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Photo by Katie Hovland
Shot Baker – “Ode to Kerouac”
This Saturday, Shot Baker is playing at Beat Kitchen with Vacation Bible School, The Eradicator, No Enemy!, and Mofaza. They’re also releasing a new EP on the same day, courtesy of Underground Communiqué Records, called Crack in the Code. When asked about the origins of this EP, singer Tony Kovacs provided a detailed backstory. He said, “In 2009, we were on an East coast tour with Naked Raygun when we parted ways with our guitarist John Krohn over retrospectively stupid shit that we probably could have mended. But, tensions can run high on tour. We had a bunch of good material we wrote with John that we ended up scrapping. In his place we got Steven Jenkins and started fresh, writing all new material. In 2011, we were very close to recording a full-length, but I kind of freaked out and decided to quit the band and move to Colorado. At that point we had good material with both John and Steven that never saw the light of day.” He continued, “Since then we’ve all made up and become friends again. In 2017, we did a reunion show with John and promoted the show as the “original lineup,” with the understanding that anything we do after that show will be a five-piece with both John and Steven on guitar. So, Crack in the Code is a handful of stuff we wrote with Steven and some stuff we wrote with John to sort of merge talents on one release and solidify Shot Baker as a five-piece band.”
We’re premiering the video for one of the EP’s songs below, called “Ode to Kerouac.” When describing his motivations for writing the song, Kovacs said “At surface level, it’s a huge dis to Jack Kerouac. But despite the scornful lyrics, I view it as a proper homage. It’s really just a dis on myself. When I study Kerouac, I notice patterns, fears and mistakes that remind me of myself. I read the ramblings of a guy who had his head and heart pointed in the right direction, but ultimately flopped. His adventures in Buddhism and his glorification of society’s undesirables is hugely influential, but he wasn’t able to maintain his convictions. He ended up dying a lonely, anti-Semitic, right-wing alcoholic.” He added, “In one of his books, a Zen master told him that he has ‘Zen flesh but no Zen bones,’ (a line I use in the song) which really shook him to his core. Turns out the Zen master was right. So, through my own Buddhist studies and other adventures, I’ve picked up on certain insights that I know have to be properly cultivated or they’ll be lost. I don’t think I’ll become an anti-Semitic alcoholic, but I’m pretty lousy at converting insights into lifestyle.”
When looking ahead to Saturday’s show, Kovacs commented “I used to work at Beat Kitchen and Shot Baker had some of our most memorable shows there, so I’m excited to play for nostalgic reasons. But mostly I’m looking forward to the energy of a roomful of people who care about these songs we made. That’s an amazing feeling.” The show starts at 8:00 PM, is 17+ and tickets can be purchased here.
The Gunshy – “Lancaster, PA”
Artwork by Jason Hendrix
Earlier this month, The Gunshy released a new album, their sixth overall, called Porterhouse. It was recorded in Water Valley, Mississippi with producer Andrew Bryant and is available via Sleep Recordings. While the band has been based out of Chicago for over a decade, they initially formed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 2002. One of the album’s songs uses Lancaster as its setting and we’re premiering the video for this song below. Also, be sure to catch The Gunshy tonight at Beat Kitchen with The Smith Street Band, Typesetter and Rapids. The show starts at 6:30 PM, costs $15 and is all-ages. On Thursday, the band leaves for a brief tour and plays Atlanta with Cheap Girls and Signals Midwest, followed by an appearance at Fest and subsequent shows in Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas and Kansas.
The Brokedowns – “Born on the Bayou Too”
Cover art by Matt Semke
Back in December, The Brokedowns released their second album for Red Scare Industries, entitled Life Is a Breeze. Containing 16 songs in total, the record is not only comprehensive, but also a good representation of the band’s best characteristics. There are influences of Dillinger Four and Hot Snakes to be found, but those are overshadowed by The Brokedowns’ unique take on Midwestern punk and the sheer amount of aggression they generate in their songwriting. This Sunday, 3/01, they’re playing Beat Kitchen, along with Meat Wave, Canadian Rifle and Foul Tip. The show starts at 8:00 PM, is 17+ and costs $8. Check out a track from Life Is a Breeze below, called “Born on the Bayou Too.”
[audio:http://www.jadedinchicago.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/06-Born-On-The-Bayou-Too.mp3|titles= “Born on the Bayou Too”]Derek Grant
Last month, Alkaline Trio drummer Derek Grant released his debut solo album via Red Scare Industries, called Breakdown. We caught up with Grant just before his recent show at Beat Kitchen to discuss the details of the record. We talked about what inspired him to start writing songs, the personal nature of his lyrics and the various musical influences found on the album. We also spoke about how Breakdown was recorded, the fact that Grant played all the instruments on the recording, his partnership with Red Scare and more. What’s apparent after listening to the LP is that Grant is not only an especially talented musician, but also an engaging lyricist who just began a very promising solo career. Continue Reading…
Frank Turner
Photo by Katie Hovland
Frank Turner is an English singer/songwriter whose solo career began in 2005. Since then he’s toured the world extensively, releasing three EPs and three full-lengths along the way. His new album is due out this June on Epitaph, entitled England Keep My Bones. We met with Frank before his recent show at Beat Kitchen to discuss the upcoming record, touring, songwriting inspirations and more. Turner is equally sincere and humble, and these characteristics translate seamlessly to his songs. Despite his success, he remains modest and focused simply on pursuing a lifelong career as a musician. England Keep My Bones will indeed allow him to do just that, as well as continue to find new listeners and perform in unfamiliar places around the globe. Continue Reading…
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