When Garbage broke out with their self-titled debut album in 1995, their alluring but abrasive sound—dark power-pop melodies topped by Shirley Manson’s alternately growled and whispered vocals—enticed listeners like sweet pink candy with a messy center. Their second album, 1998’s Version 2.0, expands on this recipe of fuzzed-out guitar and distorted vocals with multilayered tracks and slick production, and it helped them attain even more commercial success—including a gig recording the theme song for the 1999 James Bond movie The World Is Not Enough.…Read More

There had been a birthday party at the home in the hours before the shooting, which killed 4 people and wounded 4 others.

Ratanya Aryiel Rogers had spent the day with friends, celebrating her 28^th birthday, and was waiting for a ride home when the gunfire started early Tuesday.

She and seven others inside the house in Englewood were methodically hunted down and shot, most of them in the head, one of them in the back, according to new details provided by Chicago police.

Rogers was killed, along with two other women and a man who lived in the home in the 6200 block of South Morgan Street. Friends say at least six children lost a parent in the attack, Chicago’s third mass shooting in little over a week.

Rogers was the mother of a young boy, according to Cameisha Jackson, who said she lives in Englewood and knew all four of the people who died.

“She was the life of the party, and she loved to dance,” Jackson said. “She was just a really sweet girl.”

Provided photos

The others who died were Denice Mathis, 32, a mother of four boys; Shermetria Williams, 19, the mother of a 2-year-old girl; and Blake Lee, 34, who lived in the home and did odd jobs in the neighborhood.

Police say someone broke into the home some time before 5:40 a.m. Tuesday and started shooting, according to police spokesman Steve Rusanov, who cited a preliminary report.

All but one victim was hit in the head, he said. The other victim was shot in the back.

Initially, police said the shooting broke out after an argument in the home. Police Supt. David Brown said there were two volleys of gunshots, hours apart, and that there were no signs of forced entry.

Authorities have reported no developments in the case and have not said whether anyone was in custody.

Ashlee Rezin Garcia/ Sun-Times

At a vigil outside the home Wednesday night, friends and family struggled to make sense of what happened.

“They were harmless, and that’s why it hurts, because if you knew them, you knew they were scared. You knew they were terrified,” Jackson said.

“What happened the other day really just shouldn’t have happened. Those people in that home didn’t deserve that,” said Robyn Eddmonds, a long-time friend of some of the victims. “That was a cruel person that did that, they didn’t have any morals.”

The Rev. Donovan Price erected four crosses outside the home as a memorial for the victims. A few hours later, dozens of family and friends gathered for the vigil.

Williams’ family spelled out “Shay Shay” and “Mia” in tealight candles on the sidewalk.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

“Heaven” by Beyonce, one of Williams’ favorite songs, blared from a car’s speakers as the group released at least 50 pink, white and silver balloons in the shape of stars.

Tears streamed down people’s faces as they recorded and watched the balloons drift away.

“This is so hard,” a woman sobbed as she walked away holding hands with a young girl. “This is a senseless murder.”

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A Chicago police officer exchanged gunfire with a suspect during a traffic stop Wednesday in West Garfield Park, but no one was injured.

Officers pulled over a car in the 300 block of South Kilbourn Avenue about 8:30 p.m. after they saw the occupants weren’t wearing seatbelts, Chicago police said.

While the officers were walking towards the car, one of the occupants fired shots in their direction, police said, and an officer returned fire.

No one was hurt, according to police.

Officers took one person into custody and recovered a weapon at the scene, police said.

Another person fled the scene on foot, police said.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability was investigating the shooting.

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Chicago Bears: 5 dark horse candidates to make the final roster by Ryan Heckman

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy has done a media tour since the team traded up in the 2021 NFL Draft and selected quarterback Justin Fields with the 11th overall selection. Fields is undoubtedly the long-term answer for the Bears at the quarterback position but Nagy has maintained that the rookie quarterback may not be the answer for the team during the 2021 NFL season.

Since the draft, Nagy has insisted that the Bears will open the season with veteran quarterback Andy Dalton as their starting quarterback. Despite the potential instant upgrade that Fields may be for the Bears at the quarterback position, Nagy wants to ensure Fields is not rushed into being that guy.

Nagy was once again pressed on the idea of Fields potentially unseating Dalton as the team’s starting quarterback prior to Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams. In response, Nagy told NBC Sunday Football color commentator Chris Collinsworth that there is no possible way that happens.

“No. Andy is our starter,” Nagy told Collinsworth. “Again, I can’t predict anything. You know how it goes. There’s so many things that can happen between today and that Week 1, but Andy is our starter and Justin’s our No. 2. And we’re going to stick to this plan.”

-Matt Nagy via NFL.com

Nagy’s insistence that Dalton will be the Week 1 starting quarterback for the Bears has drawn the ire of Bears’ fans on social media. A word of advice to Bears’ fans, the calendar reads June. While the Bears have had voluntary OTAs the past couple of weeks and are currently in a mandatory mini-camp, none of the players are in pads and the plays being practiced now are only via seven-on-seven drills.

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy is handling the Justin Fields conversation perfectly.

Even with the selection of Fields, the Bears are operating with the idea, not fact, that Dalton is going to be the starting quarterback when the regular season starts. The reason why that is an idea and not a fact is because what occurs during training camp in July and the pre-season in August will be the ultimate factor regarding who will be the Bears’ starting quarterback when the regular season starts in September.

Related Story: Nick Foles to the Jets?

As high of potential as Fields has of being the franchise quarterback for the Bears, it’s important to realize that he has yet to practice at full speed or play in an NFL game. Training camp and pre-season will be the determining factor in whether or not Fields is ready to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.

If the Bears reach September and the determination is made that Fields is indeed ready to be the starting quarterback, then him replacing Dalton will indeed be one of the things that Nagy could not have predicted at the time when his comments with Chris Collinsworth are revisited.

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From the Byrds to Cheap Trick to Green Day to the Killers to My Chemical Romance, there’s a long tradition of American rock and pop bands that often sound quite British — and perhaps the most British-sounding American group of all is Sparks.

You know: Sparks! The enigmatic duo that was worshiped by fans in Germany, won over music aficionados in Great Britain, became a pretty big deal in Australia — and has become something of a cult legend in their homeland of America. They’ve been almost famous for a half-century now, ever since they burst on the scene in the mid-1960s with their dreamy, edgy, complex and grand art-pop sound and an arresting stage presence that included a teen idol-handsome lead singer with a beautiful voice, and a sideman/keyboardist who looked like he recently escaped from a place with padded walls and no sharp objects allowed.

Sparks is one of the most influential and beloved acts in modern music history, yet never achieved the success and fame many thought the band deserved. Director Edgar Wright (“Shaun of the Dead,” “Baby Driver”), who is of course British, aims to rectify that with “The Sparks Brothers,” a sprawling and comprehensive and cheeky film that documents the rise and fall and rise again and fall again and the leveling out and all the other peaks and valleys the group has experienced over the last 50 years.

Sparks has had a number of band members through the years, but it’s essentially a duo consisting of brothers Ron and Russell Mael, who grew up in California and created a few waves with their unique sound in the late 1960s but didn’t really make a dent on the charts until they moved to Great Britain in the 1970s. Lead singer Russell looked like a glam star with his poofy hair and snazzy outfits, while Ron dressed like the dad in a 1950s sitcom and had slicked-back hair, a glassy-eyed look and an alarming, “toothbrush” style mustache reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin, or, unfortunately, Hitler. (A French TV station banned the group because of Ron’s mustache.) They were … different. In a great way.

“The Sparks Brothers” features a treasure trove of concert footage and TV appearances, as well as tributes from musicians who were influenced by them, including Todd Rundgren, Beck, Flea and members of Duran Duran. We also hear from fans such as Patton Oswalt, Fred Armisen and Jason Schwartzman — and most interestingly, we catch up with the Mael brothers in present day. They’re in their 70s and they’re as charming and self-deprecating and lovely as they’ve always been, and they’re still making music. (As one observer notes, if they had been a huge success, they probably would have broken up 30 years ago and wouldn’t be talking to each other.) In fact, Sparks is on the verge of what could be its biggest mainstream achievement ever. Ron and Russell wrote the story, music and lyrics for the upcoming musical film “Annette,” which stars Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard and will be the opening-night feature at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.

Looks like the boys are getting the encore they deserve.

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Three people were shot Wednesday in Chicago, including a man who was wounded in a drive-by in Marquette Park on the Southwest Side.

About 11:45 p.m., the 25-year-old was standing on the sidewalk in the 2600 block of West 69th Street, when someone in a passing black sedan fired shots at him, Chicago police said. He was struck in the leg and taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital in fair condition.

Minutes prior, a 31-year-old man was wounded in a drive-by in Canaryville on the South Side. About 11:30 p.m., he was driving his black Chevy Impala in the first block of West Pershing Road, when someone in a passing vehicle fired shots at him, striking him in the neck, back, and arm, police said. The man drove to the 3600 block of South Federal Street, and was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition.

In the day’s first reported shooting, a 33-year-old woman was shot in West Pullman on the Far South Side. About 8:55 p.m., she was standing on the street with a group of people in the 12400 block of South Emerald Avenue, when someone is a passing dark-green sedan fired shots, police said. She was struck in the left cheek, and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn by her boyfriend, where she is in fair condition.

Tuesday was the deadliest day in Chicago so far, with eight people fatally shot citywide.

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Moon Alert

There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions until 11 p.m. Chicago time. The moon is in Virgo.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

Today you are aware of your health. Or perhaps, your pet? (Woof!) More likely, you will have to work for the benefit of someone else; furthermore, you might not get credit for what you’re doing. (Whaaat?) Bummer.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

This is a relatively easygoing day. If you can, schmooze with others. You’re also interested in the arts, music, movies and fun outings. Romance will be more passionate and involved today. You also feel protective of someone.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

You want to retire by yourself in a private place because it feels good. It’s the perfect day for some navel gazing or pleasant relaxation in a private way. (You might realize how much your habits dictate your life.)

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

In conversations with others today, you feel the need to establish an emotional bond. You want the real thing. The nitty-gritty. You don’t want superficial chitchat. You need a meaningful conversation. Anyone? Anyone? Buehler? Anyone?

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

You might identify with your possessions, which is why you might want to show something off. Or perhaps you won’t lend something to someone because it’s too precious. You’re focused on your money, which is why you are also more aware of your spending habits. This is good.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Today you feel more emotional than usual — no question. You are emotionally giving and also emotionally demanding. This is because you feel a strong need to relate to others. Note: It’s good to know that your luck is slightly better today, which is why you can ask the universe for a favor.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Your pace is been a tad hectic and busy lately, which is why today, you will welcome solitude in beautiful surroundings. Preferably with a nice snack — something tasty. (Then you will feel comforted.) You will also have a chance to collect yourself and pull your act together before you take it on the road.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

A conversation with a friend, possibly a female, will be meaningful for you. No doubt you will feel a bonding with this person that is reassuring to you. In fact, this increased trust or closeness will encourage you to share your dreams for the future with them. Why not?

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

You should be aware of the fact that people notice you more than usual today. Do you need to do some damage control? Check your zipper? This is the kind of day where you might have a public argument with a loved one. (People can hear you hissing.) Relax — just be aware of this.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Because you long for some stimulation and adventure today, you want something to happen! You don’t want same old, same old. Obviously, if you want a different result, you have to do something different to make this happen. Go someplace you’ve never been before. Meet people from different backgrounds. Do something.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Although this is a playful, fun-loving time for you, you can’t ignore business. Not forever. What’s happening with your bank account and with other red-tape matters? Take care of loose details, or at least check them out so that you know what’s happening.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Today you have to be cooperative with others, especially those who are closest to you. Make nice with them. That’s because the moon is opposite your sign. In two weeks, when the moon is in your sign, they have to make nice with you.

If Your Birthday Is Today

Actor Thomas Haden Church (1960) shares your birthday. You are witty, entertaining, creative and adaptable. You have a debonair, outgoing style, and yet, you are a serious person with serious concerns. You can be impulsive. In a nine-year cycle, you are now in a one year, which means this a time of fresh beginnings and new starts. Be receptive to all possibilities. Open any door!

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About 8:30 p.m., officers pulled over a car after they saw the occupants weren’t wearing a seatbelt in the 300 block of South Kilbourn Avenue, police said.

A Chicago police officer fired their weapon and a person was arrested during a traffic stop Wednesday in West Garfield Park.

About 8:30 p.m., officers pulled over a car after they saw the occupants weren’t wearing a seatbelt in the 300 block of South Kilbourn Avenue, Chicago police said.

While the officers were walking towards the car, one of the suspects fired shots in their direction, police said, and an officer returned fire.

No one was hurt, according to police.

Officers took one male suspect into custody and recovered a weapon at the scene, police said.

Another suspect fled the scene on foot, police said.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is ivestigating the shooting.

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