Local Loft Episode 342

WHOA!.... give me a second to catch my breath.

It has been a very active Summer of 2024 in the Chicago area's original metal, punk, alternative rock and power pop scene...and it's far from over.

From three jam packed outdoor Punk Rock Tacos in Villa Park. Shaper commanding a lead spot, even over Zion, Illinois rock veterans, Local H, at Kankakee's Merchant Street Music Fest. The surprising announcement of Redneck Remedy's return in September, bringing back the Southern Fried Metal they invented. And Vaudevileins Illuminating the stage with their powerful new fifth album, Lights Out, with their late April release show in Lockport. We can now add a special homecoming show for Joliet Doom Metal powerhouse band Black Road.

Even the threat of drenching rains and aggressive wind and thunderstorms couldn't stop them from casting another dark, bewitching spell over the crowd at The Drunken Donut. I caught up with charismatic singer Suzi Uzi, guitarist extraordinaire Tim Moreno, and the band's new explosive rhythm section. Bassist Trey Wedgeworth & drummer Danny Garcia, who have put future plans of their own Doom Metal act, Faces Of The Bog on hold, as they help Black Road continue their gothic journey toward a follow up thire album, to Witch Of The Future, first released on Halloween 2019. I talk with all four outdoors in the back yard of Drunken donut.

Kankakee won't stop the music fests with its annual summer gathering in Harold & Jean Miner Square. Right at the official beginning of Fall is Estival Festival. Along with the surprise return of Redneck Remedy, eclectic Alternative Rockers Carrying Torches are back for an Estival Encore. Newcomers Colleen Wild & The Hunted are shooting for becoming the next big rock act in the K3 River Valley.

First with The Boyzz (From Illinois) then trying to be the rocking buzz of the 80s hair metal scene with The B'zz. Now reinventing his biker band rock late 70's Boyzz era with his trio Tafoya. Michael Tafoya is a journeyman guitarist with a legendary resume. He joined us on The Kat 105.5's local music showcase hour Homegrown Tones, fourteen years ago this week. We rock back to it.

Now that we're not winded anymore from over rocking at the onslaught of Chicago area original rock shows, breathe in this original Chicagoland music soundtrack:

Black Road-Never Enough (live from The Drunken Donut, Joliet 8/15/24)

Black Road-Witch Of The Future (live at The Drunken Donut, Joliet 8/15/24)

Faces Of The Bog-Weight

Zero Nada-Light Me Up

BlockChain Coalition-The Road

Gamma Goat-Get in The Trough

Carrying Torches-All For Nothing

Colleen Wild & The Haunted-Savior

Vaudevileins-Erase The Truth

Michael Tafoya (interview in The Kat 105.5 studio 8/19/10)

Tafoya's Lost Boyzz-Over Now

Tafoya's Lost Boyzz-Long Time Ago

Tafoya's Lost Boyzz-Life