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Big Star Quintet
Jody Stephens (Big Star), Jon Auer (The Posies), Chris Stamey (The dB's), Pat Sansone & John Stirratt (Wilco)
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Radio City, the legendary sophomore release from the highly influential Memphis band, Big Star. To celebrate, an all-star collective of musicians (led by the band’s sole surviving original member, Jody Stephens) will perform selections from that album, along with other great songs from the band’s rich legacy, in Chicago on July 13 (Fitzgerald’s) and 14 (Squared Roots Festival), with more US dates to be announced shortly. Joining Stephens onstage this July weekend will be some of the band’s biggest fans, who have long been associated with Big Star-related projects, including Jon Auer (The Posies), Pat Sansone & John Stirratt (Wilco), and Chris Stamey (The dB's).
Released in 1974, Radio City has long been a coveted classic, beloved by alt-rockers, pop fans, and everyone else in between. Influenced by the sounds of the British Invasion, yet strikingly original, Big Star’s debut combined guitar-fueled hooks, sweet harmonies, jangly pop, and wistful melancholia for a sound that was years ahead of its time. Today, in conjunction with the earlier No. 1 Record and the subsequent Third, it is considered to be a seminal title in the power pop canon – a genre that, for better or worse, wouldn’t truly take off until the end of the decade.
While Big Star (vocalist/guitarist/pianist Alex Chilton, vocalist/guitarist Chris Bell, bassist Andy Hummel, and drummer Jody Stephens) officially formed in 1971, #1 Record began to take shape several years earlier, when Chilton and Bell (both teenagers at the time) started writing together, finding inspiration from the John Lennon/Paul McCartney songwriting partnership. Bell left the band after that first release, and Alex, Jody, and Andy marshaled their forces as a trio to create Radio City. Working with Ardent Records’ founder and engineer John Fry, Chilton and Hummel laid down guitar, bass and keys tracks to match Stephens’s explosive, invigorated drumming, and the passion they put into the performances lifted the already masterful songwriting to a new level. Its many beloved songs, including “O My Soul,” “Way Out West,” and “Daisy Glaze,” were led by the astonishing pop perfection of “September Gurls,” later covered by the Bangles.
Original Big Star Lineup: (L to R) Chris Bell, Jody Stephens, Andy Hummel, Alex Chilton
TRIPMASTER MONKEY
Formed in 1987, Influential Midwestern alt-rock band Tripmaster Monkey carved out a niche in the heartland’s music scene with their unique blend of new wave, punk, and garage-pop. Almost 37 years to the day later, the band has once again reunited to perform selections from their acclaimed discography.
The band quickly gained a loyal following of disaffected youths looking for an alternative to the mainstream pop and classic rock dominating the airwaves. Their raw energy and spirited performances caught the attention of legendary Sire Records founder Seymour Stein during a pivotal trip to New York City in the early 90s, leading to a record deal and national tours.
Their first EP, Faster Than Dwight, was a critical success and received airplay on the iconic John Peel Show. Goodbye Race, their debut album on Sire, was recorded at Fort Apache Studios, produced by Sean Slade and Paul Kolderie and featured the college radio hit "Shutter’s Closed," which saw heavy rotation on MTV's 120 Minutes. Their ambitious 1996 follow-up, Practice Changes—recorded in part at Memphis’ famed Ardent Studios—showcased their versatility across 26 tracks to rave reviews. After a label shuffle to Elektra, the band disbanded to pursue individual paths but continued to create music.
In 2019, Tripmaster Monkey (Chris Bernat, Jamie Toal, Wes Haas, Marty Reyhons, and 2010 addition Eric Stone) reunited to release My East Is Your West, an 11-track album praised by critics for its mature sound, clever hooks, and contemporary relevance. Although plans for a 2020 tour were thwarted by the global pandemic, the band has several 2024 live dates and new projects in the works.
Big Star Quintet
Jody Stephens (Big Star), Jon Auer (The Posies), Chris Stamey (The dB's), Pat Sansone & John Stirratt (Wilco)
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Radio City, the legendary sophomore release from the highly influential Memphis band, Big Star. To celebrate, an all-star collective of musicians (led by the band’s sole surviving original member, Jody Stephens) will perform selections from that album, along with other great songs from the band’s rich legacy, in Chicago on July 13 (Fitzgerald’s) and 14 (Squared Roots Festival), with more US dates to be announced shortly. Joining Stephens onstage this July weekend will be some of the band’s biggest fans, who have long been associated with Big Star-related projects, including Jon Auer (The Posies), Pat Sansone & John Stirratt (Wilco), and Chris Stamey (The dB's).
Released in 1974, Radio City has long been a coveted classic, beloved by alt-rockers, pop fans, and everyone else in between. Influenced by the sounds of the British Invasion, yet strikingly original, Big Star’s debut combined guitar-fueled hooks, sweet harmonies, jangly pop, and wistful melancholia for a sound that was years ahead of its time. Today, in conjunction with the earlier No. 1 Record and the subsequent Third, it is considered to be a seminal title in the power pop canon – a genre that, for better or worse, wouldn’t truly take off until the end of the decade.
While Big Star (vocalist/guitarist/pianist Alex Chilton, vocalist/guitarist Chris Bell, bassist Andy Hummel, and drummer Jody Stephens) officially formed in 1971, #1 Record began to take shape several years earlier, when Chilton and Bell (both teenagers at the time) started writing together, finding inspiration from the John Lennon/Paul McCartney songwriting partnership. Bell left the band after that first release, and Alex, Jody, and Andy marshaled their forces as a trio to create Radio City. Working with Ardent Records’ founder and engineer John Fry, Chilton and Hummel laid down guitar, bass and keys tracks to match Stephens’s explosive, invigorated drumming, and the passion they put into the performances lifted the already masterful songwriting to a new level. Its many beloved songs, including “O My Soul,” “Way Out West,” and “Daisy Glaze,” were led by the astonishing pop perfection of “September Gurls,” later covered by the Bangles.
Original Big Star Lineup: (L to R) Chris Bell, Jody Stephens, Andy Hummel, Alex Chilton
Resources:
Memphis Masters – Big Star
Official Audio for “Thirteen” from the album #1 Record
Official Audio for “The Ballad of El Goodo” from the album #1 Record
"September Gurls" From "Thank You Friends: Big Star's THIRD Live...And More"
Official social media:
Big Star: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / YouTube
Chris Bell: Facebook / Instagram
Alex Chilton: Facebook
Stax Records: Website / Facebook / Instagram / TwitterTRIPMASTER MONKEY
Formed in 1987, Influential Midwestern alt-rock band Tripmaster Monkey carved out a niche in the heartland’s music scene with their unique blend of new wave, punk, and garage-pop. Almost 37 years to the day later, the band has once again reunited to perform selections from their acclaimed discography.The band quickly gained a loyal following of disaffected youths looking for an alternative to the mainstream pop and classic rock dominating the airwaves. Their raw energy and spirited performances caught the attention of legendary Sire Records founder Seymour Stein during a pivotal trip to New York City in the early 90s, leading to a record deal and national tours.
Their first EP, Faster Than Dwight, was a critical success and received airplay on the iconic John Peel Show. Goodbye Race, their debut album on Sire, was recorded at Fort Apache Studios, produced by Sean Slade and Paul Kolderie and featured the college radio hit "Shutter’s Closed," which saw heavy rotation on MTV's 120 Minutes. Their ambitious 1996 follow-up, Practice Changes—recorded in part at Memphis’ famed Ardent Studios—showcased their versatility across 26 tracks to rave reviews. After a label shuffle to Elektra, the band disbanded to pursue individual paths but continued to create music.
In 2019, Tripmaster Monkey (Chris Bernat, Jamie Toal, Wes Haas, Marty Reyhons, and 2010 addition Eric Stone) reunited to release My East Is Your West, an 11-track album praised by critics for its mature sound, clever hooks, and contemporary relevance. Although plans for a 2020 tour were thwarted by the global pandemic, the band has several 2024 live dates and new projects in the works.