Fri, Oct. 10th - Doors 6:30PM - Show 7:30PM - $15

Brian Krumm and His Barfly Friends is a project led by Brian Krumm, front man for Chicago’s Americana-noir group The Great Crusades. The band’s debut album, Just Fade Away, was recorded with members of his regular band as well as a who’s who of Chicago music scene notables, with Crusader Christian Moder producing. Just Fade Away was released by Chicago’s Pravda Records in June 2023. Influences like Robyn Hitchcock, the Jayhawks, Warren Zevon, and Dylan shine through all the material on Just Fade Away with Krumm’s storytelling at the forefront. The single “City That Care Forgot,” an ode to New Orleans, debuted on Pravda Records in May 2025.The lineup of the Barfly Friends includes Jessie Hotaling (vocals), Brian Hunt (bass), Brian Leach (guitars, keyboards, vocals), Krumm, and Christian Moder (drums, vocals), with a rotating cast of special guests from the Chicago music scene sitting in frequently.What the Critics Had to Say about Just Fade Away by Brian Krumm and His Barfly FriendsThis is a gorgeous record, where the songs that hit hardest, that insinuate themselves as open questions, change by the day, but each one seems to send down deeper roots, and come up with more history—personal, social, mythical—every time you play it.—Greil Marcus (Rolling Stone, Creem, Village Voice)The 11-song collection produced by Christian Moder and Brian Krumm is a delight with tunes like “Never Do as I’m Told,” excellently performed. —John Apice (Americana Highways)Krumm, who cites influences ranging from the Jayhawks and Warren Zevon to Bob Dylan, has a gravelly voice that at times recalls artists like David Johansen, Tom Waits and Garland Jeffreys. Among the well-hooked numbers are “Barfly Friends,” a ballad that looks back affectionately on a past relationship and the rocking, organ-spiced “Back in My Old Neighborhood,” in which Krumm revisits assorted haunts and concludes “nothing much has changed, except for me.” —Jeff Burger (theaquarian.com)

Led by acclaimed drummer Brad Elvis and vocalist/rhythm guitarist Chloe F. Orwell, Chicago's The Handcuffs explore broad sonic territory while believing in the power of a great radio hook. The Handcuffs inhabit some of the same musical domain as T-Rex, Spiders from Mars Era Bowie, Franz Ferdinand and early Blondie - all filtered through a modern lens - and deliver bold, sexy songs with memorable melodies and unexpected twists. Known as much for their dynamic live shows as for being prolific writers and producers, their songs have been featured in dozens of films and television shows. The band has released three full-length albums and is currently working on the fourth. They recently released a special International Cassette Store Day album called "All the Way from Chicago," featuring a "best of" style, remastered sampling of their modern garage-glam songs, plus a never-before released nod to one of their influences, Mott the Hoople. "The Handcuffs are one of the few bands capable of effectively combining the spontaneity and musicianship of glam/punk with the urgency and rough-edged sound of garage rock," says Jersey Beat's Phil Rainone. “There's a sexy, swaggering street vibe throughout,” added Musoscribe's Bill Kopp. And the Chicago Sun-Times exclaims that The Handcuffs are simply "effervescent." Completing The Handcuffs powerhouse lineup are bassist Emily Togni, lead guitarist Susie Q. Winn and keyboardist Alison Hinderliter.

 Nathan Graham is a musician born and raised in Chicago. His music bridges the gap between South Side Soul and Nashville Americana, creating a new inclusive vision of singer-songwriter. He built his career over the last ten years as a guitar-for-hire, touring internationally with major label and indie acts, but all the while focused on songwriting and honing his skills as a solo performer.“My goal is to show a different kind of singer-songwriter. I don’t look or sound like you’d expect, but I’m writing about universal experiences of love, loss, uncertainty and anxiety. I’m writing music to connect my story to yours, show you all that we have in common, and maybe help both of us feel less alone.”