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Concert Wed Sep 19 2007
Nashville's Giant Bear Live @ Red Line Tap
Americana/roots rock/alt country (or whatever it's called this week) can easily veer into a rut deeper than delta mud. Take your generally average indie washouts, add a used steel guitar and some twang, and you have an operable, but uninspiring band. A quick listen to Giant Bear’s self-titled debut album quickly separates this kernel of wheat from the usual chaff. Their sound veers from something like a less edgy Steve Earle to Cowboy Junkies poetics, Allman-esque southern drivers to a funk based Country take on “Head Like a Hole.” This band is as improbably effective as the Decemberists but with a working-man’s blue collar rather than puffy Victorian shirts.
After touring hard behind their first album, Giant Bear hits the road again, working out new material for an upcoming release that has supposedly garnered some label interest. It’s hard to fault their concept or execution, and reviews of their live shows drip with superlatives, so their show Friday 9/21 at the Red Line Tap in Rogers Park should be a good one. After all, isn’t high concept more fun with one foot in the gutter?
[mp3] "Nashville" - Giant Bear
Giant Bear plays 10pm, Friday, 9/21 at the Red Line Tap, $5
They will also perform on WLUW's "Full on Friday" radio show at 3pm, 9/21
