Stu Brooks' power stance. Photo credit: Katelyn Bogucki

At the November 21st Dub Trio show, the crowd was thin, possibly because the band had already played Chicago several times this year. Although the initial hype may have settled, those in attendance seemed to be actively anticipating the band's third Subterranean appearance in 2008.

I did not arrive in time to see local groups Rollo Tornasi and Lorus, but I did see all of Goes Cube’s set and was very impressed with the drummer, Kenny Appell, whose arresting fills and double bass certainly make him the heart of the band.

Goes Cube's set was comprised of drum-driven heavy grooves, accented with rapid guitar riffs. David Obuchowski's vocals were a little distracting, as the instrumentation was so solid that words seemed unnecessary.

After Goes Cube, the lights dimmed and the reverberated samples started. People rushed the stage and those upstairs lined the railing to watch as Dub Trio's bassist Stu Brooks, guitarist DP Holmes, and drummer Joe Tomino took the stage. By the middle of their first song, the crowd was entranced as Dub Trio reminded them of how good instrumental music can be.

Watching this band is more of an experience than a performance. The way they transcend genre, blending rock, psychedelic and electronic samples together, and manipulate their instruments on stage is an incredible aural experience.

The responses from the audience were as varied as the songs themselves. The heavy riffs activated a mosh pit while other parts had people nodding their heads with the drums. One guy in the front laid his head on the speaker and closed his eyes, soothed by the bands fluid instrumentals.

Whenever a song ended, it was disorienting, like being suddenly awoken in the middle of a good dream. But once the applause subsided and they played their sample, the dream continued.

Dub Trio produced quite a musical encounter; their solid musicianship and the audience's engagement in the show is uncommon at concerts. This is why the modest turnout is confusing; something like this does not get old after repeated viewings.

- Katelyn Bogucki

Dub Trio: www.dubtrio.com
Goes Cube: myspace.com/goescube

Dub Trio, photo by Bryan Sheffield

Heading the "mustn't miss" portion of our weekend, ALARM cover artists Dub Trio return to Chicago. If we have enough time (or the ability to clone ourselves), we hope to also catch Th' Legendary Shack Shakers, Calexico, the Melvins, Big Business, and a number of other musical talents.

Thursday, November 20

Melvins, Big Business @ Reggie's

When would music editor Jamie Ludwig ever miss an opportunity to see the Melvins? Big Business also crushes as a drum-and-bass two-piece, and it seems that these groups haven't missed an opportunity to play together since the members of BB joined their powerful forebears.

Murder by Death, William Elliot Whitmore @ Metro

Minimalist singer/songwriter William Elliot Whitmore has an unmistakable voice. Armed with a banjo, a guitar, and his crackling, heartbreaking numbers, Whitmore fills one of the city's prestigious medium-size venues with the alt-country/gothic/rock sound of Murder by Death (a group that is named after the underrated 1976 film of the same name).

Friday, November 21

Dub Trio @ Subterranean

Released in January, Another Sound is Dying was a unanimous selection by our editors for ALARM's year-end list of favorites. Dub Trio's first full-length release for Ipecac cranked the instrumentalists' dub/rock amalgamations to a new level of heaviness, leaving jaw-dropped listeners in its wake. The group's live performance is not to be missed. Brooklyn three-piece Goes Cube opens with a dose of über-heavy rock and roll.

Read music editor Jamie Ludwig's cover story on Dub Trio.

Th' Legendary Shack Shakers @ Double Door

Led by vocalist / harmonica player JD Wilkes, Th' Legendary Shack Shakers lay down a psychobilly punk sound that touches on alt-country, blues, and polka. Seeing the group should be a raucous good time, and we're hoping to make it across the street from Subterranean to Double Door in time to catch the group's set.

Calexico @ Metro

Maybe we can clone ourselves (twice) to be at all three of these shows. Southwestern folk group Calexico tours again in support of its beautiful new album, Carried to Dust.

Saturday, November 22

Alfonso Ponticelli, Goran Ivanovic, Andreas Kapsalis, Jamie Gallagher, and Katerina @ Katerina's

A group of local talents gather for the Annual Dionysian Wine Fest at Katerina's. Known separately for their takes on swinging Gypsy jazz, Mediterranean music, and classical guitar, the members of this group should create a stirring blend of influences.

Cleaning

Sometimes spring cleaning gets delayed by 6-8 months. Sometimes online editor Scott Morrow moves and doesn't feel like unpacking his boxes.

Sunday, November 23

Dan Lippel with the International Contemporary Ensemble @ Uncommon Ground

Traveling from New York, experimental classical guitarist Dan Lippel joins the Chicago chapter of the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE) for some innovative chamber music. This show celebrates the release of a new ICE album on New Focus Recordings with a free performance.

Calexico

Jimmy Carl Black, the original drummer of Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention, has passed away at the age of 70 after a fight with lung cancer.

All Tomorrow's Parties has announced a new festival, scheduled for May 15-17, 2009 in Minehead. The fest will be curated by The Breeders and tickets are already on sale.

In other ATP news, '90s doom-metal group Sleep will reunite to play the series' next festival in Minehead, taking place earlier in May of 2009.

Interested parties can watch a free streaming video of Calexico's Southwestern folk from a 23-song performance in Amsterdam.

Genre-leaping identical twins and instrumentalists Nels Cline (guitar: Nels Cline Singers, Wilco) and Alex Cline (drums/percussion: The Alex Cline Ensemble, Tim Berne) are each releasing a solo album on Cryptogramophone on February 10, 2009. Follow the link for a sample track from each.

Technically assailing math-metal Relapse artists Dysrythmia have booked shows for February with labelmates Tombs.

Hard-hitting Brooklyn trio Goes Cube will have a limited-edition EP for sale on its upcoming Midwest and East Coast tour dates, some of which are paired with ALARM cover favorites Dub Trio.

Unsigned jam/groove duo Family Order has made all of its excellent upcoming album available for free download.

Funky jazz guitarist Will Bernard has begun a handful of West Coast tour dates with his trio.

Deftones bassist Chi Cheng is hospitalized and in serious condition after being involved in a car accident.