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indie-snob>+!#
Even in blackouts (12-13-03 & 1-16-04)
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 Even in blackouts @ the fireside (12-13-03) I go to a weird school where every Thursday we get half days and take two seminars on a variety of topics in different subject areas. Freshman year I took pinhole photography and last year I took one on Chinese films and random poetry ones; this year, it's independent music. One of the more interesting aspects of this class is that John "Jughead" Pierson, of the legendary Chicago punk band Screeching Weasel, co teaches it. On the first day he came to class, he brought some free CDs along, and one of them was from his new band, Even in Blackouts. I grabbed it randomly, more so because there were a bunch of them, and was skeptical to even listening to it due to the tacky packaging, but once I did, I was pleasantly surprised. Even if indie snobs aren't supposed to admit it, I have an affinity for fun pop punk. It's hard to pinpoint the appeal of the band upon immediate first listen. The vocals are done by the oddly voiced Lizzie, who perhaps is one of the stronger efforts to keep the band from becoming another one of the Lookout clones. However, there is one other key factor: acoustic punk? Yes, the members play acoustic guitar… and damn well, too. For this show, Even in Blackouts was playing second, and my friends and I had to leave right away because I was throwing a holiday dance party right afterwards. What I did see of the first act, though, whose name I'm not sure I even wrote down, consisted of a standard Celt-punk outfit. Not my cup of tea, so I don't even want to review them. (Is that an automatic F? A request not to review??) Even in Blackouts played wonderfully, though, and it was interesting to see how many very visible Screeching Weasel fans were there (the weasel painted on the leather jacket was the standard sign), despite the fact that the band is fundamentally very different. The level of maturity present in the lyrics of EiB directly matches Jughead, who is now at least in his mid-thirties and disgruntled with life more than politics. There's a very emotional quality to the band, even though they are not so emo that it hurts, and most of all, the music seems to be fun and, at the heart, quite good-spirited. More than that, they're a fun band to watch. Jughead explodes with some sense of stage presence, as he is often near-to the splits as he handles his guitar. The songs are damn catchy, and, even if you're not a fan at all of standard pop punk, I'd still give the local band a try, or at least see them when you can. Honestly, between the instrumental guitar picking and sing-a-long choruses, its difficult to find something wrong with the band. Grade: B+ Even in blackouts @ the bottom lounge (1-16-04) With first class, the suits, last annual I can run through the three opening bands in only TWO (count them, two) paragraphs. Why? Oh, because the first and the third were practically the same. Yes, I know EiB represents a form of pop punk, but these two were just over the top. I was frightened that the first band went on with wireless… you know, not dragging behind a couple feet of cord behind their guitars. It didn't help that their stage moves looked almost choreographed and their songs were the same one after the other (and band from band). They looked just barely out of high school and didn't play much better. It was pop punk. Standard, "the suburbs suck, where'd I park my ma's SUV?" type pop punk Green Day so KINDLY introduced to the world. So, when you hear the name First Class, do you think pop punk? I do. Then, when you see half of that band in a different band called Last Annual (oh the symbolism), do you think pop punk? I do. Luckily, the lead singer tried to cover-up his lack of ability by asking us as our backs were turned to him: "you know what its like when your Dickies aren't broken in?" and replied simply: "no." Grades: F The Suits were at least fun, though. The band brought out a big upright bass covered in a custom paint job that… well, one that embodies the pseudo-psychobilly band perfectly. The vocals were kinda dark and mysterious, but the band, all dressed in suits (and thank god), still had what I would have considered a very rockabilly feel with more distortion. More than that, though, they were at least interesting to watch and fun to dance along to (as it were) and at least a band I could recommend seeing. I know that they've done some of the rockabilly bowls we have here in Chicago at the Fireside, so I'd say it's worth checking them out. I'm a bit too much out of my element here to give a definitive evaluation, but all I can say is: I liked them. Grade: B- Jughead came out wearing a two-headed shirt (as in, there were multiples holes for the head, along with the arms, so you could wear it in any number of ways) and Liz sporting a new haircut… I guess you notice these odd things when it's your second consecutive show by a band within a month The band's performance was just as lively. However, there were some factors that made this show lots and lots better, though. The more key songs by the band were all played (not that I expect many out there to know them), but also one unplugged number was played where we all gathered around John and Lizzie and heard a perfectly beautiful rendition of "Only You," easily one of the best tracks on Myths & Imaginary Mysteries. And, while the crowd was less Screeching Weasel than least time (although there still were some), Even in Blackouts did play "Every Night." And, even though I honestly do hate Screeching Weasel (although I like some of their songs), when Even in Blackouts plays them, they not only become a highlight of EiB's set, but seem so lively and energetic without becoming a pop punk stereotype. I guess I just really admire Even in Blackouts. They're sticking to their roots but still manage to do something new. Not only that, but they do it very well. They put on punk style shows and maintain that energy with acoustic guitars and light female vocals. Impressive? I do think so. Grade: A-
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