RECOMMENDED How many times can you see The Waco Brothers before you’re sick of ’em? Relax, it’ll never happen; your boot-stomping, whiskey-slurping, hellfire honky-tonkin’ times are safe with Chicago’s favorite alt-punk pioneers. The week preceeding New Year’s Eve is traditionally dead—the upside is that local venues open their stages to our best local talent, and we really can’t think of any touring band we’d rather get drunk with, anyway. Spearheaded by Jon Langford, The Waco Brothers unleash with a distinctive take on country-tinged punk. First time listeners will recognize a little Pogues, a dash of Springsteen and the political leanings of Billy Bragg, but it doesn’t take long to realize that The Waco Brothers are anything but imitators. Notorious for clever Bush jabs, the group has even cheekily thanked Dubya in their liner notes, “For all the material.” You’d expect a band with such sardonic politics to spend time sermonizing, but the only thing The Waco Brothers preach involves guitar-driven, well-soused country-fried rock. (K. Tighe)
The Waco Brothers play December 28-29 at Schubas, 3159 North Southport, (773)525-2508, at 10pm. $12-$14.
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