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 there.

We talk about why the Atlas Moth has been dead silent for the past five years, and Stavros reveals the plans for an upcoming covers EP. You won’t believe the artists they’re covering!

We also talk about Stavros’s new band, Motherless, set to release an album in September.

The entire conversation took place at the unlucky-looking Talisman Center in Glenview, specifically outside the Works Grill, home of some of the area’s best gyros (no lie).

This chat’s a little longer than usual, but I swear it’s a fun one. Thanks for checking it out!

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Car Con Carne sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

Get a quote by visiting easy-automation.net, or give Dan a call at 630.730.3728

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TAG PUBLICITY is Music & Event Publicity company that is freshly distinctive. TAG PUBLICITY is a full service entertainment PR, talent development, branding, digital Marketing, Social Media Management, project management, distribution, content creation, booking, public relations company currently headed by Evan J. Thomas - You can reach out to Evan anytime for any of your PR needs to EvanJThomasPR@gmail.com

Follow TAG Publicity on Facebook, IG, TikTok

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On Thursday, May 15, join me for a live recording of Car Con Carne at Legit Dogs and Ice in South Elgin – 322 S. Randall Road. Music from Aaron Williams, Karen Shook and Derision Cult. Comedy from Chris Bongat. Craft brewer Carson Souza from Obscurity Brewing.

Doors – 6:30 p.m.
Showtime – 8:30 pm.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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Car Con Carne sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

Get a quote by visiting easy-automation.net, or give Dan a call at 630.730.3728

##

TAG PUBLICITY is Music & Event Publicity company that is freshly distinctive. TAG PUBLICITY is a full service entertainment PR, talent development, branding, digital Marketing, Social Media Management, project management, distribution, content creation, booking, public relations company currently headed by Evan J. Thomas - You can reach out to Evan anytime for any of your PR needs to EvanJThomasPR@gmail.com

Follow TAG Publicity on Facebook, IG, TikTok

##

On Thursday, May 15, join me for a live recording of Car Con Carne at Legit Dogs and Ice in South Elgin – 322 S. Randall Road. Music from Aaron Williams, Karen Shook and Derision Cult. Comedy from Chris Bongat. Craft brewer Carson Souza from Obscurity Brewing.

Doors – 6:30 p.m.
Showtime – 8:30 pm.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 frontwoman Monique Powell after the show to talk about:

• Launching the tour specifically in Chicago
• The topic of aging in music, something she brought up during the Save Ferris performance
• My local “SPAM” sighting on Elston Avenue
• The spooky vibes of “Lights Out in the Reptile House”
• Debuting the single “Get Dancing” on stage in Chicago
• The current slow drip of singles … what’s it leading up to?
• The approaching 30th anniversary of Save Ferris’ breakthrough album, “It Means Everything”
• The adorable Save Ferris circle pit

Save Ferris will be on the road for the majority of 2025. Don’t miss out!

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Car Con Carne sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

Get a quote by visiting easy-automation.net, or give Dan a call at 630.730.3728

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Car Con Carne is also sponsored by Ninety Days in the 90s: A Rock N Roll Time Travel Story. It’s the ultimate novel about the ’90s and Chicago’s music scene, written by Andy Frye.

Join record store owner Darby on her trip back to 1990s Chicago as she jumps on the Grey Line to time travel back to her carefree twenties, soaking up all the pop culture and rock n roll nostalgia you could ever imagine. To learn more, go to 90daysinthe90s.com or pick it up on Amazon.com or wherever you buy books.

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TAG PUBLICITY is Music & Event Publicity company that is freshly distinctive. TAG PUBLICITY is a full service entertainment PR, talent development, branding, digital Marketing, Social Media Management, project management, distribution, content creators, booking, public relations company currently headed by Evan J. Thomas - You can reach out to Evan anytime for any of your PR needs to EvanJThomasPR@gmail.com

Follow TAG Publicity on Facebook, IG, TikTok

##

On Thursday, May 15, join me for a live recording of Car Con Carne at Legit Dogs and Ice in South Elgin – 322 S. Randall Road. Music from Aaron Williams Band, Karen Shook and Derision Cult. Comedy from Chris Bongat. Craft brewer Carson Souza from Obscurity Brewing.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Center Stage Theater in Naperville on May 31!

This episode was recorded at one of my absolute favorite places, Skeleton Key Brewery in Woodridge (8102 Lemont).

Appearing in the car for this episode:

Colleen Wild (Penny Aster)

Paul Slayton (Monty Eldritch)

Walter Piper (Sil)

Brian Dixon (Blackguard)

This was crazy fun to do, and I hope you enjoy listening/watching!

Normal and paranormal beware …

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Car Con Carne sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

Get a quote by visiting easy-automation.net, or give Dan a call at 630.730.3728

##

Car Con Carne is also sponsored by Ninety Days in the 90s: A Rock N Roll Time Travel Story. It’s the ultimate novel about the ’90s and Chicago’s music scene, written by Andy Frye.

Join record store owner Darby on her trip back to 1990s Chicago as she jumps on the Grey Line to time travel back to her carefree twenties, soaking up all the pop culture and rock n roll nostalgia you could ever imagine. To learn more, go to 90daysinthe90s.com or pick it up on Amazon.com or wherever you buy books.

##

TAG PUBLICITY is Music & Event Publicity company that is freshly distinctive. TAG PUBLICITY is a full service entertainment PR, talent development, branding, digital Marketing, Social Media Management, project management, distribution, content creators, booking, public relations company currently headed by Evan J. Thomas - You can reach out to Evan anytime for any of your PR needs to EvanJThomasPR@gmail.com

Follow TAG Publicity on Facebook, IG, TikTok

##

On Thursday, May 15, join me for a live recording of Car Con Carne at Legit Dogs and Ice in South Elgin – 322 S. Randall Road. Music from Aaron Williams Band, Karen Shook and Derision Cult. Comedy from Chris Bongat. Craft brewer Carson Souza from Obscurity Brewing.

Doors – 6:30 p.m.
Showtime – 8:30 pm.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, co-owners Will Duncan and Jess King jumped in the car to talk about the storied history of FITZGERALDS, as well as its impact on the local and music communities.

Adding the “Carne” to this episode is BABYGOLD BARBECUE, the killer restaurant that’s part of the FITZGERALDS campus. Will and Jess brought a massive sampler of the BABYGOLD menu into the car, and we did our best to make our way through it. Chef Steve Domanik is doing amazing things over in Berwyn…

Can’t make it to the plaque dedication? You’ll see it afterward when you go to any upcoming show at FITZGERALDS. See you at the American Music Festival?

Car Con Carne sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

Get a quote by visiting easy-automation.net, or give Dan a call at 630.730.3728

##

Car Con Carne is also sponsored by Ninety Days in the 90s: A Rock N Roll Time Travel Story. It's the ultimate novel about the '90s and Chicago's music scene, written by Andy Frye.

Join record store owner Darby on her trip back to 1990s Chicago as she jumps on the Grey Line to time travel back to her carefree twenties, soaking up all the pop culture and rock n roll nostalgia you could ever imagine. To learn more, go to 90daysinthe90s.com or pick it up on Amazon.com or wherever you buy books.

##

On Thursday, May 15, join me for a live recording of Car Con Carne at Legit Dogs and Ice in South Elgin - 322 S. Randall Road. Music from Aaron Williams Band, Karen Shook and Derision Cult. Comedy from Chris Bongat. Craft brewer Carson Souza from Obscurity Brewing. It starts at 8:30 pm.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 with $1000 and an idea
• Jake’s comfort in being a leader, and his leadership style
• Big mistakes (or, more euphemistically, learning opportunities) along the way
• Why Threadless’s success required marketing legend Seth Godin to be fired
• The value of remote/hybrid work
• Jake’s thoughts on AI, relative to the business of Threadless
• Growth plans for the next 5 years
• The impact of tariffs on business

I say it early on in the interview, but Jake is not your typical CEO. He’s literally a dude you’d want to eat a hot dog with … who just happens to run one of the coolest, most influential, online businesses of the past 25 years.

##

Car Con Carne sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

Get a quote by visiting easy-automation.net, or give Dan a call at 630.730.3728

##

Car Con Carne is also sponsored by Ninety Days in the 90s: A Rock N Roll Time Travel Story. It’s the ultimate novel about the ’90s and Chicago’s music scene, written by Andy Frye.

Join record store owner Darby on her trip back to 1990s Chicago as she jumps on the Grey Line to time travel back to her carefree twenties, soaking up all the pop culture and rock n roll nostalgia you could ever imagine. To learn more, go to 90daysinthe90s.com or pick it up on Amazon.com or wherever you buy books.

##

On Thursday, May 15, join me for a live recording of Car Con Carne at Legit Dogs and Ice in South Elgin – 322 S. Randall Road. Music from Aaron Williams Band, Karen Shook and Derision Cult. Comedy from Chris Bongat. Craft brewer Carson Souza from Obscurity Brewing.

Doors – 6:30 p.m.
Showtime – 8:30 pm.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 taboo-shattering sexuality. It’s a devastatingly great combo. Carla talks about how she became part of the Lords collective and how it’s a dream come true; she’s been a fan for decades.

She also talks about the artistic journey awaiting us from her new band, the Violent Hour, which is revving up as I type this.

Finally, we discuss her career as a grief counselor and end-of-life specialist, specifically diving into the topic of mental health and its importance to musicians and other nocturnal creatures.

Beyond Lords of Acid and the Violent Hour, Carla’s also getting married this year. Given the fact that her plate is super full, I was thrilled that she took time out to talk with Car Con Carne.

See Lords of Acid in Chicago at Bottom Lounge on June 7!

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Car Con Carne sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

Get a quote by visiting easy-automation.net, or give Dan a call at 630.730.3728

##

Car Con Carne is also sponsored by Ninety Days in the 90s: A Rock N Roll Time Travel Story. It's the ultimate novel about the '90s and Chicago's music scene, written by Andy Frye.

Join record store owner Darby on her trip back to 1990s Chicago as she jumps on the Grey Line to time travel back to her carefree twenties, soaking up all the pop culture and rock n roll nostalgia you could ever imagine. To learn more, go to 90daysinthe90s.com or pick it up on Amazon.com or wherever you buy books.

##

On Thursday, May 15, join me for a live recording of Car Con Carne at Legit Dogs and Ice in South Elgin - 322 S. Randall Road. Music from Aaron Williams Band, Karen Shook and Derision Cult. Comedy from Chris Bongat. Craft brewer Carson Souza from Obscurity Brewing.

Doors - 6:30 p.m.

Showtime - 8:30 pm.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Cobra Lounge.

After time away, Comasoft is back in full swing. It’s a good time to wear black in Chicago.

Car Con Carne sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net

Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

Get a quote by visiting easy-automation.net, or give Dan a call at 630.730.3728

##

Car Con Carne is also sponsored by Ninety Days in the 90s: A Rock N Roll Time Travel Story. It's the ultimate novel about the '90s and Chicago's music scene, written by Andy Frye.

Join record store owner Darby on her trip back to 1990s Chicago as she jumps on the Grey Line to time travel back to her carefree twenties, soaking up all the pop culture and rock n roll nostalgia you could ever imagine. To learn more, go to 90daysinthe90s.com or pick it up on Amazon.com or wherever you buy books.

##

On Thursday, May 15, join me for a live recording of Car Con Carne at Legit Dogs and Ice in South Elgin - 322 S. Randall Road. Music from Aaron Williams, Karen Shook and Derision Cult. Comedy from Chris Bongat. Craft brewer Carson Souza from Obscurity Brewing. It starts at 8:30 pm.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.