No Wristbands! We Drink For Free is a podcast for Chicago music scene fanatics BY Chicago music scene fanatics. With over 40 years of music memories and experiences we are here to champion all things Chicago music - from local bands, to touring bands passing through Chicago, to radio stations, to music venues, to the background players - concert promoters, record pressers, engineers, producers. Each episode runs about 1 hour, and features an in depth interview with someone associated with the Chicago Music Scene. We will be releasing podcasts monthly. If you care about Chicago music, you will love our Podcast.
Steve Wynn of Dream Syndicate and The Baseball Project
We had a great time talking with Steve Wynn of Dream Syndicate and The Baseball Project on our latest episode of No Wristbands! We Drink for Free. It was fun reminiscing about those early Dream Syndicate gigs at the Aragon Ballroom opening for U2 in 1983 and R.E.M. in 1984. We also talked about the new Medicine Show box set which includes a WXRT broadcast of the 1984 show. Steve covered more Dream Syndicate history and we talked a bit about the makeup of The Baseball Project. And we even touched on his painting and that connection with Jon Langford via the Yard Dog Gallery in Austin. Of course, we also talked about the great city of Chicago.
Time stamps:
1:30: You are coming to Chicago to play the Medicine Show. You released an XRT show as part of the reissue, why did you include this show, what made Chicago stand out?
4:20: You said you were struggling to get gigs two years prior, what changed?
8: Did you feel the pressure for a quick turn around after The Days of Wine and Roses?
13:51: What does regaining your music (The Medicine Show) mean to you?
20: What is it like playing songs with people who weren't there when you started, and how different is the show now than when the tour started?
24: Do you see the different time periods of the band as one long continuation or two different points?
29: Is there anything looking back you wish you'd done differently?
31:30: The Baseball Project is a band of friends
34: What is the creative process like in The Baseball Project?
37:18 - How did creating art come about?
39: What itch does painting scratch that making music doesn't?
42: You said you are enjoying the band more now than ever, why is that?
45:36: Favorite venue to play in Chicago?
49:45: Thin crust or deep dish?
51:40: What has made Chicago stand out for you?
53:45: What is you go to cheap drink?
55:30: What do we have going on over the next 6-12 months that we are excited about?
5 Sept 2026
Steve Frisbie, Gerald Dowd & Liam Davis of The First Time Three, Frisbie and many more
Steve Frisbie, Gerald Dowd and Liam Davis have been playing together for years. We talked with them about their long-time gig as the First Time Three at the CHIRP radio storyteller event, as well as their time together as the great band Frisbie. We also talked about what each of them are up to in Chicago.
You can catch them on September 9th at Martyrs' for the next CHIRP First Time event - or every quarter (generally December, March, June & September).
https://firsttime.chirpradio.org
Time stamps:
2:20: How does the song process works for The First Time Three?
4: How did you get involved with The First Time?
6: How do the arrangements come together?
10:35: How far in advance do you get the list of songs?
11:20: What is the process like in the lead up to the show?
17: Have you ever thought about putting out a compilation of all your covers?
18: How much feedback have you had with storytellers after your performance?
22:20: How did you all meet?
24: How do you choose what project you work on next?
28: Liam, how did you get involved with producing?
31: You named a band after yourself?
35:50: What are some things you are most proud of from your time inn Frisbie?
39:15: Who are some of your musical influences?
45:45: Lets talk about Day of the Dowd?
49:30: Have there been points where making a living as a musician has sucked the good out of it?
54: Steve, how did you get involved in Tributosaurus?
59:20: What do we notice as the most common blocker for song writers?
62:20: thin crust or thick crust pizza fans?
64: Favorite place to play a show/favorite place to see a show?
68: What makes Chicago a unique music scene?
73:42: What is your go to cheap drink?
75: What are we working on/excited about over the next 6 months?
14 Aug 2026
Jon Langford & Sally Timms of the Mekons (and more)
Jon Langford and Sally Timms have been making great music for a long time. Originally hailing from Wales and England respectively, they both eventually found their way to Chicago. They've done a lot in the 30 plus years that they've called this home. We talked a bunch about their most famous band, The Mekons, as well as their many offshoots that developed over the years. Waco Brothers, Pine Valley Cosmonauts, Three Johns, Cowboy Sally's Twilight Laments and more. We also get into Jon's artwork and the beautiful new John Prine mural that he designed. Of course, plenty of discussion about the incredible City of Chicago and what they have planned for the future.
photo by Frank Swider
Time stamps:
2:10: What led to you moving to Chicago?
8:05: Talk to us about what the evolution of Chicago music has been like in your time living here?
14:45: Trying to make it in the music business from the standpoint of how hard it is, and you were wondering why there weren't more patrons of the arts for music.
21:16: How did the Mekons on the Mekong come together?
24: The Mekons should set up a travel agency.
26:50: The band has to be open to those unique opportunities.
32:30: More immediacy in playing in more intimate settings.
33:10: How did the John Prine mural come about?
39: What is your favorite go to cheap drink?
40:10: What do we want to plug on the way on out of here?
43: What do we need to do to get you to play at their house?
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
10 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
9 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 49 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
65
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
82
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