Category: Alt rock

I still don’t know why Kasabian didn’t sell out their Chicago House of Blues show last week.  They sold out Chicago’s Metro a couple years ago when I saw them with Bo Ningen.  Yet, here they were with fellow Brits Slaves in a venue about the same size, but tickets were still available at the box office an hour before the show.  As one guy behind me in the crowd said, “These guys sell out at Glastonbury.  Where the hell is everybody?”

That’s not to say there was barely anyone in the place.  The venue was nearly full, and I was happy to see so many people there in time for Slaves’ set.  I’ve been keen on this duo since I heard their single “Where’s Your Car, Debbie?”  Their newest album Take Control was one of my top records of 2016.

They came out oozing punk attitude and were soon tearing through songs like “Sockets” and “White Knuckle Ride.”  My friend, Portia, had just seen them open for Buzzcocks earlier in the month and knew their set.  She and I were the only people in the audience, it seemed, who knew how to reply when Slaves’ drummer and lead singer, Isaac Holman, told the story about how a man once asked him, “Where’s your hi-hat?” after a gig.  The correct response, by the way, is “Fuck the Hi-Hat.”  My friend and I were yelling it so much during the build-up to the song that people around us thought we were angry drunks.

People were still buzzing about them after their too-brief seven-song set, and I’d like to see them in a small venue where they’re the headliners.  I’m sure that would be nuts.

Kasabian soon emerged and ripped into a fun set that had the crowd bouncing for most of the show.  They started with “Ill Ray” and “Bumblebee” and had the crowd in their hands by the time they reached “Ez-Eh.”

A funny moment happened when they messed up the introduction to “Underdog.”  “That’s the first time that’s happened,” said lead singer Tom Meighan.  “I’m glad you were all here to see it.”  They jumped back on the horse and nailed the song.  Everyone laughed with them.  Up next were three solid cuts, “Shoot the Runner,” “You’re in Love with a Psycho” (from their newest record, For Crying Out Loud), and “Club Foot.”

The rest of the show was just as fun, with “Empire,” “L.S.F.,” “Bless This Acid House,” “Vlad the Impaler,” and “Fire” being good highlights.  It was a fun Tuesday night crowd (perhaps that’s why it didn’t sell out) rocking to two solid bands.  It’s too bad if you missed it.  Much praise also to the HOB and tour sound crews.  The mix for both bands sounded great.

Keep your mind open.

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