The Cliks follow up the breakout album Snakehouse with Dirty King. Recruiting producer Sylvia Massy ( Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tool ) , the Canadians add more melody to their brand of rock n roll. Don't worry, the grit is still ever present as heard on the title track, "Love Gun" and "We Are the Wolverines." It is "Not Your Boy" and "Animal Farm" that reveal a softer side underneath frontman Lucas Silveira's tattooed growl. Even "Red and Blue" seamlessly incorporates a string arrangement. This queer rock band is now a trio with the departure of guitarist Nina Martinez. Worthy of a crown, Dirty King is out now on Tommy Boy's LGBT imprint Silver Label. It does not hurt either that bassist Jen Benton is one of the sexiest women in music.
San Antonio threesome Girl in a Coma successfully dodges the cursed sophomore slump with the impressive Trio B.C. Signed to Joan Jett's Blackheart Records, this album rocks on "Static Mind" and "In the Day," as well as on the single-worthy "Joannie in the City." "bb" brilliantly starts off with a nod to am radio before kicking into full gear with an irresistible hook. The ghost of Morrissey is found on "Empty Promise," whereas "El Monte" is a Patsy Cline-inspired lullaby. Girl in a Coma is currently on a national tour with a stop at The National Museum of Mexican Arts, 1852 W. 19th, on Friday, June 26, at 8 p.m.
Looking like Celine Dion's tomboy kid sister and sounding like Melissa Etheridge jamming with ZZ Top, Michelle Malone makes a splash with her latest, Debris. This out veteran rocker is at the top of her game on "Feather in a Hurricane," "Undertow" and "Restraining Order Blues." Expect fireworks, as Malone performs on the 4th of July at Fitzgerald's, 6615 Roosevelt, Berwyn, at 5:15 p.m. as part of Fitzgerald's 29th Annual American Music Festival. Also on the line up for the night's festivities are singer-songwriter Michelle Rodriguez and Chicago's very own cover band Tributosaurus, as the group salutes Elvis Presley.
San Francisco's Sean Chapin released the album More Equal Union to benefit Lambda Legal. Here, Chapin captures today's LGBT headlines with the woes encountered by the fictitious same sex couple Ethan and Jacob. Chapin fits dialogue into songs like "Your Time Has Come" and "Promise." This set would be ideal for a stage production, spanning genres and developing the characters. On his YouTube channel, SeanChapin1, the Californian has documented the turmoil the LGBT community has weathered in the Golden State. More Equal Union is available on iTunes. For additional information, please visit moreequalunion.com .
On June 16, Namoli Brennet treated the audience to an intimate concert at the LGBT showcase Homolatte at Tweet, 5024 N. Sheridan. The Tucson singer-songwriter freely admitted that her songs have darker tendencies. Her bleak, head-above-the-water take on folk presides over her recent outing Until from This ( Dream ) I Awake. During her set, the trans artist opened up about her music's inspirations and joked with the crowd, reminiscent of Parker Posey's quirky sense of humor, softening her work's sting. She readily confessed to reading John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath for pleasure last summer, which spawned opening track on her latest. Accompanied just by a guitar and sometimes a tambourine, Brennet's set closed with her anthem "We Belong." Remarkable material from her new set was also performed, including "Beneath the Bones," "Cut My Tongue" and "Let Love In." Until from This ( Dream ) I Awake will be out shortly on iTunes.
Chicago's PrideFest has a tremendous array of musicians. Kicking things off on Friday, June 26, at 4 p.m. is the lesbian-fronted blues-rock outfit The Kimi Hayes Band. Chicago's next "it" band, The Joans, takes to the stage on Saturday, June 27, at 3:30 p.m. Possessing on of the finest voices in music, Martha Wash will have the crowd "keep on jumping" June 26 at 8 p.m. Also performing at PrideFest on June 27 are pop singer/Broadway veteran Deborah Gibson and dance divas Thelma Houston, Crystal Waters, Inaya Day and Ultra Nate. For a complete schedule, visit www.chicagoevents.com .
Taking the Monday after Pride off of work? Black Moth Super Rainbow is playing a free show at Millennium Park on Monday, June 29, at 12 p.m. Combining distorted vocals, electronics and rock 'n' roll as if on an acid trip, Black Moth Super Rainbow recalls the underappreciated Death in Vegas or Holy Fuck from last year's Lollapalooza. The act's recent offering Eating Us features the genius "Born on a Day the Sun Didn't Rise" and the outstanding "Iron Lemonade." French duo Daft Punk should take note. The Pittsburgh-based band was in Chicago in May, sharing the bill with School of 7 Bells. If Madonna, Kylie Minogue and Annie Lennox want to remain relevant, they should tap Black Moth Super Rainbow for a collaboration, taking these icons to a new level that megaproducers like Mirwais couldn't do.
