Two for Today!

Maybe I'm making up for lost time, or maybe I just have more to say today than usual, but I wanted to write up something about some younger local bands that don't really get any attention.
I usually feel bad about not booking more younger bands, because so often they have a lot more energy than the older kids, but it's difficult to do this when the bulk of the shows you put on are for touring bands who rely on local support. Here's a few bands that are younger that I've seen or heard recently who are doing some pretty decent punk and/or hardcore.

The Freaks - Hailing from suburban Wilmette, Evanston and Glenview, and their combined age equals that of Jeff Pizatti, the Freaks are young and gritty without being at all contrived. Bosting influences such as GG Allin, the Germs, Flipper and the TV show McGyver, I think you know what you're in for.
This band played a Food Not Bombs benefit that we hosted at the the Gallery and all that we were able to hear upstairs was this booming, throbbing base and a little bit of distortion, which we thought was a guitar. Quickly, we went to tell them to turn up the guitar and turn down the bass, but what found was a drummer and a bass player, no guitarist and a vocalist who shirtless and rolling around on the dirty basement floor, with a crushed up soda can stuck in his hair. It was one of the most primitive and abrassive things I've seen in a long time and it pretty much ruled. Chris Peditto kept telling them to play slower, because they were already playing about about mid tempo, yet kids were still slam dancing, which was awesome. Once these kids are old enough to drive, I hope they tour a lot and do really well.

Shock Frot - This is another band that I found out about through the Food Not Bombs benefit. Super lofi hardcore circa 1982, played by kids who weren't even born in '82. Black Flag, Minor Threat, 7 Seconds, Gang Green... all band names that jump out at you when you hear them. Coming from Naperville, you have to wonder what these kids are angry about, but have you ever been to Naperville? I have and if I grew up there, I'd be pissed off too. Keep an eye out for them. They'll be playing in the city at least one more time this summer, I'm sure.

In Pursuit - Another band from 'burbia who is making a lot of noise. When I hear them, I think of Gang Green, Government Issue or China White, but there's also some hints of early Suicidal Tendencies and JFA floating around in the mix. 80's skate punk is making a big come back and I'm GIDDY over it. I can't think of one bad thing to say about this band at all. Solid dudes, playing solid hardcore, for the all ages crowd. They've got a ton of stuff coming up, so keep an eye out.