DS Show Review & Gallery: Flatfoot 56, The Rumjacks, The Drowns, and Criminal Kids. Chicago (03.11.2023)

Chicago celebrates St. Patrick’s Day a bit early. The city partook in its traditional Dyeing of the Chicago River, followed by a boisterous post-downtown Irish parade afternoon. The events draw thousands, most seeming to be decked out in various formed of green plastic, t-shirts slightly updated, often vulgarity or cheesy wise, from the classic of […]

Chicago celebrates St. Patrick’s Day a bit early. The city partook in its traditional Dyeing of the Chicago River, followed by a boisterous post-downtown Irish parade afternoon. The events draw thousands, most seeming to be decked out in various formed of green plastic, t-shirts slightly updated, often vulgarity or cheesy wise, from the classic of bygone years “Kiss Me I’m Irish,” and silly hats. More than a few people remarked that the only thing seemingly missing were actual Irish people. The accuracy of that last part I do not know.

However, after a day accented by a few celebrants puking up green beer on the “L,” Reggie’s acted as a sort of refuge from the shenanigans (yes, I use that word sans apologies). The pride of Southside Chicago Celtic punk, Flatfoot 56, as it often does at this time of the year, stormed the stage. The band had hearty support from The Rumjacks, The Drowns, and another of Chicago’s own, Criminal Kids.


To say that a Flatfoot 56 show is always a good time is an understatement. Led by the affable founding members the brothers Bawinkel, Tobin and Kyle, the band roars through its set. Tobin Bawinkel, the towering lead singer, exudes the energy of a preacher leading an old-time revival under a big tent, the charm of your favorite high school teacher, (he actually is a high school social studies teacher in the Chicago Public school system), and the requisite charisma of a veteran frontman. Kyle Bawinkel, with a good-natured, but slightly mischievous grin, slams on bass, Drummer Dan Alfonsi, aka singer of another windy city band “Still Alive,” works in tight conjunction with Kyle for a sturdy backbeat. Original Flatfoot 56 Pipes player Josh Robieson rejoined the band a few years back, much to the delight of the Ollie Mob.


The band is well-known as a Christian group. But during the secular shows, you won’t witness proselytizing. However, you will hear stories of forgiveness, redemption, unity, and faith laid bare in FF56 lyrics. Two of the band’s most popular songs played live are actually covers of
Christian hymnals. Tobin regularly encouraged, pre-pandemic, fans to hold the
hands of their neighbors at the show, as they slowly build then burst into a very up-tempo rendition of “Amazing Grace.” Tobin still encourages fans to take a moment to introduce themselves to those around them they do not yet know.


On this particular night, however, the hymnal of choice, was the joyously rowdy version of “I’ll Fly Away.” And whether fans describe themselves as believers, atheists, agnostics, or by any other religion-related description, the crowd joins in, triumphantly singing the chorus.

“I’ll fly away, oh, Glory
I’ll fly away
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by
I’ll fly away.”

It’s quite a moving moment. Decency is a word you will often hear associated with this band. It fits, in part, because it requests one thing of its fans, to bear cathartic witness to our shared humanity. But a FF56 show is no solemn affair, Its reliable strength is neither generic nor boring.

This was demonstrated as the members of Flatfoot 56 blasted through the set, also including “Brotherhood,” “Knuckles Up,” “Winter In Chicago,” a terrific cover version of “The Wild Rover,” “Courage,” and “We Grow Stronger. 

Flatfoot 56 shows, simply put, are the very definition of a rip-roaring good time free of judgment, full of joy.


Celtic punk band The Rumjacks, was founded in Sydney, Australia but now its members are based in Europe.

Lead singer Mike Rivkees, who is actually from the United States, spent most of this time on stage in perpetual motion, springing lightly on the front of his shoes. Also playing tin whistle throughout the set, Rivkees commanded the crowd with his strong vocals. He led the bandmates, including his Mickey Rickshaw bandmate Kyle Goyette on accordion, through a rollicking set proper for a modern-day St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the USA. The Rumjacks easily satisfied the fans as it tore through “One for the Road,” ”Kirkintilloch,” “Bloodsoaked in Chorus,” ”A Fistful O’ Roses,” “Sainted Millions,” and “An Irish Pub Song.”

Hopefully we will not have to wait until the next St. Patrick’s Day celebration to welcome The Rumjacks back to Chicago.


The Drowns, out of the Emerald State helped celebrate the Emerald Isle with a spirited performance. The Seattle band has a stacked festival year. Among the upcoming highlights are Punk Rock Bowling, Punk in Drublic, and Rebellion Festival, as well as Sjock Festival. So it was a treat for those who can’t travel to a big festival to be able to see them at Reggie’s. The boisterous set included “Black Lung,” “Lost Boys Of Suburbia,” “One More Pint,” “Wolves on The Throne,” and ”Hold Fast.”

Band members felt compelled to point out one of their tour highlights or perhaps lowlights. The band hit White Castle pre-show. For at least one of its crew it was the first taste of the iconic fast-food joint. There is a White Castle right around the corner from the venue. Unsurprisingly (at least to me, as I am not a White Castle fan), the band expressed more than a little regret at that dinner choice.

The Drowns also played a barn-burning cover of Sweet’s “Ballroom Blitz.” Of course, that classic song was featured in the classic comedy “Wayne’s World,” which has several keys scenes set in the Windy City area. The crowd was absolutely all for it.

Regret is something you may experience if you don’t catch this The Drowns live at your first chance. Whether it is at a huge festival or in a more intimate setting, the crucial thing is to catch them. You will be glad you did.


I am always delighted to see Southside Chicago’s own Criminal Kids on the bill. The band fired up the hometown crowd to kick off the party.

The rough and tumble but sweet attitude befitting a band with this name was demonstrated as Criminal Kids blasted through “Little Bitch,” “Night,” “Outcast,” “Vanity,” and “Life.”

The band’s rambunctious cover of The Undertones classic from 1978, “Teenage Kicks,” was a notch above terrific.

Is this where I say it’d be a crime to miss Criminal Kids? Ok, I will apologize for that groaner. The manner of expressing this idea might be dorky. But the sentiment is not.


See below for more photos!

 

 

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DS Show Review & Gallery: The Riverboat Gamblers, The Mizzerables, The Figbeats, Wrong Life and Publicity Stunt celebrate The Kinks (Chicago: 12/17/2022)

Before this show started, Dr. Daryl Wilson of The Bollweevils aka The Punk Rock Doc, introduced me to Mike Wiebe of The Riverboat Gamblers as “the best front man in punk.” Coming from Wilson, a magnetic front man himself, this is high praise. The Riverboat Gamblers headlined a Reggie’s Rock Club, with support from The […]

Before this show started, Dr. Daryl Wilson of The Bollweevils aka The Punk Rock Doc, introduced me to Mike Wiebe of The Riverboat Gamblers as “the best front man in punk.” Coming from Wilson, a magnetic front man himself, this is high praise. The Riverboat Gamblers headlined a Reggie’s Rock Club, with support from The Mizzerables, Wrong Life, The Figbeats, and Publicity Stunt on December 17, 2022, and proved, again, Wilson knows of which he speaks.

The evening was more than just a regular Saturday night show. It was also a Zuma livestreamed celebration of the release of Starstruck: A Tribute to the Kinks. The album, from Wicked Opossum Records, showcases bands covering some of the Kinks’ most important and popular songs. This includes the five bands on this night’s bill. As the Kinks at Nassau Coliseum (during its “Come Dancing” hit song era in the 1980’s) was my first rock concert, this was especially nostalgic for me.


Mike Wiebe is, indeed, a dynamic frontman. The Riverboat Gamblers, comprised of Wiebe, Fadi El-Assad, Ian MacDougall, Rob Marchant, and Sam Keir, put on an electrifying performance. Wiebe was non-stop from the first note, climbing down from the stage, climbing up a side bench-like area to the side of the floor, Crowd surfing, and crouching down with fans only to have them all jump up in unison. On stage, he repeatedly jumped around and tossed the microphone in the air and twirling the cord like a lasso. He did not always catch the mic but that did not put a hitch in his step or cause a missed note. The rest of the group kept the music pulsating just as vigorously as their bandmate’s movements. The set list included: “Let’s Eat,” “Don’t Bury Me…I’m Still Not Dead,” “The Curse Of The Ivory Coast,” “Blue Ghosts,” “DissDissDissKissKissKiss,” and “A Choppy Yet Sincere Apology.” The band’s cover of “Father Christmas” was appropriately timed, even if the lyrics evoke a mood the polar (pun sort of intended, sort of not) opposite to the mood expressed by Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime. This is NOT a bad thing.


The Mizzerables released their record Whatever…This Sucks and then the pandemic hit. And things definitely did suck for a while for obvious reasons. It also prevented the band from touring in support of the record. Finally Joe Mizzi, Korey Brisendine, and Dave Vazzano are able to take to the stages to perform the infectious gem of a title tune and others off of Whatever…This Sucks and their other releases.

Mizzi and Vazzano were amped up at this show and Dan “Dan Precision” Wleklinksi (88 Fingers Louie) filled in last minute for Brisendine who, unfortunately, had fallen ill. The trio performed quite energetically, as they punched through a set including the aforementioned title tune, “Better Off Dead,” “FKI,” “Crabby Crab,” “Still Kickin’ ‘Round,” and a cover of Green Day’s “Basket Case.” The band also led a rousing edition of its contribution to the Kinks’ tribute album, “Lola.” If Mizzery (there are so many possible word plays on Joe Mizzi’s surname) loves company, surely The Mizzerables were as smitten with the crowd as the crowd was with them.


The Figbeats, a garage punk band out of Valparaiso, IN, are comprised of Brad Skafish, Felix Baeza, Jim Senderhauf, and Adam Hazlett. The group’s fizzy performance was quite welcome as it ripped through “Ultraviolet,” “Your Ghost,” “Bootstrap Paradox,” “Radio Killed Radio,” and “Phillip’s Lament.” Covering “Apeman” for the tribute album, The Figbeats dialed up the verve for a fun take on a classic.


Scotland’s Fraser Murderburger, formerly of The Murderburgers, now plays under the name Wrong Life. His intense, hard-driving vocals and guitar playing, backed by strong musicians (including Noelle Stolp of Tightwire) resulted in a powerful set that included “Talking/Talking,” “Digging,” “19 11 19,” and “New Sun,” all from Early Workings From An Idea (2022). Wrong Life’s contribution to The Kinks tribute album is “Strangers,” which was performed very solidly this night. Wrong Life might be in the early stages but is working from a great idea. Even greater ones no doubt on the horizon.


Publicity Stunt, another group on the bill hailing from the Hoosier state, is also where you will find Mike Paniccia, the founder and sole employee of Wicked Opossum Records, on drums. Starstruck: A Tribute to The Kinks is the first release from the new label and Paniccia is responsible for putting this show together. If this particular evening was a bellwether, the label has a promising and exciting future. Paniccia, and fellow Publicity Stunt members Adam Lingenfelter (vocals/guitar), Josh Claussen (guitar/vocals), and Dru Sheffer (bass) performed, with gusto, a set which included, “First Crush,” “Things To Think About,” “Tail Whip,” “Half-Way Written,” and “Pineapple Dandy.” Publicity Stunt’s entry on the tribute album was “Love Me Till The Sun Shines.”


Just over a week post-show, Mike Paniccia and I discussed the tribute record. He told me that,

Starstruck is the first release. The Kinks were a big influence growing up and I knew a tribute compilation of a “bands’ band” was the type of thing I wanted to put out first — to get the interest of other musicians and show them what I can do.

His take on how the event went off?

Everyone seemed to have a great time, which is what it’s all about.”

Just as the Punk Rock Doc was spot on the money about Mike Wiebe, so too was Paniccia re: this show.


See more photos below!


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