Big Takeover Magazine

The Big Takeover Show – Number 501 – August 26, 2024 – SPECIAL #500 LOOKBACK SHOW!

To mark the occasion of my 500th show, here’s part two of a “Many Moods of Jack Rabid” playlist from the past 499 shows! Same format as last week, alternating favorite new and old songs from each show. This week covers show #310 to show #490 — plus a few more picks from earlier!

The Big Takeover Show – Number 501 – August 26, 2024 – SPECIAL #500 LOOKBACK SHOW! DJ Jack Rabid 310 Cheap Star – Flower Girl (single, Wish I Could See) 2020 320 Shirley Bassey (with John Barry Orchestra) – Goldfinger (single) 1964 330 Justin Sullivan – Unforgiven (Surrounded) 2021 340 The Kinks – This Is Where I Belong (b-side “Mister Pleasant”) 1967 350 Bevis Frond ....

X - The Guild Theatre (Menlo Park, CA) - August 20th, 2024

X - The Guild Theatre (Menlo Park, CA) - August 20th, 2024 Punk rock royalty came to the Guild Theatre in Menlo Park, CA on August 20th when the seminal Los Angeles band, X, took the stage on the second night of two sold-out shows. The audience was in a rapt, anticipatory mood as Billy Zoom strode out on stage to do the customary k**b twiddling on his ampli...

Pete Yorn – The Hard Way (Shelly)

Pete Yorn – The Hard Way (Shelly) Pete Yorn has been consistently releasing new music going back to ”musicforthemorningafter” (Columbia, 2001), putting out new records about every three years or so. He’s had many strong, “full band” records in the 15 years including “Back & Forth” (Sony, 2009), “Arranging Time” (Bo...

The Chameleons + The City Gates - Théâtre Fairmount (Montréal) - August 12, 2024

The Chameleons + The City Gates - Théâtre Fairmount (Montréal) - August 12, 2024 Longtime readers of this publication will know that The Chameleons and related work of Mark Burgess are held in the highest regards. Head honcho Jack Rabid has been praising the band’s creativity and emotional connection for decades, and for good reason. Beset by more than the average music indust...

The Big Takeover Show – Number 500 – August 19, 2024 – SPECIAL #500 LOOKBACK SHOW!

It's my 500th show! To mark the occasion, I've put aside the normal show that I do and made a brand-new, two-part "Many Moods of Jack Rabid" playlist from the past 499 shows! I picked my favorite _new_ song from show #10, then my favorite _old_ song from show #20 and so on. This week covers show #10 to show #300!

The Big Takeover Show – Number 500 – August 19, 2024 – SPECIAL #500 LOOKBACK SHOW! DJ Jack Rabid 10 Sam Vicari – Reasons (Giving Up) 2015 20 Syd Barrett – No Good Trying (The Madcap Laughs) 1970 30 Royal Headache – Wouldn’t You Know (High) 2015 40 The Fourmyula – Come With Me (b-side) 1968 50 Don McGlashan – Girl, Make Your Own Mind Up (Lucky Stars) 2015 60 Chuck Berry...

1967: How I Got There And Why I Never Left - Robyn Hitchcock (Akashic Books)

1967: How I Got There And Why I Never Left - Robyn Hitchcock (Akashic Books) Robyn Hitchcock writes songs that are at times sublime and surreal. Often filled with clever narrative, they are delivered with charm and humor. Bursts of surrealist absurdity with emotional heft his music never sounds trite or stale. But where did those well-crafted songs come from? What life exper...

Interview: John Doe of X

Interview: John Doe of X Since their 1980 debut album, Los Angeles, X have been regarded as one of the most influential and innovative bands in punk rock history. Now, however, the group – which has long consisted of vocalist Exene Cervenka, bassist/vocalist John Doe, guitarist Billy Zoom and drummer D. J. Bonebrake – a...

The Big Takeover Show – Number 499 – August 12, 2024

This week’s show, after a 1986 Chameleons check-in: brand new Fontaines D.C., The Smile, Redd Kross, Decemberists, Matt Hunter & the Dusty Fates, Art Bergmann, and (Arthur Lee &) Love, plus Neil Innes, Derrick Morgan, West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, Nick Drake, Carl Smith, The Flame(s), and Marvin Gaye; and R.I.P. Maurice Williams (1938-2024)

The Big Takeover Show – Number 499 – August 12, 2024 DJ Jack Rabid The Chameleons – Caution (Strange Times) 1986 Sungaze – Lost My Head (single) brand new Guided By Voices – I am a Scientist (30th Anniversary Version) (single) brand new Redd Kross – The Main Attraction (Redd Kross) brand new Alvvays – Tom Verlaine (live) (KEXP, Seattle, Octo...

Metallica - Soldier Field (Chicago) - August 9th, 2024

Metallica - Soldier Field (Chicago) - August 9th, 2024 Upon releasing their self-titled fifth album in 1991, Metallica quickly became the biggest metal band on the planet. Some three-plus decades later, they arguably still are.

Lollapalooza 2024: Days 3 & 4 (Chicago, IL) - August 3rd and 4th, 2024

Lollapalooza 2024: Days 3 & 4 (Chicago, IL) - August 3rd and 4th, 2024 Few events in the city of Chicago create as many emotions as Lollapalooza does and the aptly named “Lolla Weekend” certainly seems to be the most divisive.

Interview: Dave Mustaine of Megadeth

Interview: Dave Mustaine of Megadeth When Megadeth released their debut album, Killing Is My Business…And Business Is Good! in 1985, then followed it with Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying? the next year, the band became instantly acclaimed as one of the world’s foremost thrash metal acts. It’s a reputation that frontman (and sole...

Jah Wobble: Metal Box In Dub - City Winery (Boston) - June 25, 2024

Jah Wobble: Metal Box In Dub - City Winery (Boston) - June 25, 2024 Some records come out and utterly confound the public, their true worth not realized until after years pass. 1979 saw one of those events, when it was a pretty big shift from Never Mind The Bo****ks to the first self-titled Public Image Limited record, but when Metal Box came out, it was a huge leap...

Lollapalooza 2024: Days 1 & 2: (Chicago, IL) - August 1st and 2nd, 2024

Lollapalooza 2024: Days 1 & 2: (Chicago, IL) - August 1st and 2nd, 2024 The oppressive humidity did little to deter the crowds on the opening two days of Lollapalooza’s triumphant 20th anniversary.

The Big Takeover Show – Number 498 – August 5, 2024

This week’s show, after a 1987 Chills chillwave: brand new Effigies, Chime School, X, Tombstones in Their Eyes, Trans-Canada Highwaymen, Meatbodies, and Blushing, plus The Herd, Beach Boys, Hank Snow, Lloyd Charmers, Ennio Morricone, Replacements, and Liberace & the Young Folk; and R.I.P. The Chills’ Martin Phillipps (1963-2024), The Vibrators/producer Pat Collier (1951-2024), and The Four Tops’ Duke Fakir (1935-2024)

The Big Takeover Show – Number 498 – August 5, 2024 DJ Jack Rabid The Chills – Pink Frost (live on KEXP, Seattle, March 11, 2019); R.I.P. Martin Phillipps (1963-2024) age 61 The Chills – House With a Hundred Rooms (live at the Gluepot, Auckland, NZ, June 23, 1990) (single, Brave Words) 1987; R.I.P. Martin Phillipps (1963-2024) age 61 Chime School...

Newport Folk Festival (Conan O'Brien, Gillian Welch/David Rawlings, Hozier, etc) - Fort Adams (Rhode Island) - Jul 26-28, 2024

Newport Folk Festival (Conan O'Brien, Gillian Welch/David Rawlings, Hozier, etc) - Fort Adams (Rhode Island) - Jul 26-28, 2024 Newport Folk Festival needs no introduction. Created by George Wein in 1959, it quickly became one of the premier music events held anywhere, and the inaugural event was notable for helping to launch a then-unknown talent by the name of Joan Baez. A fifteen fest veteran, she hadn’t appeared since ...

The Big Takeover Show – Number 497 – July 29, 2024

This week’s show, after a 1983 Wipers warble: brand new Redd Kross, DIIV, Rifles, Mary Timony, Paul Collins, Cathedral Ceilings, and Fastball, plus Moody Blues, Smiley Lewis, Johnny Cash, Ian & Sylvia, Hawkshaw Hawkins, Sue Thompson, and Mikey Dread; and R.I.P. John Mayall (1933-2024), Moby Grape guitarist Jerry Miller (1943-2024), and The Four Tops’ singer Duke Fakir (1935-2024)

The Big Takeover Show – Number 497 – July 29, 2024 DJ Jack Rabid John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers With Eric Clapton – All Your Loving (Blues Breakers With Eric Clapton) 1966; Otis Rush cover; R.I.P. John Mayall (1933-2024), age 90 Moby Grape – Hey Grandma (Moby Grape) 1967; R.I.P. guitarist Jerry Miller (1943-2024), age 81 Redd Kross – Stunt Qu...

The Prisoners + the Inspiral Carpets – The Roundhouse (London, England) – May 24, 2024

The Prisoners + the Inspiral Carpets – The Roundhouse (London, England) – May 24, 2024 The Prisoners, one of the most influential of the U.K. mod garage bands emerging from the aftermath of punk in the early 80’s, never got their due during their initial 1980-1986 heyday. While putting on incendiary live performances and influencing charting bands like the Charlatans UK and the Insp...

The Big Takeover Show – Number 496 – July 22, 2024

This week’s show, after a 1951 Frankie Laine freakout: brand new Linda Lindas, +/-, Seablite, Mercury Rev, Beachwood Sparks, Ducks Ltd., and Susanna, plus Culture, Ringo Starr, Sandy Denny, Hollies, Orioles, Marvin Gaye, and Tony Bennett; and R.I.P. The Controllers’ Johnny Stingray, Stealers Wheel’s Joe Egan (1946-2024), and Bob Newhart (1929-2024); and Happy Announced Retirement The Zombies’ Rod Argent

The Big Takeover Show – Number 496 – July 22, 2024 DJ Jack Rabid The Controllers – Electric Church (various, Tooth & Nail compilation) 1979; R.I.P. bassist Johnny Stingray The Linda Lindas – All in My Head (No Obligation) brand new +/- (Plus/Minus) – Contempt (Further Afield) brand new The Bevis Frond – Heat (Focus on Nature) brand new The L...

Pitchfork Music Festival-Union Park (Chicago, IL) - Day 2, July 20th, 2024

Pitchfork Music Festival-Union Park (Chicago, IL) - Day 2, July 20th, 2024 Playing an extremely tight set, hometown favorites Lifeguard delivered their fast paced garage rock in the style of Mission of Burma. With a vengeance, the trio played their hearts out with a pace that would be jarring if it weren’t so catchy. They also modestly thanked their fans pogoing up front...

Pitchfork Music Festival-Union Park (Chicago, IL) - Day 1, July 19th, 2024

Pitchfork Music Festival-Union Park (Chicago, IL) - Day 1, July 19th, 2024 It was such a treat to see Rosali open up the blue stage on Friday! Her 70s tinged guitar driven music did not disappoint earlier this year when she played at the empty bottle and it was perfect for midday of a festival! Although her music is firmly rooted in folk, the fact that she has a backing ba...

The Big Takeover Show – Number 495 – July 15, 2024

This week’s show, after a 1968 Nilsson nerd-out: brand new Fastbacks, I Was a King, Rifles, Chime School, Nada Surf, Voxtrot, and Maxïmo Park, plus John Lennon, Carl Smith, Ivory Joe Hunter, Gregory Isaacs, Buckinghams, Wilson Pickett, and Standells; and R.I.P. Johnny Dromette of Drome Records (John P. Thompson, 1952-2024) and actress Shelley Duvall (1949-2024)

The Big Takeover Show – Number 495 – July 15, 2024 DJ Jack Rabid I Was a King – Favourite Colours (single) brand new The Rifles – All Aboard (Love Your Neighbor) brand new Chime School – Wandering Song (The Boy Who Ran the Paisley Hotel) brand new Nada Surf – New Propeller (Moon Mirror) brand new New Model Army – I Am Still Me (Unbroken) b...

Seized Up: Andy Granelli Celebrates New Band, Reflects on Lengthy Punk Tenure

Seized Up: Andy Granelli Celebrates New Band, Reflects on Lengthy Punk Tenure Andy Granelli remains integral to the storied history of California’s independent hardcore community. Anchoring The Nerve Agents with his frantic drumming and serving as the unwavering backbone for The Distillers, Granelli has returned with Seized Up. Fronted by BL’AST! singer Clifford Dinsmore,...

Brandon Grant - Knowing (self-released)

Brandon Grant - Knowing (self-released) Songs often impart their most important message through their lyrics, but sometimes, another, less tangible lesson is presented to the listener. And so it is with “Knowing”, the latest single from Cape Town-based singer-songwriter Brandon Grant. As he reached the end of the process of writing th...

The Big Takeover Show – Number 494 – July 8, 2024

This week’s show, after a 1967 Buffalo Springfield belt: brand new Bright Eyes, Camera Obscura, Steve Wynn, Decemberists, Lemon Twigs, J. Robbins, and Susanna, plus Little Richard, Joe Cocker, Dave Dudley, João Gilberto & Stan Getz, Skatalites, Donovan, and Ray Charles; and R.I.P. Zuzu’s Petals’ Laurie Lindeen, age 62

The Big Takeover Show – Number 494 – July 8, 2024 DJ Jack Rabid The Saints – Lost and Found (live) (All Times Through Paradise box set) live at the Hope and Anchor, London, Nov. 26, 1977, released 2004 The Specials – Concrete Jungle (live) (Dance Craze Soundtrack), live at Liverpool Rotters Club, Oct 14, 1980, released 2023 Bright Eyes – Bell...

Starlight Alice - Pieces of My Heart (JB Records)

Starlight Alice - Pieces of My Heart (JB Records) If “I Swear To God” saw Starlight Alice follow in some frantic, British indie-folk traditions, their latest single, “Pieces Of My Heart”, leans more towards a pop-infused Americana vibe. But the great thing about the band is that their sonic scope is big enough to encompass both sounds and s...

Bad Guru - Love and Fear Me (self-released)

Bad Guru - Love and Fear Me (self-released) If this new single from Atlanta’s Bad Guru proves anything, it is that the gap between contemporary stoner rock and the more lysergic psychedelic playgrounds of bands such as Jefferson Airplane is not so far apart. But then again, given that both genres were, at least in part, inspired by and infu...

Wilco's Solid Sound Festival - Mass MoCA (North Adams) - June 28-30

Wilco's Solid Sound Festival - Mass MoCA (North Adams) - June 28-30 Wilco fans have it pretty good. Nearly 30 years into their existence, Jeff Tweedy and company are still very active in the studio and on the road and not just in America, providing fans loads of opportunities to connect. And forging a strong connection is what the band really does best. From intimat...

Chris Murphy - The Red Road (Chris Murphy Music)

Chris Murphy - The Red Road (Chris Murphy Music) It’s a nice feeling when you sit down to review a record, having watched the artist in question play live only the night before. And so it is with Chris Murphy’s latest EP, The Red Road. With the sound of his violin still hanging around me, I drop the virtual needle on the CD.