Pictured Nedra Johnson and Jill Sobule at Queer Is Folk.
Car advertisers continue to bring the best music forward in their commercials. The British rock band Kasabian finds itself being launched into high gear via Pontiac's latest car campaign. Available for viewing at pontiac.com, Kasabian's electronic-rock track 'Club Foot' is fitted perfectly for this endorsement. Modeling themselves musically after the likes of Death in Vegas and Primal Scream, Kasabian cleverly named itself after Charlie Manson's getaway driver's moniker. In the style of fellow bad boys, Oasis, Kasabian openly takes shots at other bands in the press, most notably guitar-free newcomers Keane. The rowdy lads made a stop in Chicago opening for The Music earlier this year and are set to headline at the Windy City's Doubledoor May 24.
The darker half of the Indigo Girls, Amy Ray, dances with her own memoirs on her second solo outing, Prom. While touring to promote the Indigo Girls release of the special edition of All That We Let In, Ray is also doing some select dates to promote her side project. Ray's familiar angst finds her reveling in memories of the universal high school awkwardness, typically queer 'kid fears', how things have changed and others remained the same with her own adolescence.
While Canadian pop rocker Avril Lavigne may have ditched her neckties, Jane Wiedlin from the Go-Go's caused many heads to turn sporting ties and appearing in uniform on VH-1's reality series Surreal Life, which is still airing reruns. Jane's interaction with former pro-wrestler Joanie Laurer, the Chyna Doll, kept curiosities up. The pixie-like guitarist is touring with the Go-Go's this summer on the West Coast and is still active with doing voiceovers for films and cartoons.
Mental note, do not get in a car with Courtney Love. The former Hole frontwoman just announced that she will be portraying adult cinema legend Linda Lovelace in an upcoming film. Lovelace starred in the cult classic Deep Throat, which despite its controversy [ or because of it ] became the biggest success of the porn industry. This role could be a change that Love needs, having recently battled with her record label and made unflattering court appearances.
Grace Jones was not purposely reliving moments from her role in the James Bond movie View to a Kill when she caused a ruckus on the Eurorail train from Paris destined for London. The striking model and actress sat in the first-class section without the proper ticket, not wanting to move and unable to pay for the upgrade, a shouting match and minor altercation with a train manager ensued. Jones was escorted off the train by police at the next station stop.
Looking for something to sate the lack of new Siouxsie and Blondie material? Check out The Best of Shakespear's Sister available exclusively as an import. This slipped disc captures the essence of this gothic girl glam-rock duo behind the massive hit single 'Stay' as they emerged with a look inspired by the Cure and silent film vamp Theda Bara. Like their musical idols, Shakespear's Sister has different styles, but the personality clashes and friction between the key members Siobhan Fahey and Marcella Detroit fueled many of the themes and videos. Overseas hits like 'I Don't Care' and 'You're History' show how great these two can be together. Club 950's hey day is resuscitated with the beats of 'Heroine', while 'Can U Wait That Long' rivals any riot grrrl anthem and the closing track 'Was it Something I Said' is reminiscent of the works of film composer Danny Elfman. Blue Man Group take note, the '80s-hued cover of Jefferson Airplane's 'White Rabbit' surpasses all other remakes. The accompanying DVD is highlighted by a live performance of 'Catwoman' and Shakespear's Sister's theatrical over-the-top videos directed by Sophie Mueller ( Annie Lennox, Eurythmics ) . Although the duo's career was short lived with only two albums and plenty of unreleased material, Siobhan has just issued an electro-infused single 'Pulsatron' from her forthcoming solo album and Marcella is touring with blues icon Corky Siegel, with a recent appearance at Chicago's Uptown School of Folk Music.
Queer is Folk
Chicago folk mastermind and lyrist Scott Free is assembling an all-star and all-queer lineup for the Queer is Folk Music Festival May 21 at the Old Town School of Folk Music.
The stage will be shared by Jill Sobule, Nedra Johnson, Dudley Saunders, Namoli Brennet, Coat with Libby Reed and Anthony Whitaker and Shelley Miller.
There is a 6:30 wine reception, 8 p.m. show. See Ticketweb.com and the Old Town School Box Office 773-728-6000.
This event will be a benefit for TYRA—Trans Youth Resource Advocacy, a program of Illinois Gender Advocates, and Howard Brown Health Center.
See www.queerisfolkfest.com
Singer/songwriter Jill Sobule recorded her debut album Things Here Are Different in 1990 on MCA with producer Todd Rundgren. Jill's second recording, produced by Joe Jackson, was never released, and she was dropped from her label. Jill signed with Atlantic Records in 1995 and rose to fame on the strength of her hit single 'I Kissed a Girl', a tongue-in-cheek nod to the media's fascination with 'lesbian chic'.
Nedra Johnson is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who grew up and lives in New York City. Her debut release Testify received high praises from The Advocate, Village Voice, New York Blade, HX for Her, Variety & The Hollywood Reporter. Nedra has performed internationally at jazz, blues, pride and women's music festivals as a solo acoustic artist, and as a tuba player and vocalist with Howard Johnson & Gravity. She has wowed audiences in places from Paris, Berlin, Vienna, and Macedonia to the South Pacific island of New Caledonia.
Dudley is a veteran of New York's experimental music scene.
