REVIEW OF DOM AND COM TRUISE @ SCHUBAS TAVERN
(a part of TNK 2012)
11 JANUARY 2012
I had to giggle when I walked in (I had mad swagger going on, rocking out to Howler “Back of Your Neck,” which I picked up from Spotify). It was like we were all told to dress in uniform. Tight ass black denim, leather jackets, slouchy beanies. Far too under dressed for the likes of the [extremely mild] winter of Chicago. I was surprised, but not entirely, to see that the show was sold out. Aww shucks…no cute boy meet ups for me tonight. Quite all right. Didn’t want to have to babysit (oooh, but goodnight smooches are the best!).
I had missed the two openers, Lazercrystal and Chandeliers. But luckily I was just in time for Dom! They started their set just after the posted time of 9:45p, so I had just enough time to grab a beer (Alpha King, of course). I snuck up the side and figured most people wouldn’t be bothered by my presence, measuring in at 5’2” and all. Somehow I scored front row!! And right in front of the only staircase to the stage. It was awesome! I took a pic (see attached) and could hardly fit everybody in my screen. I love it when that happens. These guys were truly great. I had been dying to see them for a while and I’m so glad I caught them at Schubas of all places. They are poppy and catchy and the front man (Dom, duh) has a great sense of humor. My only complaint is that both the songs and the set were rather short. I could have used much more Dom. My favorite part, I think, was at the end when two overly excited crowd members kept shouting “Living in America,” which prompted a brief dialog between the crowd and the band and then the band among themselves. They all agreed that’s what they’d play to finish out the set. So the everyone was super into it…finally! The crowd took a while to warm up. After their set, Dom came off the stage to man the merch table and I totally told him, “awesome job, man.” God, I’m cool……………
After a brief set break (time to pee and grab another Alpha King!) I was soooo ready for Com Truise. The place was filled to the brim!! I tried to get my original spot, but it was too crowded. I had to settle for a few rows back (behind a backpack wearer…sheesh. I mean, who wears a backpack during a concert?). Com Truise lit it up. They lived up to my expectations. And, SURPRISE, live drummer!?! Who knew (probably everyone!)? I got a text from a friend saying he was there, but we never got a chance to meet up, which is surprising in a venue the size of Schubas. Not like we would have chatted about the impending snow storm headed for Chicago or anything.
People were fucking eating this set up! It was so great to be a part of. I thought their songs were a good balance between what we hear on the studio album and fun elaborations for a live performance. The drummer was really making it happen. When VHS Sex started, everyone lost it. Amazing. I will def check these guys out again.
All right, I can hardly type through all of my yawning. Time for bed! I’m skipping out on Gauntlet Hair on Friday,which is a bummer, but it’s my friend’s bday and I’ve seen GH three times now (or is it only two?). But def checking out Smith Westerns at Metro on 3 Feb. And most likely Tennis on 23 Feb. Hold onto your butts! It’s going to be a good 2012!! Night night!
