When the Sky is Full of 0’s and 1’s
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Yes, despite what we all might think,  bands are able to get up and be at a venue before the noon.  Also, it might be enlightening for people who attend shows in Chicago to know that bars do have windows which allow light to get in. Most of these things one usually assumes are not true due to the nature of rock shows, especially one of this caliber.  Extra bonus, there were free donuts before the show!

First off, I have been finding it difficult to surmise exactly what the point of this review is. If you are not already a Shellac fan you are probably not going to be swayed now. With 4 albums out over the course of 13 years there are not what one would call prolific.  However, they have managed to gather a rather rabid following with such few releases due the the painstaking amount of detail applied to each one. Albini & Weston being rather accomplished recording engineers, the sound of the records have further enhanced the songs as they do the recordings of many musicians varying from the well known to the more obscure.  Tight guitar parts and locking bass and drums with intense and sometimes silly lyrics dominate their song structure.

The live show was not much different, only with stage banter and Q&A when ever Albini needed to tune (which was about 3 times during the 1.5hr set). They set up with Todd (drums) right at the front and center of the stage, all three equal distance from the crowd. It presented the clear equality of the three in terms of both skill and importance. It was rather impressive to witness them just as tight live as on recording, but still having fun. At one point in the set, toward the end of one song, they tried to end it by trying to throw each other off.  At another time, Albini lifted his guitar to to his mouth to scream into the pickups. This required him to remove his guitar strap, which he wears around his waist, and contrasted the rather aggressive screaming with the delicate task of wrapping it back around him 3 or 4 times during about 2 minutes.

The Q&A sections had potential to be both humorous and revealing but instead were a bit obnoxious because of the crowd. Seems Shellac fans (atleast the ones that ask questions) are a bit pretentious, asking questions about football and Iron Maiden in some sort of funny ironic way. I am not good with song names and it seems neither is Bob, who has the only “master” setlist which is simply a listing of all the songs grouped by album, a kind of cookie jar they plucked the songs out of. Even though Shellacs’ music is by no means daytime like, it was fun to be in a bar during the noon hours.  That fun translated to the stage rather nicely.

Picutes of the day time show here

Saturday was most likely the day you stayed in, as sheets of snow/ice/rain accumulated on the streets and sidewalks. I decided to do xmas shopping and then attend an amazing lineup of midwest garage punk. I feared that I would be one of the only few to brave the weather, shocked by a conversation with a myopic books clerk who assured me that, not only would it be crowded but, in 5 years I would have serious bragging rights. He was right on the former and we will see about the latter.

Doors opened a touch late but after about 20 minutes there was already a decent crowd. The Bold Ones took the stage and set the pace for the night. Fast and a bit dirty but with a bounce that got the crowd going. Before the end of the first I had a grin from ear-to-ear, easily forgetting how cold and crappy it was outside. Listen to the only song they have on their myspace called “Screwin’ Around” for a taste. They promise some kind of release soon.

Next up was Johnny and the Limelights dressed in semi-matching pink 70’s prom tuxedo’s save for the bass player who wore a sleek black dress. They sang songs about summer and kissing and pizza parties. They asked us if we knew what 69 means. More dancing was done and a pizza was passed around, literally. It was great fun. I recognized the guitarist and was informed that he was also in M.O.T.O

Third of four and I was still ready for it. The Busy Signals took the stage and continued with the aforementioned full throttle rock. This time lead by a woman, Ana, who spitted out lyrics while backed by a tight fervor of guitars/bass/drums. What this band lacked in fun they certainly made up for in fierceness and intent. As quickly as they took the stage they left, leaving a little but dust in their wake.

Finally, although I was nowhere near exhausted, (far from it actually) King Khan & BBQ show take the stage. Having been uninitiated to this band, I was expecting more than 2 people. Wrong! King Khan also has a band called King Khan & the Shrines while BBQ Show is Mark Sultan, who has a solo record. King Khan wore a black wig that was braided and decorated with pretty barrettes and ribbons, while wearing a low cut dress and necklaces. BBQ Show had a turban on and sat in front of a sole kickdrum while playing a rather small guitar. Their set was psychedelic and entrancing with an element of surf rock thrown into the mix. For 2 people, they created as much noise as all the previous bands. King Khan interacted with the audience, asking for participation and cursing the side that was just standing there. The crowd really got into this set, pushing and bouncing joyously.

There wasn’t a down set the whole night and the crowd knew it would be this was in advance. That is why they braved the weather to practically (almost definitely) sell out the night. This is the “other” Chicago scene I wish I could see more of (another one being the city’s terrific jazz players) but there simply isn’t enough time in the week…