Cara's Basement

Simon Le Bon and Roger Taylor of Duran Duran chat about many things...how Danny DeVito and Donald Trump like to rock out at their shows...and more! Duran Duran plays The Chicago Theatre on Friday, October 21, 2011.

Sara Bareilles  plays the Riviera Theatre in Chicago on 10/11/2011.

Blues Traveler  plays the Raue Center For The Arts in Crystal Lake, IL on Sunday, August 21, 2011.  Chan Kinchla talks about that show, their 25th anniversary next year, what it's like touring with kids, how cool Bruce Willis  is, and more!

Jani Lane was found dead in a hotel room in Woodland Hills, California.  He was a great dad, great rocker, and a great friend.  I spoke with a shared mutual friend of ours, Billy McCarthy ( he was Billy Dior in The D'Molls ), about this sudden sad news...

OAR will release their seventh album, "King", on 8-2-11.  They play a sold out show in Chicago that same night.  Marc Roberge checks in from his hotel room to describe the heartache and pain that went into recording the new album, what it's like to tour with Dave Matthews, and more...

Fall Out Boy hasn't officially broken up...yet they are taking an extended "break".  Druing this break lead singer Patrick Stump has recorded his first solo album, "Soul Punk" .  It's due out in October, 2011.  He also went through quite a transformation...losing a lot of weight, new hair-do, no more hat...he's almost unrecognizable!  He will be playing Lollapalooza this year...hear more about tha...

Here's a phone conversation just a few hours before the big finale of "The Voice", where Adam Levine is one of the four coaches.  It's a great show...let's go Team Adam!  Maroon 5 headlines two sold out shows at Ravinia Jun3 30/July 1.  

Uncle Kracker is at the Hard Rock Cafe' in Chicago  this Friday, June 10, 2011.  Tickets are only $10 and support a great cause: The Uncle Kracker Music Education Foundation , his way of helping music education survive in public schools.  His goal is to pick cities every year that need assistance with funding music education.  For 2011 the city will be his hometown of Detroit.  That also happens t...

Material Issue is one of my very favorite bands. It was a very sad day in 1996 when lead singer Jim Ellison took his own life.  Such a tragic event for his family and friends.  It put an instant end to a band with a very bright future.  Now, 20 years later, their infamous "International Pop Overthrow" album is being re-released and there will be a full-on concert this weekend! You can catch Materi...

Michael Franti  is one of the coolest dudes ever.  Here's a conversation I had on 2/1/11, just as the biggest blizzard of the century hit Chicago.   Michael Franti and Spearhead  will be joining  Eric and Kathy  from  101.9 WTMX  on their "Chips, Dip and a Mexico Trip...dos" live broadcast in March. We talk about that along with what it's like to record with  Mike Posner  and swim with elephants.

Avril Lavigne has a new album coming out March 8, "Goodbye Lullaby" .  The debut of her 3D video for the first single  "What The Hell"  airs this Sunday night (January 23) on ABC Family.   We chat about her new album, the cool 3D video, her Abbey Dawn clothing line, and tour plans!

Timothy Ferris authored one of my favorite books, " The 4-Hour Hour Workweek " a few years ago...and now he just released " The 4 Hour Body ".  He used himself as a guinea pig over the last few years and has published the results.  He covers everything from sex to diet to sleep to working out, and more.  At the end of this conversation he also divulges his unique way of using music when writing.

Holy cow...   New Kids On The Block is touring with Backstreet Boys !  They play the United Center in Chicago on June 17.  J ordan Knight describes what to expect - a total collaboration between the two bands and an amazing stage set-up.  He also chats about NKOTB's influence on the "boy band" craze and much more...

The song Love Like Woe has well over 6 million downloads on youtube (so far).   The Ready Set is actually a one-man band.  J ordan Witzigreuter writes the songs, plays the instruments, sings, etc (though he does have a band he tours with).  Besides having the worlds greatest hair Jordan also has the worlds greatest work ethic.  In this conversation he describes how he became so successful...it mos...

Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine talks to WTMX  about his experience with bullying and his current anti-bullying efforts, his admiration of One Republic , and the possiblity of performing naked onstage! Maroon 5 plays the UIC Pavillion in Chicago  Wednesday, 10/27/10.

I tried to get Marc Roberge  from O.A.R. to spill details on WTMX about The Axe Music "One Night Only" Concert that O.A.R. headlines this Tuesday, October 19, 2010.  There are going to be a lot of surprises! If you'd like to win tickets check out The Official 101.9fm THE MIX Facebook page .

The Exorcist  (scariest movie of all time!) is now re-released on blue-ray with all kinds of extra's that Linda describes.  She also talks about her first love, Rick Springfield , and her other love: animals. In this episode you will hear music from Tommy Bolin , who formerly dated Linda Blair .  Click HERE to hear clips from the new CD "Mr. Bolin's Late Night Revival" , a collection of songs Tomm...

  Ladies and Gentleman and "kids" of only  adult  ages, welcome to what promises to be the spectacle of all spectacles better known as the  Queensryche Cabaret .   The  Queensryche Cabaret  comes to the  House Of Blues  in Chicago, IL on October 29, 2010.   Queensryche  lead singer Geoff Tate talks about how the band will be performing while  Go-Go dancers, burlesque dancers, drag queens, a juggle...

Last season's American Idol winner and local hero Le e DeWyze returns to Arlington Race Track to perform this Friday, September 24, 2010. Get more details and purchase tickets at www. ArlingtonPark.com He talks with WTMX about how it felt to perfom in front of over 40,000 fans last spring when he played at Arlington Park...how hard he's been working on his new album...and more!

Septembe r is the latest release off of Daughtry 's "Leave This Town" album.   Chris Daughtry and guitarist J osh Steely talk to WTMX about the making of that song, what it's like to be a parent and rock star, why they don't rush out albums and more...

Holy &*(%! Batman ... Adam West ...is on the bat-phone! Ever wonder what was in Batmans utility belt?  Did his tights cause chaffing?  Those questions and more are answered during this conversation with the almighty "Mayor Adam West" of Family Guy, aka "Batman/Bruce Wayne".  This was truly a dream-come-true experience, to chat with such a living legend. You can tell how nervous I was by how quickl...

The Jonas Brothers begin their North American tour Saturday, August 7, 2010 in Tinley Park, IL.  Kevin checked in from rehearsal in Peoria, IL to talk about the tour...and also how they stay healthy while on the road, how much they love softball, Camp Rock 2, and how LOUD their fans are!

Tom Hamilton, bass player of Aerosmith, explains the continuing passion for music the band shares...and how being in the same band forever is even harder than being in the same marriage forever!!

This weekend (July 10-11, 2010) is " BURGER FEST " in Roscoe Village (on Belmont at Damon in Chicago, IL).  Let's see...Burgers + Beer + AWESOME MUSIC.......I am so there!!! The band headlining on Sunday is GIN BLOSSOMS.  I spoke with founding member Jesse Valenzuela - such a great guy and such a great band.  Click HERE to see the complete music line-up.    

Twilight Fans rejoice!   Eclipse comes out this week...and I had the chance to chat with Boo Boo Stewart who plays "Seth", and Tinsel Korey who plays "Emily".     They checked in from the road as they were pretty busy doing the press circuit this week.  They shared some great insight about what to expect in Eclipse and even shared a funny story about a fan encounter w/Boo Boo yesterday.  Keep in m...