If you’re going to learn how to be in a rock band, then you couldn’t have a better teacher than Ian Svenonius, frontman of Nation of Ulysses, the Make-Up, Weird War, Chain & the Gang, etc. Svenonius’ new book, Supernatural Strategies for Making a Rock ‘n’ Roll Group, is a handy instructional manual delivered with a little help from the beyond. The Make-Up plays tonight at the Glass House. This interview by Eyad Karkoutly.

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This Thursday, L.A. will host another Soul Clap and Dance Off with New York Night Train promoter Jonathan Toubin. He will also be bringing guest DJ Ian Svenonius, former frontman for Nation of Ulysses and the Make-up and current frontman for Chain and the Gang. If you think you have what it takes, show up and show off! This interview by John Henry.

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Walking up to the Smell Friday night, I see a slight man with bushy hair and unusually well-tailored casual wear walking a few feet behind. Ian Svenonius walking the streets is just like finding a mint copy of a Beatles Butcher LP in a dollar bin, a serendipitous October surprise. So I asked him how the Chain And The Gang tour was going. He wearily replied, “We’ve been on tour for 43 days, with only two days off. I’m kind of tired, but it’s a good time, I guess.” An honest answer. His newest band, Chain And The Gang, is on tour with The Hive Dwellers, Calvin Johnson of K Records’ new group. While both Ian and Calvin shared the same backing band, the two live experiences varied drastically.

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