I was out making the rounds tonight and stopped in to see Rdubya & Fluffdog (Webster & Szura) at Duke's.
First of all, I'm glad to see Duke's still in the game. As much as I've kind of been down on Duke's over the last year, I've always acknowledged that they are the BASTION of live music in Crystal Lake and I hope they always will be. I thought they were going to undergo a renovation but I don't know what's happening with that.
Second of all, it wasn't very crowded on a Thursday night inside but there were a fair number outside and with it being a warm night, I can certainly understand that. You gotta smoke outside you know.
Third of all, I only caught about a 1/2 hour of the duo and I owe it to myself to catch them again. They're OK. I see by the web site they're playing a lot but from my angle only catching 30 minutes of them, I had only a couple of comments. Szura's a great guitar player and I've known that for a while. I don't know much about Webster although he's definitely a good singer.
What I heard was a typical looping group. I always hand it to loopers as you definitely need to be able to chew gum and walk at the same time to be a looper. However, looping always lends itself to two or three or four chord repetitious meanderings that don't always go anywhere in particular. That is what I kind of heard tonight and it kind of bores me, although it didn't bore the dozen people watching. It was Jagerbomber night after all.
The other comment is that they sound way too processed for me. Although I like almost overprocessed sound at times, tonight really was a Loopalooza/Pocessalooza. Webster's acoustic didn't hardly sound very acoustic at all and team that up with Fluffdog's processed electric and a very heavy-treble mixed looped vocals and drum pads, there was a lot of electrical sound and not a lot of organic sound happening. I'd almost like to hear a more acoustic - sounding thing and maybe that happens later on in the night which is why I should go back and hear them again and report back. However, looking at their schedule, my tastes apparently are shared by the minority. It's just my observations. It doesn't mean I'm right .. or wrong. Just my opinion.
Catch them on Thursday nights at Duke's. They're all that's happening in CL on a Thursday night and they're a good thing because it's LIVE MUSIC!
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Showing posts with label Duke O'Brien's. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Duke O'Brien's. Show all posts
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Friday, April 4, 2008
The Catch - Duke O'Brien's 4.4.08
I entered in http://www.catchsublime.com/ and got the Joey Derus site for The Catch. I've blogged about Joey Derus before in this Blog ... quite a while back.
I go into Duke's at 10PM and they're still sound checking. They didn't start until 10:30. Then, they started out with a 10 minute jam on 2 chords that was OK but not musically stimulating. I hung out for about a half an hour and honestly left because I was getting bored. NOT that they're a bad band. They just didn't do it for me. The room was pretty quiet with maybe 15 people seated in the "band" room and maybe 15 people at the bar.
The Catch is a drummer, a bassist, a keyboardist and a guitarist. The vocals were OK and the harmonies were OK, too. The bass player was freaking me out a bit as he was playing a lot with his thumb, which is something you don't see a lot. All the players were technically good.
They played a "The Band" song, a Beatles song on a couple other covers besides Sublime material but there is just something about jamming on two or three chords that doesn't keep me interested very long. That's just me. The audience was kind of into it but they weren't foaming at the mouth. They obviously were not real into it either.
As I said, I stayed for only a half an hour. Bands should realize that no matter how few people may be there, you just don't know who is in those few people in your audience. I've said it before but, there could be people sent by other bar owners to see you that night. I really think you need to sell yourself fast to get the interest happening. Now, I'm not a huge Sublime fan and that's probably my problem. But it can also be the band's problem if I'm not the only one there who feels the way I do about Sublime. I absolutely applaud The Catch for trying to create a new tribute band but the same beat continually with solos over 2 or 3 chords is just not that engrossing .... to me and maybe only me.
Again, I like the band. They're OK players. I just was not that turned on by what I heard for the first half hour and they lost me.
Worth checking out, though. See http://www.catchsublime.com/
I go into Duke's at 10PM and they're still sound checking. They didn't start until 10:30. Then, they started out with a 10 minute jam on 2 chords that was OK but not musically stimulating. I hung out for about a half an hour and honestly left because I was getting bored. NOT that they're a bad band. They just didn't do it for me. The room was pretty quiet with maybe 15 people seated in the "band" room and maybe 15 people at the bar.
The Catch is a drummer, a bassist, a keyboardist and a guitarist. The vocals were OK and the harmonies were OK, too. The bass player was freaking me out a bit as he was playing a lot with his thumb, which is something you don't see a lot. All the players were technically good.
They played a "The Band" song, a Beatles song on a couple other covers besides Sublime material but there is just something about jamming on two or three chords that doesn't keep me interested very long. That's just me. The audience was kind of into it but they weren't foaming at the mouth. They obviously were not real into it either.
As I said, I stayed for only a half an hour. Bands should realize that no matter how few people may be there, you just don't know who is in those few people in your audience. I've said it before but, there could be people sent by other bar owners to see you that night. I really think you need to sell yourself fast to get the interest happening. Now, I'm not a huge Sublime fan and that's probably my problem. But it can also be the band's problem if I'm not the only one there who feels the way I do about Sublime. I absolutely applaud The Catch for trying to create a new tribute band but the same beat continually with solos over 2 or 3 chords is just not that engrossing .... to me and maybe only me.
Again, I like the band. They're OK players. I just was not that turned on by what I heard for the first half hour and they lost me.
Worth checking out, though. See http://www.catchsublime.com/
Sunday, February 24, 2008
I-Road - Duke O'Brien's 02-23-08
The name of the band is I-Road. It's a 4-piece group with drums, guitar, bass and vocalist who sometimes plays guitar. They're a good band! They really are. They just present themselves as a group of guys who just got back from the mall and decided to play a gig at Duke's. Constructive C - dress a little different from your audience and string your songs together a little closer.
Also, Charlie (the guitar player); when I first got there, I thought that buzzy-thin guitar sound was just for that particular song. After a while, I realized it was your sound. For what basically is a 3-piece with a singer, you need a fuller sould to fill up the overall "wall of sound" and an old 60's fuzz sound just isn't cutting it without another guitar player in the group.
On the plus side, these guys are going to be real good with some more seasoning. The vocalist is very good. He just doesn't know how to carry himself yet. The guitar player is good, the drummer is good and the bass player is good. Although I didn't know a lot of the songs, I liked everything they played. They have some good original stuff. This is a good band now but has all the earmarks of being a very very good band when they get their show and stage presence together. Good job guys! I'd come to see you again! See them at http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=227252521
Also, Charlie (the guitar player); when I first got there, I thought that buzzy-thin guitar sound was just for that particular song. After a while, I realized it was your sound. For what basically is a 3-piece with a singer, you need a fuller sould to fill up the overall "wall of sound" and an old 60's fuzz sound just isn't cutting it without another guitar player in the group.
On the plus side, these guys are going to be real good with some more seasoning. The vocalist is very good. He just doesn't know how to carry himself yet. The guitar player is good, the drummer is good and the bass player is good. Although I didn't know a lot of the songs, I liked everything they played. They have some good original stuff. This is a good band now but has all the earmarks of being a very very good band when they get their show and stage presence together. Good job guys! I'd come to see you again! See them at http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=227252521
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Liquid 7 - Duke O'Brien's 1.4.2008
Happy New Year! It was a good way to start out the new year with a good band! I've heard of Liquid 7 before but never saw them until now. It was a fairly good night at Duke's .... not like the "old days" but still a good turn-out. At least Duke's is still there!
Liquid 7 consists of drums, bass, guitar and a vocalist. The drummer was OK and held the beat as was the bassist. The guitar player was good and holding his own. The singer was very good but slowly started getting sloppier as the night went on. That's OK. The drunker the crowd is, the better we sound. However, there can be times when the drunker the musician is, the better he or she thinks he or she sounds .. which can get dangerous. There might as well have not been any mics set up for the bassist and guitarist as even when they did occasionally have something to add, you couldn't hear it. One can never be sure if we really wanted to hear it but we won't know from this performance. They had a good mix from the house sound.
Anyway, this was a good band and it was refreshing to hear a good, well-rehearsed band. They were aggressive and pretty full-sounding for basically, a three-piece with a singer. Of course, they do most of the same classic rock songs everyone else does with an occasional surprise. They did a few new songs that went over well but then again, this crowd was into it. It got to the point later in the night where the band could have farted into the mics and the crowd would have loved it! Hey, nothing wrong with that! It's an accomplishment getting a crowd that whipped into a frenzy. They were not a spectacular band, but they worked within their abilities and as a result, they sounded great!
They'll be back, I'm sure. They were certainly worth the admission price! http://www.myspace.com/liquid7band
Liquid 7 consists of drums, bass, guitar and a vocalist. The drummer was OK and held the beat as was the bassist. The guitar player was good and holding his own. The singer was very good but slowly started getting sloppier as the night went on. That's OK. The drunker the crowd is, the better we sound. However, there can be times when the drunker the musician is, the better he or she thinks he or she sounds .. which can get dangerous. There might as well have not been any mics set up for the bassist and guitarist as even when they did occasionally have something to add, you couldn't hear it. One can never be sure if we really wanted to hear it but we won't know from this performance. They had a good mix from the house sound.
Anyway, this was a good band and it was refreshing to hear a good, well-rehearsed band. They were aggressive and pretty full-sounding for basically, a three-piece with a singer. Of course, they do most of the same classic rock songs everyone else does with an occasional surprise. They did a few new songs that went over well but then again, this crowd was into it. It got to the point later in the night where the band could have farted into the mics and the crowd would have loved it! Hey, nothing wrong with that! It's an accomplishment getting a crowd that whipped into a frenzy. They were not a spectacular band, but they worked within their abilities and as a result, they sounded great!
They'll be back, I'm sure. They were certainly worth the admission price! http://www.myspace.com/liquid7band
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Doublewide - Duke O'Brien's 10.12.07
Here is a good band. They actually brought a crowd into Duke's and you know of my uneasiness with the future of Duke O'Brien's. Incidentally, I saw Mark in Duke's last night and I have not seen him in there for quite some time on a week end night. Maybe he read my blog.
Anyway, Doublewide was very good. This is very rowdy rock and roll but it's well-done. Great drummer! Good guitars and bass and it's a delight to hear a singer who can sing in tune and not sound strained all night. This band consists of two guitars, a lead singer, drummer and bass. See their MySpace site at http://www.myspace.com/doublewidechicago
They had a great song selection and the songs were aggressive and well-rehearsed. This is the first I've heard of this band and I'd go see them again. Their show was as good and maybe a little better than most other acts. I think they could pick it up a notch in the "show" department.
Check out Doublewide ... more than worth the cover charge.
Anyway, Doublewide was very good. This is very rowdy rock and roll but it's well-done. Great drummer! Good guitars and bass and it's a delight to hear a singer who can sing in tune and not sound strained all night. This band consists of two guitars, a lead singer, drummer and bass. See their MySpace site at http://www.myspace.com/doublewidechicago
They had a great song selection and the songs were aggressive and well-rehearsed. This is the first I've heard of this band and I'd go see them again. Their show was as good and maybe a little better than most other acts. I think they could pick it up a notch in the "show" department.
Check out Doublewide ... more than worth the cover charge.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Getting Worried About Duke O'Brien's
You know. I'm getting worried about Duke O'Brien's.
Back in the 1970's - 1980's, it was Cat Ballou's. In actuality Cat Ballou's looked very much like Duke O'Brien's does now; dingy, usually dirty-looking and mostly kind of dark. It was a fun place however and the only place of its kind in town ... and the biggest. Then, it changed into Southside Johnny's. It was cleaned up and bright-looking, had live music and had good food. Then it became Duke O'Brien's ..... and things changed again.
In many ways, Duke's is not a lot different from a lot of other bars that have live music. If you are a hot-looking female in a tank top, you can get in for free. I've seen whole groups of women get in without paying and I've seen a few guys who are obviously the friends of the doorman's get in for free. This is a direct rip-off for the band who, by the way, is working way harder than that doorman.
There is also the friendliness factor, which is totally lacking in Duke O'Brien's at night when it's time for the band to go on. The door guys never smile. They just have this air of being on some kind of power trip. Dingy, unfriendly, hard to get around in, bad washrooms, and lately ... a lot of not-quite-up-to-par bands.
When JD took over the booking there, almost all of the local bands were nixed out of a chance to have a place to play in locally. If you wanted to see Insomnia on a Saturday night, check out Sideouts or Algonquin Road House or wait a week. They'll be at one of them. Then JD picked up even the little places like Georgios and DC Cobbs and Govnors. You had to be on JD's money maker list to get booked anywhere around here. I'm just guessing but I'll bet you the bigger better bands are not making anywhere near the money in Duke's as they used to so the D-Man's backing off on booking the bigger bands there. Maybe local groups can get back in again .... if the place stays open.
I don't know the reasons for Dave Sarkis's departure but he and Skaja are premier-class musicians and entertainers and Sarkis has been there since he was old enough to walk. You have to think Sarkis is making a move either because he sees the writing on the wall or Duke's management doesn't want to pay any more. It's a genuine drag to see Dave and Skaja leave. They are truly excellent musicians and McHenry County should be proud to have them.
I don't know. I don't see Duke's making it. The 20-somethings were shunning the place for the most part anyway for a few years now. Duke's has always had great great food but that alone is not enough to keep it afloat. The 20-somethings are gravitating to Finn McCool's and the Cottage now. Duke's can make it and maybe still could make it as a live-music place but it will take a bunch of bucks to clean it up and probably new management to show these employees that their livelihoods depend on how they greet and treat people.
85 Brink Street could keep do better but I think that place needs a new attitude. Labemi's is just too dark and scary in there. The deck may help but the place needs to be more festive. The Williams Street Tap is way too scary to hang out in. It's turned around some but there still seems to be an an unsavory crowd that hangs out there. Georgio's used to be the 20-something hangout and will lose that title if it hasn't already. It just needs a gimmick now.
The real sleeper is Metro Bowl. That place could be a friggin gold mine if they wanted to be. It's very obvious they just don't want to be because why else to they stay like they are? They're hopeless. They want to be the last of the townie bars and they'll tread water until they sell the place in their old age trying to keep it that way.
Well ... that's my take. Let me know what you think.
Back in the 1970's - 1980's, it was Cat Ballou's. In actuality Cat Ballou's looked very much like Duke O'Brien's does now; dingy, usually dirty-looking and mostly kind of dark. It was a fun place however and the only place of its kind in town ... and the biggest. Then, it changed into Southside Johnny's. It was cleaned up and bright-looking, had live music and had good food. Then it became Duke O'Brien's ..... and things changed again.
In many ways, Duke's is not a lot different from a lot of other bars that have live music. If you are a hot-looking female in a tank top, you can get in for free. I've seen whole groups of women get in without paying and I've seen a few guys who are obviously the friends of the doorman's get in for free. This is a direct rip-off for the band who, by the way, is working way harder than that doorman.
There is also the friendliness factor, which is totally lacking in Duke O'Brien's at night when it's time for the band to go on. The door guys never smile. They just have this air of being on some kind of power trip. Dingy, unfriendly, hard to get around in, bad washrooms, and lately ... a lot of not-quite-up-to-par bands.
When JD took over the booking there, almost all of the local bands were nixed out of a chance to have a place to play in locally. If you wanted to see Insomnia on a Saturday night, check out Sideouts or Algonquin Road House or wait a week. They'll be at one of them. Then JD picked up even the little places like Georgios and DC Cobbs and Govnors. You had to be on JD's money maker list to get booked anywhere around here. I'm just guessing but I'll bet you the bigger better bands are not making anywhere near the money in Duke's as they used to so the D-Man's backing off on booking the bigger bands there. Maybe local groups can get back in again .... if the place stays open.
I don't know the reasons for Dave Sarkis's departure but he and Skaja are premier-class musicians and entertainers and Sarkis has been there since he was old enough to walk. You have to think Sarkis is making a move either because he sees the writing on the wall or Duke's management doesn't want to pay any more. It's a genuine drag to see Dave and Skaja leave. They are truly excellent musicians and McHenry County should be proud to have them.
I don't know. I don't see Duke's making it. The 20-somethings were shunning the place for the most part anyway for a few years now. Duke's has always had great great food but that alone is not enough to keep it afloat. The 20-somethings are gravitating to Finn McCool's and the Cottage now. Duke's can make it and maybe still could make it as a live-music place but it will take a bunch of bucks to clean it up and probably new management to show these employees that their livelihoods depend on how they greet and treat people.
85 Brink Street could keep do better but I think that place needs a new attitude. Labemi's is just too dark and scary in there. The deck may help but the place needs to be more festive. The Williams Street Tap is way too scary to hang out in. It's turned around some but there still seems to be an an unsavory crowd that hangs out there. Georgio's used to be the 20-something hangout and will lose that title if it hasn't already. It just needs a gimmick now.
The real sleeper is Metro Bowl. That place could be a friggin gold mine if they wanted to be. It's very obvious they just don't want to be because why else to they stay like they are? They're hopeless. They want to be the last of the townie bars and they'll tread water until they sell the place in their old age trying to keep it that way.
Well ... that's my take. Let me know what you think.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
3rd Exit - Duke O'Brien's 9.7.07
Duke's may be hurting over there. I went in Friday night to see 3rd Exit, and there was about 25 people in the band area, a big group upstairs for what was probably a private party and about 15 people sitting at the bar. A few more people came in as I was leaving but this is not the Dukes one was used to experiencing (probably due to some local outside influences) but it's still the only place in town for live music. It's just that no bands can make any real money there any more.
I kind of really like these guys but they're definitely still in the seasoning process. They are not a bunch of 20-something guys obviously but they do sound good together and they have some great possibilities.
Since I really kind of like these guys, constructive criticism only. They are a Class C band on the Bandstalker listing. Drummer - good and more than adequate to do fine with this type of material. Bassist - good and he'll be fine. Guitar player - I think he had some strange choices of tone for many of the songs and especially for his solos, which were not real strong. Singer - good but think about either changing the keys of some of these nearly impossible-songs-to-sing-unless-you-are-22-years-old songs, tune everything down a half-step to give the singer half a chance, or don't do them. Rock and Roll - Led Zep - obviously too high for any normal human. Change the key or capo it. Nobody in the audience will know what's going on. Great job on the Live song. There's your key! Don't open the night with tunes that are strained-sounding. Maybe save those for the end of the night when everyone's inebriated and wouldn't know anyway.
All in all, they're a little rough but I really do like these guys and they are taking on some good material. The cardinal rule of bands, work within your capabilities. Know your limits in the beginning and work within them - that's when you sound the best. When the core 30 or so tunes are solid, then reach out for the chancy stuff. Keep it up! http://www.myspace.com/thirdexit
I kind of really like these guys but they're definitely still in the seasoning process. They are not a bunch of 20-something guys obviously but they do sound good together and they have some great possibilities.
Since I really kind of like these guys, constructive criticism only. They are a Class C band on the Bandstalker listing. Drummer - good and more than adequate to do fine with this type of material. Bassist - good and he'll be fine. Guitar player - I think he had some strange choices of tone for many of the songs and especially for his solos, which were not real strong. Singer - good but think about either changing the keys of some of these nearly impossible-songs-to-sing-unless-you-are-22-years-old songs, tune everything down a half-step to give the singer half a chance, or don't do them. Rock and Roll - Led Zep - obviously too high for any normal human. Change the key or capo it. Nobody in the audience will know what's going on. Great job on the Live song. There's your key! Don't open the night with tunes that are strained-sounding. Maybe save those for the end of the night when everyone's inebriated and wouldn't know anyway.
All in all, they're a little rough but I really do like these guys and they are taking on some good material. The cardinal rule of bands, work within your capabilities. Know your limits in the beginning and work within them - that's when you sound the best. When the core 30 or so tunes are solid, then reach out for the chancy stuff. Keep it up! http://www.myspace.com/thirdexit
Sunday, September 2, 2007
The Benton Street Irregulars - Duke O'Brien's 9.1.07
It was a Saturday night. Nice out. I go into Duke O'Brien's and immediately notice nobody on the deck. Open parking spots on Main Street. I pay my $4 cover and go in and join the 35 or so people in the band area, three people upstairs and maybe 15 people in the bar area. Not a packed house.
The Benton Street Irregulars were on stage. They're a 4-piece outfit. Drummer, bassist, electric guitarist and an acoustic guitarist/lead and only singer. They must be from Woodstock as there is a Benton Street there in town. Classic rock and newer stuff.
Let me first say that I generally don't like bands where there is only one lead singer. I think in today's bar scene, the crowds have very short attention spans and one gets tired of a single singer's voice throughout the whole night. That singer had better be really really good to hold my attention. It can be even worse for me when there are no harmonies to that lone lead vocal. The Benton Street Irregulars did not have any back-ups happening.
I have to say the lead singer was good but he's just a little hard for me personally to watch for all that long. The Dave Matthews/John Mayer facial expressions were hard for me and at times and I thought they all were taking themselves a little too seriously. Have some fun and look like you're having some fun!
They were not all that bad. They are a Class C band (see my May blog group for rankings). Everyone but the lead singer looks like they are very bored up there. I know they really were not, but ... they looked like they were. They dressed like they would when they get up in the morning and there really is no show at all. It's hard to put on a show when you don't have a very crowded house but you have to put one on anyway. Like I've said before, you never know who is at any given gig checking you out. They do have a great base to work from and I think things could happen for them with some more seasoning. They are a local group playing locally. Kudos to Duke's for having them there!
The Benton Street Irregulars were on stage. They're a 4-piece outfit. Drummer, bassist, electric guitarist and an acoustic guitarist/lead and only singer. They must be from Woodstock as there is a Benton Street there in town. Classic rock and newer stuff.
Let me first say that I generally don't like bands where there is only one lead singer. I think in today's bar scene, the crowds have very short attention spans and one gets tired of a single singer's voice throughout the whole night. That singer had better be really really good to hold my attention. It can be even worse for me when there are no harmonies to that lone lead vocal. The Benton Street Irregulars did not have any back-ups happening.
I have to say the lead singer was good but he's just a little hard for me personally to watch for all that long. The Dave Matthews/John Mayer facial expressions were hard for me and at times and I thought they all were taking themselves a little too seriously. Have some fun and look like you're having some fun!
They were not all that bad. They are a Class C band (see my May blog group for rankings). Everyone but the lead singer looks like they are very bored up there. I know they really were not, but ... they looked like they were. They dressed like they would when they get up in the morning and there really is no show at all. It's hard to put on a show when you don't have a very crowded house but you have to put one on anyway. Like I've said before, you never know who is at any given gig checking you out. They do have a great base to work from and I think things could happen for them with some more seasoning. They are a local group playing locally. Kudos to Duke's for having them there!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Sweet Pick - Duke O'Brien's 8.10.07
Bad name. Just my opinion but, bad name.
Not a bad band. Sweet pick consists of some younger guys playing guitar, bass, drums and Tenor Sax. They are basically pretty good musicians and very well practiced-up and tight.
However, I'm not sure what they were doing in a place like Duke O'Brien's. It was a slower night there and it looked like most everyone there inside was a fan or somehow knew the band. There were maybe 30 people inside and not a lot outside. The inside group were definitely there to see Sweet Pick.
They just didn't entertain me. I am a sucker for any Fender Strat or Tele being played through a Fender Twin but the way the guitar player had his sound dialed up, it could have been any Silvertone through any Crate amp. I just was not a fan of the sound he had. The guitar player and bass player were good players. The sax player was OK. The drummer maybe was the better player. They did play very tightly together and had sounded like they had the parts down solid. They do a kind of jam-band thing and I was not familiar with most of what I heard ... but I was only there for an hour or so. There was one vocal during that period and it wasn't anything to sing about.
I'd say just an alright band. They're maybe a Class C band (see my band ranking system in the May blogs). You really aren't driven to dance with these guys and a place like Duke's is really more of a dance-kind-of-a-place rather than a "concert" venue. Check their web site out at http://sweetpickmusic.net/default.aspx Just OK. Once was enough for me.
Not a bad band. Sweet pick consists of some younger guys playing guitar, bass, drums and Tenor Sax. They are basically pretty good musicians and very well practiced-up and tight.
However, I'm not sure what they were doing in a place like Duke O'Brien's. It was a slower night there and it looked like most everyone there inside was a fan or somehow knew the band. There were maybe 30 people inside and not a lot outside. The inside group were definitely there to see Sweet Pick.
They just didn't entertain me. I am a sucker for any Fender Strat or Tele being played through a Fender Twin but the way the guitar player had his sound dialed up, it could have been any Silvertone through any Crate amp. I just was not a fan of the sound he had. The guitar player and bass player were good players. The sax player was OK. The drummer maybe was the better player. They did play very tightly together and had sounded like they had the parts down solid. They do a kind of jam-band thing and I was not familiar with most of what I heard ... but I was only there for an hour or so. There was one vocal during that period and it wasn't anything to sing about.
I'd say just an alright band. They're maybe a Class C band (see my band ranking system in the May blogs). You really aren't driven to dance with these guys and a place like Duke's is really more of a dance-kind-of-a-place rather than a "concert" venue. Check their web site out at http://sweetpickmusic.net/default.aspx Just OK. Once was enough for me.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Blue Shield Band - Duke O'Brien's 6.15.07
I stopped in, I heard a couple of songs and the Blue Shield Band took a 40 minute break. For those who don't think about these things, that is a very long break!
Now, I know it was a real slow all over town last night as there were no cars parked anywhere and all of the bars are now into their summer phases where nobody wants to be inside in the summer, but as a band, you have to play to 8 people the same way you play to 300 people. Doing that is really hard to do but you never know who's stopping in to hear you. What if I was another bar owner looking for other bands to book this fall and my place was slow last night so I decided to check you guys out? What if I was a person looking into getting a band for a private party?
It was obvious that everyone inside last night (maybe 25) were friends of the band and to be fair, I don't think the band was making huge efforts to play their best. I have heard The Blue Shield Band before and I know they sound better than they did last night so I think I'll catch them again sometime. They consist of a keyboard, drums, two guitars and a bass. All are just average players. The lead singer wasn't hitting on all cylinders and was a bit pitchy, dawg. There were two other mics for background vocals up on stage and people occasionally sang into them but nothing discernible came out to the audience. The mix was less than good and the songs that I heard just didn't do anything for me. I wasn't there long but I heard mainly classic rock songs and ill-chosen ones at that.
Again, you have to play to 25 just as you would 300. True, you can't generate the same energy and feedback that whips people into frenzies but ... you have to at least try. If anything, these are the nights where you work on your show. The BSB certainly had no show last night. They might as well have been playing in the garage for a party at home last night.
http://www.blueshieldband.com/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx
Now, I know it was a real slow all over town last night as there were no cars parked anywhere and all of the bars are now into their summer phases where nobody wants to be inside in the summer, but as a band, you have to play to 8 people the same way you play to 300 people. Doing that is really hard to do but you never know who's stopping in to hear you. What if I was another bar owner looking for other bands to book this fall and my place was slow last night so I decided to check you guys out? What if I was a person looking into getting a band for a private party?
It was obvious that everyone inside last night (maybe 25) were friends of the band and to be fair, I don't think the band was making huge efforts to play their best. I have heard The Blue Shield Band before and I know they sound better than they did last night so I think I'll catch them again sometime. They consist of a keyboard, drums, two guitars and a bass. All are just average players. The lead singer wasn't hitting on all cylinders and was a bit pitchy, dawg. There were two other mics for background vocals up on stage and people occasionally sang into them but nothing discernible came out to the audience. The mix was less than good and the songs that I heard just didn't do anything for me. I wasn't there long but I heard mainly classic rock songs and ill-chosen ones at that.
Again, you have to play to 25 just as you would 300. True, you can't generate the same energy and feedback that whips people into frenzies but ... you have to at least try. If anything, these are the nights where you work on your show. The BSB certainly had no show last night. They might as well have been playing in the garage for a party at home last night.
http://www.blueshieldband.com/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Don Russian - Duke O'Brien's 5.18.07
Man, did I hear a great band last night. Although I could only hang out for about an hour there to see them, I heard some very inspired and well-performed music. They were more alternative oriented so I didn't recognize everything they were doing but they did a good version of I Think I'm Alone Now and I heard some original material that was just damned good. They consist of a guitar player doubling on a little Korg keyboard, two other guitarists, a bassist and a drummer. I know the drummer was frustrated all night because his drum set was walking away from him. But anyway, these guys were fun to listen to, very into what they were doing up there, and just plain entertaining. For a relatively young band, I was very impressed and you need to check these guys out. There was some good playing; not mind-blowing but solid. I think it may be Don (?) playing the Firebird and the Gibson Firebird is one of my favorite guitars. That alone is excellent. What I think was great about them was the sound textures they were pulling out between the arrangement and the choice of what notes which instruments were playing (again, arrangement). I really liked these subtleties but I'm not sure the audience caught it consciously. However, I know how hard these guys probably worked on this and it was a very conscious effort to get these sound textures on their part. Anyway, They are a very good band to check out especially if you'd like a break from all of the classic rock everyone else does. http://www.myspace.com/donrussian
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Alex and the Allstars - Duke O'Brien's 5.12.07
If you've read any of by prior babblings, you know I have a soft spot for this group. I liked them in their prior line-up and I like them with their present line-up. They are just plain fun and that is what playing out is all about. They play some great songs and they always look like they're having fun and that oozes out into the audience and gets the audience worked up. Patrick does a good job taking on some vocal responsibilities and Alex on drums is always always impressive vocally. The bass player (Kelvin, Kalvin?) is a GREAT bass player and you bass players out there need to pay attention to what he's doing up there. Great stuff and tasty player. I come to understand that Buddy operates Dr. Wood's Guitar Emporium in Fox River Grove. Great lead guitar player.
This is a good line-up and a fun fun band to watch. They seem to have a great local following and they are worth going out of your way for to check out. Party on, Garth. http://www.alexandtheallstars.com/home.html
This is a good line-up and a fun fun band to watch. They seem to have a great local following and they are worth going out of your way for to check out. Party on, Garth. http://www.alexandtheallstars.com/home.html
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Goin' South - Duke O'Brien's 4.28.07
I've always kind of liked this band. I've seen them several times and I mostly like them. It's also always fun to see a band with a new player being coached through the songs in real time on stage. They did a good job. They fill the Southern Rock niche in the local area and it's hard to find a better local Southern Rock band. However, there are times I'm not bowled over by them and I sometimes think they should pick some better tunes for later in the evening. It sometimes feels like they run out of steam. Southern Rock is not as huge as it once was ... about 25 years ago ... so they aren't going to attract the younger audience as much as the older audience. However, they do seem to pick up a lot of good bookings so they're doing just fine.
Again, I like them and if you're in the mood for some Southern Rock, they are the choice.
As a side note, I had mentioned that Tycho Brahe at Govnor's last night was advertising the other bars they play at and I had mentioned I thought that was a little weird as you're telling that bar owner that you'd like the clientele there to not come there next week and patronize some other bar. Well, Goin' South announced they were playing at a different venue the next week end and I again thought that is kind of a weird thing to do. I don't think that is all that bad to do at Duke O'Brien's as it's never been my favorite venue anyway. I go there because it's the only venue of it's kind in town. Anyway ... see Goin' South. They are a solid practiced local band that deserves your support! http://www.goinsouth.com/
Again, I like them and if you're in the mood for some Southern Rock, they are the choice.
As a side note, I had mentioned that Tycho Brahe at Govnor's last night was advertising the other bars they play at and I had mentioned I thought that was a little weird as you're telling that bar owner that you'd like the clientele there to not come there next week and patronize some other bar. Well, Goin' South announced they were playing at a different venue the next week end and I again thought that is kind of a weird thing to do. I don't think that is all that bad to do at Duke O'Brien's as it's never been my favorite venue anyway. I go there because it's the only venue of it's kind in town. Anyway ... see Goin' South. They are a solid practiced local band that deserves your support! http://www.goinsouth.com/
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Wedding Banned - Duke O'Brien's 4.27.07
This is the third time I've seen Wedding Banned .... and it will be my last. If you enjoy hearing rampant profanity coming from your entertainment for 3 to 4 hours, I guess then this is the band for you. They do all of the formula songs (the same songs that most other bands do). They do them well but ... they still do them. The musicianship is good. It really is. The lead singer is not that great a singer however, he is animated and a great front guy and really insists on the audience whipping themselves into a frenzy. That's not hard to do at 11:30 at night after each person in your audience has consumed 5 Jager-Bombs, 3 shots of tequila and 10 or 12 beers. That's probably why the audience may not even know they are being sworn at. It's like being at a Sopranos bachelor party!
As for myself, they bore me now. Each of the three times I saw them was like deja vu. They do the same show (as far as I've seen) each night and I really don't see why some bands insist on the relentless profanity. It's just a bunch of shit. Go see them once and you'll have seen them 30 times.
As for myself, they bore me now. Each of the three times I saw them was like deja vu. They do the same show (as far as I've seen) each night and I really don't see why some bands insist on the relentless profanity. It's just a bunch of shit. Go see them once and you'll have seen them 30 times.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Mr. Blotto - Duke O'Brien's 4.13.07
I like Mr. Blotto. Rather, I like the acoustic show that I've seen now for the 2nd time. I have not seen them with the full band. I really love good acoustic guitar playing and these guys are great at this. You have two acoustic players and an electric bass and great vocals. These are obviously seasoned musicians who know what they're doing. To the "average Joe", most of the songs are unkown. However, they create a great groove and the stuff they play is infectious.
However, you do have to be in the right frame of mind for Mr. Blotto. I basically was not this night but I still like them and really respect the excellent musicianship exhibited on stage. Although there can be some dancing during the show, Blotto gives me the impression that this is more of a drink-alcohol-and-get-down-with-the-groovy-vibe kind of a night. If you're looking to get nutty and dance your ass off, this probably is not the kind of a show you're looking for.
Again, I really do like this acoustic Blotto show and I'm looking forward to catching a full-band night one of these week ends. http://www.mrblotto.com/
However, you do have to be in the right frame of mind for Mr. Blotto. I basically was not this night but I still like them and really respect the excellent musicianship exhibited on stage. Although there can be some dancing during the show, Blotto gives me the impression that this is more of a drink-alcohol-and-get-down-with-the-groovy-vibe kind of a night. If you're looking to get nutty and dance your ass off, this probably is not the kind of a show you're looking for.
Again, I really do like this acoustic Blotto show and I'm looking forward to catching a full-band night one of these week ends. http://www.mrblotto.com/
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Nobody - Duke O'Brien's 4.6.07
NOBODY is a new music/alternative band - guitar - lead singer and sometimes ac guitar - bass - drums. They're all 20-something in age and virtually all of their audience looks like they just celebrated their 21st birthdays and stumbled over from Georgio's.
I was not very impressed. They are just barely OK. The lead singer has a lot of work to do. The guitar playing and bass playing were adequate and the drummer (maybe the better musician) was just "OK". It also didn't help to have what I thought was a poor mix by the house sound guy. Sure. They play all the songs the audience wants to hear but they sounded (and dressed) like they just got out of the garage. There just wasn't a lot of professionalism here. They also had equipment that most musicians far older only dream of having and believe me, this audience didn't know or care.
Again, they had great song selection ... they just didn't execute very well and the singing was the weakest link. There were two other mics up on stage and they should just take them off the stage as they give the impression that the guitar player and the bass player may sing, which also didn't help matters either.
Remember .... the drunker you get, the better we sound. I also believe that the louder you play, the better you sound, if they're drunk. These guys need time marinating in music to get more seasoned. Good luck ... you'll get there eventually.
I was not very impressed. They are just barely OK. The lead singer has a lot of work to do. The guitar playing and bass playing were adequate and the drummer (maybe the better musician) was just "OK". It also didn't help to have what I thought was a poor mix by the house sound guy. Sure. They play all the songs the audience wants to hear but they sounded (and dressed) like they just got out of the garage. There just wasn't a lot of professionalism here. They also had equipment that most musicians far older only dream of having and believe me, this audience didn't know or care.
Again, they had great song selection ... they just didn't execute very well and the singing was the weakest link. There were two other mics up on stage and they should just take them off the stage as they give the impression that the guitar player and the bass player may sing, which also didn't help matters either.
Remember .... the drunker you get, the better we sound. I also believe that the louder you play, the better you sound, if they're drunk. These guys need time marinating in music to get more seasoned. Good luck ... you'll get there eventually.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Hans and the Hormones - Duke O'Brien's 3.24.07
It's a feedback loop that you have to establish. The band puts out energy to the crowd. The crowd responds and sends more energy back to the band. The band feeds off this and puts more energy out to the crowd. Yep. It's a feedback loop. Hans and the Hormones did a great job of that last night at Duke's. This is a very good band. Yes, individually they are very good players but it's not that aspect that makes this band a blast to see. It's the fact that they look like they're having a great time being up there that makes this band so good .... except maybe for Glen the bassist who always looks grumpy. Maybe it's because he can't forget his old Blackwater Gold days. Great great drummer. Hans is a very good singer/front guy. I remember Victor (on guitar) as being in the Poppin' Mollies years ago. He always looks like he's having a great time. He's good and solid although his sound is a little too processed for me but the crowd doesn't care. The other and perhaps most important key to this band is their song selection. This alone can break or make a band. Yes, they play some of the same songs every band in existence had better play (Jack and Diane, Sweet Caroline, etc.) . However, they play many many songs you just don't hear all that often that are simply great dancing songs. I applaud them for NOT doing the same song lists you hear out of the other bands. Great local band. Make it a point to see them! http://www.hansandthehormones.com/
Hey. How do you make a Hormone. ....... Don't pay her.
Hey. How do you make a Hormone. ....... Don't pay her.
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