Concert Mon Apr 30 2012

Rabble Rabble @ Empty Bottle Tonight (Free)

[This piece comes to us from reader Rachel Angres.]

After Rabble Rabble played Psych Fest last year, it was months before anyone heard anything from them. Now, after a brief hibernation, the Chicago four-piece is returning to the stage with a free (with RSVP correction: straight up FREE) show at the Empty Bottle. Rabble Rabble is one of those bands with shameless stage theatrics, whose sound is a mix between The Kinks and Pavement in the '90s, with smoothed out sharp edges of skuzzy guitar riffs and messy yet hooking arrangements.Their live sets are exciting and at times borderline offensive ("Fuck you" is often an opening comment from the band when introducing a song). They have their shtick — performing with a tone that's abrasive and wildly unabashed. This is what they do best and they're sticking to it.

The band got their start three years ago, after they met at a DIY basement show and decided to collaborate. Tonight, Rabble Rabble will return to the live stage at the Empty Bottle, where they plan to play some new songs from their upcoming sophomore album.

Rabble Rabble may seem to have their well-conditioned careers solely focused on musicianship, but the reality is quite the opposite: they still have full-time jobs outside of playing in the band. For instance, the lead guitarist and vocalist, Ralph Darski is not only a full-time musician, but he is also a father and the co-owner of Cafe Mustache in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood. Matt Ciarleglio, fellow guitarist/vocalist and bassist is no stranger to the espresso machine, as he works at the Bourgeois Pig Cafe in Lincoln Park as well as at the Empty Bottle, where they will be headlining on April 30.

Darski and Ciarleglio claim the sound of their forthcoming album is quite different than the earlier releases. "I have early memories of my Pop playing blues/folk blues shit like Elizabeth Cotten and Son House," Darski said when asked about the influences of the band's new sound.

Rabble Rabble are known minimalists in their music-making formula. They used to record in true DIY style — playing open-mic sessions at local dive bars and composing them into live albums. Then they set up a recording studio in a barn in upstate New York after meeting some recording artists while on tour, with an 8-track tape machine and other vintage gear. Lately they've become quite savvy to the digital age, using pro-tools and transforming their style. They've been moving in all directions stylistically, since they began making music in 2009, when the four members, Ralph, Matt, Todd and drummer Kaylee Preston began performing at underground venues and basement shows.

While performing their upcoming album tonight, the band will conduct a full field auxiliary test of their new sounds on a familiar ground &mdash: the Empty Bottle — where they first began playing. The night should be, if nothing else, a reunion of like-minded DIY Lo-Fi musicians and garage rockers worth witnessing, with openers Heavy Times, and local band Lion Limb.

Rabble Rabble play with Heavy Times and Lion Limb at The Empty Bottle tonight, Monday, April 30, at 9pm. The show is free with an RSVP email sent in advance to rsvp@emptybottle.com, correction: totally FREE, just come on down. The Empty Bottle is located at 1035 N. Western Ave.

-Rachel Angres