Mark Caro

Your Friday Cage Match: The Beatles 1967 vs. The Beatles 1968. Discuss.

Bob Merlis ran Warner Bros. label publicity for many years, and on the new Caropop, he tells tales about the Carpenters, Little Richard, Dion DiMucci, ZZ Top, Debbie Gibson, Talking Heads, Devo, the B-52’s, the BoDeans, Madonna, R.E.M. and many more. www.caropop.com/caropopcast/...

Not that I've been nursing this grudge for 25+ years or anything, but does anyone not agree that @aimeemann.bsky.social's "Save Me" should have won the best song Oscar over Phil Collins' "Tarzan" tune?

Your Friday Cage Match: MGMT vs. Tame Impala. Discuss.

I'm so sad to see that wonderful Squeeze/Jools Holland drummer Gilson Lavis has died. He propelled so much great music in such a distinct, powerful way (and was a talented artist to boot). He also was a kind, thoughtful Caropop guest in 2022. RIP. www.caropop.com/caropopcast/...

Caropop Episodes | Caropop

You are correct! www.caropop.com/caropopcast/...

Paul Kelly. (Credit: Dean Podmore)

On the new Caropop, Paul Kelly reflects on his life as a musician in Australia, his evolution as a songwriter, his song sequel, his years of being “a recreational heroin user” and what he has learned. Is songwriting his way to make sense out of being human? www.caropop.com/caropopcast/...

Hint #5: He's done all the dumb things.

Hint #4: The title of his new album is his current age.

Hint #3: His breakthrough band had a different name in the U.S. than in Australia.

Hint #2: His band's first U.S. tour was in support of Crowded House.

It's time to Guess Tomorrow's Caropop Guest!

Hint #1: He's Australian.

When I spoke with Mike Mills for Caropop in February, he mentioned a new band he had formed with Darius Rucker (Hootie & the Blowfilsh) and Steve Gorman (Black Crowes). Howl Owl Howl performs its second-ever show tonight at
@metrochicago.com.
Can't wait! www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8IX...

Your Friday Cage Match: Peanut M&M's vs. Peanut Butter M&M's. Discuss.

Paul Myers. (Credit: Liza Algar)

To mark Caropop Ep. 200, we've got Paul Myers @pulmyears.bsky.social, who recently posted the 200th episode of his Record Store Day Podcast and has written a funny, heartbreaking new book about John Candy. This is a fun chat about Candy, creativity and doing it all. www.caropop.com/caropopcast/...

Where will you be tonight at 7? I'll be at the Book Cellar in Lincoln Square seeing @stefanfatsis.bsky.social and Jonathan Eig talk about Fatsis's new book "Unabridged: The Thrill of and Threat to the Modern Dictionary." Come listen, buy a book and say hi. www.bookcellarinc.com/stefan-fatsi...

Your Friday Cage Match: “Werewolves of London” vs. “Lawyers, Guns and Money.” Discuss.

The great Peter Holsapple @halfpear.bsky.social is at @evanstonspace.bsky.social tonight, touring with Steve Forbert. Some tix still available. Will I see you there? Here's his latest Caropop conversation: www.caropop.com/caropopcast/... And here's the tix link: www.ticketweb.com/event/steve-...

We keep adding new episodes to the Caropop YouTube channel, including the latest ones (Tom Morello, Peter Guralnick...) and "classics" including Steve Albini, Bettye LaVette, Sam Phillips and the three non-Partridge guys in XTC. Please check it out and subscribe. www.youtube.com/results?sear...

Your Friday Cage Match: Rage Against the Machine vs. Audioslave. Discuss.

On the new Caropop @tommorelloofficial.bsky.social reflects on writing political music, including for the new Goodman Theatre show Revolution(s), and weighs its impact. He also talks Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, Springsteen, that last Sabbath show & the Cubs. www.caropop.com/caropopcast/...

Hint #4: He has co-written songs with Chris Stapleton, Big Boi and Killer Mike.

Hint #3: He played guitar for both bands as well as, on tour and in the studio, with one of the more celebrated American bands.

Hint #2: He grew up in the Chicago area.

It's time to Guess Tomorrow's Caropop Guest:

Hint #1: He was in two bands with identical personnel except for the lead singer.

Not even fun fantasy.

Your Friday Cage Match: Hacks vs. The Studio. Discuss.

Peter Guralnick. (Credit: Mike Leahy)

Wait, Colonel Tom Parker wasn't like the all-controlling, constipated-looking guy played by Tom Hanks in "Elvis"? Author Peter Guralnick offers a much more complex portrait and bats around various theories about Colonel and Elvis in the new Caropop. www.caropop.com/caropopcast/...

Hint #3: The main subject of his latest book also appeared in some of his earlier books.

Hint #2: He writes biographies.