Tonight I went to see Look Mexico, Cory Branan, Good Old War, and the Honorary Title at Reggie’s Rock House. I have been thinking about this blog all night and how I’m going to write it. I’ve been pouring over my thoughts trying to decide what angle to take on describing this concert because it was so amazing and I just have to write a review of it for the world + give myself complete documentation of such a remarkable night. Having said that, I don’t know how to do this. I’m going to have to dive right in and hope I do myself and the concert justice.
As I walked from the Cerkmak-Chinatown redline stop to Reggie’s, I was a bit worried. It’s not the best part of town- you’re talkin reaaaal south loop of Chicago where I’ve been badly hassled before. Despite my slight fears I walked the half mile or so to Reggie’s and found myself waiting in a short line to get in. Upon walking through the doors and being surrounded by like-minded indie rock fans, there was a merch table I checked out. I was just minding my own business, walking by the rows of t-shirts and cds when a guy from behind the table goes, “Has anyone ever told you you look just like…” Yes. You knew this had to happen. With the space in between his words I filled in his thoughts, “Like Shia Labeouf and or Michael Cera?” ”That’s it!!” And thus started my conversation with Keith, the singer/guitarist/bassist/keyboardist, for the Good Old War. We talked about how he also gets the “You look like the guy from Its always sunny in philadelphia” comment and we shared ideals on how we wish we could just be seen as unique sexy devils. This was one of my favorite parts of the night: he told me how he’d just gotten married two weeks before the band left on tour and how he can’t wait to get home to his brand new wife. I was so happy for him and I hope my wide smile proved it. I asked him all about what it’s like being away from her/how he’s stoked to go home to her. I saw so much of myself in him after that. So obviously that was a great, great start to a concert and even though I knew nothing of GOW, I was now totally prepared to give them my full attention during their set. More on that later.
Promptly at 7:30, Look Mexico took the stage and they fucking rocked it. They were this great popversion of Explosions in the Sky that just commanded me through their whole set. When they said it was their “last song” I was admittedly disappointed for once in my life. The ethereal and highly heart-pounding instrumental they performed was stunning, leaving me nothing but captivated for the whole 4-5 minute duration and then their ending song with the trumpet-intro/extending outro had me craving more. After the show I caught up with their bassist and rapped with him for a bit. We talked about bass-gear/amplifiers and when I said I wanted a t-shirt he said, “No, you NEED this, man.” He was a really nice guy and when I bought some merch later and tipped him, he was so gracious. ”Keep the change, man.” ”Dude, no way. Ic an’t do that.” ”Please, I’ve been on tour… I know what it’s like… just take it.” His appreciation thereafter was so sincere and it made me really happy to support them like I did. Plus, after the show/buying their merch I started chatting with Matt, the guitarist/singer, and we had a nice talk about tour, Vin Diesel, and being generally awesome. Also a supremely nice guy whom I’m glad I met. You can bet I’ll try and catch them when they’re back around.
Next on the bill was Cory Branan. This country-pop-singer was a riot. He was so fucking energetic and just HAPPY to be on stage. You knew there was not a single other place in the world he wanted to be. It just showed on his face and you know what? It showed on the Audience’s faces as well. That was probably one of my favorite parts of this concert: everyone wanted to be there. The performers, the audience- everyone was ready to have a good time and everyone totally had to. Cory’s not my style of music, but he was a blast to watch and when he left the stage, I was completely satisfied and knew I was only halfway through one of the best concerts I’d ever go to. The man’s lyrics are just a blast- look up As Tall As Grass and The Prettiest Waitress In Memphis. Just read the words- they might just make ya smile.
After him was the Good Old War. Now, I’m starting to lose writing steam, so I’m gonna try my best to give these guys my sincerest honors. First of all- whoever the guitarist was- he looked so goddamn happy to be there. Again- you knew there was nothing else that could make him happier. Seeing that genuine joy strike his face when he sang and played was infectious and it made you want to love their music so hard even if you’d never heard it before. Then there was Keith who rocked so hardcore and had great stage presence. He’s seriously like a goofier, more confident Jason Schwarzman. Looks a lot like him too! Just with beady eyes. I loved his stage antics and when he talked about trying to be like James Brown and mentioned all “the sexy ladies in the house” I couldn’t help but just fall in love with this man’s charisma. Then there was Tim, the drummer. I gotta say- can’t stand him. I thought he was annoying. But I won’t deny his supremely amazing skillset. The man can drum and sing phenomenally. One of the most fun parts of GOWs set was when they brought it down into the audience, formed a circle, and played. For me, it was really whatevs. But for the people who were there to SEE GOW? They were on Cloud9 and just seeing such happiness be created made for such a wonderful vibe and I wanted to be there for it. I was feeling great just being surrounded by people who couldn’t be having a better time watching one of their favorite bands dance and sing and play RIGHt in front of them…
After the show I talked to Tim and was like, “Do you know where Keith is?” Dude calls Keith up and says, “There’s someone who wants to see you- stop being a jerk and get up here.” It took Keith a while to get there, so I went and talked to Jarrod real quickly and on my way out I saw him at the merch booth. ”Keithhhh- excellent work tonight, man.” I ended up telling him I definitely bought their cd, wished him and Tim good luck on tour, and then wished him alone good luck with the “new arrangement at home.” Truly nice guys. Truly glad I met them.
Then last but not the least… The Honorary Title took to the stage. It was just Jarrod and “Dustin”, some ill-tempered pianist fuck from the East Coast (his skinny physique and slicked back black hair couldn’t scream it more), but what transpired thereafter was magical (as if the night already wasn’t filled with incredible music).
While getting everything set up, I noticed Jarrod was calm and slow-moving. It was cool watching him. A string even broke on one of his guitars during a tune-up and he didn’t even react. If that happened to me (or anyone else I know for that matter) I would have been pissed and been like, “You cannot be SERIOUS?!” But no.. Jarrod didn’t even make a face and just went to the back of the stage, put a new one on casually, and went back to tuning. Finally when things were ready he started the set with Frame by Frame and we were all off and running.
The first few songs were solely acoustic: Frame by Frame, Thin Layer, Cut Short, Far More, and Only One Week. Oh my GOSH. Only One Week was phenomeeeenalllll acoustic. It was seriously one of the highlights of the night. And actually when Cory came on to sing the harmony with Jarrod for Far More- that was so sick. So happy they did that as the harmony on that tune is one of the best parts… Then something breathtaking happened. Halfway through Untouched and Intact, acoustic, Good Old War joins the stage and a full band version and finishes it off. I fucking freaked when this happened. The show took on a whole new dynamic and it was seriously one of the most solid, most entertaining performances I’ve ever witnessed. Jarrod thanked GOW for “giving THT testicles.” Hearing upbeat, acoustic, full band renditions of Bridge and Tunnel and Untouched and Intact was stellar. But the real surprise/joy came from hearing brand new songs in this fashion. They were fuckin gooood, too. I didn’t want that part of the show to stop. Then the band left and Revealing Too Much, Stay Away, Petals, and Everything I Onced Had closed the show acoustically. Stay Away was stunning and it’s the one that keeps replaying in my head.
As I left the show there was only one thing I could do: sing Stay Away and smile. I was so happy after the concert- and I still am. Afterwards I went to Seven Treasures and just contemplated everything, thinking about how I was going to write this blog, and just turning over and over in my head, “Tonight was amazing. Tonight was amazing…” Random awesomeness that occurred: I found a one dollar bill on the ground walking back to the CTA and my server at Seven Treasures gave me extra food since I had to “wait too long.” Right now I’m so inspired and it’s part because of what I just saw, part because of Keith’s mini-current-life-story. When I saw Jarrod up on stage performing his own personal songs, it occurred to me that that should be ME. I should really be giving my tunes the time of day they deserve. Hell, he started out as just a guitarist and a drummer- why the fuck can’t I? I don’t need a huge full band, do I? And then hearing Keith tell me about how he just got married and is on tour while his wife holds down a super hectic job- that totally can be me too! Because if there was one theme that just kept playing out in every way tonight, it was that everyone was happy. Everybody was so happy. Shit, I got so lost in the Honorary Title’s set. in fact, I was at Reggie’s for 4 and 1/2 hours and I didn’t even know it until I’d thought about it while waiting for my food.
Right now? I am so happy. All I want to do now is go to sleep and let these beautiful memories just settle in and never be forgotten. And in all honesty? This is a great write-up. I did what I wanted. This night is written in stone (figuratively). 
There’s only one regret about tonight- but there’s no reason to focus on the one bad thing when everything else not only went wonderfully- it went perfectly. I couldn’t have asked for much more from tonight.
The Honorary Title is hugely solidified as one of the top bands in my heart.
Booya!!
EDIT: it’s come to my attention that the full-band aural onslaught that occurred last night was unique to the Chicago show. ohh myy goosh! I’ve decided I’d rather see that show again than the blink concert. Yes. I just said that. And I totally mean it.
