I was in Chicago for work and the stars aligned, allowing me to meet up with the person behind the estimable Rosy Overdrive blog and catch most of one of the Nitro-a-Go-Go shows Nitroglycerine! (AKA Cole Hunt) was putting on throughout the city over the weekend. I couldn’t get there in time to see Badger Hunt, but I saw them a couple of weeks ago at TV Eye. But, after a long walk through the park around Oakwood Beach, I got to the site about halfway through Silver Dolls’ set, an evocative blend of 60s psych-folk and indie rock that brought Cindy Lee to mind, as did their costumes.
Then came Genre, a band from Austin who combined humor and rage in songs that were angular, explosive, and oddly catchy.
Bullseye, a New York band that was new to me, came next, rocking out like Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Dinosaur Jr., and The Stooges, while also being able to cover a Paper Jam song with complete assurance. They were occasionally ragged, but their passion was never in doubt.
Finally, we were treated to a tight, joyful, and, at time, surprisingly raucous set from Austin jangle-rockers Touch Girl Apple Blossom, whose debut album I will revisit with revived enthusiasm.
The audience was as much a main character of the night as the bands, reflecting back the love the musicians poured out with wild dancing, and full-throated cheers.
It was an absolutely delightful night. May the stars align again next year. The fact that the evening began with a great hang with at the Rainbo bar only made it that much sweeter!
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