Last night I went to see Destroy Everything play with four other bands I’ve never heard of over at Memories in Chicago, IL. I was in need of a night of fun at a show and I was itching to take some photos so this show couldn’t have come at a better time for me. After finding out Liza (my ride to the show) was unable to make it, I made the journey alone in surprisingly light traffic and I found sweet parking right across the street practically from the bar, so the show gods were on my side this evening. Well they were for the most part.
I was told by Hanover Fist that the show was at 8pm. I figured they’d be loading in and hanging out by about 7:30 and since I was bored and needed to get out I showed up around then. What I found was a mostly empty bar with one band loading in and Mikey the promoter setting up things. I said hello and then went back outside and starting making phone calls trying to get my Klowns down to the show faster to keep me company. It was about a half hour later that they started showing up.
It was right around this time that Mikey was notified that there was a band on tour with Dirty South Revolutionaries and that they were supposed to be on the bill tonight too. This turned a four band bill into a five band bill. Mikey did some quick logistical equations in his head and figured out a quick and easy way to add them to the bill. My only reaction to this was that I sure wished the show was starting earlier as it looked to be a long night. As it turned out, it didn’t feel that long and the show ran very smoothly and fairly quickly for the amount of bands on tap for the evening.
Evil Empire
Evil Empire
Evil Empire
Nearly a half hour after the show was supposed to start, Evil Empire got on the tiny little stage. They were a five piece band who mixed up punk rock with a little bit of ska. I liked their instrumental song they started with quite a bit and the harder, more punk rock numbers weren’t bad as they kept the amount of horn to a minimum. They did, however, play too long not just for me, but for the suddenly thinning crowd. If they called it quits after about five songs, I think they would have gone over a lot better. They did play with a lot of energy right out of the gate.
The Goddamn Gallows
The Goddamn Gallows
The Goddamn Gallows
The Goddamn Gallows
The Goddamn Gallows
After an equipment change, The Goddamn Gallows were next. This three piece punk/psychobilly band took me by surprise. They were super energetic and tight and played some really great songs. They had a stand-up bass player who also sang backup vocals. They were so good that I didn’t even get very angry when they did a cover of The Misfits’, “Die Die My Darling”. They at least had the good sense to put their own rockabilly spin on it, which worked pretty well I have to admit. The guitarist/singer kind of reminded me of a young Lee Ving, something others in the crowd also noticed. When they were done, I wished they’d play a couple more songs and it’s not every day I say something like that, especially when there is still three bands left to play on the card! I will definitely make a point to see these guys play again next time they come to town and I wish I hadn’t dropped the cash I had on hand that night on beer because I would have liked to pick up their album (despite the fact it only appeared to be on CD).
Atrocity Solution
Atrocity Solution
Atrocity Solution
The surprise addition to the show, Atrocity Solution, were next. They were a rather generic punk/ska sort of hybrid that I lost interest in after about three songs. I retired to the back of the bar to sit down during the rest of their set. I think that on top of being added to the show last-minute, they spent 15 minutes looking for a drum stool.
Dirty South Revolutionaries
Dirty South Revolutionaries
Dirty South Revolutionaries
Dirty South Revolutionaries
Since they shared equipment, it only took a few minutes for Dirty South Revolutionaries to take the stage. They were a very heavy punk/metal hybrid with dual vocalists. The metal screamer guy reminded me a little bit of Phil Anselmo with the way he spoke and the things he talked about. They were pretty powerful and nearly violent. The singers ended up singing from the main floor. Glass was broken at some point (which seemed to have hit me without my noticing until later when I saw two bleeding cuts in the back of my leg, how it happened is still a mystery to me). I liked them alright, though some of their between song banter was rather non-PC. I also found it amusing how the one guy went on about being “real” punk or something yet he was wearing a Rancid shirt, which is about as mall-punk as it gets almost. Anyway, a good band that I’d like to see play again. Nice guys too.
Destroy Everything
Destroy Everything
Destroy Everything
This just left Destroy Everything. How can I describe a band composed of some of my best friends who I must have seen about a hundred times already? Well, I can tell you that this was the first show I’ve seen them play (and probably one the second one of their career) where Hanover Fist was playing second guitar. I like this new configuration, though I do miss Hanover being free to ham it up on stage and get the people going. I will also tell you the band seemed more “on” than they have been in awhile and I don’t know what it was, perhaps the exact perfect amount of beers, but Cheddar Nines was in great form this evening. He was very animated while singing and delivered his vocals with an enthusiasm that I can’t recall seeing out of him before. It was easily one of the best performances I’ve seen these guys give, if not the best that I can remember. They played a mix of new songs from their forthcoming album, along with some older favorites.
Destroy Everything
Destroy Everything
Destroy Everything
After they were done, I quickly packed up my gear, said goodbye to the people and made the commute home, which was also pleasantly traffic-free. I washed the smoke off of me and called it a night. A fun evening for sure and a good, though sadly under-attended show.
Plenty more (and larger) photos from this show can be seen on MXV’s Flickr Stream.
