Car Con Carne

I’m joined for this episode by Carla Harvey, who we first came to know through her 15-ish years with the band she co-founded, Butcher Babies. At the beginning of this year, she announced that she’s the new “Acid Queen” in Lords of Acid, with a tour and album to follow. As I describe early in the episode, Lords of Acid fuses acid house, industrial, techno, pop smarts and tab...

Comasoft, the “gothy little rock band from Chicago,” is back! Jay and Chris jump in the car to talk with me about the band's history and future plans. Actually, Chris joined us for the last few minutes, but we were glad to have him regardless. Comasoft’s new EP, “Gather at the End,” comes out on Friday 4/25 and they’ll be celebrating that night with a show at Co...

Recorded at Siren Records, McHenry IL (3902 Main) on Record Store Day 2025 at 6:30 a.m. Siren Records owner Bill Linquist joins me for a conversation about this year’s RSD, as well as the impact RSD has on local record stores. Car Con Carne sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/v...

Writer, fundraiser and pizza pro John Carruthers of Crust Fund Pizza is a Car Con Carne favorite, and it was awesome to have him back in the car to talk about his new cookbook, “Super Pizza World.” I met him at his Crust Fund Pizza distribution point, the alley behind his house, where we shared one of his masterful “Royko” (sausage + hot giardiniera) tavern-style pizzas. We...

This episode was recorded live at Legit Dogs & Ice in South Elgin (322 S. Randall Road), and includes interviews with East Moon, artist Chris Pienta and comedian Joseph Christopher (who also does a live comedy set for this episode!)   ##   Car Con Carne sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net   Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience s...

Pianist, composer, improviser and scenographer, Jean-François Alcolea met me on the roof of Reggie’s when he was in Chicago for his “Right in the Eye” multimedia event. I can’t do the “Right in the Eye” event justice with a description, but for general understanding, he and his fellow musicians provide scores and background for the films of Georges M&eacu...

Mike Vinopal (Opal Vinopal, Local Motive, badcandy, wht.rbbt.obj) joined me for food and conversation outside Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights (10 South Vail Avenue/heynonny.com). The episode starts with an acoustic performance of the Opal Vinopal song “Speck in the Universe,” and then transitions to the food from Hey Nonny… lots of food! Cheese curds with IPA ranch? The Nonny Bur...

“Goatstock” is a new festival set for Goat Village (4701 N Cumberland, Norridge) on Saturday, May 10. Organizers (and Goatstock performers) Jamie and Deb of 13 Monsters came on the podcast to talk about the 10+ bands playing the event, as well as how it came to be. Also jumping in the car for this episode is fellow podcaster Evan J. Thomas (Better Listen Up, Badass Radio Network)!&nbsp...

Brian Case of FACS returns to Car Con Carne, not long after the release of the band’s incredible 6th album, “Wish Defense,” and before they play Thalia Hall on April 17.   We talk about Steve Albini’s role in the recording, as “Wish Defense” was the last thing he worked on before his untimely passing last year. We also talk about the ambiguity of Brian&rsqu...

I’m joined by the self-described “cutest band in Chicago,” CalicoLoco. Very recently, their album, “I Love Myself,” was picked as “Best Local Album of the Year” in the Chicago Reader’s “Best of Chicago” 2024 survey. Dani and Zeke from CalicoLoco joined me for empanadas from Cafe Tola on Southport, and we talked about: -What was it about t...

Violets is a new band bringing together players from Naked Raygun, the Methadones and Blood People: Aly Jados – vocals, guitar Bill Stephens – guitar Simon Lamb – guitar Fritz Doreza – bass, vocals Michael Soucy – drums As the band gets ready to play their 5th (!) show on 4/27 at Reggie’s (along with Riverboat Gamblers and the Evictions) and release their debut...

Chicago’s favorite hard-drinking, hard-partying, inspirers-of-bad-decisions, band is back. The Beer Nuts will play an early show on St. Patrick’s Day at Liar’s Club (with opening act One for the Ditch).  Joining me to preview the show outside Liar’s Club are Joe Kelly, Lou Svitek and returning favorite Herb. Lou and Joe turned the episode into a potluck: Lou brought ba...

River Toussaint Rabbitte is the frontwoman of wht.rbbt.obj, a favorite artist of this podcast, and she’s getting ready to release a solo single called “Put Down For Love” - “a slow-burning Pop/R&B ballad that drips with passion, submission, and the intoxicating pull of obsession.” In short, it’s a whole vibe and a stunning piece of music. River joined me for...

This episode is smooth. I sat down with Scott McGaughey (vocals) and Dylan Ryan (piano, synth, drums, string & horn arrangements) of the soft synth-pop Chicago band BRONZE for a conversation in the green room of beloved local venue The Hideout (1354 W. Wabansia). Did I hear someone say Car Con Verde Quarto? Bronze will perform at the Hideout on Saturday, March 8, as part of this year’s P...

This one is arguably best enjoyed in its video form (YouTube/Facebook).  Over another delicious dinner from Byron’s (1701 West Lawrence), I’m joined by hypnotist Chris Jones and returning favorites Dr. Daryl Wilson (the Bollweevils) and Stubhy (Lucky Boys Confusion). Chris is performing at Zanies (Wells) on 3/18 and Zanies (Rosemont) on 3/30. As a preview of his shows, he convince...

Something we see repeatedly is that the gift, thrill and occasional curse of music is passed down from parents to their kids … and that’s what we have on display for this episode. I’m joined for Episode 1024 by Brian Krumm (Great Crusades, Brian Krumm and his Barfly Friends) and his daughter, Hazel Krumm. Two years ago, Brian put out his first solo album (as Brian Krumm and his...

Dyslexicon is the soul-searching and emotionally-driven creative outlet of multi-instrumentalist Dan Hart. It’s metal. It’s punk. It’s prog. It’s cool.   Dan joins me just as the second Dyslexicon album, Dracula at Sea, is available for streaming. At one point during the conversation, I call him a “mad scientist” for the way he put together this remarkable...

I love a good record store, and for this episode, I’m focused one of the greatest record stores in Chicago history: The Flip Side.   The Flip Side: Where Chicago Rocked is a new book about the birth, innovation, success and eventual end of the Flip Side chain. To talk about the book, I’m joined by co-author Ken Churilla, who wrote the book with Flip Side owners Carl and Larry Rose...

I’m a sucker for broody, synthy, hooky post-punk, and that’s what you’ll get on the debut from Milwaukee band Seances. The album, “Power is a Phantom,” comes out on February 13th, and I’m joined for lunch by Eric Arsnow -singer, bassist, founder of Seances. We recorded outside Poochie’s in Skokie (3602 Dempster), a hot dog joint that deserves to be in the...

Kansas-based singer/songwriter Aud Whitson is about to release her stark, authentic EP, “A House That Can’t Get Quieter,” on February 7.   I caught up with her while she was in Chicago to talk about her songwriting, as well as the very DIY method she used to record the EP - voice memos on her iPhone.   Check out Aud’s EP when it comes online on 2/7! It’s raw...

The fairly obscure, cult favorite, 70s Chicago prog band, McLuhan may very well be the least likely band to have entered 2025 with a string of live dates … but here we are.   50+ years after the release of their debut album, “Anomaly,” it’s getting a second life with a repressing/rerelease and the band is doing a monthly residency at Montrose Saloon.   I sat down...

  Liar’s Club (1665 W. Fullerton) is set to host two fundraisers for victims of the L.A. fires: Friday, January 24, and Sunday, January 26.   The Friday event, featuring Local H, Viceroy and Tuff Sudz, is sold out. The Sunday event, featuring Handcuffs, Jon Langford and more TBA, will go on sale soon (keep an eye on Liar’s Club’s social media for updates).   I&rsqu...

Slice to Meet You returns to Piece Pizzeria (1927 North Avenue)! The fundraiser benefiting Paws Chicago, the Midwest’s largest no-kill shelter, kicks off with “Bill and Doug’s Excellent Adventure, a collaboration between Piece and iconic Chicago chef Hot Doug.   Piece owner Bill Jacobs and Hot Doug jump in the car to unveil their masterful collab: a white pizza topped with H...

  This conversation was long overdue! I sat down with LiveWire Lounge owner Dave Hornyak to talk about LiveWire’s 14 years in business: The highs, the lows, the bands and the $2 PBRs.   Looking for a zero-bullshit, low-budget, place to unwind, listen to cool music, and be yourself? Visit my friends at LiveWire: 3394 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60641. ## Car Con Carne is sponsored...

Malört existed long before you made your first “Malört face.” The story of its survival and eventual 21st century triumph is a twisty, fascinating business story laid out in Josh Noel’s new book, “Malört : The Redemption of a Revered and Reviled Spirit.”   It’s a business story. A love story. A marketing story. A Chicago story. I can’t...