Chicago's Alternative | Modern Rock | Q101 | 101.1 WKQX

Comedy legend Kevin Meaney dies at 60

October 22, 2016 | Kevin

Stand comedian and actor Kevin Meaney died yesterday at his Forestburgh, New York home according to his agent who confirmed his passing to several media outlets. The cause of death is not known at this time. Meaney is widely respected as one of the best comedians to break out during the 1980’s boom, becoming one of the first comics to have a special air on HBO in 1986. Meaney became known for his biting act which would be punctuated by signature line “That’s Not Right!” in the character of his overbearing mother.

His success continued with a numerous performances on the Tonight Show with Johnny Cahttps://youtu.be/qFGIYSS_34grson, the Late Show, Saturday Night Live, and more. Meaney’s charismatic voice talents allowed him to contribute to a lot of memorable animated shows like Rocko’s Modern Life, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, Duckman, and Dr. Katz. He also had a successful run on Broadway with a one-man show and starred in a sitcom adaption of ‘Unlce Buck’ for CBS. He consistently toured the country, earning rave reviews and regard from comedy fans everywhere. Meaney was simply one of the best comedians who ever performed, even if he’s not the first comic whose name comes to mind right away.

‘The Tonight Show’ with Jonny Carson in 1989.

Meaney opening for Jerry Seinfeld on Broadway in 1999.

Check out this recent 2014 performances which has some pretty harsh NSFW language.

Meaney stayed relevant and active in comedy into later years, and was scheduled to perform this weekend in Rhode Island. His act evolved as he did as a person coming out as a gay man in 2008, and enduring personal set backs which influenced his work. If you have never seen him perform, seek out his specials and check out these clips covering different periods of his long and always funny career.

My sincere condolences go to Kevin Meaney’s family and friends.

Tegan and Sara in The Lounge

October 21, 2016 | Web Team

Donlad Glover set to be new Lando Calrissian in Han Solo Star Wars film

October 21, 2016 | Kevin

Donald Glover who has been kicking butt in TV, Film, and music for years will now go to a place far far away, the Star Wars Universe where he is set to become a younger Lando Calrissian in the planned Han Solo spinoff film. Glover has all the charisma to play the smooth-talking Cloud City boss who movie fans first got introduced to in ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ originally played by Billy D. Williams. Glover joins Alden Ehrenreich who will play a younger version of Han Solo. Phil Lord and Chris Miller who directed the successful ‘LEGO Movie’ and a planned animated Spider-Man film, will handle this Han Solo cinematic adventure which is scheduled for release in May 2018.

Glover is currently starring in the FX series ‘Atlanta’ , had a supporting role in ‘The Martian’, made waves with NBC’s ‘Community’ and broke out with online comedy group Derrick Comedy. When he isn’t to busy in front of a camera, he’s one of the most acclaimed rappers under his under formerly performing name Childish Gambino producing critically-praised albums and hitting stages all over the world including Chicago’s Lollapalooza. While promoting the film ‘The Lazarus Effect’ late last year, Glover stated he felt he would no longer produce music as Childish Gambino.

And to make all of you Netflix fans to freak out, here is a remix of Glover rapping his hit ‘Bonfire’ over the synth-tastic theme song to ‘Stranger Things’. Note there is some very naughty NSFW language in this track.

Bill Murray crashes White House press conference, talks Cubs NLCS

October 21, 2016 | Kevin

Bill Murray the world’s most famous Cubs fan took the podium today at the White House Press room and addressed the real question striking our country (as if he was the President) about whether or not the Northsiders can triumph over the Los Angeles Dodger in this week’s NLCS in Major League Baseball. Citing Chicago’s powerful resource of water while L.A. is dealing with water shortage issues, Murray quipped that “trees in L.A. just die” and that this could potentially effect the outcome of the series. It was silliness in the grand degree from a true Chicagoan and American comedy treasure.

Jeff Tweedy & Nick Offerman Wrote & Recorded Some Woodworking Songs

October 20, 2016 | Marconi🍕

(from chicagoist.com)

Nick Offerman’s new book, Good Clean Fun, was just released on Tuesday, and, according to Entertainment Weekly, the audio version features five woodworking-themed tunes written and performed by Offerman (best known, of course, as Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation) and Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy.

As Stereogum points out, Tweedy and Offerman go back, with Tweedy having appeared on Parks and Rec and Offerman returning the favor by directing a music video for Tweedy. Joliet native Offerman and Tweedy both have strong Chicago roots, as you may know: Offerman came up in the local theatre community (alongside wife Megan Mullally) and Wilco has made Chicago their adopted hometown for years. (MORE HERE)

TWEEDY OFFERMAN – WHAT AMERICA NEEDS!! – marconi

Nintendo reveals it’s new gaming console Switch

October 20, 2016 | Kevin

Nintendo revealed today what has been rumored for weeks, it’s new gaming console Nintendo Switch in a video on Youtube. The new device plays as a home console as well as a mobile console, allowing gamers to play the game seamlessly on the go and back on the couch. The versatility to play with this mini system against friends on one screen in a van, then bring it home and pick it all up where you left it seems really exciting. It reminds me of video and music on-demand becoming more flexible to modern tech lives. The announcement has been a trending topic on social media throughout the afternoon, with millions talking about the new gaming device from the same people who gave us Super Mario .

It’s not surprising this new device will have a duality with at-home and on-the-go play because if you look at Nintendo’s history, their most successful consoles were handheld devices, the Gameboy and the DS which have both sold over a 100 million each. With their last console the Wii U falling behind Microsoft’s XBOX One and Sony’s PS4, they had to do something to carve out their piece of the video game pie as consumers look to the next generation to come in.

The big gaming studios have committed to making games for Switch including Activision, Bethesda, EA Games, Sega, Ubisoft and Warner Brothers. Nintendo Switch is due out in March, with the new Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild available on the system when it launches. Industry experts tell BBC-UK are saying the Nintendo needs to have a blockbuster roster of exclusive games on the Switch so they don’t fall behind, and the launch of this new console gets lost in the digital forest.

And yes, there will be a new Mario game….

Tyler Glenn in The Lounge

October 20, 2016 | Web Team

Watch the trailer for Hugh Jackman’s final Wolverine movie ‘LOGAN’

October 20, 2016 | Kevin

The trailer for Hugh Jackman’s final movie as Wolverine is out now, and we get see this beloved X-Men character in one final adventure that appears to be quite violent and emotional. And man, does Wolverine look older here, but he can still heal from battle wounds in time to pop out his claws and go wild. Also, Professor X was already old but he looks extra-elderly here as well. ‘Logan’ hits theaters in March.

Ready For Zombies….er, Walkers?

October 20, 2016 | wALT

Season 7 of The Walking Dead begins on Sunday and I thought this little primer from John Cleese would be nice to get you up to speed. -wALT

📷: ComingSoon.net

888 in The Lounge

October 20, 2016 | Web Team

Watch: Rizzo Apologizes to Ump Angel Hernandez

October 20, 2016 | Lou

Cool moment between Rizzo and home plate ump, Angel Hernandez.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Trailer

October 20, 2016 | Lou

If you haven’t seen it, the first look at the next Guardians of the Galaxy is out… And it looks awesome!

We’ll see the whole thing this summer.

@TheLouLombardo

A Boy And His Tauntaun

October 19, 2016 | <3 Lauren

Handmade by momma Case, this Halloween costume is so good it almost makes me want to learn how to sew!! (aaaaalllmmooossttt)

The Young Jedi wins Halloween. Just give him all the candy.

Posted with permission from Storyful Licensing.

<3 @laurenoneil

HOF Nominees

October 19, 2016 | <3 Lauren

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has announced the 2016 nominees to be inducted in 2017 and the list includes Pearl Jam, Tupac Shakur, Depeche Mode, Jane’s Addiction, Journey, the Cars, and the Zombies among others. The top vote-getters will be announced in December and inducted next April at a ceremony at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. HBO will broadcast the ceremony later in the year. Read more from Rolling Stone here.

Eligible but not nominate bands include The Cranberries, and Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.

No love for Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg and his crew? I call BS HOF.

Total BS.

<3 @laurenoneil

Diedrich Bader with Brian & Lou

October 19, 2016 | Lou

Diedrich Bader checked in to talk about his new show “American Housewife” and how he beat out Owen Wilson for the role of “Lawrence” in “Office Space.”

Pearl Jam & other great alt bands nominated for R&R Hall of Fame

October 18, 2016 | Kevin

The always-debated nominees for this year’s possible inductee class into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame were announced today with alternative greats Pearl Jam, Jane’s Addiction, and Depeche Mode are included on the list of nominees along with rap icon Tupac Shakur, hardcore punks Bad Brains, pop princess Janet Jackson, Chaka Khan, Chic, J. Geils Band, Joan Baez, Joe Tex, Kraftwerk, MC5 and Steppenwolf. Rolling Stone reported that the inductees will be announced in December, with the induction ceremonies being filmed for HBO before January. You can vote here at the bottom of the page.

This is a tremendous honor that puts your name up with music royalty like the Beatles, Led Zepplin, and many other great musicians. Yet it’s also the time-oriented reminder that some of your favorite bands have been going a LONG time. And then you feel old for liking them or getting excited about this fantastic award they may receive? Really just forget that. Great music should be celebrated and cherished. That’s what this Hall of Fame should be about and hopefully that’s why people take it so seriously.

This time of year around this announcement also stirs up the conversation of who is not getting inducted and who already has been inducted in the prestigious Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Widely beloved bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day, Bob Marley, Nirvana, Metallica, Kiss, and many more have been honored. You can actually see and search through the official list at the R&R HOF website here. If your blood is already boiling and your screaming at your screen about your favorites not getting the nod, well check out our pals Consequences of Sound and their look at the worst snubs in the Hall’s history.

RHCP celebrated their HOF induction with special guests including Slash from Guns & Roses joining them for their classic rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground” in 2012.

Green Day pay tribute to the Ramones during their memorable induction with a medley of the Ramones best hits in 2002.

Watch KINGS OF LEON on ‘Tonight Show’

October 18, 2016 | Kevin

Kings of Leon fresh off the release of their new album WALLS last week, played on ‘Waste A Moment’ last night on ‘The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon’.

Want to fly away to Boston and meet the band before their show? Keep listening to 101WKQX all this week for a special keyword and how to text-to-win this once-in-lifetime experience.

KoL are also coming to the United Center on Monday January 23rd and of course, we have your shot at winning tickets for that show right here.

Candy Crush is getting a game show on CBS

October 18, 2016 | Kevin

‘Candy Crush Saga’ is played reportedly more than 8 billion times a month on mobile devices worldwide, so it seems like a natural progression to see the sweet tooth match ’em game would get a TV version. TV Line is reporting today that CBS along with Lions Gate Television will produce a one-hour live action game show of the popular mobile game with teams trying to match “wits and physical agility to compete on enormous, interactive game boards featuring next generation technology.”

Will the show have thousands of near infinite levels like the mobile game? Will you spend so much time watching this potential Candy Crush TV show that you grow to be unproductive and lose touch with your family and friends? We will just have to see how this plays out.

On the topic of Candy Crush, check out this short film by Shutter Authority showing what a ‘real life’ game with floating candy pieces would like with some whimsical results.

AFI tease new album with darkness

October 18, 2016 | Kevin

AFI are teasing a new album with a great level of intrigue by turning their Facebook and Twitter accounts to black, erasing everything on their Instagram, and then they posted this ominous video today.

Scary tones. Fall black gobs of goo?! What is going on with Davey Havok and company? It is certainly setting the table for something big and creepy.

Guitarist Jade Puget spoke about the new yet-to-be-titled album in an interview with Aggressive Tendencies in July, saying they were working on some music. AFI last album was Burials in 2013, which brought them to Riot Fest in Chicago. Earlier this year, Puget and AFI singer Davey Havok were busy with Material, a release by their side project Blaqk Audio which made a tour stop in Chicago at the Bottom Lounge.