Last Minute Plans: Roctober Anthology Release Party Tonight

By Sarah Cobarrubias in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 25, 2011 3:20PM

Roctober magazine has been in publication since 1992, keeping us informed of little-known, off-beat bands and musicians, thanks in great part to the strapping dedication of editor Jake Austen (also the co-creator of Chic-A-Go-Go). To commemorate the upcoming 20-year anniversary, Austen has assembled his favorite interviews from the zine into an anthology, Flying Saucers Rock 'n' Roll: Conversations with Unjustly Obscure Rock 'n' Soul Eccentrics.

DeRo reports that the book, which was recently published by Duke University Press, will consist of interviews with ten remarkable artists that fell between the cracks, including Sam the Sham, Zolar X, The Treniers, David Allan Coe and the Good Rats. It’ll also feature 60+ images from the pages of Roctober and a handful of illustrations crafted especially for the book by comic artist King Merinuk.

A book release of this magnitude requires a party, so Austen will celebrate with a free release party tonight at Chicago Cultural Center's Claudia Cassidy Theater. He’ll of course read excerpts from the book, but the party will also feature a screening of Flying Saucers Rock!, a video created to complement the anthology. And perhaps most notably, Milt Trenier, the 81-year-old rock ’n’ roll pioneer of The Treniers, will perform for the event.

The Flying Saucers Rock 'n' Roll Release Party is Tonight, Tuesday, October 25 at the Claudia Cassidy Theater at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E Washington, 6:30 p.m., Free