On Wednesday night young Chicago-based rockers Twin Peaks played an impressive show at Mercury Lounge that proved that new generations can indeed keep rock and roll afloat. The performance came in support of their freshly released new record Wild Onion, a youthful explosion of rock and roll that you need to be spinning as soon as freaking possible.
Fellow Chicago outfit The Lemons opened the show, with a strange but lovable performance. They somehow fit all six of their members onto the tiny Mercury Lounge stage, playing simple but enjoyable tunes that may have been the happiest music imaginable (and quick – with no song laster longer than a minute). They played sugary songs about “being a lemon” and played short song about “getting ice cream” four times in a row. I couldn’t tell if they were just the happiest group ever, or if they were being cheeky. Either way, you couldn’t help but smile as they were playing.
In the past Twin Peaks have made stops in New York City alongside fellow Chicago wunderkinds, The Orwells. This makes sense; just like The Orwells, they deliver songs with classic rock influences, played with a punk rock attitude. Guitarist Cadien Lake James (who played with a cast on his foot) handles most lead vocal duties, but bassist Jack Dolan and guitarist Clay Frankel each get their own center stage moment of lead vocal duties. It’s this aspect that gives them a complete feel. Throw in the energetic drumming of Connor Brodner, and you got one hell of a combo. It’s also their ability to absolutely shred through their terrific collection of rock and roll tunes that are instantaneous and familiar in the best way possible. You’re drawn in by their grooves and become devastatingly hooked by their devilishly clever choruses. These boys know how to flat out rock. Take the freak-out rock of “Fade Away”, or the stomp of “Making Breakfast”, a song that you could mistake from being from a different era completely. Then you got “Good Lovin'” and “I Found A New Way”, two jams that would make the Stones proud.
People always talk about how rock and roll is dead, and all that nonsense. It’s not dead you fools, you’re just not looking hard enough. Young bands like Twin Peaks are here to stay, and to keep rock and roll very much alive.
Twin Peaks:
The Lemons:
Join the conversation