Rockin’ Hard in McKinley Park

The hot dog came properly with a packet of mustard, no ketchup, out of the cooler of a tall and tattooed lady sharing Michael J. Dog’s meaty gifts with the audience while the band rocked and sang about the toils of working on the hot dog farm.

J.R. moved smoothly alone behind the bar, ambidextrously slinging drinks to every customer and continually replenishing my draft Banquets on the marbled Formica bar top through the driving rock and country of a four-band lineup.

“We take you now to Planet Dog” growled Michael J. Dog’s lead singer, pushing the four-piece through rock and punk originals like “Jimmy Limousine” and “Bigfoot’s Sister” at One City Tap on a blustery October night.

Otro Ritmo Veteran

Frozty, who J.R. was nice enough to introduce me to, had settled next to me at the bar, and he filled me in on his help bringing bands in to perform.

Madison's Bonehead rocks attendees at One City Tap on Friday, October 16, 2026.A Southwest Side musician and veteran of the Otro Ritmo punk rock series at the tavern, Frozty said he’s not playing much now, but still lining up shows, including another this coming winter.

Gas Money

“It’s our first time playing outside Wisconsin!” announced the lead singer of Bonehead, younger Madison rockers who knocked out catchy and competent party rock to an appreciative crowd.

They later sent around a collection for gas money so they could make it home.

Country Cred

Almost all songs of the night were originals, with a couple exceptions like a Waylon Jennings cover from Two-Gun Tim and the Blanks, the show’s first performers.

Steves In The Band performs on Friday, October 16, 2026, at One City Tap.“We have to show some country cred,” said Tim in a black cowboy hat during a set laden with shit-kicking, rhythmic trucker rock pairing perfectly with the pickup racing series silently playing behind the bar.

Depeche's Mode

Dual entrances on Ashland and Archer easily accommodated smoke breaks during intermissions, which incongruously stayed in Depeche Mode on the auto-play jukebox: It had trained itself, J.R. said.

Steve’s in the Band seemed to reflect this New Wave with some shoegaze-y chords, but the trio mostly drove hard through punk rock bangers.

The Bar Is Theirs

J.R. said he shares duties with his dad, keeping the bar open late every night as the McKinley Park neighborhood’s sole tavern. I was happy to congratulate him after hearing the family had purchased the property outright.

Queenie eventually came down on the Orange Line to catch some final songs and deliver us home as designated driver, fending off those curious about the scribbling in my notepad.

Last SRO

“I’ve been at this table so many times,” said a regular to her companion across a two-top along the wall of the long, narrow barroom.

Munchies and Ashland’s 24/7 fast-food joints lured us out at the end of the show, passing stairs to the tiny single-room occupancy hotel — one of the last in Chicago — before rounding the corner.

Michael J. Dog’s rock filtered out through doors cracked for ventilation, making me grateful to think about the next return to this convivial home for nighthawks, drinkers and rockers.