 Acrylics are not good. Acrylics are great. Yes, a tad hyperbolic but have you READ anything else I write? I go on about hitting people with shovels for listening to Billy Joel. In this case I actually mean what I am writing, however. If someone is listening to Uptown Girl? I still say you should hit them with a shovel. But back to Acrylics, a Brooklyn band that I had heard bits and pieces of and liked quite a bit. But I didn't get the full measure until this live show. While I watched I thought; Acrylics sound like 10,000 Maniacs meet Roxy Music at Sharon Van Etten's house. Then the keyboard player from Split Enz shows up with a pizza. I am not sure I believe that as literal or even figurative truth but it is what sprung to mind. The band has whiffs of "new wave" but also of jazz (not meant as a pejorative in this instance). They put on a good show, even sitting down. They noted that this was their first ever show sitting down. Without hyperbole I would use the word "transportative" to describe their performance. They send you someplace else when you listen. It may be briefly but you are gone for a bit. And that should be the aim of every live act in every genre--from techno to death metal.     Initially the plan was to shoot photos of the band at Chicago's Empty Bottle. That show turned out to be an early all ages affair that I headed out to ex post facto. I felt bad at using up a guest list slot on a sold out show as a no-show. Then, up in Evanston on Easter, I noticed Acrylics and Junip were playing that evening. I will ramble more about Junip shortly. I put a crowbar in my threadbare wallet, pulled out $20 and didn't regret it for a second (except when I had to run out for more money to buy the band's 10" vinyl and CD)  Not a great picture. I know...but I always try to shoot one of the always neglected drummer...    Frustrated at my inability to focus without my monopod I audition to take the pics for the next My Bloody Valentine record. Yes, I did this on purpose.  Again...I did this on purpose. Junip are also a wonderful band. I didn't come up with a cutesy-poo description of the band, however. I did, at some points think that singer Jose Gonzalez sounds like a Swedish Jim Croce. But the music is less straight forward and morose than the late Croce. But not as morose as Red House Painters (although the fans of that band would certainly appreciate Junip even though they have actual bass-lines. There are whiffs of trip and trance and even Dead Can Dance. Hey! That rhymes! My third grade writing teacher would be proud. Ok, probably not. She would be ashamed. I apologize for using the word "whiffs" twice too.        Junip, The Show's Headline Act  These two bands, Acrylics and Junip, are an illustration about the state of music; it has never been better in my lifetime. Anyone who says otherwise is one of three basic things: -wrong. -ill informed ( and really miss Supertramp ). -Worked for a record label (most likely in the 70s). I have had discussions with two former record company types from the 70s. When you mention all the good music out there today they shake their heads sadly and say "No, there isn't." What they are really talking about is that big record companies can no longer make a shit load of money off tired trend copping. No one, in their right mind, misses the rule of the major labels (not that indie labels are much better but that is a tirade for another time). To be sure, they are still around. Right now a bunch of guys in suits are talking about where to find the next Katy Perry, Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber. They are still there but they just matter a lot less. Their tools in radio matter less too. We do not need them or want them dictating what we listen to anymore. Artists matter more and it is beginning to show. Neither of these bands is a household name. But neither of them, despite their high end songwriting, originality and musicianship is inaccessable to the general public. The underground isn't GG Allen throwing a bucket of shit into the audience. It is a broad cross section of music and it is expanding exponentially.    I wasn't going to use the above photos but, I sort of like them. Please feel free to tell me I am wrong for doing so.  Add Comment | photos by Patrick Ogle (excepting where noted)
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