I have had a "Peter" on my mind for some time. I had not been thinking of the word in one of its common meanings (a wiener) or it being short for a "Peter Pumper," either. Rather, I was obsessing about a band whose name I mistakenly had thought was "Peter Rabbit." The correct name of the self-proclaimed bossa nova/pop/psychedelic band is "Pepper Rabbit," which is more fitting since they are not silly rabbits, as far as their skills are concerned.
 
Plus, the duo, comprised of Xander Singh and Luc Laurent, present peppered, magical musical ingredients and chemistry that indeed have the potential to stretch a person's imagination, and make the cells in his head grow. And, that is putting it mildly because I can say with the utmost of confidence, no people will be asking for their money back after having seen one of Pepper Rabbit's shows.
 
However, LA based Pepper Rabbit did take me by surprise with their performance last weekend. People did not seem to want to touch them with a 10-foot pole, or even a 6-inch pole! To elaborate, patrons at Chicago's ultra cool Subterranean venue and lounge stood far way from the stage while Pepper Rabbit played.
 
Yet, during Pepper Rabbit's first song the room filled quickly, and the Subterranean is known for being a tough crowd to please. But, while I looked around I saw just about everyone's eyes fixated on, and in awe of Pepper Rabbit's performance.
 
I truly believe the physical distance between the customers and the stage was due to them being utterly taken back by Pepper Rabbit's, just about as unique as can be, showmanship and total musical components.
 
Xander Singh, eventually invited the audience to come closer to the stage, and it appeared as everybody did, although they were still pretty stiff, probably by all of Pepper Rabbit's songs zapping them like lightening rods. Pepper Rabbit's worldly and highly complex arrangements were shocking in a such a good way, I could easily conceive flocks of people risking going miles down to Mexico. (In a desperate attempt to get the same feeling in a pill form.)
 
A "Hallelujah" is in order that people can skip the possible Mexican Prison time, and who knows what else, by simply buying Pepper Rabbit's critically acclaimed albums and tickets for their shows instead (http://www.myspace.com/pepperrabbit.)
 
Pepper Rabbit's performance, all in all, also induced lots of foot thumping amongst the crowd, as well as, praise. For instance, a beautiful girl named, Maren, I spoke to during the show said she played all the same instruments as Pepper Rabbit in her band, The Photographers. And, in her professional opinion she stated "Pepper Rabbit are real tight!"
 
Pepper Rabbit's performance displayed marveling multi-tasking abilities, memorization skills and dedication needed to pull out, and use so many instruments so often while singing, too! They pulled out a slew of joyous-invoking instruments including a mandolin, banjo, ukulele, tambourine, drums, pianos, flat 7ths and so on!

Plus, Singh's voice had a charming boyish sound, that was also powerfully loud and from the gut at the same time, showing off lyrics stemming from their personal experiences. In addition, some of Peppered Rabbit's songs have lyrics that are delightfully playful. I kid you not, Pepper Rabbit will make you feel like a child, again, excitingly discovering music for the first time.
 
It would be a crying shame if the incredibly talented and passionate Pepper Rabbit do not receive a much larger fan base and more album sales. I believe they will, though, as long as they go after a significantly larger amount of exposure--you know how fast rabbits can multiply!

You can go to: http://www.myspace.com/pepperrabbit to get their new album, BEAUREGARD, and tour information. 

Living in what can seem like an ice box for months in a row blows! However, the way Tribute Bands are treated by crowds can be additionally brutal.

Take the instance when a man, John Ritchie, was up on stage in front of a New York audience in the 1800's. Massive amounts of rotten tomatoes were thrown at him by the audience, and it lead to one hitting him smack dab between the eyes. The poor man fell to the floor of the stage, and is the first performer on record for having had rotten tomatoes and eggs thrown at him (merely because some people in the audience did not like him (www.howstuffworks.com 2011.)

Well, a Led Zeppelin Tribute Band, Led Zeppelin 2, are known to be nothing to sneeze at. Led Zeppelin 2 are snowflakes in the globe of Led Zeppelin Tribute Bands since they not only play the legendary rock band's songs, but they re-enact their previous real-life performances, as well (www.ledzeppelin2.com 2011.)
 
Let's see if they receive any free tomatoes, or the cold shoulder, from any weathered chicago concert-goers tonight.
 
First, some higher-ups at the House of Blues actually gave the excited, good-looking 21-40ish aged crowd the "Bird!" I'm speaking of the Chicago's, "The Loop," radio personality, Bryd, of course. The "Bryd" got the audience going more after saying they'd be seeing all of Led Zeppelin 1 this evening.
 
While the audience waited for the curtains to open, some eager beavers lifted them on their own. Consequently, I was able to get a glimpse, too, of the happenings beyond the curtains, and saw a guy's behind--his buns were wrapped in blue, bell-bottom jeans.
 
At last, Led Zeppelin 2 came out on stage to emulate the worshiped Led Zeppelin band--what a tall order, but the lead singer looked to be about 6ft without heels. During their first set they fell a little short due to a few instrumental oopsies, and there was one breif brain freeze. It was just about which song to play next, but the crowd seemed to care less. Besides, such incidents happen to the best of the best.
 
Pot was out and about, and to use the word in a different way, lead vocalist, Bruce Lamont, was highly noticeably deemed as a Male Sex Pot! Pairs of Penny Lanes were plentiful and blatantly showing animalistic hunger for A "Zep," a big sandwich with a filling in the middle (www.websters-dictionary.org 2011.) A "Zep" is also another name for the band mates of the original Led Zeppelin. 

Getting back to sandwiches, I caught girls and full grown ladies looking up at the members of Led Zeppelin 2 with dazed, but not confused, glazes. I caught a girl unbuttoning the 3rd, 4th or fifth button of her busty friend's top. What a sight for Led Zeppelin 2 to have seen while up on stage! Yet, they sustained their concentration on their playing and overall performance.
 
Afterall, these guys are professionals with many accomplishments under their belts. For instance, Bass Guitarist, Chris Klein, and Lead Guitarist, Paul Kamp were part of the groundbreaking, 90's Chicago-based band, Busker Soundcheck together. Busker Soundcheck earned multiple mentions on prestigious critic's "Best of Lists." Bruce Lamont has also been a lead vocalist for the critically acclaimed band, Yakuza. Drummer, Ian Lee is no slouch either, for he has the great honor of being featured in "How to Be John Bohnam--A Drummer's Guide (www.ledzeppelin2.com 2011.) 
 
To zip it up, Led Zeppelin 2's second set was even better than their first one on all levels. And after their 4th encore, I lost track of how many more songs they played after that! I can say with the utmost of confidence, though, the crowd at the House of Blues on January 7th, gave them "A Whole Lot of Love," and they proved they deserved it!
 
For more information about Led Zeppelin 2 visit: www.Ledzeppelin2.com 
 
Sources:
 
www.howstuffworks.com

www.ledzeppelin2.com  
 
www.websters-dictionary.org

"Get your motor runnin'...Head out on the highway... Lookin' for adventure...And anything that comes our way!" That was exactly the mood I was in last Saturday. The weather was not too hot or too cold, and everybody and their mother seemed to be out in Chitown's streets, while on my way to see James Apollo play.
 
The Underground Lounge, non-ironically, is indeed not above ground. The lighting is nice and dark for people wanting to hide their pussy-pulsating zits, milk-chocolate-brown- stained fangs, stubborn-darn dandruff, and the list could easily go on and on!
 
However, I would rather tell you about a guy I sort of got to know there. After my shameless poking and prodding of James Apollo's drummer, Devon Wilkerson, I discovered he is a Sagittarius who has an ultra cool sky-diving, scuba-diving, goat-saving mom who had bought her sons musical instruments when they were quite young. Devon had taken over his brother's drum set and, now, not only tours with, James Apollo, but also, band's named "The Horde" and "The Harem." Wilkerson did not bitch or moan throughout the examination--he answered all my questions, and could not have been more gracious in the process.

The show was about to start, and James Apollo's roots rock 'n' roll and Americana sound, coupled with lyrics probably billions of souls could identify with, were expected to come straight from his heart.

The first song played was "Happiness," which was a smart choice, given no one at the bar seemed as if he or she raced from a wake, where the embalmed person in the casket, shockingly, did not wake up.
 
James Apollo's music definitely reminded me of the kind played in the background of Old Westerns Movies. Plus, the semi-cowboy-ish clothed, James Apollo, combined with his take-charge stage presence, efficacy in rounding up his band and getting his audience to get wild, very well may have lots of ladies and gents wanting to save a horse and ride a cowboy!
 
Also enticing to get a wee bit rowdy, were James Apollo's heartfelt, sexy sweet and tender vocals, as well as, his stomping and hopping onstage, while the tempos of many of his songs unforeseeably were to become climatic, along with Wilkerson's strong, passionate and precise drum-playing.
 
The band's chanting in the blast-off of a handful of James Apollo's tunes shot right through the bodies of the audience, too, with x's, xy's and what-have-you's eagerly jumping on the bandwagon, amazingly dancing in time to James Apollo's ever-so-quick beats. I thought, golly, am I dancing with Meth-Head Desert Rats here or what?
 
James Apollo and his band exited the stage after about an hour of intensely intoxicating performing, and I was itching, scratching and nearly drooling to score another such adrenaline fix.
 
A pretty lady I spoke to after the show, was still all giddy and elated, and said "James Apollo and his band are awesome--great--I love them! Cutie, Allie Powell, was really wowed by James Apollo, also, and stated she loved the saxophonist coming out into the audience because it showed their music has no barriers.
 
According to the several straight men I have talked to over the years, who are outside of the music industry, they should only be so lucky to get responses and praises regarding their love-making from the ladies, as those above, which were solely about James Apollo's music performed live!
 
Tying it up, James Apollo is not just a one-trick pony, as the Naked Cowboy appears to be, since the latter merely plays guitar in his undies in New York City's Time Square. James Apollo is a serious talent with growing artistical depth and success, while the Naked Cowboy is busy dodging pigeon droppings.
 
For information on James Apollo's CDs and Tour Dates, you can visit: www.JamesApollo.com

*Photo by Tracy Walsh

First of all, TYPING IN ALL CAPS IS CONSIDERED RUDE, RIGHT? So, just who does a band who has their name written in all caps (HEALING SIXES) think they are? Oye vey, perhaps I've been watching too much of Larry David's "Curb Your Enthusiasm Show!"

Moving on, the Indianapolis, Indiana boys (Doug Henthorn, vocals, guitar), (Eric Saylors, guitar), (Wade Parish, drums) and Jeff Stone (bass), played on an Indian Summer night in Chicago at the nothing-to-sneeze-at House of Blues. There was clearly no need to snort any NO-DOZ because, let me tell ya, the Healing Sixes' performance kept folks on their toes.
 
No jibber-jabbering amongst the audience about Tom, Dick or Harry Mary bombarded my ears. Nor did I see or hear a single person doing his or her spiel to get into anyone's pants or panties--or leave the floor in front of the stage to chug-a-lug more beers!
 
The Healing Sixes were on fire right from the very start. They ended their performance with The Beatle's "I Am the Walrus," and I was in a blazing sea of love during every part!

Just for the record, Healing Sixes only have their name printed in all caps on some of their materials for their website's address, and all nitpickiness aside, they are truly not rude for doing so at all.
 
They don't act as if they think they are 10 feet tall, yet it's as blue as the sky above to me and many, the HEALING SIXES are a band whose songwriting, plus, high quality playing make them stand out and unlikely to have a drastic career fall.
 
"Healing Sixes are always about emphasizing that their songs create a strong, vibrant--yet never formulated-rock sound (www.HEALINGSIXES.COM.") Also respectable, is they have opened for Ted Nugent, Bret Michaels, Eddie Money, Todd Rungren, Hoobastank and so on--yeah, Healing Sixes sure do get around. But, they are headliners, too, and continue to be buds with their former member, Jason Bonham, who helped the band get more off the ground.

 Ending on a high note, I have a good feeling the Healing Sixes new CD "Blue Jay" is sure to have you whistling "Yay...yay...yay," since it's a "super fly" Rock and Blues CD to play. In addition, you don't want to miss the exceptionally talented Healing Sixes on tour with The Steepwater Band, whose lead vocalist and guitarist, Jeff Massey is widely esteemed as playing the guitar in an "Oh, My God!" way.
 
The Healing Sixes' and The Steepwater Band's Tour dates and CD information can be found at: www.HEALINGSIXES.COM and www.steepwater.com

Did you know innocent people were "forcibly tattooed... for the identification system of them in Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust?" So, "In modern times the association of tattoos with Nazi concentration camps and the Holocaust" has caused some Jewish people to be against the practice of tattooing of any kind (http://en.wikipedia.org 2010.)

The more folks expose themselves to truths about different cultures and religions than their own, and can understand where they are coming from, the better the chances of peace and harmony in a world of too many minds misunderstood and divided.

"The Invasion of Skokie" is a play partially intended to be a comedy about a Jewish family during the 1970s. Whopping whacked-in-the-head-Nazis may have said or say laughing gas should have been filled into the theatre since not all the punch lines spit out by the characters were laughed at by the audience of mostly middle-aged-men and ladies.

However, in all fairness the production had such non-comical heavy-weight themes with one being about the Holocaust, which is not to be taken shallowly due to its extreme emotional costs on Jewish human beings. The "Invasion of Skokie's" main character, Morry, played by Mick Weber, executed quite well how the Jewish have been hit by the evil blows of the Nazis, and how it can, understandably, still be painful for them to think of the unjustifiable torturous acts and killings of grandparents, moms, dads, sons, daughters, siblings...

To elaborate, the play was set during the time the Nazis of Illinois, in real life, beat the Village of Skokie in the U.S Supreme Court when they had fought to march in the town to throw their political existence in the face of victims and survivors of the Holocaust (which comprised of 40 percent of the residents there!) As one could imagine, some Jewish people around while the fight had taken place had said "This isn't just a free speech matter. This is an assault on a community," what a nightmare (Petlicki M. Chicago Dramatists marches into 'Invasion of Skokie' Pioneer Local. 2010 Aug 26.) Since Chicago Dramatists Network Playwright of "The Invasion of Skokie," Steven Peterson, had his deceased father and a lot of his friends as victims of the march it was something he wanted to share (Petlicki M. Chicago Dramatists marches into 'Invasion of Skokie' Pioneer Local. 2010 Aug 26.)

An additional theme of "The Invasion of Skokie" is about a Jewish couple (Morry and Sylvia ) struggling to keep their daughter (Debbie) from marrying a man (Charlie) from another faith, even though he has been tight with the family ever since he was a young child. But, Sylva's and the family's close friend (Uncle Howie's) reactions toward the Nazi's march and the possible walking of a gentile into their unit, compared to Morry's, was mild. That is, Morry firmly believes in using violence against the Nazis who are to invade Skokie, whereas, Sylvia, Debbie and Charlie are adamantly opposed to resorting to measures that dangerous, radical and wild.

The Director, Richard Perez, as well as all of the characters played by Mick Weber (Morry Kaplan), Cindy Gold (Sylvia Kaplan), Tracey Kaplan (Debbie Kaplan), Michael Joseph Mitchell (Howie Green) and Bradford R. Lund (Charlie Lindal) have respectable credentials, and the acting seemed convincing thru and thru, especially Mick Weber's, while Steven Peterson's writing was not to my liking until 10 minutes or so into the production.

To close the curtain on the review, I will lastly say there is a tremendous throw-you-off-your-rocker part in the play which combined with its other themes, I did not mention, have the depth and importance for you to excitingly argue back and forth with someone about them.

"The Invasion of Skokie" (a finalist in the Dorothy Silver Playwriting Competition) plays at the Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W.Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays, September 15th-October 10th. $32 Tickets; www.chicagodramatists.org; (312) 633-0630.

 

Above photo:

(L-R) Bradford Lund, Mick Weber, and Michael Joseph Mitchell star in Steven Peterson's world premiere production of The Invasion of Skokie, at Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave., running 09/2-10/10/10, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 3 PM. Photo by Jeff Pines.

Charlie Sheen is infamous for having call girls ring his bell. But, it was a real shocker to have seen Scorpion's rocker, James Kottak, smooching a blonde bombshell that, sadly, turned into a blow up doll (which, he was surprised by as well!)
 
It was a planned and previously videotaped gag the Scorpions ran for fans during their show at Chicagoland's Rosemont Theatre. And, that wasn't the only surprise the 80's rockers had in their bag of tricks.
 
I was taken aback by the thought of the massive amount of money that must have been spent for the endlessly enthralling high-tech stage design and lights with the drummer's set erected at least 20 feet high. There were generously sized screens behind the band playing good-humored skits and footage of their audiences back in the 80s from their first to last song performed.
 
I didn't imagine the Scorpions would execute a clearly well rehearsed production, either. Given the mastered performers each of the members of the Scorpion's were, and with so much staged, even a person with ADHD was likely to stay engaged.
 
The nearly senior citizens actually had pep from start to finish, too, proving they wouldn't be needing any canes, walkers or hip replacements anytime soon. Nor did the 40-ish aged fans display any problems with memory since most of them sang all the lyrics, and correctly, when the lead singer, Klaus Meine, extended the microphone out above the crowd.
 
Plus, the frequent interaction the German rockers had with the audience and the power, control and hold they had over them would have made sicko, Hitler, proud.
 
The sound was loud and clear with vocals and instruments rocked absent of a single glitch. I see now why the Scorpions have been reported as The World's #1 German Rock Band (www.the-scorpions.com 2010.)
 
Furthermore, they played all their biggest hits from the 80s plus some songs from their new album "Sting In The Tail," which were like totally awesome! As a matter of fact, "Sting In The Tail" turned gold a couple of months ago (www.the-scorpions.com 2010.)
 
Also, there were a wide array of lit lighters held by fans that would have probably made me have many thoughts of darting for the fire escape route, if I would have seen anyone in the crowd with highly ratted, hairsprayed and flammable hairstyles.
 
Yet, I was still disappointed to not have gotten a peep of any male fans at least stuffed in spandex with their eyes painted like cats and raccoons. However, I saw a few frauleins suited in head-to-toe-all-black-leather and they had their manes feathered.
 
My 30-year-old, buddy, who went with me to see the band was expecting a show gobbed with "cheesiness." He cut the word out of his vocabulary when describing the Scorpions after they played their first few songs, though. And, while his eye lids were completely rolled back into their sockets he said "This is a really good concert!"

Something I hate to hear is that the Scorpions will be ending their 35-year-old career (www.the-scorpions.com 2010.)
 
However, you can still see the Scorpion's "Sting And Blackout World Tour," if you missed them perform in the U.S. in other continents or if you just have to get more! (www.the-scorpions.com 2010.)
 
Lastly, I want to give the Scorpions a big hand for providing a show that was nothing less than grand.

Has it ever ran through your mind what celebrities look like during a certain predicament, event or activity? After seeing Jonny Lang perform at the House of Blues on the 16th of July, I have a solid feeling I know what he really looks like when he is reminiscing, heartbroken, angry, passionate, intimate, thankful and going poo-poo and potty!
 
I hate to disturb any graves or upset any folks who consider Elvis as one of their faves, but his hip "thang" is pale in comparison to the mojo of Jonny Lang!
 
That is, Jonny's jerking movements of his entire body, tensed-up facial expressions and strong, animalistic vocal explosions and guitar playing throughout his show, I swear, must be how he appears during experiencing the big "O!" With that said, I came to conclude that while he performed at last Friday's show he seemed to have 69 or so!
 
Jonny Lang has had quite a ride, given the strapping young lad was invited to play at Mick Jagger's 56th Birthday Bash, where he jammed with Jagger, Bono, Elton John and Ron Wood side by side. (www.jonnylang.com 2010)
 
Plus, when Lang journeyed into the Gospel sound, he was awarded a Grammy for his album "Turn Around" (www.jonnylang.com 2010.)
 
Another notch was added to Jonny's belt when he performed at the White House when Bill Clinton was in office, and gave the President something heartfelt--Rather than giving Clinton a cigar, Jonny gave the President a Fender guitar! (www.jonnylang.com 2010)
 
Now, back to Jonny's Chicago performance where some of the songs he played were "Red Light," "Thankful," "Livin' for the City," "Breakin' Me," "Rack Em' Up" and an encore including "40 Days and 40 Nights" as well as "Lie to me," proving he and his band are undoubtedly some of the most talented jam musicians in existence!
 
Jonny had a Gospel singer do a handful of solos that gave me goosebumps from my gourde straight down to my toes!
 
Also, Jonny revealed he played at the old Fitzgeralds and Buddy Guy's Legends his first trip to Chicago. He elaborated he was really nervous to play at Buddy Guys, and while he did, he looked over and saw Buddy Guy watching him. "So I have a lot of good memories in Chicago," said Jonny while the lights were dim.
 
Right after Jonny left the stage of the House of Blues, I asked fans for their reviews.
 
"Amazing--nothing was missing from the show. It couldn't have been better, and I saw the Rolling Stones twice, and he was better than them," asserted Jill Matthews.
 
(Poor old slick, Mick Jagger, has seemed to have lost some of his swagger.)
 
Breck Reich, another satisfied concert-goer, confessed [Jonny Lang] "was better then John Mayer, and he loves John Mayer!"
 
Additionally, Mark said "the expressions on Jonny's face are real--they show what he's feeling. And we [he and his slightly buzzed buddies] like it best when he whales on the guitar and he did tonight," I agree with Mark whole-heartedly.
 
Lastly, before the interview I had with Jonny on Thursday, his PR had professed he hasn't been up to par and is in need of rest. Nonetheless, the show of his "Live by Request" tour screamed Jonny is still one of the Music Industry's best!
 
Sources:
www.jonnylang.com

*Photos by Tracy Walsh