Dig ‘in: Nightshift, Robber Robber, Summer Flake
Check out what the No Wristbands team is listening to and what’s in our show calendars this month on our latest Dig ‘in.
INCOMING
Nightshift – Homosapien (Trouble in Mind LP)
Societal evolution is called into question on Nightshift’s sophomore album, Homosapien. Instead of recognition of what makes us a connected species, the Glasgow quartet delve into the dehumanizing effects fostered by xenophobia and income inequality. “Crystal Ball” opens the record with a sober accounting of the escalating fascism that’s followed in the wake of Brexit. “Side Effects” equates the numbing effects of soulless work with medication that is marketed to mask the pain brought about by capitalism. Eothen Stearn’s pliable voice conveys a range of emotions—mournful, defiant and comforting. “Sure Look” and “Phone” carve out time for self-care and are enhanced in texture by the guest violin backing of Shopping’s Ray Aggs. Homosapien benefits from the musical versatility of the band as a whole. Each track takes on a feel and uniqueness of its own. The playing is consistently in service of the song, but not constrained as whimsical touches surface with varying tempos and added instrumentation (via accordion, tin whistle, melodica, trombone and so forth). Through their observations of society in regression, Nightshift are determinedly pushing forward, moving onwards to as far as their talents will take them. -Bruce Novak
Robber Robber - Wild Guess (self-released LP)
Burlington, Vermont has the distinction of being the least populous city of the 50 U.S. states to be the most populous city in its state. Its relative isolationist stature has engendered an independent spirit (Bernie Sanders began his political career there as city mayor in 1981) and DIY arts scene. It serves as a fitting home to Robber Robber, whose music escapes standard characterizations. The band is the project of Nina Cates and Zack James, whose musical partnership dates back a decade as rhythm section sidekicks in The Snaz when they were teenagers. The pair collaborated on a five song EP in 2019 under the moniker of Guy Ferrari before switching names to Robber Robber and adding Will Krulak (guitar) and Carney Hemler (bass) for this debut album.
Wild Guess’ opening track, “Intro (Letter from the Other Side of the Operation),” sets the tone with a discordant clang and rumble contrasted with Cates’ whispered, multi-tracked vocals. “Seven Houses” follows with a sustained riff that leaves little latitude for the song diverge from its motorik path. “Mouth” employs repetition to a different end, with some shifting tempos that opens up the song for Cates to come to the forefront. A similar tactic emerges with “How We Ball,” that takes flight behind Krulak’s accelerating guitar riff before hitting up against a math rock detour and coming back full circle to a cycle of repetition. Throughout, James’ drumming defines the direction of Robber Robber with a crispness that’s continually driving things forward. His hi hat and snare integration makes “Sea or War” shine with an insistent beat that carries everything on its back. As the record title suggests, Robber Robber aren’t afraid to put things out there knowing that it’s better to try then to wait before having all the answers. -Bruce Novak
Summer Flake - Nothing Lasts Forever (Rice Is Nice Records EP)
Some records intertwine seamlessly with seasonal dispositions and so it can be said for Nothing Lasts Forever and Chicago’s longing for summer. That impatience we feel during the clutches of a protracted winter and the tease that follows with a few temperate spring days, only to be crushed again with another cold snap. But when our celebrated summer hits, we’re in all our glory—soaking up every bit of daylight that’s afforded us. Summer Flake hail from the rich Melbourne music scene, having started in 2012 as a solo endeavor for Steph Crase and earning accolades and airplay along the way from Henry Rollins on his KCRW radio show. The shimmering “New Day” awakens with the promise and uncertainty of what’s to come. Crase starts out singing softly as if she’s just awakened and the song continues to gain steam as she confronts the challenges that lie ahead. Drummer Joel Carey (Peak Twins, Wolf & Cub) and bassist Perry Mahoney (The Shifters, Scott & Charlene’s Wedding) shape the contours of “Bury The Lede” allowing Crase plenty of space to soar with harmony-laden vocals and a latter-half guitar flourish. The more solemn “Nothing Last Forever” is as lustrous as it is fleeting—a stark reminder of the impermanence that exists in our lives—just like the passing of another Chicago summer. -Bruce Novak
UPCOMING
Jeanines
Where: Empty Bottle / Directions
When: August 6, 9:00 PM
Alicia Jeanine’s tunes are befitting of someone who participated in music as a youth (playing classical violin & piano and participating in choir), but didn’t return to it until getting an urge to pick up a guitar and start writing songs as an adult. Her compositions are short (rarely eclipsing two minutes) and to the point; unpretentious and heartfelt missives that are ephemeral yet memorable. With the early encouragement of multi-instrumentalist Jed Smith (My Teenage Stride, Mick Trouble), who Jeanine dated back then when they both resided in Brooklyn, she was able to tap into her latent creativity by jumping in headfirst. Eventually Smith was convinced to become a musical partner and an early demo from the duo caught the attention of Slumberland Records’ Mike Schulman, who then released their self-titled debut in 2019, followed by Don’t Wait For a Sign three years later. While most often aligned with the indie pop movement that started in the ’80s, there’s also a noticeable ’60s component to their music evidenced in Alicia’s British folk vocal stylings and Jed’s Motown & Stax backing rhythms. Most importantly there’s a natural exuberance that surfaces in their sound that places everything in the here and now. -Bruce Novak
Ekko Astral
Where: GMan Tavern / Directions
When: August 15, 8:30 PM
Amidst the calamity of a polarized nation and shifting dynamics in a battle over who will next occupy the Oval Office, DC’s Ekko Astral are providing visibility for communities that exist outside the margins. Their appearance at GMan Tavern, along with NY’s tetchy, doubles as a fundraiser for local trans rights organizations. Vocalist Jael Holzman was in the early stages of her gender transition when she was writing the material for the band’s 2022 QUARTZ EP, producing such provocative fare like “TRANSDEMIC, BABY” and “YXI.” Likewise, percussionist Miri Tyler was undergoing her own transition, as was bassist Guinevere Tully, who recently departed the band.
Holzman originally started the group with guitarist and best friend Liam Hughes out of American University and for their debut LP, pink balloons, that was issued this past April on Topshelf Records, Sam Elmore was added as rhythm guitarist. The record balances Ekko Astral’s disenfranchised temperament with activist politics. Vacuous goodwill gestures become deflated when the realities of gender-based harassment are fully exposed in “head empty blues.” Struggles for identity and visibility comprise “baethoven” with its pronouncement of “I’ll be your Baethoven” carrying equal resonance as Sleater-Kinney’s ode of “I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone.” “I90,” featuring guest vocalist Josaleigh Pollett, documents a journey leading to Chicago littered with evangelical billboards and Holzman’s encouragement to keep the true faith and aim for higher pursuits. Here’s hoping that their return visit into town is as uplifting as their messaging has proven to be. -Bruce Novak
Pelican
Where: GMan Tavern / Directions
When: August 16, 9:00 PM
Pelican is up to something, and that something appears to be an imminent return to the studio to record their first album since 2019’s Nighttime Stories. In a somewhat unorthodox move, Pelican will be playing their newest album live before recording it in the studio. Pelican is a Chicago institution at this point, crafting almost exclusively instrumental post-metal since their inception in 2001. The exciting development, new music aside, is that founding guitarist Laurent Schroeder-Lebec has reentered the fold in 2022. If the two new songs that they released in March (“Adrift” b/w “Tending the Embers”) are any indication, the new album is sure to continue Pelican’s legacy of anthemic music. Pelican guitarist Trevor Shelley de Brauw put it best; they are part of the Midwestern band lineage that blends aggression with pop sensibilities. This is their first time playing Gman, and quite frankly, seeing a band of this stature in a space as intimate as Gman is a rare opportunity, and one you will for sure not want to miss. They’re also ramping up their Midwestern touring right now, opening for Thursday at The Forge in Joliet on August 23rd and for Russian Circles at The Metro on September 7th. -Mark Joyner
UNCOVERED
The Flatmates - Potpourri (Hits, Mixes and Demos ’85-’89) (Cherry Red compilation)
Railing against the predominance of British goth in the early ’80s, Martin Whitehead was determined to dial back the drama with a return to pop songs that were vivid and celebratory. When he encountered drummer Stephen Wood, nicknamed Rocker by The Blue Aeroplanes for his unique dancing style, at a Jazz Butcher gig in 1985, those hopes were realized. Though The Flatmates weren’t represented in NME’s C86 cassette offering, they nevertheless shared a spiritual connection with that indie pop community. In the words of Whitehead: “The movement that was tagged C86 was a mass reaction to the dreariness of the early ’80s. Cutie accoutrements of lollipops and anoraks was possibly taking the point too far, but 3 minute 3 chord pop and fanzines printed in bright colours was a welcome antidote to miserabalism.” Whitehead began as the band’s singer and principal songwriter, but ceded the vocal duties early on to Debbie Haynes, who along with bassist Kath Beach, was a flatmate of Rocker’s and hence the inspiration for the resulting band name.
By the time of their first recording, Beach was replaced by Sarah Fletcher, and a run of 7" singles on Whitehead’s Subway Organization label over the next four years brought acclaim, if not overall success for the group. Potpourri (which was also reissued by Optic Nerve Recordings in 2013) collects all of that output, along with a couple of demo tracks and cover songs from The Ramones, Dylan and Velvet Underground. Those singles came in hot; from the blissful “I Could Be In Heaven,” on next to the giddy “Happy All The Time,” along to self-described “Shimmer,” coupled with the rock’n’roll star-inspired “On My Mind” and down through the wistful “Heaven Knows.” Tragically, a partnership with Revolver Distribution went south as decision making was undermined by staff outside of The Flatmates’ circle and Whitehead’s Subway label was sacrificed to cover outstanding debts. A few months following a disastrous London gig with the fickle British music press all turning up and witnessing a heavily-soused Tim Rippington unable to keep to his feet, let alone properly play guitar (and getting punched out by Whitehead), Debbie Haynes bowed out from the group, ending the hangover turmoil. Whitehead eventually achieved a bit of satisfaction by regaining control of his label, reforming The Flatmates in 2013 with new vocalist Lisa Bouvier and releasing their very first self-titled studio album in 2020. -Bruce Novak
We recommend listening along over at our Spotify page. Here’s this week’s content: