Steve Krakow

22 hours ago | chicagoreader.com | Steve Krakow

Since 2005 Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) has used the Secret History of Chicago Music to shine a light on worthy artists with Chicago ties who’ve been forgotten, underrated, or never noticed in the first place. As of this month, I’ve been writing and illustrating the Secret History of Chicago Music for 20 years, and that whole time I’ve struggled with what to call it.

2 weeks ago | chicagoreader.com | Steve Krakow

Since 2005 Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) has used the Secret History of Chicago Music to shine a light on worthy artists with Chicago ties who’ve been forgotten, underrated, or never noticed in the first place. Sometimes all I need to set me on the trail of a subject for the Secret History of Chicago Music is a single photograph. I’d heard about but never heard the band Hot Mama Silver when I found a 1970s promo pic that instantly hooked me.

4 weeks ago | chicagoreader.com | Steve Krakow

Since 2005 Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) has used the Secret History of Chicago Music to shine a light on worthy artists with Chicago ties who’ve been forgotten, underrated, or never noticed in the first place. Chicago has made huge contributions to soul music, and many of the city’s best-known groups—including the Emotions, the Chi-Lites, and Earth, Wind & Fire—continue to perform occasionally, decades after their peaks.

4 weeks ago | chicagoreader.com | Steve Krakow

Background photo of the Social Turners, a 19th century German American gymnastics club promoting German culture, physical activity, and liberal politics. Chicago’s chapter formed in 1852. Social Turners photo courtesy Chicago Public Library. On the cover: The Lager Beer RiotChicago’s first civil disturbance marks its 170th anniversary by Shawn Mulcahy, p. 8EXPO Chicago preview, by Kerry Cardoza and Shira Friedman-Parks, p. 11Art week picks by Micco Caporale, p. 13

1 month ago | chicagoreader.com | Steve Krakow

It’s always a special occasion when Josephine Foster rolls through town. The elastic-voiced troubadour was born in Colorado and lived in the Windy City for a spell in the aughts, when she started austere acid-folk duo Born Heller (with bassist Jason Ajemian) and shambly folk-pop project the Children’s Hour (with guitarist Andy Bar).