The Yolks are a Chicago punk group. Ta-da! There isn’t much to say past that. They’re not casting punk into revolutionary hyperspace, nor screwing punk over by crossing the “cool” line over to “lazy.” The Yolks seem to have a simple approach to their music: play well, have fun and make everyone kick-dance till it hurts. Their music is so unassuming, it’s impossible to hate them.
Singer Aaron Stringer’s voice is eerily similar to Julian Casablancas of The Strokes, with comparable muffled meowing techniques. The group is also a fan of distortion of all kinds, as it affects almost every aspect of their music. It perfectly accompanies the laidback garage-band sound, adding to the grind of their fast-moving grooves.
Seems like reason enough to check out their show at The Empty Bottle, right? Sure. Another reason, however, is to see if they live up to their own hype. Their website boasts that they turn “every show they play at into a party, and every party into [a] riot.” (Maureen Clancy)
August 19 at The Empty Bottle, 1035 North Western, (773) 276-3600, 10pm. $8.
What’s Lost Is Profound: A Preview of Ryley Walker at The Empty Bottle Most of the tracks from Dave Matthews’ unreleased album have long been accessible online, and it’s revelatory to hear, for instance, Walker’s more nuanced take on “Grace Is Gone,” the rhythmic sophistication and jazz-infused sax line he brings to “Big Eyed Fish,” and his hauntingly beautiful vocals on “Grey Street."
Last Punks Standing: A Preview of Mekons at Hideout Mekons have endured by refusing to adhere to anyone's ideas regarding what is and isn't punk rock (which is in and of itself a defiantly punk attitude).
Still Breathtaking: A Preview of Sting at Ravinia Festival Sting's solo catalog boasts more than a dozen studio albums. He may not rack up the hit singles like he once did, but he remains a compelling writer, musician and performer.
The Yolks are a Chicago punk group. Ta-da! There isn’t much to say past that. They’re not casting punk into revolutionary hyperspace, nor screwing punk over by crossing the “cool” line over to “lazy.” The Yolks seem to have a simple approach to their music: play well, have fun and make everyone kick-dance till it hurts. Their music is so unassuming, it’s impossible to hate them.
