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Contributed by STEVIE STYLES and Photos by BARRY BRECHEISEN
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Sunday, 17 June 2007 |
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It’s not very often you see a smoke machine and a big lighting rig at Schubas but there it was plain as day on a Tuesday night. I went to a lot of trouble to make this show and it was all for the simple curiosity to find out what a band named after my state was about.
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Illinois and Young Galaxy
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 Entertainment
Art
Schubas
Chicago, Ill.
May 22, 2007
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As the smoke machine hissed out a great puff of smoke, Illinois opened up with a great thumping backing beat and a banjo, and with that I knew this was going to be an interesting night. Contrary to what their name suggests they were actually formed in Pennsylvania in Bucks County but grew up in Detroit. Why call themselves Illinois? I have no idea that’s exactly why I am here.
The guys in Illinois were back in Chicago once again after just recently opening up for The Kooks at the Metro. The band has often been compared to The White Stripes and on occasion you can hear it but the vocals and the quirkiness is more akin to Wayne Coynes and the Flaming Lips. If you don’t believe me go to their MySpace page and listen to the song “Screen Door” and tell me you don’t here it.
Early on the singer announced he was surprised but happy to see us/anyone here at all. Multi-instrumentalist front-man Chris Archibald and the rest of the guys genuinely look like they too are happy to be here and having a blast on the tiny stage that is Schubas.
The 5-pice stomped through quick little songs and a wide range of musical styles from bluegrass to down and dirty guitar rock to folksy rock and proved you can jam with a banjo. If you missed them never fear they are playing the first night of Lollapalooza so you have one more chance.
Opening earlier in the evening and taking equal advantage of the smoke machine was Young Galaxy. The one two punch vocals of Catherine McCandles and Steven Ramsay is the perfect combination of this atmospheric space rock outfit. Maybe a little too much smoke at times but this Canadian band can delivered some wonderful mesmerizing guitar hooks. The 6-piece band is reminiscent a bit to Arcade Fire by size and by sound and wow what a wonderful slow build up to some great noise this band can churn out. It’s hard to rock out on a small stage but they made it work and I look forward to hearing more from them in the future. |
???
Written by Guest on 2007-06-21 06:31:37
Yound? That's one of the noises batman makes when he hits a henchman! ! | Ka-Zowie!!
Written by publisher on 2007-06-25 15:18:53
Holy misprints you are correct! | Illinois is great
Written by Guest on 2007-06-30 16:16:48
Great is Illinois
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