The fairly obscure, cult favorite, 70s Chicago prog band, McLuhan may very well be the least likely band to have entered 2025 with a string of live dates … but here we are.

 

50+ years after the release of their debut album, “Anomaly,” it’s getting a second life with a repressing/rerelease and the band is doing a monthly residency at Montrose Saloon.

 

I sat down with band leader Neal Rosner (bass/vocals) before McLuhan’s most recent Montrose Saloon gig to talk about how the band made it this far into the 21st century, the offbeat songs on Anomaly, and what the Chicago scene was like long before most of Car Con Carne’s audience was born.

 

See McLuhan when they return to Montrose Saloon on March 6 and April 3.

 

##

 

Car Con Carne sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net


Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living – your home, your rules.

 

Get a quote by visiting easy-automation.net, or give Dan a call at 630.730.3728

 

The fairly obscure, cult favorite, 70s Chicago prog band, McLuhan may very well be the least likely band to have entered 2025 with a string of live dates &hellip; but here we are.
&nbsp;
50+ years after the release of their debut album, &ldquo;Anomaly,&rdquo; it&rsquo;s getting a second life with a repressing/rerelease and the band is doing a monthly residency at Montrose Saloon.
&nbsp;
I sat down with band leader Neal Rosner (bass/vocals) before McLuhan&rsquo;s most recent Montrose Saloon gig to talk about how the band made it this far into the 21st century, the offbeat songs on Anomaly, and what the Chicago scene was like long before most of Car Con Carne&rsquo;s audience was born.
&nbsp;
See McLuhan when they return to Montrose Saloon on March 6 and April 3.
&nbsp;
##
&nbsp;
Car Con Carne sponsored by Easy Automation: easy-automation.net
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"></li>
</ul>
Transform your living space with cutting-edge home automation. Experience seamless control over audio/video, lighting, climate, security, and more. Embrace the future of smart living &ndash; your home, your rules.
&nbsp;
Get a quote by visiting easy-automation.net, or give Dan a call at 630.730.3728
&nbsp;

Car Con Carne is an award-winning interview podcast hosted by legendary Chicago media personality James VanOsdol (Q101, WXRT, WGN, WLUP). Hosted in James's car, at live events, restaurants, brewpubs and recording studios, Car Con Carne offers engaging and honest conversations with people you want to know, mostly from the world of music.

Car Con Carne

Chicago prog band McLuhan rereleases lost 50-year old gem (Episode 1018)

This episode of Car Con Carne features Cat Ayala, the frontwoman for the Chicago band Scarlet Demore. James and Cat discuss the band's impressive trajectory, moving from DIY basement shows to playing Thalia Hall and Lincoln Hall and performing at Lollapalooza.

The conversation covers several key areas:
The Evolution of Sound:Cat explains the shift from their earlier melodic "pop" perspective to the heavier, more experimental, and post-grunge sound found on their upcoming full-length record.
The Writing Process: A look into how Cat uses songwriting as a form of catharsis and why she often needs time and perspective to process emotions before putting them to paper.
Life on the Road: The reality of "van feelings" and the mental toll of touring, contrasted with the excitement of their upcoming tour.
Community and Representation: The importance of being a voice for young women in the music scene and creating a safe, supportive environment at their live shows.

Scarlet Demore kicks off their tour at Beat Kitchen on May 8th, where fans can expect to hear plenty of new material.

###

This episode is brought to you by Exploding House Printing. Based in Hermosa, they specialize in screen printing, embroidery, and custom merch for bands and brands. Visit explodinghouseprinting.com for a quote.

This episode of Car Con Carne features Cat Ayala, the frontwoman for the Chicago band Scarlet Demore. James and Cat discuss the band's impressive trajectory, moving from DIY basement shows to playing Thalia Hall and Lincoln Hall&nbsp;and performing at Lollapalooza.
The conversation covers several key areas:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">The Evolution of Sound: Cat explains the shift from their earlier melodic "pop" perspective to the heavier, more experimental, and post-grunge sound found on their upcoming full-length record.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The Writing Process: A look into how Cat uses songwriting as a form of catharsis and why she often needs time and perspective to process emotions before putting them to paper.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Life on the Road: The reality of "van feelings" and the mental toll of touring, contrasted with the excitement of their upcoming tour.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Community and Representation: The importance of being a voice for young women in the music scene and creating a safe, supportive environment at their live shows.</li>
</ul>
Scarlet Demore kicks off their tour at Beat Kitchen on May 8th, where fans can expect to hear plenty of new material.
###
This episode is brought to you by Exploding House Printing. Based in Hermosa, they specialize in screen printing, embroidery, and custom merch for bands and brands. Visit<a href="http://explodinghouseprinting.com"> explodinghouseprinting.com</a> for a quote.

Finding community and catharsis: Cat Ayala of Scarlet Demore (Episode 1113)

The DIY evolution: Cult Canyon’s Josh Chicoine on the making of ‘Smoke Tricks’ (Episode 1112)

Episode Overview

In this episode of Car Con Carne, host James VanOsdol welcomes Meredith and Jon from the Chicago-based band Latter. Described as "equal parts art project and band," Latter delivers a sound that is jarring, experimental, and unapologetically intense. James talks with the duo about their integration into the local heavy music scene, and the raw, emotional alchemy that defines their creative process.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode
The "Latter" Origin Story: How a "just for funsies" Instagram post and a mutual friend brought together a New Jersey transplant and the drummer from Beach Bunny to form this formidable duo.
Songwriting as Catharsis: Meredith explains why her lyrics are fueled by raw emotion, channeling whatever she is "pissed off about"—from the state of the world to personal struggles—into the music.
World-Building Through Visuals: A look at the band's cinematic approach, from rmusic videos to curated Pinterest mood boards for future releases.
Left-Handed Synergy: A fun look at the "similar genes" and creative connection Meredith and Jon share as two left-handed musicians.
What’s Next: Details on their Audiotree session dropping March 4th and their upcoming May tour supporting Faetooth

Featured Music & Mentions
Album: My Body is My Sickness (2024)
EP: What Lives Inside Me (2025)
Key Tracks: "Bloodlines," "Expiration Date," “Callous,” and "I Don’t Owe You.”
Local Ties: Shoutouts to The Empty Bottle, SubT, and their engineer Pete, the "King of Tones".

About the Guests
Meredith: Vocals/Guitar. A sound artist and musician originally from New Jersey and Philadelphia who uses Latter as a vehicle to "exorcise demons".
Jon: Drums/Bass. Known also for his work in Beach Bunny, Jon explores his love for heavy, propulsive music and experimental tones with Latter.

Sponsor Spotlight

This episode is brought to you by Exploding House Printing. Based in Hermosa, they specialize in screen printing, embroidery, and custom merch for bands and brands. Visit explodinghouseprinting.com for a quote.

Episode Overview
In this episode of Car Con Carne, host James VanOsdol welcomes Meredith and Jon from the Chicago-based band Latter. Described as "equal parts art project and band," Latter delivers a sound that is jarring, experimental, and unapologetically intense. James talks with the duo about their integration into the local heavy music scene, and the raw, emotional alchemy that defines their creative process.
What You&rsquo;ll Hear in This Episode
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">The "Latter" Origin Story: How a "just for funsies" Instagram post and a mutual friend brought together a New Jersey transplant and the drummer from Beach Bunny to form this formidable duo.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Songwriting as Catharsis: Meredith explains why her lyrics are fueled by raw emotion, channeling whatever she is "pissed off about"&mdash;from the state of the world to personal struggles&mdash;into the music.</li>
<li aria-level="1">World-Building Through Visuals: A look at the band's cinematic approach, from rmusic videos to curated Pinterest mood boards for future releases.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Left-Handed Synergy: A fun look at the "similar genes" and creative connection Meredith and Jon share as two left-handed musicians.</li>
<li aria-level="1">What&rsquo;s Next: Details on their Audiotree session dropping March 4th and their upcoming May tour supporting Faetooth</li>
</ul>
Featured Music &amp; Mentions
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Album: My Body is My Sickness (2024)</li>
<li aria-level="1">EP: What Lives Inside Me (2025)</li>
<li aria-level="1">Key Tracks: "Bloodlines," "Expiration Date," &ldquo;Callous,&rdquo; and "I Don&rsquo;t Owe You.&rdquo;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Local Ties: Shoutouts to The Empty Bottle, SubT, and their engineer Pete, the "King of Tones".</li>
</ul>
About the Guests
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Meredith: Vocals/Guitar. A sound artist and musician originally from New Jersey and Philadelphia who uses Latter as a vehicle to "exorcise demons".</li>
<li aria-level="1">Jon: Drums/Bass. Known also for his work in Beach Bunny, Jon explores his love for heavy, propulsive music and experimental tones with Latter.</li>
</ul>
Sponsor Spotlight
This episode is brought to you by Exploding House Printing. Based in Hermosa, they specialize in screen printing, embroidery, and custom merch for bands and brands. Visit<a href="http://explodinghouseprinting.com"> explodinghouseprinting.com</a> for a quote.

Chicago prog band McLuhan rereleases lost 50-year old gem (Episode 1018)

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