OTL: Episode #524- Cook Co. back-taxing local music venues, Press START to Drink, The Secret History of Rude Guest

Mike Stephen talks with:   freelance reporter Lee V. Gaines for an update on Cook County’s ruling on what is “fine art” and their pursuit of back taxes from small music venues;   Chicago Loot Drop chairman Mike Chuck about “Press START To Drink,” their 7th annual holiday fundraiser for University Of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital; and   Plastic Crimewave (aka Steve Krakow) about early ’80s ska band Rude Guest for this week’s “The Fall of Punk” edition of The Secret History of Chicago Music.   Meanwhile, we play a voicemail from #1 OTL fan Mrs. Stephen… who’s always looking out for her son’s safety!   This week’s local music is provided by Gramps The Vamp.   OTL host Mike Stephen has his very own nameplate to display in the WGN Radio Showcase Studio. This weekend it’s next to a Cubs W Flag sign! #AndyHermannReflection #FlyTheW   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #473- Chicago Loot Drop helps the kids, Improvised Star Trek, Mac and Cheeze Takedown

Mike Stephen talks with:   Chicago Loot Drop chairman Mike Chuck about helping out deserving kids at The University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital;   Improvised Star Trek producer/cast member Matt Young about their live show run at iO Chicago; and   The Takedown impresario Matt Timms about the upcoming Chicago Mac and Cheeze Takedown at Lincoln Hall.   Meanwhile, we play a concerned voicemail from #1 OTL fan Mrs. Stephen!   This week’s local music is provided by The Roalde Dahls.   Future OTL host Mike Stephen displayed signs of his neediness at a young age. [circa 1990 or 1991]   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #418- Chicago Loot Drop charity, Chicago Writers Conference preview, The Secret History of Chicago Music

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (broadcasting on the “write this down” radio station WGN-AM 720) Mike Stephen learns about a local charity event that benefits kids at Comer Children’s Hospital, gets a preview of this year’s Chicago Writers Conference, and learns about an under-the-radar contributor to the Chicago Music Scene.   Mike Chuck– Chairman of The Chicago Loot Drop This local charity brings together “gamers and nerds” to help the children at University of Chicago Medicine’s Comer Children’s Hospital.  We learn about the Shamblers’ Ball taking place on October 27th.   Mare Swallow– Founder of The Chicago Writers Conference Patricia Ann McNair– Author and Associate Professor in the Department of Creative Writing of Columbia College Chicago We get a preview of the upcoming conference and discuss Chicagoland’s literary community.  Mare Swallow and Patricia Ann McNair talking to Mike Stephen in the WGN Allstate Showcase Studio.   The Secret History of Chicago Music– Local music historian and artist Plastic Crimewave (aka: Steve Krakow) profiles Steve Eddington in this week’s Chicago Reader.  He gives us the lowdown on Steve’s life, times, and musical contribution to Chicago. The Secret History’s feature on Steve Eddington.   OTL #418 local music provided by Old Grand Dad…

OTL: Episode #366- Graveyards of Chicago, Beer & video games fundraiser, Sweet time lapse video of downtown

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “beer & video games” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen talks to the co-author of Graveyards of Chicago, previews a video game and beer pairing charity event, and learns why a photographer spent the last two years creating a time lapse video of Chicago.   Matt Hucke– Co-author of Graveyards of Chicago We discuss how local graveyards give interesting historical insight into Chicago.         Mike Chuck– Chairman, Chicago Loot Drop This local charity is holding a video game & beer paring event called Tokens & Tankards on Sunday, November 3 at the Emporium Arcade Bar (1366 N. Milwaukee).  We get the lowdown on this great cause.         Max Wilson– Local photographer Max spent two years working on a 6-minute time lapse video of Chicago’s downtown and the final product is incredible.  We learn how and why he created this work of art. Click above to watch the video!     OTL #366 local music provided by Nick and the Ovorols…