Get rollin', then get rockin' 5 pop music venues that beckon beyond the borders of sweet home Chicago

As much as rock music encompasses rebellion, loud bands, sweaty dance floors and questionable excesses of all kinds, it is also about the summer road trip.

Back to its birth, cars put the "roll" in rock 'n' roll. In fact, possibly the first rock song ever--the 1951 Ike Turner-penned hit "Rocket 88"--celebrates the joys of Oldsmobile cruising.

But fear not, as this is not your father's jalopy jaunt. The venues spotlighted here promise to put some fuel-injected fun into what's left of summer. All that's left is a travel checklist that should include some of the following: cold pizza, Twizzlers, Twinkies and pretzels--thus representing all the major rock food groups--plus an iPod with a car adapter and your favorite caffeinated beverage.

The Pabst Theater

Where: 144 E. Wells St., Milwaukee

Distance from Chicago: 92 miles

What's up: Fiona Apple, Friday; The Bacon Brothers, Sunday; Jeff Daniels, Thursday; Jerry Douglas and Sam Bush, Aug. 18; Ian Gillan, Aug. 30; Rainer Maria, Sept. 6; M. Ward, Sept. 7; Mindy Smith, Sept. 9; Taj Mahal, Sept. 14; Calexico, Sept. 27.

Why go? The Pabst, which dates to 1895, is every bit as dazzling as the Chicago Theatre--perhaps more so. Not only a National Historic Landmark, but also a vibrant, 1300-seat venue that hosts important pop and rock acts on a non-stop basis.

Street cred: Built by brewing magnate Capt. Frederick Pabst. If beer is not the official beverage of rock, it's hard to imagine what is.

More info: 800-511-1552; www.pabsttheater.org

Alpine Valley Music Theatre

Where: 2699 Hwy D, East Troy, Wis.

Distance from Chicago: 94 miles

What's up: "Family Values" tour with Korn and The Deftones plus Stone Sour, Dir en grey and Flyleaf, Aug. 26; Aerosmith and Motley Crue, Oct. 7.

Why go?: While the acoustics and layout of Alpine Valley make it resemble a cheesehead cousin of Tinley Park's boxy First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Alpine has a more pastoral feel, as it's in resort territory. It also boasts a snazzy wood roof. A fine place to party with 36,000 of your best friends. (On a sadder note, Alpine Valley was the site of Stevie Ray Vaughan's last concert before he died in a helicopter crash there on Aug. 27, 1990.)

Caveat: Local farmers often sell "discount parking" on their land to concert-goers. Last time we checked, Alpine Valley's parking was free.

More info: 262-642-4400; www.livenation.com

Rialto Square Theatre

Where: 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet

Distance from Chicago: 40 miles

What's up: Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Aug. 30; Chicago, Sept. 7; James Brown, Sept. 20.

Why go?: If you love the old-time grandeur of Chicago's Aragon or Music Box, Rialto Square will satisfy. Opened as a vaudeville house in 1926, the Rialto Square is deliciously opulent--and big at 1,900-plus seats. Walk inside and you're greeted by a dozen mammoth marble columns, capped with gilded Corinthian crowns.

Street cred: Joliet sits astride the old U.S. Route 66, and scenes from "The Blues Brothers" were filmed at the city's since-shuttered limestone prison. What could be more rock 'n' roll than that?

More info: 815-726-7171; www.rialtosquare.com

Otto's Niteclub & Underground

Where: 118 E. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb

Distance from Chicago: 65 miles

What's up: The Goodyear Pimps, Aug. 25; Mr. Blotto, Aug. 26; Local H, Sept. 1; Catfight, Sept. 8.

Why go?: Not many rock venues make it past the 20-year mark. Opened in 1985, Otto's has hosted the likes of Wilco, the Violent Femmes, George Clinton, Snoop Dogg, George Thorogood, Ted Nugent, Soul Asylum and Motorhead. Upstairs venue fits 650; underground portion (capacity about 325) has a separate stage with free shows all week.

Caveat: Located on the Northern Illinois University campus, which might not be so great if you're worried about being the old dude in the crowd.

More info: 815-758-2715; www.ottosdekalb.com

Kraftbrau Brewery

Where: 402 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo, Mich.

Distance from Chicago: 150 miles

What's up: The Sinatras, The Sleestacks, Friday; Gerudo, Hammerhead Kid, Salmon, Beastman, Saturday; Baby Teeth (Kazoo School Benefit), Aug. 26; Wolf Parade, Aug. 31.

Why go?: If you're vacationing in Western Michigan, Kraftbrau is as close as you'll get to a Chicago-style indie rock venue, unless you head north to Grand Rapids. Reasonable covers, too.

Street cred: Kalamazoo is a very rock 'n' roll city name. Many Beatles guitars were built there at the former Gibson plant. "K-zoo" is also home to ProCo Sound, famous for its gnarly "Rat" guitar distortion box.

On its Web site, Brook Mays said customers should expect normal turnaround times for instrument repairs.

Meanwhile, SB Capital will look for a buyer for the McFadyen store and its other leased locations, McCartin said. If SB doesn't find a buyer, then it will close the stores.

SB Capital is a retail liquidator, according to Hoovers. SB Capital is owned by Schottenstein Stores Corp. Schottenstein has stakes in Value American Eagle Outfitters, Retail Ventures and about 50 shopping centers.

SB Capital's partners in the Brook Mays purchase are EMCC Inc., Tiger Capital Group and Palisades Collections.

Calls were not returned by SB Capital Group or by Bill Everitt, Brook Mays' chief executive.

McFadyen was started in the 1920s, when Scott McFadyen bought the W.F. Blount Piano Co. and renamed the company after himself. McFadyen operates stores throughout the Carolinas.

Brook Mays was started in Dallas in 1901. The company operates 63 stores under 10 names in eight states.