see you in the studio.

xo,

FATT

VISIT FITZANDTHETANTRUMS.COM


This is particularly great news for this talented band.   As much as we adored their last release, the mix was rough technically, and every time a song of theirs got airplay this year, my sound guy husband would give a long suffering sigh and say, "I wish someone who had a clue would mix for them."    Sometimes wishes do come true....at least going forward.

RED FANG Announce North American Tour Dates

ChiIL Live Shows' full interview with Red Fang from 11-11-11, when they opened for Mastodon at The Riviera in Chicago.    We also featured a shorter excerpt from this interview on ChiILMama.com as part of our ongoing series on How Creatives Parent and How Parents Create, featuring members of Prong, Fitz and The Tantrums, Red Baraat and more.   The members of Red Fang were truly funny guys and a great interview.


Click here for ChiIL Live Shows' pit photos of Red Fang opening for Mastodon at The Riviera in Chicago.

Portland Oregon's RED FANG are in the midst of wrapping up their European tour with a show tonight in Moscow, Russia and their final gig tomorrow in St. Petersburg, Russia.    They've been out on a mad metal Euro tour with other colorful, toothy, metal favs of ours BLACK TUSK!

 

ChiIL Live Shows' pit photos of Black Tusk headlining Ultra Lounge, Chicago, just before they left the country with Red Fang.   Click here for  Monstro/Thou/Black Tusk, also at Ultra Lounge, a few months before.

Before they head back state-side, RED FANG is pleased to announce that they have just confirmed a new batch of North American tour dates. Included in this run are headlining shows as well as shows serving as direct support to The Sword. All tour dates can be found below.

Click here for ChiIL Live Shows' pit photos of The Sword opening for Kyuss Lives at The Vic in Chicago.


Rock for Grant High Art Dept:
RED FANG will be headlining "A Benefit For Grant High Art Department" scheduled to take place Friday May 25th at the Hawthorne Theater in Portland, OR. Support will come from Lopez, Nether Regions and Grant High's own Hell's Parrish. Doors for the show at are 7:00 pm with the first band hitting the stage at 7:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased for the show HERE.

RED FANG will also be taking part in Metallica's inaugural "Orion Music + More Festival" June 23rd in Atlantic City, NJ. 

RED FANG recently premiered their latest video for "Hank is Dead" directed by Whitey McConnaughy can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgV7hnjoyt0

RED FANG are streaming Murder The Mountains in its entirety at this location.  The album is now available on CD, 12" vinyl, and deluxe digital via Relapse HERE and on iTunes HERE.

Check out Red Fang's main site here.


RED FANG On Tour

RUSSIAN TOUR
5/7: Moscow, Russia    Plan B
5/8: St. Petersburg, Russia    Orlandina

"A Benefit For Grant High Art Department"
5/25: Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater

Headlining Dates
6/1: Seattle, WA @ Highline
6/12: Boise, ID @ Neurolux
6/13: Salt Lake City, UT @ Bar Deluxe
6/14: Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
6/16: Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves

Supporting The Sword
6/17: Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald's Upstairs
6/18: New Orleans, LA @ The Parish @ House of Blues
6/19: Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
6/20: Raleigh, NC @ Kings
6/21: Baltimore, MD @ Sonar

"Orion Music + More Festival"
6/23: Atlantic City, NJ @ Bader Field

"MusicFest NW"
9/5: Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater

What Your Mama Really Wants-Adrenaline Mob & Kill Devil Hill at HOB Chicago

Give your mama or your babymama what she really wants for Mother's Day--a night out with mega metal musicians from Black Sabbath, Pantera,
Dream Theater, Symphony X and Disturbed--Adrenaline Mob and Kill Devil Hill at HOB, Chicago.   Flowers die but metal lives!   ChiIL Live Shows will be there and we'll have pit photos and a show recap shortly.

Current And Former Members Of Black Sabbath, Pantera, Dream Theater, Symphony X and Disturbed All On One Stage

Adrenaline Mob and Kill Devil Hill are heading out on the road together for what will be a memorable night of hard rock music.  The run, which will be comprised of current and former members of Black Sabbath, Pantera, Dream Theater, Symphony X and Disturbed, kicks off on May 10^th in Cleveland.  The tour will make stops in Dallas, Chicago and Orlando before wrapping up in Charlotte, NC on May 22.  

The shows will feature Kill Devil Hill followed by Adrenaline Mob and then end in all out jam between the two groups. Special VIP Packages, including exclusive items and meet and greets will be available for each band.  Please check with the band’s respective websites for details. Adrenaline Mob is the powerhouse vocals of Russell Allen (Symphony X), the shredding guitar attack of Mike Orlando (Sonic Stomp), the rhythmic bass playing of John Moyer (Disturbed) and the drumming virtuosity of Mike Portnoy (Ex Dream Theater/Avenged Sevenfold).  Kill Devil Hill is comprised of famed bassist Rex Brown, (Pantera, Down) drum monster Vinny Appice (former drummer with Black Sabbath, Dio and Heaven And Hell), guitar virtuoso Mark Zavon and vocalist Dewey Bragg.

Adrenaline Mob will be touring in support of their Elm City Records debut Omertá. The record debuted Top 5 on the Billboard Rock Album chart when it was released on March 13. The band reached #5 on the chart and also was #62 on the Billboard Top 200 selling over 6600 copies its first week.  The album has been getting amazing reviews with Revolver declaring “If you dig hard-hitting modern metal, then Adrenaline Mob’s 11-track debut offers some monstrous moments.” Adrenaline Mob formed in 2011 when Sonic Stomp founder Orlando, who had been working on a collection of songs, approached Symphony X vocalist Allen with a concept and idea for the band.  Together they joined forces and refined those ideas.  Allen then reached out to long-time friend and ex Dream Theater/Avenged Sevenfold drummer Portnoy to see if he had any interest in playing with them.  Portnoy jumped on-board and from the very first note, the chemistry and sound was apparent. In late 2011, Portnoy recruited Disturbed’s Moyer to fill the vacant bass slot and the beast that is known as Adrenaline Mob was born.

Kill Devil Hill is a super group consisting of famed bassist Rex Brown, (Pantera, Down) drum monster Vinny Appice (former drummer with Black Sabbath, Dio and Heaven And Hell), guitar virtuoso Mark Zavon and vocalist Dewey Bragg.  The band are gearing up to release their self-titled debut album on May 22nd via SPV/Steamhammer.  In 2009 Vinny had found the perfect guitarist in Zavon, who was also looking to start a new band. Zavon played a demo he had recorded with vocalist Dewey Bragg, and Vinny was floored.  With the three members in place Vinny asked his long time friend Rex Brown to play bass on a demo track called “War Machine”.  Rex immediately agreed and the final puzzle piece was in place for the formation of Kill Devil Hill.

ADRENALINE MOB/KILL DEVIL HILL TOUR DATES.

May 10 Cleveland, OH House Of Blues

May 11 Flint, MI The Machine Show

May 13 Chicago, IL House Of Blues

May 15 Dallas, TX Trees

May 16 San Antonio, TX Backstage Live

May 19 Fort Lauderdale, FL Revolution

May 21 Orlando, FL House Of Blues

May 22 Charlotte, NC Amos’ Southend

www.adrenalinemob.com

www.facebook.com/adrenalinemob      

www.twitter.com/adrenalinemob

www.killdevilhillmusic.com 

www.facebook.com/KillDevilHillMusic 

www.twitter.com/KllDvlHll

Flatfoot 56 Reveals New Album Info; “Toil” To Be Released July 24 Through Paper + Plastick Records

Flatfoot 56 has announced today the details behind its fourth label-backed studio album. The band will release Toil on July 24 via Paper + Plastick Records. Worldwide distribution will come from Stomp Records in Canada, and People Like You Records in Europe.
 
The Chicago-based Celtic punk-rockers recorded Toil in Matt Allison’s Atlas Studios, working with producer Johnny Rioux of the Street Dogs in January and February. They emerged from recording sessions with 13 new songs for the album, and the tracklisting can be seen below. “[Johnny] knows how to challenge us and push us to the next level, which is what any band hopes for,” says frontman Tobin Bawinkel (vocals/guitar) of the band’s decision to work with Rioux again.
 
The choice of producer was a big one this time, as Flatfoot 56 wrote a record that Bawinkel says takes on a “much more mature, heartfelt tone.” Rioux produced 2010’s critically acclaimed Black Thorn as well, so the band felt comfortable working with him again. “We still love whipping the crowd into a frenzy and making everybody dance,” says Bawinkel, “but we wrote some tunes that people can relate to, and that they can sing along to.”
 
Bawinkel and the rest of Flatfoot 56 – his brothers, Justin (drums) and Kyle (bass), Eric McMahon (bagpipes/guitar) and Brandon Good (mandolin/guitar) – may have suggested that Toil would be less raucous than previous albums, but the band’s well-noted hardcore-tinged sound is still present. “Brother, Brother” starts fast and never slows down, a blisteringly paced barnburner of an opening track, carried by McMahon’s bagpipes, aggressive yells, dirty guitars and a huge chorus. Meanwhile, other tracks like future first single “I Believe It” showcase a more rootsy, folk-oriented side of the band. Gang vocals and pounding drums allow Flatfoot 56 to retain its signature sound.

 
Toil is the band’s follow-up to 2010’s wildly successful Black Thorn, which notched the band a spot on nine Billboard charts.
 
Toil will become available on July 24 via Paper + Plastick Records. The record will be available in vinyl, CD and digital formats.

Flatfoot 56 Facebook
Flatfoot 56 Twitter


Flatfoot 56 - Toil
July 24, 2012
Paper + Plastick Records


1. Brother, Brother
2. The Rich, The Strong and The Poor
3. I Believe It
4. Take Hold Again
5. Toil
6. Live Or Die Trying
7. Work For Them
8. Terrorizing Truth
9. Strongman
10. 6'10"
11. This Time
12. Winter In Chicago
13. I'll Fly Away
 
More about Flatfot 56:
Playing a positive-natured brand of hardcore-tinged Celtic punk, Flatfoot 56 has been unleashing itself upon America and the rest of the world for over a decade now. Forming in 2000, the Chicago natives achieved nationwide attention with their first two label-backed records, 2006’s Knuckles Up and 2007’s Jungle of the Midwest Sea. These releases built on a heavy dose of previously established regional notoriety, helping the band gain steam early on.
 
While each album received its fair share of critical acclaim and fan reception, the quintet exploded onto a new level with 2010’s Black Thorn. Landing the band on a total of nine Billboard Charts, Flatfoot 56 proved it could consistently reach an expanding audience while playing a genre not often associated with widespread success.
 
Frontman Tobin Bawinkel (vocals/guitar) is now set to lead Flatfoot 56 on in their furious march forward. Armed with brothers Justin (drums) and Kyle (bass), along with Eric McMahon (bagpipes/guitar) and Brandon Good (mandolin/guitar), Flatfoot 56 will release its fourth label-backed studio album, Toil, on Paper + Plastick Records on July 24, 2012.
 
Like the band's last release, Toil was produced by the Street Dogs’ Johnny Rioux. “We decided that since the last experience with Johnny was so beneficial, we wanted to repeat it,” Bawinkel said. “We have been friends with Johnny for years our mutual respect fosters a good creative environment for putting together a record. He knows how to challenge us and push us the next level, which is what any band hopes for.”
 
The band recorded Toil in Matt Allison’s Chicago-based Atlas Studios in January and February. “We have always respected Paper + Plastick’s independent approach to putting out records because they always seem to promote the creative side of the album,” Bawinkel said of the band's choice of label. “As a band we all really value that creative vision, and Paper + Plastick is the place to be for that.”
 
While the record is set to be more rootsy and folk-oriented, it promises to pack the same relentless knock-down punch that fans have grown to expect from Flatfoot 56. More than a decade into its career, Flatfoot 56 isn’t slowing down, but maintaining a blistering pace of touring and musical output. “The next record's sound is taking on a much more mature, heartfelt tone,” Bawinkel said. “We’re writing these songs as life gets thrown at us, and as we all get a bit older and start to interpret life in different ways, we want to express ourselves to reflect the victories and defeats that we all go through. We still love whipping the crowd into a frenzy and making everybody dance but we want to write some tunes that people can relate to, and that they can sing along to.”
 
Toil will be released in 2012 by Paper + Plastick in the United States, Stomp Records in Canada, and People Like You Records in Europe.