06 Nov 22 - She Wants Revenge

Hey, blogspot readers, it’s a rare Sunday night adventure around town for SouthSide .and already it began with a drunk toss-out of a patron at Metro before the show. Yet, with a quick clean-up, it was back to normal as fashionably dressed Goth fans eagerly awaited for She Wants Revenge to headline the stage after opening performances by The Chameleons and D’Arcy.

D’Arcy’s haunting rhythmic crescendos from the electronic keyboards and vocals intrigued this reviewer’s senses as well as her ears, blogspot readers. Currently celebrating the release of her first album (Congrats!), this solo artist wowed the audience with her mesmerizing melodies that were almost lullaby-like …a luring siren’s call before becoming more soothing within its rhythm to add more emphasis to the lyrics and voice. There was a moment in which SouthSide wasn’t certain about adding the electric guitar riffs causing her to wonder the instrument would overpower what was already a solid haunting vibe D’Arcy created. Yet, in the end, blogspot readers, this reviewer was wrong. The electric guitar sound worked as long as the riffs weren’t allowed to takecenter stage over the artist’s music. SouthSide highly recommends checking out this siren-songstress live at her next show and you can find D’Arcy at http://www.thedarcyshow.com.

 

  The Chameleons

Ah …a piece of SouthSide’s teen post punk years was relived on the Metro stage tonight, blogspot readers, when she finally saw The Chameleons perform a rather unusual acoustic set since their guitarist was unable to be there. It was a long repertoire classic songs with a bit of backstories as lead vocalist/guitarist Mark Burgess took the audience down an 80s memory lane. Songs like Soul in Isolation which channeled a bit of The Doors’ The End and The Beatles’ Eleanor Rigby  and Pleasure and Pain, The Chameleons was a delight for this reviewer however not so much for many others in the audience around her who grew tired of their long set. In her honest opinion, there should have been less talking and more performance since this set did overran She Wants Revenge’s headlining start time. Those blogspot readers in the UK are lucky to have the extreme chance to see The Chameleons live starting in December …Chicago fans won’t be able to see them again until Oct 3, 2023. For more information, go to http://www.thechameleons.com.

She Wants Revenge

The moment finally arrived, blogspot readers, for She Wants Revenge to take command of the stage amidst the rousing cheers and applause from their eager fans when the lights dimmed to an eerie redness. Yes, SouthSide did join in their excitement since she missed their last Chicago performance after discovering this band from the fifth season of American Horror Story episode one that featured the hit song – Tear You Apart (the very hot and steamy Lady Gaga four-way sex scene). She Wants Revenge was a duo back then however currently the band is now a quintet without skipping a single beat with their new members. Retaining the same dark, moody sound in songs like Red Flags and Long Nights (SouthSide’s current favorite song on repeat), These Things and Little Stars (number two on SouthSide’s favorite list), SWR easily as well as instantly matched their fans’ enthusiasm and energy even though it seemed to this reviewer the band was rushing through its set. Perhaps because The Chameleons overran their acoustic performance with too much chatter. Fans of the early Depeche Mode, Joy Division and The Bravery would definitely have no problem losing themselves into She Wants Revenge techno dance wave music and vocals by Justin Warfield. There were moments SouthSide found herself lost amongst some of the lyrics likening them to tortured love prose to any Edgar Allen Poe poetry. Songs like Sister (“…you better lie down ‘cause the angels watching / She closed her eyes and said with talking / You can hurt me do whatever you like…”) or Written in Blood (“…On the way to the wedding / Dressed in black, he said / Sorry lover but you can’t look back / Oh no she goes / Oh no she goes / Slow down baby keep your eyes on the road…”) or Red Flags and Long Nights (“…You can occupy my every sigh / You can rent a space inside my mind / At least until the price becomes too high…”) had this reviewer wondering who this mysterious “she” was, blogspot readers, to revenge Justin’s heart and mind . Yet, this is one mystery that should remain unsolved. SouthSide highly recommends checking out She Wants Revenge live while the band is currently on tour. For more information, visit http://www.shewantsrevenge.com.

 

Until next time, blogspot readers, support your local scene,

SouthSide

30 Oct 21 - Nocturna's All Hallows Eve Ball

Ah, creatures of the night ...what beautiful music they make, blogspot readers ...however in this blog, they were fashionably dressed to be seen at Chicago's famous Metro music venue for the annual All Hallows Eve Ball!

 

Everyone was in a festive mood and spirit after spending a year doing this annual dance party virtually. Decked out in their finest costume plumage or clothes, this annual party where everyone is inclusive no matter the gender identity or pronoun preferred, sexual orientation, etc was hosted by the "Mayor of Schaumburg" aka William Faith and his lovely wife, "First Lady of Schaumburg" aka DJ Scary Lady Sarah. 

Under the foggy mist and spooky web trappings, Nocturna attendees young and old danced to club favorites by Siouxsie and The Banshees, The Ministry, She Wants Revenge, Scary Bitches - just to name a few ...some were deep cuts while others were rarities before doing a crowd participation of Time Warp from The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

 

 

It was a fun time, blogspot readers, for SouthSide as she danced til dawn.

Here are some of the highlights from Nocturna's All Hallows Eve Ball 2021...

 

 

 

 

If you missed this Nocturna event, not to fret, blogspot readers. The next event is scheduled for December 11 at Metro. It's 18+ and ID with vaccination card / negative Covid test proof is required for entry.

 

Until next time, support your local scene,

SouthSide