Car Con Carne

Jonathan, Tim, and Mustafa of Time Thieves are my guests for a new episode recorded on the NW side of Chicago. We talk about the band’s power-pop leanings, emergence from much noisier bands, both 2025 EP releases (“If You Survive” / “Come Home”), gambling, concert etiquette, and Manowar. I enjoy these guys as musicians and people, and hope you have fun listening to th...

The wonderful DIY post punk band Staring Problem joins me to talk about their bewitching album, “Equinox” on this episode. I’m joined by Lauren Owen and Mike Erickson for the conversation, which covers topics ranging from MTV, long distance drummers, the joys of nature, and the perils of digital living.   ##   Looking to transform your home, office, or business into a s...

Lucky Boys Confusion returns to the House of Blues on 11/15/25 for The Soapbox Spectacle Vinyl Release Show. As I type this, the show is pretty much sold out, meaning if you waited on tickets, you may kick yourself early on during the listening of this episode. Stubhy from Lucky Boys Confusion is back on the show to reveal LBC’s opening act - and the lead singer is also in the episode (hidde...

GIALLO GELATO Logan Theatre 2646 N. Milwaukee  A 50th Anniversary Giallo Celebration July 18-21  |  11 pm  |  The Logan Theatre  |  Chicago   Four nights of killer Italian movies celebrating their 50th anniversary will be featured at Logan Theatre next weekend for “GIALLO GELATO,” a cinema event curated and hosted by Stephanie “La Giallohol...

The Smoking Popes released the excellent “Lovely Stuff” a few months back, which was the perfect excuse to have frontman Josh Caterer return to the show for his 14th (!) time. With the new album top-of-mind, we go song-by song through all 10 songs. I loved having the opportunity to hear about the songwriting process and behind-the-scenes stories that led to its release. This one’...

Flake Michigan is a self-described, five-person, “Midwest Indie Saxy band from Chicago.” I’m joined by Sergio, Laura, and Dave just days before “Flaketoberfest” at Chop Shop (July 10), where they’ll celebrate the one-year anniversary of their “Ottawa” album. We talk about how Flake Michigan started, their hyperlocal approach to songs, their collabora...

Trever Keith of Face to Face joins me for an interview recorded inside Loud Pizza Records, located inside Salt Shed in Chicago.   The interview happened during Motoblot weekend at Salt Shed, a day before Face to Face’s headlining set on the final night. We covered a lot of the band’s storied history, some ties to Chicago music icons, comic books, and Iron Maiden. In short: All the...

Wrapping up a spectacular three-month run of live events at Legit Dogs + Ice, my guests for this special recording include Glory Days, Chris Otepka (Heligoats, Troubled Hubble), Chad the Bird, Alex Subak (badcandy) and comedian Eric Oren.   Thanks to everyone at Legit Dogs for making these events and episodes happen - I had a lot of fun working on them and bringing them to life!   **NOTE...

Nickole Regala, Sophia Williams, and Frankie Sripada of the bluesy, psychedelic, raw and authentic, band Daisychain join me for a chat just days before their album release show (6/20) at Sleeping Village and a week in advance of the release of the new album, “All in a Name.” This one was recorded outside local treasure Reed’s Local in Avondale, and we talked about: -The just-conc...

This episode sees the return of drummer, Mark Esses, who's behind the kit for super-cool bands like Downstait, Night Spice and Flowers for Dorian.   We met at El Vado, a Mexican restaurant in McHenry, and we chatted about:   Balancing Multiple Projects: Besides being the drummer in a bunch of bands, Mark Esses also keeps busy as a D.J. We talk about how he manages his time and creative e...

Taste of Randolph returns this weekend (June 13-15) for its 28th year! The event happens at ground zero for food in Chicago: Randolph Street, between Peoria and Racine.   To preview this year’s event, I sat down with Julie Darling (West Loop Community Organization President) at Hide+Seek (838 W. Randolph), a standout Randolph St. restaurant that offers a “creative American shared...

Danimal Farm is a solo project created by singer/guitarist Danny Doom, formerly of Milk at Midnight. The album, “Perseverance Hotel,” is a comfortable, sometimes dark, collection of shimmering indie rock and indie pop songs that have stuck with me since the album’s February release.   Danny Doom joins me to talk about the project, along with band members Stephanie and Clay....

Almost exactly one year ago, I visited Noon Whistle’s Lombard Brewpub (800 E. Roosevelt) to understand why they were serving cicada-infused Malort. Sure enough, they got me again. Garlic Butterlört has arrived. In the brewery’s promotional copy, it’s described as “ bringing big ‘better ingredients, questionable decisions’ energy. Rich, buttery goodness meet...

I’m joined by comedian/radio host/wrestling journalist/former radio colleague Kevin Kellam, who’s recording a comedy album on stage at Lincoln Hall on August 9. We met outside the Brewed in Logan Square for a Sunday morning conversation that covered everything from the comedy album taping to Q101 philosophy. There’s also a detailed discussion on the time I walked through human ex...

The second live Car Con Carne event at Legit Dogs + Ice (322 S. Randall Road, South Elgin) happened on 5/15/25. Appearing at the event, and on this episode: Karen Shook, Carson from Obscurity Brewing, Aaron Williams, comedian Chris Bongat, Derision Cult and unannounced guest Sincere Engineer. In addition to being interviewed, Karen Shook, Aaron Williams and Derision Cult each performed two songs....

Bellhead (Karen Righeimer and Ivan Russia) is a favorite of mine. The post-punk duo continues to take massive evolutionary steps forward with each new release; the new EP, “Threats,” is their finest moment yet. Rather than meet in my car, I invited Bellhead over to do an interview in my backyard (they’re like family at this point). My fire pit was a bit … suffocating &hell...

El Bisonte is a spectacular bass and drum instrumental duo (Henry Ignacio - bass and sounds; Blake Lowery - drums) from Louisville, Kentucky. I caught up with them last weekend before they headlined “Goatstock” in Norridge, and we talked about:   *Their take on Chicago *Louisville’s most famous haunted attraction *How Henry gets “upskirted” at live shows *What st...

I’m hanging with UR Mom for this episode. Me and UR Mom have a lot to get into, including the just-announced Summerfest date!   Maura Wolf  (vocals, rhythm guitar), Tommy Hinds (guitar) and Alex O’Malley (drums) joined me to talk about the band’s beginnings and the speedy word-of-mouth that’s encircling the band. More impressive, they conducted the interview witho...

Afrofuturistics is “A Chicago Collective of Horns, Bass, Hip Hop Beats” They’re jazz. They’re hip hop. They’re somewhere in between and everywhere around those edges. I met Eric Oldman and Keith Wakefield from the band outside Goat Village (4701 N. Cumberland) to chat as their band is taking off. ## Car Con Carne sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net Trans...

Stavros from the Atlas Moth is back for his 4th appearance on Car Con Carne - it’s been over four years, so we were overdue for a chat.   The first thing you may notice in this episode is how easy the conversation is between the two of us. Besides Stavros being a natural and funny conversationalist, we have a lot in common: music, comics, horror, vinyl collecting. Lots of common ground...

Post-hardcore trio With Patience release their debut album, “Triptych,” on Friday, 5/9. In advance of that, guitarist/vocalist Chris Wade and bassist/vocalist Lance Curran join me on the lakefront in Rogers Park to talk about the band and album. ## Car Con Carne sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience s...

It’s hard to be in a bad mood after a Save Ferris show. They are simply a fun band to see live, and their shows are a great way to kinda forget all the (looks around) madness going on in the world.   That was reinforced on Saturday, August 26, when Save Ferris returned to Chicago to kick off their “Get Dancing” tour at Chop Shop (2033 W. North).   I sat down with frontw...

This is a historic first for the podcast: The cast of the beloved (and rapidly-growing) Spectral Silhouette Radio Show performs a scene created exclusively for Car Con Carne.   What is the Spectral Silhouette? Before the performance, I had a great chat with Henry Scherer, the mad genius behind the concept, to learn more. Watch for ticket info on their next live performance, happening at Cente...

FITZGERALDS (6615 Roosevelt in Berwyn) is, without a doubt, one of my favorite places to see music and simply hang out. The vibe is always chill, and the bookings are fantastic. Beyond that, the building is historic! FITZGERALDS was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Park Service at the end of last year. In advance of the plaque dedication on May 3, c...

Threadless - the online artist community and design marketplace - is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.  Founder and CEO Jake Nickell joins me for char dogs at Poochie’s (a favorite for hot dog fans north of the city) and talks about the company’s history, his leadership role, and why he celebrates the weird designs.  Discussed in this episode: Starting Threadless wi...