Saturday, July 26, 2025

Trailblazing musician Kate Fagan returning to Chicago next month for a couple of shows




By ERIC SCHELKOPF


To say that Kate Fagan is a trailblazing musician is an understatement.

Fagan wrote the song "I Don’t Wanna Be Too Cool” after moving to Chicago from New York in the late '70s. The song became the best-selling single by a local artist at Wax Trax! Records.

In 1980, she co-founded legendary Chicago ska band Heavy Manners. Fagan, who currently lives in New Orleans, will return to Chicago next month for a couple of rare appearances.

Fagan will do an in-store performance from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Aug. 9 at Bric-a-Brac Records & Collectibles, 2845 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago. She also will perform Aug. 10 at the Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave., Chicago, as part of a bill that also includes Clickbait, Beastii and DJ Modern Girl.

The show starts at 9 p.m. and tickets are available at ticketweb.com/event/kate-fagan-clickbait-empty-bottle-tickets/14481343.

I had the chance to talk to Fagan about her illustrious career.

 

Q – What do you like about the New Orleans music scene, and what do you miss about the Chicago music scene?

New Orleans is rich in history and community, with a thriving street music scene that gives the city its distinctive vibe. I love the culturally diverse “gumbo”—deep roots in gospel, blues, brass bands, and jazz. The variety of festivals here is truly incredible. 
 
I miss the punk and ska scenes in Chicago, especially the raw energy of those early shows and the original spirit that fueled the new wave bands. I miss seeing major rock ‘n roll acts, as there aren’t many touring in the South.
 
Q – You wrote “I Don’t Wanna Be Too Cool” in response to the hipster movement in NYC. Was that the reason you moved to Chicago?
 
 
Actually, the disco scene and brand-centric consumerism in New York inspired that song. But I moved to Chicago because I was drawn to its vibrant underground music scene and wanted to be part of something young and rebellious.
 
Q – Did you think “I Don’t Wanna Be Too Cool” would resonate so much? Why do you think it’s still relevant?
 
I sensed it connected with many people feeling pressure to fit in or be trendy, but I didn’t expect it to reach so many or stay relevant for so long. It still resonates because those feelings of wanting to be yourself never go out of style.
 
Q – How did you react to the song becoming the best-selling single by a local artist at Wax Trax! Records?
 
It was surreal and incredibly encouraging. Seeing how many people related to my point of view and musical style boosted my confidence.
 
Q – What attracted you to ska music, and what were your goals with Heavy Manners?
 
Second-Wave Ska’s upbeat energy, combining reggae’s earthy rhythms and punk’s political edge, really excited me. With Heavy Manners, we wanted to bring that infectious sound to Chicago audiences and do our part in breaking down racial and gender barriers with our solidarity, and we reveled in the joy of making dance-able songs. 
 
We loved playing together, and the thriving club scene made it even more fun.
 
Q – What was it like working with Peter Tosh?
 
Playing with Peter Tosh was a profound experience – his presence was powerful, and working with him in the studio brought an authentic reggae energy that deeply influenced our band’s music. He produced Heavy Manners' “Say It,” which I am especially proud to have written. 
 
Q – What do you enjoy about collaborating with Jeremy Joyce?
 
Jeremy is an incredibly versatile guitarist and he’s super studio-savvy. His boundless creative range and edgy drive inspire me.
 
Collaborating with him pushes me to explore new ideas and keeps the songwriting fresh.
 
Q – What musical direction did you aim for with “Go Faster”?
 
We wanted punk’s relentless energy to propel the listener forward – sonically, it’s about a driving rhythm that makes you want to GO FASTER! Lyrically, it encourages people to be powerful, act immediately and push boundaries.
 
Q – Is Heavy Manners working on anything new? What’s next?
 
I’m always writing and experimenting, so stay tuned! I plan to release more songs and hopefully tour. 
 
I also have some exciting collaborations on the horizon, including a few surprises for fans.

 

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