Located about 16 miles south Chicago’s Loop, Blue Island has been home to two separate punk rock music festivals that showcase some of the best local punk bands. Punk Rock Paradise 2 took place in August at Riverside Tap and of course Dying Scene was there for it! Dying Scene’s favorite ska band Bumsy and […]
Located about 16 miles south Chicago’s Loop, Blue Island has been home to two separate punk rock music festivals that showcase some of the best local punk bands. Punk Rock Paradise 2 took place in August at Riverside Tap and of course Dying Scene was there for it!
Southside-Chicago’s Fighting for Scraps brought the rowdy crowd in true street punk fashion.
Torch the Hive is one of many bands I’ve heard so much about but never had the chance to see for myself. The hype is absolutely real, they did not disappoint!
The F.E.D.S. are a tribute band to all things punk rock. A torrential downpour of rain did not stop them from playing!
Horror pop punk? Yes, it’s a thing, and yes, Won’t Stay Dead SLAYS at it!
Last but not least, Sweetie kicked some ass, as usual.
Sweetie’s Birdy V. is the mastermind behind H.O.O.F. (Hands Off Our Fest), a music fest celebrating the women, femmes, and thems of the Chicago punk scene and beyond. Come back out to Blue Island, this time at the Blue Island Beer Co., to check out this sick lineup!
Be sure to follow all the bands and give them some love!
Voice of Addiction, Torch The Hive, and The Last Great Riot took over Reggie’s Music Joint on Saturday, December 18, 2022. Whilst the stage was small, none of the trio of performances could be described as the same. Ian Tomele, founder, bass player, and vocalist for Voice of Addiction, could be known as “The Shoeless […]
Voice of Addiction, Torch The Hive, and The Last Great Riot took over Reggie’s Music Joint on Saturday, December 18, 2022. Whilst the stage was small, none of the trio of performances could be described as the same.
Ian Tomele, founder, bass player, and vocalist for Voice of Addiction, could be known as “The Shoeless Singer.” He’s been performing sans footwear since he was a teenager. The 6’2″ self-described “slouch” told me,
“I hurt myself a lot especially when performing haha so I think it started as a way to feel the stage and my surroundings better (so I would stop hitting my head!)“
This show was the band’s last set in what has been its comeback year. Tomele explained,
“We had not played since we were on a month-long southern tour in early 2020 when the pandemic hit. It was super surreal pulling into Chicago from tour as the sun was rising and the mayor was giving the stay-at-home order over the radio. Since we were already together we felt it was safe to still get together for rehearsals and started working on the new album Divided States. To coincide with this release we started playing a couple shows this summer as well as a Northeast run in August. Mainly to test the waters and see what was possible for future shows and tours.” [The band’s second show of the year was at the Dying Scene Chicago Resurrection Party. Tomele thankfully helped with the logistics of the event).
Tomele’s bandmates Tyler Miller on guitar and brand new drummer Kevin Amaro, closed out the year with zest. Amaro’s drum kit continuously lit up in a variety of colors adding a festive touch to the stage. The rip-roaring set included, “Unity,” “Modern Day,” “Shinigami,” “Rustbelt,” and “Wrecking Ball.” That last song also bears the name of Tomele’s booking and promotion company, Wrecking Ball Productions.
As 2022 closed out, Tomele was optimistic about the band’s plans for 2023. He told me,
“In my opinion winter is for writing. I have a handful of new songs to show the guys including one I wrote with the new drummer Kevin. We are back at Reggie’s on January 12th. And then we get back at it in March and April with our southern tour. Spreading the new full length all over the damn place!“
Looking forward to it!
I’ve covered Torch the Hive twice this year and it has been 2 for 2 in terms of fun. The highly energetic trio makes quick work of engaging the crowd. This night was one of a flurry of shows the band played as the year wound down. It blasted through its set which included “Copaganda,” “F.E.A.,” “Deku,” “Burn Me Out,” “Shame On You,” and “Molotov Trail.” Mike Fruel, on vocals and guitar, Tyler Sanders on bass, and vocals, and drummer Sergio Apanco put on a provocative show in both song and movement. Fruel played his guitar above his head, behind his back, sitting on the floor, lying on the floor, and of course in traditional stance. Sanders was such a whirlwind on stage, with frenzied head shaking. So frenzied that his mop of red hair and beard (which perfectly complemented his bass) caused him to appear in flames on top. Apanco looked ready to explode from behind his drum kit.
Post-show Mike Fruel reflected on the year that was and the year to come:
“This was a good year for us, we’ve played sold out shows at SubT and Reggie’s and made a ton of new friends in the DIY scene. We also released one new single this year ‘Seeds,’ and plan to release a bunch more music in 2023. Next year we’ll be on the road hitting the south reaching New Orleans and the west coast late next year.“
Hopefully the band members can catch their breath at the start of the new year so they can keep that excitement strong over the course of 2023.
The Last Great Riot, comprised of vocalist/guitarist John A. Beavers, bassist Mario Mazzone, and drummer Scott Durand, closed out the evening by pumping it up. As in Elvis; the capper of its potent set was “Pump It Up“by Elvis Costello & The Attractions. The rest of its set was dedicated to original tunes by the band including two new ones, “Immortal 30” and “Fluid Ounces,” in addition to “Happy When (Bad) People Die, and “Neighborhood Legend” from 2021’s Tomorrow’s Gonna Be Rough.
Beavers looked back on the year just concluded and revealed some of the band’s plans for 2023,
“As far as ’22, we just played shows. Finally hit Milwaukee for a show, a few at Burlington and Reggie’s and some other spots. For ’23 we’re starting the year on a “new baby break,” so nothing book[ed] so far. Just finishing up mixes at Squeezebox Recording Studio on two singles, be releasing this late winter or spring.”
Best of luck guys!
Please see below for photos from the show. Have a happy and safe new year everyone and thank you for joining us on the ride that was 2022!
Earlier this year, Dying Scene introduced our readers to Noah Corona, the founder of Punk Rock Tacos. Corona put on a party for PRT’s 1st Anniversary on October 21, 2022. Held at PRT’s home venue, Cemitas Poblanas in Villa Park, IL, it doubled as a Halloween costume party and featured bands from in and outside […]
Earlier this year, Dying Scene introduced our readers to Noah Corona, the founder of Punk Rock Tacos. Corona put on a party for PRT’s 1st Anniversary on October 21, 2022. Held at PRT’s home venue, Cemitas Poblanas in Villa Park, IL, it doubled as a Halloween costume party and featured bands from in and outside of Illinois, including headliners Boss’ Daughter.
Boss’ Daughter, out of Reno, Nevada, actually took to the stage just after midnight on the 22nd. The trio, composed of singer/guitar player Chris Fox, Jamie Locks on drums, and Danny Paul on bass, ran through a generous set, including “Stupid Chords, Stupid Words, Stupid Song,” “Help To Forget,” “Religious Convenience,” “Embrace Impermanence, and “Photography.” That last tune is a lovely song, which naturally I liked, not just for the title, but rather for the sentiment expressed within. It describes a query, likely most of us photographers will ask ourselves every once in a while.
“We will see our last moonrise
I will wish I had those pictures
Though mostly lost that snap of beauty remembers
Somebody wrote the song for how I’m feeling
So I’ll just sit and listen.”
Simply put it, was a very affecting set.
SUMPP is normally composed of Neil P. and Weftin, but on this night drummer, Phil Warren, was added to the mix. The group’s set was highly animated. I use the word animated because the band members, with limbs flailing and growling facial expressions, brought to mind Taz, The Tasmanian Devil from the classic Loony Tunes cartoons. SUMPP drove through “Consume!,” “Laid off,” “The Best, The Worst, and the Most Likely” (written by Weftin, unlike all the other songs which were written by Neil P.) “Pillz,” “Terminator 2 was Right” “Talkin’ Spit,” and “Cranks.” It was an absolutely frenzied performance, one which left many uninitiated to SUMPP, slightly stunned. But the gaped look on many of the attendees soon turned to smiles and laughs. It was a reaction I am betting Neil P and Weftin were pleased to see.
The Turdles – yes that band name is spelled correctly and a play on we all know what, from Elgin IL – played a lively set with “Courtyard,” Dick Pic,” “Why You Gotta Call The Cops,” and “Empty Hallways” included in the set list. As evidenced by their name, this is a band that uses humor to engage the audience. Lead singer Josh Holbrook, Dave Cherek on bass, Dan Cuchiara on guitar, and drummer Charlie Stanley hit their marks this night, and have been doing so for more than a decade and a half. If you have a chance, go catch one of the band’s shows.
Grey Trash Aliens has a unique name and as this event was a costume party as well as a first-anniversary show, band members appeared looking pretty unique as well. Bass player and vocalist Patrick Mineau appeared with a large fake blood stain on his t-shirt to resemble a stab wound to his right side. Said shirt emblazoned with the words, “I’m Fine.” On his cap, a pair of scissors appears to be lodged into his skull. Adam Spizziri, Lead guitar wore a cap and bug-eye sunglasses. He matched in this themes, guitar player Mike Milman who wore a full-on alien bug-looking costume, including full mask. The set, which included among others “Unsocial Media,” “Basement,” “Believe It,” and “Addiction,” was as quirky as the name of the band. It zoomed through the set serving up a blast-off of a good time.
Chicago hardcore trio Anger is composed of half of the Chicago two-tone band The Crombies. Each member has their own distinct performance style. Dave Simon, its lead singer, is also the guitar player for the very popular rocksteady group, Deal’s Gone Bad. Simon is a prominent and colorful figure in the Chicago punk scene. His usual performance incorporates spins, climbs on front stage amps, and being carried through the crowd, on the shoulders of friends, but when in the role of lead singer/guitar player he is more closely tied to the microphone. But he is no less compelling, and every vocal break sets him free to engage the crowd. Matt Meuzelaar is a power drummer. Stoically pounding away, he perfectly balances out the rowdiness of Simon. In the middle, Kevin Lustrup, is light on his feet as he bounces, usually in place. Lustrup and Meuzelaar drive the backbeat’s engine. Altogether, this adds up to forceful performances on the regular. On this night they jammed through another solid set including, “Hard Livin’,” “Earth,” “Lost Last Night,” “Blood,” and “Fucked Up.” Anger also played “Listen Up” written by Simon way back in 1986. The crowd seemed pretty happy to have Anger at this party and Anger seemed pretty happy to have the crowd.
Torch The Hive, from Chicago, kickstarted the party with a fiery performance. The band is made up of Mike Fruel on guitar and vocals, Tyler Sanders on bass, and drummer Sergio Apanco. The set included “Copaganda,” “F.E.A.,” “Molotov Trail,” and “Evil Men,” along with other tunes. The band did not torch any hives at this event, but it did torch the stage. It was a blazing performance, and the crowd obviously dug it. I did too.
Punk Rock Tacos has had a terrific first year full of shows featuring great bands, but the atmosphere is an equal draw. Events take place inside the venue as well as outside. The latter sometimes requires making stages out of trucks and other objects. It is a good time, where old friends hang out and new friends are made. I, for one, hope Corona along with Matt Durica, his partner in this venture, keep it up for years to come.
