Gapers Block has ceased publication.

Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
 Thank you for your readership and contributions. 

TODAY

Wednesday, April 10

Gapers Block
Search

Gapers Block on Facebook Gapers Block on Flickr Gapers Block on Twitter The Gapers Block Tumblr


Transmission
« Pitchfork Festival Releases 300 More Single Day Passes to Purchase Pitchfork Festival Coverage and a Conversation with The Jesus Lizard »

Artist Thu Jul 16 2009

Cheap Trick Returning to Relevancy?

cheaptrick_thelatest.jpgCheap Trick, the best band ever to come out of Rockford, seems to be everywhere lately. That's at least partly thanks to their decision to release their latest album, The Latest, as a limted edition 8-track tape -- simultaneously one-upping all the hipsters on the obscure media tip and making '77 Monte Carlo owners really happy.

But that's just part of the picture. Cheap Trick wrote the theme music for "The Colbert Report." The band is on tour with Def Leppard and Poison this summer (playing tomorrow night at whatever they call that amphitheater in Tinley Park these days -- tickets still available!) and drummer Bun E. Carlos is part of the unlikely supergroup Tinted Windows. And Cheap Trick will be performing The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band live in Las Vegas this September. Possibly with Barry Manilow. Barry Freaking Manilow.

What are we to make of this resurgence? Is Cheap Trick back, or just cashing in on late Boomer/early Gen-Xer nostalgia? If their interview on Chicago Public Radio's "Eight Forty-Eight" is any indication, it's a little of both. And they're fine with that, if it means continuing to be able to play.

 
GB store

Frank / July 16, 2009 1:11 PM

Don't forget "Surrender" featuring prominently in the opening skit of Conan's first night taking over The Tonight Show. It's pretty amazing, all of a sudden they're everywhere.

tankboy / July 16, 2009 3:42 PM

And the one thing you forgot to mention ... The Latest is a pretty frickin' good album too!

Rob / July 17, 2009 10:31 AM

Yes I agree. None of this would matter if they hadn't just released one of their best albums ever.

Also,don't forget the Transformers theme(although apparently some Transformers fans want to).

GB store

Feature Thu Dec 31 2015

Our Final Transmission Days

By The Gapers Block Transmission Staff

Transmission staffers share their most cherished memories and moments while writing for Gapers Block.

Read this feature »

Blogroll

  Chicago Music Media

Alarm Magazine
BackStage
Big Rock Candy Mountain
Boxx Magazine
Brooklyn Vegan Chicago
Can You See The Sunset From The Southside
Chicago Reader Music
Chicagoist Arts & Events
ChicagoMusic.org
Chicago Music Guide
Chicago Singles Club
CHIRP
Country Music Chicago
Cream Team
Dark Jive
Daytrotter
The Deli Chicago
Jim DeRogatis
Do312
Fake Shore Drive
Gowhere Hip Hop
Gridface
The Hood Internet
Innerview
Jaded in Chicago
Largehearted Boy
Little White Earbuds
Live Fix Blog
Live Music Blog
Loud Loop Press
Oh My Rockness
Pop 'stache
Pitchfork
Pop Matters
Resident Advisor
Songs:Illinois
Sound Opinions
Sun-Times Music Blog
Theft Liable to Prosecution
Tribune Music
UR Chicago
Victim Of Time
WFMU's Beware of the Blog
Windy City Rock

  Venues:

Abbey Pub
Andy's Jazz Club
Aragon Ballroom
Auditorium Theatre
Beat Kitchen
B.L.U.E.S
Bottom Lounge
Buddy Guy's Legends
The Burlington
California Clipper
Concord Music Hall
Congress Theater
Constellation
Cubby Bear
Double Door
Elbo Room
Empty Bottle
FitzGerald's
Green Mill
The Hideout
Honky Tonk BBQ
House of Blues
Kingston Mines
Lincoln Hall
Logan Square Auditorium
Martyrs'
Mayne Stage
Metro
The Mutiny
Old Town School of Folk Music
Park West
The Promontory
Red Line Tap
Reggie's Rock Club & Music Joint
The Riviera
Rosa's
Schubas
Thalia Hall
The Shrine
Smartbar
Subterranean
Symphony Center
Tonic Room
Township
Uncommon Ground
The Vic
The Whistler

  Labels, Promoters
  & Shops:

Alligator Records
Atavistic
Beverly Records
Bloodshot Records
Dave's Records
Delmark Records
Drag City
Dusty Groove
Flameshovel Records
Groove Distribution
He Who Corrupts
Hozac
Jam Productions
Jazz Record Mart
Kranky Records
Laurie's Planet of Sound
Minty Fresh
Numero Group
mP Shows
Permanent Records
Reckless Records
Smog Veil Records
Southport & Northport Records
Thick Records
Thrill Jockey Records Touch & Go/Quarterstick Records
Victory Records

GB store

Events

Featured Series














 

Transmission on Flickr

Join the Transmission Flickr Pool.


About Transmission

Transmission is the music section of Gapers Block. It aims to highlight Chicago music in its many varied forms, as well as cover touring acts performing in the city. More...
Please see our submission guidelines.

Editor: Sarah Brooks, sarah@gapersblock.com
Transmission staff inbox: transmission@gapersblock.com

Archives

 

Transmission Flickr Pool
 Subscribe in a reader.

GB store

GB Store

GB Buttons $1.50

GB T-Shirt $12

I ✶ Chi T-Shirts $15