Touched By Ghoul is one of Chicago’s more celebrated independent bands, and they recently delivered their much delayed and anticipated second album, “Cancel the World.” They join me tonight… just about 24 hours before headlining Liar’s Club for

The celebrated return of ‘Punk Rock Doc’ Daryl Wilson (Episode 695)

Dec 29th, 2021 52m 42s

This week marks the return of a Car Con Carne favorite: Dr. Daryl Wilson! Daryl’s the frontman of the long-running Chicago punk institution the Bollweevils (new album out next year!). Dr. Daryl is also a real doctor, so we get into a lot of his

Music treasure Ike Reilly looks to the future, talks about remarkable past (Episode 694)

Dec 22nd, 2021 39m 5s

My guest this week is Ike Reilly, a man whose voice, lyrics and songs are entirely unique, original and unforgettable. We talked at length about his musically interesting and wide-spanning new album, “Because the Angels.” We also talk about Ik

Plain White Tom: The man behind Plain White Ts, Million Miler and Humans Were Here (Episode 693)

Dec 17th, 2021 41m 32s

Tom Higgenson of Plain White Ts/Million Miler is one of my favorite guests. He’s a mega-talented guy with an enviable list of accomplishments (Grammy & Tony nominee, VMA nominee, Teen Choice winner), but he’s still the humble, hard-working, mid

The future of non-alcoholic beer is… delicious. Meet Jeff Stevens of Well Being Brewing (Episode 692)

Dec 10th, 2021 36m 8s

Non-alcoholic beer was stigmatized for decades. Problem was, most NA products weren’t worth drinking. The craft beer revolution’s led to companies like Well Being Brewing, which for the past 5 years has been leading the way for non-alcoholic be

KT's Kids benefit preview with Scott Lucas, Herb Rosen & KT Augustyn (Episode 691)

Dec 9th, 2021 29m 17s

I’m inspired by the work KT’s Kids does to help children who desperately need it. This Sunday night, Liar’s Club plays host to the KT’s Kids Toy Drive Fundraiser. Joining me to talk about the event are Scott Lucas (Local H), Herb Rosen (Liar’s

Sci-Fi and Fantasy come alive on stage at Otherworld Theatre (Episode 690)

Dec 7th, 2021 19m 38s

We’re diving into the world of fantasy and sci-fi. Otherworld Theatre, on 3914 North Clark Street, has been bringing the theatrical experience to sci-fi and fantasy for close to 10 years now, and their new production, Winter in the Wildwood, lo

Wheatonites Unite! Matt Derda at 302 Wheaton (Episode 689)

Nov 23rd, 2021 24m 37s

Musician Matt Derda joins me for food at 302 Wheaton (302 W. Front St.). We ate the “Wheaton Bowl” (it’s healthy, or so I’m told), fries, onion rings and more as we talked about Matt’s music and 302 Wheaton’s embracing of the local community.

Russian mythology and Italian sausage: Talking ‘Atomika’ over Johnnie’s Beef with comics creator Sal Abbinanti (Episode 688)

Nov 22nd, 2021 38m 57s

ATOMIKA: GOD IS RED, the independently-created graphic novel by Sal Abbinanti, is being compiled in a new Omnibus edition. Jump on the Kickstarter of Atomika while you can: It closes soon, and there are all kinds of cool extras and goodies you

‘More bizarre than Battle Royale and far bloodier than The Ring’ - A.V. Club’s Katie Rife talks ‘Suicide Club’ (Episode 687)

Nov 20th, 2021 23m 20s

“More bizarre than Battle Royale and far bloodier than The Ring”: Japanese shocker “Suicide Club” can be seen in two midnight showings at Music Box Theatre next weekend. Joining me to talk about Suicide Club is AV Club Senior Writer Katie Rif

‘The Last Days of Capitalism’ takes on social class disparity, white privilege and authenticity (Episode 686)

Nov 19th, 2021 25m 55s

The value of truth and money are explored (if not eviscerated) in the engaging, slow-burning new movie “The Last Days of Capitalism.” In a very lean, focused way, the film looks at white privilege, social class disparity, prositution and the fa

‘Cupid for Christmas’ aims arrow for Hulu this weekend (Episode 685)

Nov 18th, 2021 16m 11s

Christmas and Valentine’s Day collide in “Cupid for Christmas,” a family-friendly new rom com movie debuting on Hulu this Saturday. Director Blayne Weaver returns to Car Con Carne to talk about the movie’s creation.

From thrift store find to record company publisher: Unearthing Lorna Donley and the Veil (Episode 684)

Nov 18th, 2021 31m 14s

Have you ever discovered a band from a bygone era and had its music change your life? That’s what happened when music fan Eric Clements discovered a handful of cassettes at a thrift store from an 80s Chicago band called the Veil. The discovery

Mysterious Chicago band Miirrors reflect on their future (Episode 683)

Nov 11th, 2021 20m 24s

As they get ready to share a bill with Moritat at the Hideout tomorrow night, the men of Miirrors join me for a chat about music curation, live music, video creation and more!

BACK IN THE CAR with Hushdrops and Village Inn Pizzeria (Episode 682)

Nov 9th, 2021 37m 43s

After a false start this summer, Car Con Carne is back in the car! This episode finds the car parked outside Village Inn (8050 Lincoln Avenue in Skokie) for a conversation with John San Juan of the long-running Chicago band Hushdrops. Hushdrops

‘Paranormal Activity’ documentarian and ‘Hell House LLC’ producer Joe Bandelli talks found footage (Episode 681)

Nov 6th, 2021 29m 13s

The first Paranormal Activity made $193.4 million dollars on a $15,000 budget. The franchise is covered in deep, satisfying detail in the new documentary, "Paranormal Activity: Unknown Dimension," directed by Joe Bandelli. Joe joined me tonight

Dan Vapid and the Cheats are back with ‘Escape Velocity’ (Episode 680)

Nov 3rd, 2021 32m 21s

Dan Vapid and the Cheats return with a new album, “Escape Velocity,” on Friday. Considering Vapid’s career has included runs in the Methadones, Screeching Weasel and Riverdales, it may seem audacious to say that he’s delivered one of his best w

Bhoomi makes Indian cuisine accessible for Chicago (Episode 679)

Nov 2nd, 2021 31m 7s

Now that Bhoomi is up and running in the Urbanspace Food Hall (15 W. Washington), I’m catching up with Co-Founders Sukhu and Ajit Kalra to talk about their approach to Indian cuisine.

B-Movie themes collide with Chicago in George Zak's latest artwork (Episode 677)

Oct 27th, 2021 24m 18s

Artist George Zak is back with new paintings to show off. See them in person at the Liar's Club Spooky Day Kickoff on Thursday 10/28!

TAAW returns to Berwyn for Jim Lynam Memorial Tournament (Episode 676)

Oct 27th, 2021 17m 49s

The AAW is back with a massive weekend of live action starting Friday in Berwyn. Providing a preview of what you can expect are AAW play-by-play announcer Tyler Volz and Chicago’s patron saint of pro wrestling fandom, Kevin Kellam. Don’t slee

500 Miles to Memphis go DIY and release best album (Episode 675)

Oct 26th, 2021 40m 46s

500 Miles to Memphis just released their career best album, “Hard to Love,” and Ryan Malott joins me to talk about it. We cover a lot of topics: The new album, politics, the music business, the scourge of social media, alcohol use and abuse, wa

Is Wolfden Brewing haunted? (Episode 674)

Oct 23rd, 2021 22m 17s

Is Wolfden Brewing haunted? There's an awful lot of lore around the 170 year-old house to support that belief. Wolfden GM Kyle Brauch joined me to talk about the unexplained phenomena at Wolfden, as well as the brewery's "Murder Den" pop-up. We

Dez Money talks about his genetic ties to rock and roll and his musical path forward (Episode 673)

Oct 19th, 2021 17m 15s

His dad’s last name is what might grab your interest, but Eddie Money's son, Dez, is carving his own path. He’s a singer. A multiinstrumentalist. A reality TV star. And yeah, a guy with pure musical DNA. He joined me tonight to chat about his

‘Songs From a Scene’ preview with LBC, the Dog & Everything and One Life (Episode 672)

Oct 18th, 2021 45m 34s

Songs From a Scene ‘21 hits Bottom Lounge on 11/5 and 11/6. Joining me tonight at an undisclosed Midwest location to talk about the shows are Stubhy Pandav (Lucky Boys Confusion), Augie Schmidt (the Dog and Everything) and Pat Gilroy (One Life)