Their / They're / There at Schubas, 12.15.13
w/ Mansions (EP Release Show)
Sometimes last minute decisions can be the best made decisions. No second guessing, no room for regret - just pure instinctual feelings. It can be hit or miss, but this past Sunday I think I made a solid choice in going to the Their/They're/There show at Schubas. (I mean, how can a concert + a few drinks ever be a bad choice, really..)
T/T/T has recently appeared on my radar due to the fact that their latest EP, Analog Weekend, was co-released by Topshelf Records and Polyvinyl Record Co., 2 labels that I like to follow pretty regularly. On top of that, the band's lead singer, Evan Weiss, reps another (similar sounding) band, Into It. Over It (who I will be seeing at Bottom Lounge in March!). Must be a band thing to do, because the drummer Mike Kinsella also plays for Owen and , while the guitarist Matthew Frank is a member of Loose Lips Sink Ships. What makes them even more appealing? They are from Chicago!! Gotta love it.
Ok, I know that was a lot of name-dropping. But to put it simply, this band has a lot of talent individually, so that all together, they put on a really fun, whirlwhind type of show..even on a Sunday. While I'm not too familiar with their complete discography yet, I do know that they played "Travelers Insurance" and a rocked out version of "572 Cuthbert Blvd" [see links to my uploads on YouTube below]. They also played "New Blood", another new song off Analog Weekend. Check out this review article by Impose Magazine that also has some cool videos from the show. One thing that stood out for me was the guitarist - Matthew Frank. Maybe because he was the only band member I had a clear view of (thanks, 6' tall guy standing in front of me), but after a few songs, he was really worth watching. He is extremely talented and I couldn't get enough of those riffs - complicated yet still melodic, leaving you just hanging on to each note. Watch this acoustic video and you'll see what I mean..note: he's even better on electric.
Their/They're/There
Evan Weiss has received a lot of praise for being the real deal..and deservedly so. Bass-player, songwriter, even producer! He recently worked with fellow "emo-revival" band You Blew It!'s sophomore album, Keep Doing What You're Doing (a labelmate from Topshelf). After watching this lovely short documentary, I learned that they collaborated with the goal of making a strong rock album - Jimmy Eat World as a major influence. This guy's name has popped up all over the place recently, and I'm also looking forward to see him play with (slightly more popular) Into It. Over It, who has toured in the US, UK, and Europe.
Evan Weiss
Matthew Frank
All in all, this show was pretty great. The crowd was into it (I believe Matthew's dad was even there) and Schubas once again did not disappoint by putting on a small but intimate and high-energy show. Check out their EP, Analog Weekend, on sale on iTunes and also via Topshelf or Polyvinyl's stores. [Yes, I did purchase both of their albums on vinyl..primarily because they are colored! Baby blue and clear red..super stoked.] And if you are from Chicago, be on the lookout for shows. Their/They're/There is sure to make a name for themselves in 2014.
-FYMS-
Think: Into It. Over It, American Football, You Blew It!, Owen, The Front Bottoms, Real Friends
Listen: "New Blood" , "Travelers Insurance"
Tweet: @T_T_T_music