Hard Rock Archives - Chicago Concert Reviews

North Shore Center marks The Smithereens’ 45 years, Gin Blossoms’ Robin Wilson stands in

In the 45 years since The Smithereens got started, guitarist Jim Babjak, drummer Dennis Diken, bassist Mike Mesaros and late front man Pat DiNizio cemented their reputation [More…]

The Smithereens and guest singer John Cowsill set power pop sights on North Shore Center

No matter the timeframes or surrounding trends, The Smithereens have always stayed committed to straight up rock and roll, crossed with the best of the British Invasion and [More…]

Fiserv Forum dealt a Hall of Famers’ “Royal Flush” of a reunited Heart and Illinois’ own Cheap Trick

Now that sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson have more consistent solo careers, getting together as Heart isn’t as common of an occurrence, which made the Fiserv Forum in [More…]

George Thorogood And The Destroyers bring House Of Blues “The Baddest Show On Earth”

Although there’s never any shortage of emerging artists populating the House Of Blues’ nearly nightly calendar, the lauded downtown club is just as committed to bringing [More…]

Disturbed spreads 25 years of “The Sickness” around Fiserv Forum, plus Three Days Grace, Sevendust

At the turn of the millennium, Chicago’s own Disturbed was a pivotal force in helping transition hard rock and heavy metal towards the next generation, thanks in part to [More…]

Neo-psychedelic experiments and “No Rain” for Genesee when Blind Melon blasts back

One of the most promising alternative acts of the early 1990s was unquestionably Blind Melon, but the band’s original shelf-life was cut disastrously short by the untimely [More…]

Close Enemies and Tom Hamilton from Aerosmith rock City Winery like the “Sound Of A Train”

In spite of being a band new band without an album out quite yet, there was a sense that Close Enemies was already seasoned well beyond its years during an inaugural tour [More…]

Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton talks about becoming Close Enemies, nearing City Winery

There’s a brand new and steadily buzzing rock band brewing in the form of Close Enemies, although chances are at least a few of the names are already familiar throughout a [More…]

Trans-Siberian Orchestra turns Allstate Arena on to 20th anniversary of “The Lost Christmas Eve”

The annual touring tradition of Trans-Siberian Orchestra is always known for mounting a massive spectacle, set to a riveting seasonal blend of symphonic and hard rock sounds, [More…]

Bush’s Gavin Rossdale remembers producer Steve Albini prior to Aragon for Q101 Twisted

This Friday’s performance at the Aragon Ballroom, as part of alternative station Q101’s annual “Twisted” holiday concert series, caps a busy year in Chicago for [More…]