Photography by AndresAlejandro Chaves MakeWar, Good Friend, and Tightwire kicked off November at Reggie’s Music Joint. The bands, which represent three different continents, united for a fun global punk rock humpday. MakeWar, off of Fat Wreck Chords, is led by Jose Prieto, a fellow Venezuelan to this piece’s photographer AndresAlejandro Chaves (both are now North […]
Photography by AndresAlejandro Chaves
MakeWar, Good Friend, and Tightwire kicked off November at Reggie’s Music Joint. The bands, which represent three different continents, united for a fun global punk rock humpday.
MakeWar, off of Fat Wreck Chords, is led by Jose Prieto, a fellow Venezuelan to this piece’s photographer AndresAlejandro Chaves (both are now North America based). Edwin Santacruz hails from Colombia, while Greg Taylor came to the band from Florida. Together, they have created a powerful skatepunk group whose forceful set left the crowd exhausted in the very best way.
Good Friend originated out of Northern Ireland and found a home on Red Scare Industries. Its lively set in the middle of the bill was the perfect bridge from South America to North America. Lead singer Adam Carroll aka Mad Adam may also be familiar to DS readers via helping us celebrate the World Cup last year.
Tightwire, another outfit from Red Scare Industries, is a band familiar with Chicago and has many friends in the Windy City. A whole bunch of said friends appeared stage front for a boisterous set. I include myself in that category. But whether it is in their hometown, my adopted city, or where you dear readers reside, I encourage you to check this group out as soon as possible.
Please check out more of AndresAlejandro Chavez’s images from this show. Thanks and Cheers!
Sludgeworth, the1990’s beloved Chicago punk band, returned to the stage on a recent Saturday night. With support from Chicago’s Permanent Residue, and rapidly ascending Minneapolis band Tightwire, it was an incredible night on stage and a helluva fun one offstage at Cobra Lounge. Longtime fans who were there at the start and have been waiting […]
Sludgeworth, the1990’s beloved Chicago punk band, returned to the stage on a recent Saturday night. With support from Chicago’s Permanent Residue, and rapidly ascending Minneapolis band Tightwire, it was an incredible night on stage and a helluva fun one offstage at Cobra Lounge. Longtime fans who were there at the start and have been waiting decades to see them play again were thrilled. Some even expressed disbelief that this was even happening. Others in the crowd, whether not born yet at that time, too young to remember them, or not from Chicago, instantly became new fans. Cobra Lounge was packed at this sold-out show. This was a momentous show, but this night also helped demonstrate why, though Chicago may be called the Second City, for some many it is #1 when it comes to its punk rock community.
First, a note about that community: It is a tight-knit one. Like a family, there are many different personalities and perhaps not everyone gets along. But far more often it is easy to witness the support those in the community have for each other, including most musicians, most of the venue owners and staff, other behind-the-scenes people, and yes from my experience most of the photographers and writers covering the shows. This night was no exception, though it did seem to be an all-star event. Tobias Jeg, founder and owner of Red Scare Industries returned to the Windy City to support one of his label’s band, Tightwire, do business, and hang with so many good friends. There were some heavy hitters among the punk rock musicians on hand to celebrate the return of Sludgeworth. Among those spotted at the event were Naked Raygun‘s Jeff Pezzati, Daryl Wilson and Ken Fitzner from The Bollweevils, Joe Principe of Rise Against, Deanna Belos aka Sincere Engineer, Brendan Kelly from The Lawrence Arms and The Falcon, Steev MF Custer from Death and Memphis, 88 Fingers Louie‘s Denis Buckley, and Joe Sowinski, currently of Static Age, but formerly of The Evictions, Major Threat, and The Old Comiskeys. Dave Simon, of Deal’s Gone Bad, The Crombies, and Anger, a popular bartender at Cobra, was on the job this night but is definitely a prominent member of the Windy City punk rock family. I would be remiss if I did not mention him. I’m guessing there were others but in the cozy confines it was sometimes hard to see much else around me as I documented the festivities.
For a smaller venue, such as the case with Cobra Lounge, that’s quite an impressive turnout. Witnessing this amount of support for each other is one of the biggest reasons this Long Island born and raised, Chicago transplant, who spends a good deal of time each year traversing the Lower East Side of NYC, loves the Chicago punk rock scene. Oh, and the oftentimes very good, sometimes great and occasionally, phenomenal music factors in too.
Ok, now that the scene is set, on to the show. I moved to Chicago in March of 2009, so I had no idea of Sludgeworth until very recently. However, in the weeks leading up to it, I was repeatedly told I had to be at this show by various friends They argued that this was going to be an important one. Fortunately, this came from close friends who were on the ground during the first Sludgeworth era. So of course I had immense trust in them. All I can say is damn! Well, that and thanks to those who insisted I attend. And of course, all that I am about to say in this piece. Because, wow! Sludgeworth is straight-up phenomenal, both in music and performance. Oh and there was the live performance debut of a future punk rock star. More on that in a bit.
Having documented Dan Schafer as the lead singer for Dan Vapid and The Cheats multiple times and also seeing him front another of his groups, The Methadones, I knew going into this event that he is a dynamic performer and musician. But with his Sludgeworth bandmates, this was taken up a notch. He worked the cozy stage, engaged the fans about as much as one can without actually jumping into the crowd. Schafer spent much of the time extending his arm, microphone wielded tightly in his hand into the upfront scrum. Yes, this is a common movement in shows. Yet the frequency with which it was done here, coupled with the frenzied glee from fans who seemed to remember every lyric to all of the songs from long ago, surely set this apart. No doubt Schafer and bandmates were having a blast.
Mike Hooten on bass, Adam White and Dave McLean on guitars, and drummer Brian McQuaid aka Brian Vermin behind the kit, each commanded their spots on the stage individually. Collectively, they powered the music against which Schafer’s vocals were set.
Red Scare Industries recently re-issued the band’s 1995 record, “Losers of the Year.” They opened with, the appropriately titled for this event, “Never Say Never.” From there Sludgeworth drove through an electrifying set that included fiery renderings of “Follow,” “Another Day,” “She’s Not Disposable,” “Waste It Away,” “Angry Man,” and “Two Feet on the Ground.”
Every band member appeared very glad to be together on the stage again. McQuaid, with Yankees cap (per McQuaid “It’s 100% Jay-Z and 0% baseball.” That said, Let’s Go Mets!) turned backwards on his head, spent most of the set with a giant grin on his face as he slammed through, in the very best way, the setlist. McQuaid was also celebrating a very special moment on stage, and he had reason to be proud.
Brian McQuaid’s 13-year-old son, Max McQuaid, made his live performance debut when he took over on the drums for the song “Anytime.” The kid crushed it. This is no generous hyperbole to encourage Max, who has been playing drums for five years. He legit killed it on the the song “Anytime.” Fans showered the younger McQuaid with some of the loudest cheers of the night, immediately adopting him in a sense as the newest member of their beloved band. Almost jumping into a bear hug with his Dad on stage just added another verklempt-inducing moment. Later, Max stage-dived, and crowd-surfed, the only one to do so this night and Schafer jokingly put the kibosh on him invading the stage to try it again. Instead, Max had to make do with rocking out on the shoulders of a family friend named Mikey. Max signed a drumstick for me after the show. I’m going to hold onto it because this young man is a drummer who we should all keep an eye on. He is part of the next generation of great Chicago punk musicians preparing to take over. I have no doubt about that.
As great as the show was, I was curious as I am sure many or most of the fans old, and new were. The obvious question being, how did this event happen?
I caught up with Schafer by DM a few days post-show to get some answers.
“We had the reissue of “Losers of the Year” on Red Scare records, and I believe, if memory serves me correct, the idea was floating during various Zoom interviews back in December. It was met with a resounding no, which turned into a maybe, into a yes, and into an enthusiastic, hell yes. How? I’m not exactly sure. There were some problems to work out, but we did.”
And the welcome news: “Yes. We will be playing again in 2023 and will have a new single.“
Indeed the band, played a new tune called “Together, Not Together.” Fans were euphoric.
Schafer shared the genesis of the new song,
“Through the excitement of playing again, they suggested it to me. I was dead set against it. They sent a riff to me, and I was like, “Hmmmm…”
He continues, “Next thing I know, words pop into my head, and we go back and forth with voice memos. We made the final touches on it the day before the show.“
So Schafer’s verdict on the show?
“I couldn’t have asked for it to go any better. I felt well-rehearsed, relaxed, in good spirits, great camaraderie, enthusiastic fans.“
“The passage of time was a mind trip. It’s been 30 years since we broke up. Aside from a handful of reunions over the years, the thought of these songs being in somewhat of a demand in 2023 is pretty incredible.”
Incredible? Yes. Incredible news that there is more to come this year from Sludgeworth? Absolutely.
When you have such a major event headlined by a beloved band, you better make sure the two support bands measure up to the importance of the night. The organizer of this show hit the jackpot.
Playing in the middle spot was Tightwire, a band on a rocket ship to greatness, ready to blast off. I have covered the band a few times for Dying Scene since our resurrection and know that there are plenty more to follow. The Minneapolis quartet are big fans of the Windy City, and the Windy City has many big fans of the band.
The group, on the Red Scare Industries label, had the energy to match the headliners. Singer Tane Graves shredded his vocal chords, and his bass. Both guitarists Noelle Stop, often in close proximity to Graves, and Paul Mullaney, lurking in the darker corner of the small stage, contributed powerful vocals whilst driving the music. Drummer Parker Thompson seemed to be happily destroying his kit in proper service of the music.
Tightwire kicked off its set with the appropriately titled for this night, “Party,” and ended with “AYL.” In between they jammed through “Six Feet Deep,” “Told Yah,” “Hidden Planet,” “Spell On Me,” and “Anyone But You.”
I look forward to seeing them again in short order. I’d hazard a guess anyone else who has witnessed them live feels the same way.
Another band I had the pleasure to document previously, as support for The Brokedowns a few months back, is Chicago’s own pop-punk Permanent Residue. It’s a fun crew led by singer, guitarist, and harmonica player Kate Manic, also from Fuck You Idiot. Her bandmates are Jake Levee of Canadian Rifle, on bass. drummer Victor Lord Riley, and guitar player, Vince Miller. The band, off the Long Island label, Dead Broke Rekerds, provided a great opening for the show. Its music is played at a full-throttle pace, with the songs clocking in under two minutes long. The speedy set started with “Ogden Avenue,” the title referencing a well-known street named for Chicago’s first mayor, William B. Ogden. It was followed by “O Well,” “Resignation,” and “I Don’t.” The last song in the set was the delightfully titled “David Gilmour Girls.” I expect the band to be headlining more and bigger shows. But wherever they are on the bill, make sure you check them out.
This was a top-shelf night of great music, equally great friends, and massive talent amongst the fans. Please see below for more photos. Cheers!
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Drumstick used by 13 year oldMax McQuid in his live debut as a drummer. He played with Sludgeworth, his father, drummer Brian McQuaid’s band.
Max McQuid rocks out after his live debut performance, playing drums for Sludgeworth on a song.
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Chicago all-stars aka Sludgeworth friends and fans.
The War on X-Mas continues. No, not the fictional War on Christmas some people peddle as a political weapon. Here we refer to the 8th Annual War on X-Mas weekend stand, held at Reggies Rock Club this year and featuring The Falcon, The Dopamines, Tightwire; and Won’t Stay Dead on night two. The second night […]
The War on X-Mas continues. No, not the fictional War on Christmas some people peddle as a political weapon. Here we refer to the 8th Annual War on X-Mas weekend stand, held at Reggies Rock Club this year and featuring The Falcon, The Dopamines, Tightwire; and Won’t Stay Dead on night two. The second night was a plugged-in evening with full bands but night one showcased singers performing alone with their acoustic guitars and a microphone.
Night One
As Sincere Engineer, Deanna Belos typically has a full band with her on stage. On a very chilly Friday night, Belos delivered a set full of warmth and humor. She set the tempo for the low-key enjoyable evening with a setlist including “Bottle Lightening Twice,” Shattering,” “Out of Reach,” “Overbite, and Trust Me.”
English singer-songwriter Sam Russo recently participated in our World Cup coverage and on this weekend, his own national football club was still in the hunt. As I write this, it still is. But his own performance was just as is strong, albeit on a smaller stage, as those of his fellow countrymen. Running through “Runaways,” “Letting Go,” “Small Town Shoes,” “Young Heroes,” Sometimes,” Russo most surely earned new fans. Oh and playing “Merry Christmas, Baby, I’m Sorry,” was a nice nod to the holiday known for its nog.
Josh Caterer performed a setlist mostly comprised of songs by his band The Smoking Popes. He started with “Simmer Down,” then followed it with “Let’s Hear It For Love,” “Rubella,” “Paul,” and “First Time.” Caterer ended his set with a cover of the Nick Lowe penned, made famous by Elvis Costello classic, “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding.” He was joined by what seemed to be most of those in attendance. If it wasn’t quite Christmas caroling, it was close enough for this holiday season evening. It was also lovely.
Brendan Kelly, unlike years of X-Mas past, wasn’t fronting The Lawrence Arms. However, his X-Mas present to the crowd was a set full of the aforementioned group’s songs, including “The Devil’s Takin’ Names,” “Demons,” and “Quincentuple Your Money.” Kelly added “Suffer The Children Come Unto Me,” from another of his groups, Brendan Kelly and The Wandering Birds. In a tip of the hat to one of the night’s earlier performers, Kelly performed “Young Heroes,” by Sam Russo. Neil Hennessy, Kelly’s bandmate in The Lawrence Arms and in The Falcon, as well as a member of The Smoking Popes, joined Kelly onstage for “Old Mexico Way.”
Night Two
Won’t Stay Dead might seem well-suited for Halloween shows, with its spooky aura and members dressed in all black, in what might be called “punk rock semi-formal.” Not to mention the fact that the band page describes the group as “Grungy horror pop punk from Chicago.” However, the band composed of Saffron Lair, Violet Staley, Tyler Palermo, and Will Lange, fit in perfectly as the Saturday night kick-off band. After all, it was the War on X-Mas. They band was as sharp as a “Rivers Edge,” which was also the first tune they played. This was followed up in quick succession by the rest of the set, including “Wicked Plans,” “Hack To The Bone,” “Somebody Put A Cross On My Head (And It Burned)” and “Sink Your Teeth.” Won’t Stay Dead closed out its spirited set with “Damaged Brain.”
Tightwire from Minneapolis, MN delivered a fierce set including “Party,” “Six Feet Deep,” ”Body Language,” “Spell on Me,” and “Pentagram Tattoo,” “Bitter Pill.” Group members Tane Graves, Paul Mullaney, Noelle Stolpe, and Parker Thompson brought the energy and the fun as they tore the stage up. The crowd was there for it.
The Dopamines, from the Queen City aka Cincinnati, OH, had the weekend’s penultimate time slot. The band, comprised of Jon Lewis, Jon Weiner, Josh Goldman, and Michael Dickson, roared through its set, injecting the atmosphere with a heavy dose of adrenaline. Included in said set were “You’d Make A Good Horsecop,” “Straight Papers,” “Cincinnati Harmony,” and “Heads Up Dusters,” as well as “The King of Swilling Powers Part I, II, III,” “Ire,” and “Dan Teets Runs a Marathon.” Frenzied done right.
The Falcon closed out the weekend with a forceful set and a dash of cheeky humor. band members Brendan Kelly and Neil Hennessy were, on this night, joined by Joe Principe (Rise Against) and Kody Templeman (The Lillingtons). All four were sporting matching black t-shirts with The Lawrence Arms logo, except in this case, the logo was covered over by the iconic red “NO” symbol. A wink and a nod to the fact that The Lawrence Arms was unable to make this year’s show. The setlist included a collection of some of the most unique and colorful song titles you’re bound to come across over a stretch of time. The Falcon performed, among others, “The Celebutard Chronicles,” ”Huffing The Proverbial Line Off The Proverbial Dong Or The Blood and the Frog,” ”Hasselhoff Cheeseburger,” “The Fighter, The Rube, The Asshole,” ”Feed The Monkey, Drown The Worm Or Goin’ Home,” “Building The Perfect Asshole Parade Or Scratching Off The Fleas.” The Falcon surpassed the already-high expectations. So did the weekend as a whole. Looking forward to next year’s event already. Maybe The Lawrence Arms will be on the bill?
