by Ali Weiss
Chicago’s Equalizer indie music showcase continues this Friday at darkroom, headlined by local rock/soul band The Midnight Shows. Blane Fonda and Robbers open.
Equalizer Chicago happens every final Friday at darkroom bar, sponsored by KEXP, 312unes and The Onion. DJ Johnny Kesh spins between sets. Doors open at 9:00pm and the cover is $10 at the door.
In the mean time, here’s look back at May’s installment of Equalizer. Chicago band Milk at Midnight headlined (yes, Equalizer has a “midnight” theme going) along with Panther Style and Maudlin.
Milk at Midnight played material from its new album, Less Love More Acid, recently released on Stars/ No Stars. Guest banjo player Scott Judd added an experimental bluegrass twist to the band’s otherwise “power trio” rock sound. Milk at Midnight also unveiled material from its in-progress rock opera. With Danny Doom’s clear vocals, these more jam-like songs reminded us of Built to Spill.
Panther Style played a high-energy set. Led by affable bass player / lead vocalist Jeanne McClure, with backing vocals by guitar player Melissa Koehl, the driving songs came quickly and the pace never slowed. The band gave away sample CDs of material from an upcoming album.
Minneapolis band Maudlin stopped by on their Midwestern tour. With contrasting male and female vocals and plenty of thrashing guitar, the band has a distinctive Pixies-like sound. They released The Second Law of Thermodynamics earlier this year.
Video clips of Equalizer performances and band interviews appear on youtube.com/kexpchicagoposse.
