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John O' Drums @johnodrums.bsky.social · 1d

In a city still thick with the spirits of the season, Stray Bolts rise out of their local pumpkin patch and return to their old haunt, Phyllis Musical Inn on Sat night Nov 1st as the veils between the corporeal and the spectral dissolve on the dance floor and blend the tangible with the eternal.

Concert poster showing the band on an outdoor porch stage with a barrel in the foreground that says Stray Bolts November 1st, 2025 9:30pm Phyllis Musical Inn 1800 W.Division, Chicago

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John O' Drums @johnodrums.bsky.social · Sep 25

I'm going back with the Stray Bolts to play a Sunday evening Oct. 5th, 8pm at Broken Hearts in Chicago's west loop. WIth each performance, we aim to weave together threads of blues, jazz, classic country, and vintage rock and roll into a unique, American tapestry through covers and originals.

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John O' Drums @johnodrums.bsky.social · Sep 19

My band, Stray Bolts, returns to Phyllis Musical Inn for another round. No cover, two sets at a cash only bar that’s been hosting music on the corner of Division and Wood in Chicago since 1954.

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John O' Drums @johnodrums.bsky.social · Sep 4

Stray Bolts will be playing a benefit concert Friday. Join us in the Vial House Museum Park at 47th & La Grange Rd. at
6:30 pm on Sept 5th. Take some time to enjoy this year's new permanent exhibit in the museum too! All donations & tips will go The La Grange Area Historical Society!

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John O' Drums @johnodrums.bsky.social · Aug 27

My Stray Bolts have returned to the studio for a new project and brought a couple friends and kindred spirits with us for a day! We knocked out some audio and video tracks over the weekend at Electrical Audio. Stay tuned!!

Members of the band Stray Bolts, guitars in hand, along with a guest guitarist getting ready to lay a track at Electrical Audio studio in Chicago pictured from the drummer's perspective.

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John O' Drums @johnodrums.bsky.social · Jul 27

"Stray Bolts return to Robert's Westside to celebrate the release of their second album, "LA Noir". Eleven new original songs that weave together the band's signature blend of blues, jazz, folk, and vintage rock and roll, carrying on the spirit of iconic American musical journeys."

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John O' Drums @johnodrums.bsky.social · Jul 2

Excellent venue with a nice staff and a willing audience. If you get a chance, go check out #BrokenHeartsBar and if Nick and his band are coming through your town, check them out too. They sound mighty good. This song is called 3 Flat Acres inspired by a little fest we used to play in Lancaster WI.

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John O' Drums @johnodrums.bsky.social · Jul 2

Got roped in to another Fourth of July show at Phyllis' Musical Inn, Clem's 39th Annual All Star Jam. If you're in the Wicker Park Area, the band's playing about 45 minutes and goes on at 7ish. Outside in the courtyard, loads of live music, food, drink and no cover. Stay hydrated!

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John O' Drums @johnodrums.bsky.social · Jun 25

Zach Miller could be a finalist on the honorable mentions list too. Sad that his career went the way of the Johnny Knox's of the world - ending due to a devastating injury in their prime. Still, 2015-17, catching 101 passes for 1,161 yards and 11 touchdowns is pretty good for a Bears TE.

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John O' Drums @johnodrums.bsky.social · Jun 20

That brings back some of my all time favorite musical memories. My first shows. They opened my mind to musical possibilities that I hadn't previously fathomed.

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John O' Drums @johnodrums.bsky.social · Jun 6

Stray Bolts will be performing for the first time at Broken Hearts in Chicago on Friday, June 20, 2025 opening for Nick Dittmeier & the Sawdusters. Broken Hearts, a new live music venue with a rustic vintage vibe, opened in 2024 and is located located in Chicago's West Loop at 1009 W. Lake Street.

Concert poster advertising a performance by Stray Bolts and Nick Dittmeier & the Sawdusters at the Broken Hearts Bar at 1009 W. Lake St. in Chicago Illinois on June 20th at 8pm.

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John O' Drums @johnodrums.bsky.social · Jun 6

Brutal. Rest in power Jonathan Joss.

John O' Drums @johnodrums.bsky.social · Jun 3

Was just coming here with the same news. Dang! "Jonathan Joss, the esteemed actor renowned for voicing John Redcorn in the beloved animated series "King of the Hill," was tragically shot and killed outside his home in San Antonio, Texas, on June 1, 2025."

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John O' Drums @johnodrums.bsky.social · Jun 2

I didn't hear about this, but I'm looking forward to it. Would love to see the characters aged into a whole new set of unique situations or Hank merged into his prototype, Tom Anderson, of the Bevis and Butthead universe. It would be hard to keep trucking along with no Dale and few other changes.

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John O' Drums @johnodrums.bsky.social · Apr 15

This Saturday, if you're wandering Wicker Park looking for an iconic venue to watch a local band play lots of original music, we have just the joint!

Band poster showing musicians playing with show time 9:30pm, date April 19th, and address 1800 W Division in Chicago. No cover.

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John O' Drums @johnodrums.bsky.social · Apr 8

Will do! I think this one might bring a few people out of the woodwork. Never know who might show up when you play a DeKalb show.

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John O' Drums @johnodrums.bsky.social · Apr 7

DeKalb, IL holds a special place in my heart as I lived there for 6 years and my bassist Christopher attended grad school at NIU. My band Stray Bolts is excited to return to DeKalb's Stage Left presented by Hometown Dekalb with our good friends Talk Grass Captains for a night of original music.

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John O' Drums @johnodrums.bsky.social · Mar 31

They made it close for playing a little flat for much of the game. His ball skills are impressive even if he weren't 6' 10". He and Giddy makes for a really long backcourt and both can pass, dribble, shoot, and finish at the rim. I like Matas' defense at times. Giddy is a bit of a work in progress.

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John O' Drums @johnodrums.bsky.social · Mar 27

He's beginning to look like a steal as the 11th overall pick. Great west coast road trip.

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John O' Drums @johnodrums.bsky.social · Mar 27

My Irish folk band Ar Ais Aris played at the Galena IL Center for the Arts over St. Patrick's Day weekend. Super hospitable venue and engaged audience. We couldn't have had a better time and hope to return some day. This video is from our grand finale, The Wild Rover.

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John O' Drums @johnodrums.bsky.social · Mar 24

Sweet is easier for me to deal with in small sizes.

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Reposted by John O' Drums

Soomi @slunau.bsky.social · Mar 12

In 2025, corporate America is diving headfirst into modern segregation, hiding behind “business decisions” while actively dismantling inclusion. Jim Crow didn’t disappear—it got a corporate rebrand. Discrimination isn’t just tolerated; it’s now a selling point. And too many are fine with it.

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John O' Drums @johnodrums.bsky.social · Mar 5

Is that Lucia Micarelli?

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John O' Drums @johnodrums.bsky.social · Feb 28

This is a snippet of my band Stray Bolts' 2025 semi-acoustic entry into NPR's Tiny Desk Contest. Love is Just a Game We Play was written by Al Camus and the Stray Bolts and videoed in February in Brookfield IL. #tinydesk #tinydeskconcert #tinydeskcontest #npr #nprtinydeskconcert

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John O' Drums @johnodrums.bsky.social · Feb 17

A little snippet of the Irish band I'm in, Ar Ais Aris' 2024 St. Patrick's Day set from The (now defunct) OuttaSpace. We had recently started playing the song As I Roved Out so any help we received from the audience during the refrain was much appreciated. OuttaSpace was a great venue in Berwyn IL.

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