This week on the HOGPOD Chicago Local Music Scene Podcast, we’re joined by three powerhouse talents making waves across the Midwest:✅ Nick Cox, guitarist and vocalist from the legendary 7th Heaven✅ Zach Avery, blues-rock-soul phenom with deep Chicago roots✅ Todd Lazar, bassist for both Revelator (Tedeschi Trucks tribute) and Black Diamond SessionsWe dig into the 40-year legacy of 7th Heaven — from charting Billboard hits and opening for Bon Jovi at Soldier Field, to rocking 200 shows a year including cruise ships and international gigs. Nick drops insight on band turnover, selling out (or not), and their famous “30 Songs in 30 Minutes” medley.Zach Avery shares his journey from Minneapolis bars at age 13 to opening for Buddy Guy and launching the Revelator tribute project with Soundtracks of a Generation. We talk live EPs, band chemistry, Chicago Music Exchange, and what it means to groove with soul.Todd Lazar joins to talk about building Revelator and navigating the local scene while laying down the low end in multiple projects.✅ Shoutouts to Mojo Mike, Tony Ocean, Chicago Music Cruise, Richie Hofherr, and Michael Mooshey✅ Behind the scenes on how Revelator formed✅ Stories from First Avenue and the Prince estate at Paisley Park✅ Upcoming shows from 7th Heaven, Zach Avery Band, Revelator, and Mosquitos Jam BandKey Moments:0:004:43 Derrick Procell Clip    • Derrick Procell: Chicago’s Blues & Am…   https://www.derrickprocellmusic.com/5:23 Mojo Mike Clip    • Mojo Mike O’Brien Joins Voyage | Hogp…  5:35 Nick Cox Guitars/Vocals 7th Heaven Band https://7thheavenband.com7:11 Chicago Music Cruise https://www.chicagomusiccruise.com/8:05 Tony Ocean https://www.tonyoceanmusic.com/8:31 Tony Ocean Podcast https://www.tonyoceanmusic.com/podcast/9:06 Revelator Band Debut https://www.revelatortribute.com/9:15 Soul Commitments   / soulicons  9:36 Zach Avery Upcoming Shows https://www.zachaveryband.com/shows9:42 Nick Bell Band https://www.nickbellband.com/10:04 Todd Lazar Introduction13:38 How did Revelator get started, Todd Lazar?19:30 Revelator performs “Gravity”26:10 Chicago Music Exchange https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/26:43 Upcoming Shows – 7th Heaven https://www.7thheavenband.com/tour.html28:17 Is the Casino Gig all it’s cracked up to be?30:04 Zach Avery arrives – Zach Avery Band https://www.zachaveryband.com/31:37 Zach Avery Introduction34:35 Shout Out to Richie Hofherr (7th Heaven Band Founder) and Michael Mooshey34:44 Where did the band 7th Heaven get its name?37:27 “Monster” performed by Nick Cox and 7th Heaven    • 7th heaven   Monster  43:20 Josh Henderson – Quive Queen Tribute   / jjhenderson86  44:32 Davey Knowles Shout Out   / davyknowles  49:45 Zach Avery Influences52:36 What is Zach Avery’s vision?56:52 What are some of the growing pains Nick Cox has dealt with in his tenure with 7th Heaven Band?59:48 Dealing with band turnover1:04:50 Eventually a band is going to have to sell out and make money1:07:15 How do you keep everyone happy in a band—creative process, getting paid, etc.?1:07:39 How do you tell a band member their idea is crappy?1:09:40 First Avenue, Minneapolis https://first-avenue.com/shows1:09:48 Paisley Park (Prince Home Tour) https://www.paisleypark.com/tickets1:10:48 Revelator’s debut show   / 2071081200035615   – The Lyric Theater, Blue Island1:11:40 Mosquitos Upcoming Show – Sundance Saloon, Saturday 4/19   / 1989222538571201   http://www.mosquitosjamband.com/1:12:18 7th Heaven Website https://www.7thheavenband.com1:13:31 Black Diamond Sessions https://blackdiamondsessions.com/1:15:11 Dino Show Clip    • 🚨 Hogpod Chicagoland Music Scene Podc…  1:16:50 Friction Reunion1:17:10 zachaveryband.com website with upcoming shows1:17:33 Revelator Website

On this episode of the Hogpod Chicagoland Music Scene Podcast, Mike Orfanos helms what may be a Guinness World Record-breaking number of Mikes on one podcast — featuring Mojo Mike O’Brien, Mike Ostrenga, Mike Dermont, Mike Good (silent but present), and Pete Jansons (reporting in from the road)!We catch up with Mojo Mike O’Brien about his legendary run through the Chicago music scene — from Foil, Zurich, Nathan Teal, Hobo Junkies, Curbside Life, and Earthshine, to his latest gig as lead singer of Voyage.✅ Special Recognition🏆 Huge shoutout to the College of DuPage Men’s Volleyball Team – National Champs!https://gochapsgo.com/sports/mens-vol…✅ Clips & Guests Featured🎙️ Derrick Procell’s Chicago Blues Journey – • Derrick Procell: Chicago’s Blues & Am… 🥁 Arra Band drummer update – https://www.arraweb.com/🎧 Kevin Purcell’s Podcast: The Bus Stop Blues – https://www.podbean.com/pu/pbblog-vhm…🎸 Mojo Mike’s site – http://www.mojomusic.com/🎶 Voyage Band Info & Shows – https://voyagerocks.com/✅ Live Show Clips Mentioned🎥 Rumor Hazit – • 🔥 RUMOR HAZIT Joins HOGPOD Chicago Lo… 🎥 Blackberry Jam – • HOG POD Podcast: Jeff Anthony Talks T… 🎥 Mike Ostrenga Clip – • 🎸 Bassist Mike Ostrenga from Empress … ✅ Fun FactThis episode may have broken the record for the most Mikes on one podcast. Somebody call Guinness!Key Moments:0:001:31 ✅ Shoutout: College of DuPage Men’s Volleyball National Champs!🔗 https://gochapsgo.com/sports/mens-vol…5:40 ✅ Mike Orfanos solo Black Diamond Sessions at Broken Oar7:11 ✅ Derrick Procell: Chicago’s Blues & Americana Journey show clip🔗 • Derrick Procell: Chicago’s Blues & Am… 9:12 ✅ Arra band replaces drummer🔗 https://www.arraweb.com/10:40 ✅ Kevin Purcell has a podcast! The Bus Stop Blues🔗 https://www.podbean.com/pu/pbblog-vhm…11:27 ✅ Michael “Mojo” O’Brien background🔗 http://www.mojomusic.com/12:00 ✅ Mojo joins Voyage band🔗 https://voyagerocks.com/12:52 ✅ Mojo Mike arrives28:41 ✅ Rumor Hazit clip🔗 • 🔥 RUMOR HAZIT Joins HOGPOD Chicago Lo… 30:19 ✅ Blackberry Jam show clip🔗 • HOG POD Podcast: Jeff Anthony Talks T… 31:39 ✅ Mike Orfanos shares What is Moo story33:11 ✅ Jimmy Sohns performs “Gloria” at Joe’s Live in Rosemont40:49 ✅ Voyage Band discussion48:52 ✅ Mike Ostrenga joins49:50 ✅ Upcoming Voyage shows🔗 https://voyagerocks.com/shows🗓️ May 30 – Bannerman’s, Bartlett, IL🗓️ June 3 – Private Event🗓️ July 2 – Bourbonnais Summer Concert, Perry Farm Park🗓️ July 4 – Bartlett 4th Fest🗓️ July 16 – Camera Park Concert, Glendale Heights🗓️ Oct 10 – The Broken Oar, Port Barrington54:49 ✅ Kreative Minds show clip56:25 ✅ What’s Mike Ostrenga up to? Show clip🔗 • 🎸 Bassist Mike Ostrenga from Empress … 1:02:49 ✅ Visit Mojo Mike’s website🔗 http://www.mojomusic.com/#MojoMike #VoyageBand #Hogpod #ChicagoMusicScene #MikeOrfanos #PeteJansons #MikeOstrenga #HoboJunkies #CurbsideLife #BlackDiamondSessions #ArraBand #KevinPurcell #ChicagoBlues #LiveMusicChicago #CollegeOfDupage #DerrickProcell #ChicagolandBands #CoverBands #ChicagolandPodcasts #MikeOverload

🎙️ HOGPOD Chicago Music Scene Podcast welcomes legendary bassist and vocalist Tony Mok, the frontman for not one but two standout Chicagoland tribute acts: Tom Sawyer, a Rush tribute band, and Hitwave 80s, a synth-fueled trip through the MTV era. Alongside Tony, we’re joined by his bandmates Brent Johnson on guitar, Wolfgang Paul on drums, and vocalist Kate Hutchins. They share the full story behind how these projects came together, why Rush’s music is so uniquely challenging, and what it takes to replicate the technical mastery of Geddy Lee, Neil Peart, and Alex Lifeson on stage.The crew goes deep into how they built their live sets, what gear they use, and how they handle samples, foot pedals, and keyboards with just three members. We talk about the evolution of Hitwave 80s, how it was inspired by early dance clubs and MTV, and why synthpop is alive and well in Chicagoland today. Along the way, we’re joined by Rhodsey (Chris Rhodes), Beth Miller, Bongo Mike, Mike Dermont, and Pete Jansons as the conversation covers everything from AI in music to old-school festival war stories to whether Rush should be crowned the kings of cowbell.Whether you’re a Rush superfan, an 80s synth junkie, or just love Chicago’s thriving music scene, this one’s for you. Tony Mok breaks it all down with passion, humility, and a few hilarious behind-the-scenes moments you won’t want to miss.✅ Key Moments:5:17 Wolfgang Paul vinyl collection6:51 Mike Dermont introduces Rush tribute band Tom Sawyer6:59 Geddy Lee – Tony Mok / anthony.mok66 8:25 Alex Lifeson – Brent Johnson / guitarjohnson 10:50 Wolfgang Paul Neil Peart drummer solo15:50 Is there a harder music to play than Rush?17:17 Hardest Rush song to play21:55 Is Rush one of the top cowbell bands?28:25 Drumeo shoutout / @drumeoofficial 34:22 Subdivisions39:21 Bonnie Miske Show Clip – Broken Oar • HOG POD – Behind the Scenes at Broken… 42:16 Hitwave 80s Band / hitwave80scoverbandchicago 57:30 Bongo Mike at Broken Oar / 1648111639428552 57:55 IPOP Band shoutout / ipopband 58:22 Nate Schmidt drummer shoutout / drummernate ✅ Support the HOGPODKeep the Chicago music scene alive!Join our community 👉 / hogpodsupporters Subscribe, like & share!#HogpodPodcast #TonyMok #TomSawyerBand #Hitwave80s #RushTribute #ChicagoMusicScene #YYZ #GeddyLee #NeilPeart #AlexLifeson #Subdivisions #PeteJansons #MikeDermont #BongoMike #BethMiller #Rhodsey #ChrisRhodes #WolfgangPaul #BrentJohnson #IPOPBand #NateSchmidt

This week on the Hogpod Chicagoland Music Scene Podcast, hosts Mike Orfanos (Misquitos), Mike Dermont (Coterie), and Pete Jansons chat with acclaimed local photographer Jim Knobbe (aka Obi-Wan Kenobi)! Jim shares his journey from wedding photographer to one of the most sought-after music photographers in Chicago. From shooting epic band gigs to dealing with tricky lighting and mic stands, Jim gives us a behind-the-lens look at capturing Chicago’s vibrant live music community.✅ Topics Covered:✅ Celebrating Hogpod’s one-year podcast anniversary✅ Jim’s early days photographing weddings and transitioning to music photography✅ Behind-the-scenes stories from shooting bands like Pino Farina Band, Rumor Has It, and Tom Sawyer✅ Tips on managing difficult concert lighting and stage setups✅ How Jim became known as “Pino’s guy”✅ Why black-and-white photography stands out in music shoots✅ The best and toughest local venues for live music photography✅ Jim’s photography gear recommendations and AI retouching tricks✅ Favorite local food spots: Sporty’s, Portillo’s, and more tasty talk🔥 About the Guest:Jim Knobbe is a talented photographer known throughout the Chicago music scene for capturing memorable moments at live performances. He has worked extensively with bands and venues across Chicagoland and continues to make musicians look their absolute best.✅ Follow Jim Knobbe on Facebook:   / james.knobbe.94  Key Moments:0:001:30 HOGPOD has been going for over a year with Mike Orfanos    • Chicagoland Hyper Local Music Scene: …  2:07 First HOGPOD with Mike Dermont as guest 8-19-24    • Hog Pod with Mike Dermont: From Frict…  6:16 Portillo’s Top Dawg boat8:34 Sporty’s Bloomingdale shout-out https://www.sportyscatering.com/14:18 Wolfgang Paul Drum Solo courtesy of Beth Miller   / 3008495396018800  21:13 Black Diamonds Broken Oar April 5   / 1648111639428552  22:19 Mosquitos show Sundance April 19   / 952020253570749  22:58 Photographer Jim Knobbe joins the show32:05 Pino Farina Band clip shout-out    • Pino Farina on Band Reunions, Origina…  34:20 Jeff Kleinschmidt Vixen shout-out clip    • 🎶 Jeff Kleinschmidt, Talent Buyer at …  36:20 Jim Knobbe—message him on Facebook38:40 Which band member is the most photogenic?41:15 Rumor Hazit clip shout-out    • 🔥 RUMOR HAZIT Joins HOGPOD Chicago Lo…   Happy Birthday David Eakens!42:54 How light plays a role in photography48:12 What was the biggest technological advancement that has helped photographers?56:33 Mic Stands🎧 Support the Podcast:Support the Hogpod Chicagoland Music Scene Podcast:👉   / hogpodsupporters  👍 Like, Subscribe, and Share to support the Chicagoland music community!Hashtags:#JimKnobbe #ObiWanKenobi #ChicagoMusic #ChicagoBands #MusicPhotography #LiveMusic #LocalMusic #HogpodPodcast #MikeOrfanos #MikeDermont #PeteJansons #Misquitos #Coterie #ChicagoPhotographer #PinoFarinaBand #RumorHasIt