The Eradicator squashed out the winter blues the night before the day before the New Year. In support at Reggie’s Music Joint, was Mulva, a band whose name, like The Eradicator, has its roots in U.S. television from decades prior. Distants and Royal Dog were also on hand and on stage to round out the night.
Chicago’s The Eradicator returned to Reggie’s Music Joint on a chilly late December evening. As we have noted previously in DS, Andy Slania’s on-stage persona was inspired by a famous 1989 Kids In the Hall skit of the same name.
The Eradicator was clad in his standard punk rock uniform of tennis shorts with white tennis shoes. A pink polo shirt, topped off by a ski mask covering his entire face completed the outfit. Waving a squash racket, The Eradicator paced back and forth on the small stage. Growling out tunes such as “You Can’t Play Me,” “The End of The Line,” “Can’t Play Well With Others,” and “Squash Queen.” Of course, The Eradicator also played his classics, “I’m A Squash Man,” and “Eradicator Out.”
Punk rock is so often ultra-serious as musicians belt out songs addressing issues of the day and relationship woes. These subjects make for some of the best songs.
But every once in a while, we need a respite from the darkness, to counter it with light. The Eradicator serves (pun intended) that well. There’s no trickle boost at an Eradicator show, just straight drives to your funny bone.
Distants visited Chicago from its relatively not-so-distant hometown of Grand Rapids, MI (just 179.1 miles between the two cities). The rambunctious set included “12 St. Beach,” “Forfeiture,” “To Roost,” and “Odds and Ends.” Distants gave the crowd a terrific performance which perfectly complemented the band’s bill-mates on this evening.
Royal Dog, another Chicago crew was founded as a solo project in 2018. However, it grew into a full band just this past year. Royal Dog drove through a rowdy set, including,” “Pickle, “All Your Shit,” “Haha Fer Sher Fer Sher,” and “Crabbed.”
Royal Dog has both bark and bite. Hopefully, it will unleash more treats in the near future.
Mulva’s moniker was inspired by the infamous Seinfeld episode, “The Junior Mint” (but to be fair, can’t most of the show’s episodes be described as infamous?). The Milwaukee/Chicago group self-describes as “Indie-ish /Punk-ish DIY.” But whatever the name and labels, the band, first to hit the stage, performed a lively set, blasting out “Stay With Me (Forever),” “Believe,” “I Can’t Wake Up,” “Hypocrite,” and “I Keep Fucking Up.” The band certainly woke up the crowd whilst doing anything but fucking up.
Please see more photos from the show below. Thanks and Cheers!
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