Real to reel

Local observations from a movie, music buff

Three bands with promise:
Matt and Kim, Office and Backyard Tire Fire

By Dan Ochwat

The chorus repeats the word “Yeah” 38 times — and in the most infectious way possible. With their song “Yeah Yea,” Brooklyn duo Matt and Kim have a hit on their hands, and they’re just one of the bands I look forward to seeing more from in 2007.

Matt plays the keyboard, Kim plays the drums. Together, with two instruments, they play guilty-pleasure pop music. The song “Yeah Yea” is destined to be in a TV commercial, and their debut album includes nine other simple, fun tunes. Go to their website www.mattandkimmusic.com to buy the record. You won’t find it in local record stores, but it’s worth the order.

The best way to describe the music: When I hear Matt’s whiny voice and his up-tempo keyboard, it’s as if Daniel Johnston did find the woman of his dreams and lived a happy life.

This amateurish, bubbly couple has so much energy, when I saw them early this year at a tiny show at The Abbey Pub, the tallest man in the room ripped off his shirt and moved his shoulders in a mesmerizing manner. It would have made a contortionist blush. Oh, and kids were stage diving. That’s a sign of infectious music. I hope they come through Chicago in ’07; I hope their album picks up steam in the coming year.

Another band I’m excited to hear more from is the local outfit Office. They recently played at Schubas’ Tomorrow Never Knows Festival and were the brightest band that night. It’s another pop rock specialty band that will have you moving your shoulders like you never thought you could. They recently signed to Scratchie/New Line Records and have an LP coming out in May titled “The Ritz.”

This band has been playing Chicago for some time, but I kept missing them. They also had an earlier album out that somehow missed my radar. It’s three cute girls, two cute guys, all in slick business attire playing catchy jams. Lead singer Scott Masson did tell me the new album is expected to have some “remixed, remastered, improved,” songs and some new songs, as well. Can’t wait.

From Office to labelmates Robbers on High Street, this New York band also has an upcoming album being released in ’07. I saw the Spoon-esque band play a great show in New York (with Office) this December, and they were good enough to lure Smashing Pumpkins legend James Iha to the show. I hope they swing through Chicago.

At the recent New Year’s Day Hold Steady concert, lead singer Craig Finn was the epitome of hungover. Hair a mess, voice gone, he played through the House of Blues show like a champ. It was an excellent way to start off the new year with my favorite band from last year. However, Chicago-based Sybris took the stage before them and stole the show for me. The band played some new tracks, and one song, titled “Oh Man!,” had me jonesing for a new album of psychedelic pop. Let’s look for one in ’07.

Backyard Tire Fire

Knowing that I’m always calling for local groups to send me music, Bloomington, Ill.-based band Backyard Tire Fire sent me their debut full-length CD, “Vagabonds and Hooligans.” The roots rock group is having a record release show at the Double Door, Feb. 17, and I’d say they’re definitely worth seeing.

Generally, when I come across an alt-country band, I hesitate. You see, there can only be one Wilco. However, Backyard Tire Fire could certainly open for Wilco one day.

The second track on the album, “Undecided,” sounds very much influenced by the downstate Illinois legends. For me though, the lead track, and title track, “Vagabonds and Hooligans,” is the strongest song. A sweet, acoustic track with some ambient touches, I found myself singing it well after I went through the whole album.

The song calls out to Wayne Coyne (lead singer of The Flaming Lips), and he definitely has had some influence on BTF, down to The Flaming Lips patented buzzing beats that can be found on songs. There are also notes of Neil Young on the album.

While there are a few bar band-sounding tracks on the album (the songs “Tom Petty” and “Green Eyed Soul” come to mind), BTF is more than a bar band. If hailing from Bloomington, Ill., surely they’ve played the bars at Illinois State University. It’s those tracks that I could do without, but overall, it’s a promising debut.

In concert

Check out Grizzly Bear (see the interview on the next page) 2/9 at Subterranean and check out Backyard Tire Fire 2/17 at Double Door.

Other upcoming shows: A great lineup at the Abbey Pub 1/26 includes My Bloody Valentine-esque Asobie Seksu with The Appleseed Cast. The lead singer sounds like a puppet to some, but they make some good music — Deerhoof plays Metro 1/27. One of the best songwriters and guitar players, M. Ward plays Park West 1/29. A great double-bill Thunderbirds Are Now! team up with Oxford Collapse 1/31 at Subterranean. Expect an energetic rock show.

On 2/2, female vocalist bands Camera Obscura and The Essex Green play Logan Square Auditorium. I’m not loving the new album, but always love to see them live, The Shins play Congress Theatre 2/10. On Valentine’s Day, Fleetwood Mac-sounding Midlake is at Schubas.

A band that makes gorgeous music, Sparklehorse comes to The Metro 2/21. The next day, buzz band Annuals play Schubas. Quirky singer/songwriter Bright Eyes is back on the road, playing Metro 2/23. Another singer-songwriter, Denison Witmer hits the Beat Kitchen 2/25. Finally, one of my favorite albums of ’06 belonged to heavy Sub Pop band The Thermals, who play with The Big Sleep 2/28 at Subterranean.

Keep sending me your music or anything else on your mind at danochwat@hotmail.com. I’ve also joined the MySpace army, so give The Real Chicago some love at http://www.myspace.com/danochwat

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