Cheap Trick at the Last Fling

Robin Zander (vocals, rhythm guitar), Rick Nielsen (lead guitar) and Tom Petersson (bass guitar) are part of the very fiber of American music, inspiring and delighting generations with their unique union of massive melodies and razorblade riffs, their own special brand of mischievous wit and maximum rock ‘n’ roll. Since the ‘70s, they’ve been blending elements of pop, punk and even metal in a way that is instantly catchy and recognizable. With timeless classics such as “I Want You to Want Me” and “Surrender,” CHEAP TRICK, now with drummer Daxx Nielsen, are a musical institution. The Rockford, IL band is as vital today as ever, having released three records in the last three years — BANG ZOOM CRAZY…HELLO (2016), WE’RE ALL ALRIGHT (2017) and CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS (2017) –and toured relentlessly to packed audiences around the world. 2016 saw CHEAP TRICK’s long-awaited induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The induction honored both the band and the pioneering sound that has earned them total record sales well in excess of 20 million featured appearances and more than 40 international Gold and Platinum certifications. 2017’s WE’RE ALL ALRIGHT! was yet another undisputed triumph for the band as the album’s first single, “Long Time Coming,” enjoyed an unprecedented run of 18 weeks at #1 on the Mediabase Classic Rock chart. Most recently, Cheap Trick was inducted into the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.

Lucky Boys Confusion is celebrating the group’s twenty-year anniversary, and even they aren’t quite sure how they made it here. The Chicago-based group attained national (and soon after, global) attention with their 2001 major-label debut, Throwing the Game (Elektra Records), featuring the alternative-radio-charting “Fred Astaire.” The band toured relentlessly over the next decade, playing as many as 250 shows per year, and garnering a rabidly-loyal fan-base in-the-process. The new record, Stormchasers, is comprised of all new songs penned by the long-time songwriting team of Pandav and guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Adam Krier, with production duties being manned by Grammy-nominated, Chicago-based producer Johnny K (Plain White T’s, 3 Doors Down). Stormchasers draws on the band’s long-history, with punk-tempo-ed bangers such as “It’s After Midnight” and the quasi-title-track “Stormchaser,” while showcasing their affinity for modern, radio-ready anthems on “Sun In My Eyes” and “Knives (Watch What You Say).”

Cheap Trick will perform at 8:30 p.m. and Lucky Boys Confusion will perform at 7:00 p.m. on the Men in Black Pest Control Services Main Stage, located at the base of Rotary Hill near Naperville’s famed Riverwalk on Sunday September 2, 2018. One more opening act is expected to be added to the night very soon. Gates will open at 4:30pm.

Lucky Boy Confusion, DuPage County-natives, signed with Elektra Records in 2000 and among their best-known songs are “Fred Astaire” and “Dumb Pop Song. In 2008, their song “Bossman” was featured in an Extra gum commercial, and “Hey Driver” was used in the movies, “Looney Tunes: Back in Action,” “Without a Paddle” and “New York Minute.”

The band’s original guitarist, Joe Sell, was a Naperville native and died in 2012.