I'm not entirely sure, but "Get Over It" was the only song I can recall played off the debut.
They had old wallpaper motifs and designs projected over the stage and their faces. About halfway into their set, Damain exited stage left right out the door that was a foot from the stage. Judging by how dead-tired he looked before the show, I thought Mr. Kulash was out there puking. Turns out no, just barreling around the outside of the building to surprise the beejesus out of the crowd as he jumped up on a couple of tables in front of the bar and then leapt off and back on the stage. If the ceiling wasn't so low he probably would have crowd-surfed.
Damain Kulash, lead singer with Chicago band OK GO, surprised the crowd by jumping off stage and running around the building to appear right beside them at the Big Fish Pub, Sept. 10
Photo by Temple A. Stark
Back for a crowd-urged encore, the band came on stage but did not perform again. Or rather they played "A Million Ways" for a second time, but this time on a stereo. And they "danced" in a totally silly, "You cannot take this seriously" mode which drew the biggest cheers of the night. (See a video of the same "backyard dance" here, which has been downloaded more than half a million times.)
OK GO perform the backyard dance to their song "A Million Ways" as an encore to their well-received show at the Big Fish Pub, Sept. 10
Photo by Temple A. Stark
If a band is having fun - and delivering the music, there's not much more you can ask as a fan - or a new fan. While most of the crowd seemed to have come for The Redwalls, their lead singer, 22-year-old Logan Baren, was kind of surly tonight, for whatever reason. Perhaps plagued with sound problems and not enjoying the not-much-room-to breath-much-less-move stage, he wore a heavy permanent scowl.
I convinced a couple who were going to leave after The Redwalls they'd come to hear, to "stay and you won't regret it." When I thought to turn around and look how they were doing they gave me a big thumbs up.
Go see OK GO. You won't regret it.
OTHER BANDS
Wyatt Hull, lead singer with The Colour, on stage at the Big Fish Pub, Sept. 10
Photo by Temple A. Stark
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Article comments
1 - Bob A. Booey
That looks like one hot, sweaty club.
The Redwalls are nice, really young kids (all in their early 20s) from a wealthy Chicago sburb who've been a band since their high school days, but I don't really think this band is worth the hype.
They're clearly doing retro Beatles and British invasion style rock, but it's not what's going to make them the next big thing in rock. I caught their set at Lollapalooza this year and people didn't seem to be that enthused, from the relatively small crowd and its reaction.
The Redwalls, I think, have to find their own sound and voice and I'm sure they will since they're very young guys. Hopefully, they'll still have the attention of the public and be able to profit from it as well rather than being on a small label when they find their voice.
That is all.
2 - Eric Olsen
Super, super job on this Temple - great pics, thanks! This is the sort of direct, you-are-there coverage that shows us to our best advantage.
3 - Jones Violet
That's a really great write up, Temple. I've never been to the Big Fish Pub, but it looks like my kind of place!
Wonderful photos, as well.
4 - Temple Stark
Thanks. I'm in love with the camera I had (but don't myself own). I was very pleasantly suprised. It lit up the room, this flash, no doubt helped by the sheets on the walls at the back.
5 - Connie Phillips
I really enjoyed reading this, Temple, and I loved the pictures. I know first hand just how hard concerts can be to photograph and these are great!