04 Apr 13 - Counterfeit i

Hey, blogspot readers, come spend an intense evening full of anger with SouthSide. Yes, there’s a “new” wave of rock appearing in pockets here and there within Chicago’s local scene called “anger” rock from bands like Evil Twin Sister that can vividly express raw frustrated emotions through their music and lyrics. Recently at the Beat Kitchen, this reviewer met another such band that expressed not only vivid anger but also intense pain and heartache told from personal experience within an energetic, vibrant sound. If you want experience pain and anger, blogspot readers, then she highly suggests you check out Counterfeit i at the their next performance.

This trio lit up the Beat Kitchen stage with a rousing eclectic mesh of keyboard/programmed sounds and live instruments which was technically one half of the driving force propelling Counterfeit i’s “anger” rock sound. It was loud ...thunderous and full of vibrant energy, blogspot readers. In a way, you could say, the music itself was a member of the band since it sometimes shaped as well as defined the mood and tempo for each song performed during the set. For instance, take the song 241 – this reviewer enjoyed hearing the furious frustration being lashed out at the intro (and throughout) in which she felt the music was personifying the pain and hurt of a tortured soul. Mood swings can be intense but feeling them within a harsh “anger” rock sound. Yes, it’s killer but this is the reality you face when in pain.

 

The other half to this unique equation would be front man and guitarist Derek on vocals who puts a face to anger (from his own personal experience of chronic depression and anxiety) that many of us (at one point or another) could relate. Using these same experiences, he spotlights the highs and lows while also showing there’s solace at the end of rocky tunnel of intense emotion. There were moments during this band’s set when SouthSide literally felt her face melting from the heated venom spewing over the mic in between bouts of calm. She highly recommends checking out Counterfeit i’s single, Still, where Derek demonstrates that there’s hope after experiencing an emotional tide of agonizing pain. SouthSide, from her own personal experience, can somewhat relate feeling such raw emotions but not quite as intense or on the same level as Derek or you, the person reading this blog entry. Yet, this reviewer enjoyed how his vocals could vividly convey that charged energy especially during the song Age of the Machines. Rage at its best without being so over dramatic.

 

For more information about Counterfeit i and where this local will be displaying its anger rock at a venue near you, visit http://www.counterfeiti.bandcamp.com.

 

 

Until next time, support your local scene,

SouthSide

09 Dec 11

"...Makeshift's the shit, huh?" ~ Amrita

Hey, blogspot readers, SouthSide's back on the beat this weekend! Tonight, she's rockin' a frosty Friday and full moon at Beat Kitchen to see longtime friends Amrita and Makeshift Prodigy. She highly recommends hitching a ride on an innerstellar craft and reach the outside the paradigm with the psychedelic/rock sounds of Amrita. What a rush too! This reviewer liked how this local band honed in as well as captured the 70s intergalatic rock sound and vibe yet with a millennial twist which was fast paced, full of Stax guitar riffs and melodic on the keyboards. Amrita pumped the growing crowd with bursting energy and momentum inside its wicked space fx - think of them as an indie version of Parliament Funkadelic (with Bernie Worrell on keys), Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd mixed together. Though the bass feedback (during the second song) was hard on the ears, Amrita's music at times took on a Zen-like appearance and atmosphere that highlighted the dynamic vocal energy of front man Aaron. What was totally missing from this opening set - an awesome lighting fx to highten the psychedelic experience and the band's rockin' music. Off the album - outside the paradigm, SouthSide highly recommends immersing the ears to sugar coated god phone, love then hate and the title track ...in no particular order either. For more information about Amrita, visit http://myspace.com/amritarock.

There are nights when a band could have a good or bad performance ...or something in between. This was one of those nights for SouthSide's good friend Makeshift Prodigy where they had a show that was neither good or bad - it was very mediocre. Usually this extraordinaire melodic rock band would takes its audience on a spiritual-awakening journey via sight (with its homemade stage lighting fx) and sound depending how the music affects the ears on a personal level, blogspot readers. However sadly for SouthSide there was no such journey with Makeshift due to a couple of reasons - one of which was no fault of the band. Opening with Mathematica (one of many favorite songs off the band's current album) and Alive, fans were certainly pumped from the powerfully inspirational lyrics and melodic energy. It's so amazing to observe how Makeshift's music positively would affect their diehard fans (as well as new listeners) on a deep personal level that would be totally different for each person attending. Yet, it was hard to enjoy her own personal experience because the sound was very overpowering (even with earplugs on) and totally distored Makeshift's electronic rhythms song after song except for Sirens - the only song this reviewer was able to tolerate. Besides performing other fan favorites like Sentimentalist and Blinding Lights, Makeshift debut new song A Way Out in which the energy was taken down a bit ...less ambient but more of a contemporary rock sound though sounding a little flat within a dull staccato melody. Another "dull" moment occurred during the solo acoustic performance by front man Anthony that had a good majority of their fans being unimpressed by his dynamic vocal demonstration and style thus nearly slowing down the set to a grinding halt. SouthSide does suggest to Makeshift into rethinking about using the bright stage lighting fx in a rather confined and small venue space like Beat Kitchen. Other venues like House of Blues, Metro or even Reggie's Rock Club would have been able to handle such of an fx without blinding most of the audience or causing light-sensitive headaches (as this reviewer experienced after the show). SouthSide does still recommend blogspot readers checking out her friend Makeshift Prodigy but hopes their next show is better than tonight's. For more information, visit http://www.makeshiftprodigy.com or on Facebook.


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide.