My goal is to see one show per week. Yes, I might be that annoying friend that just has to tell you about the thing you missed, but I’m also catching every great show in the city of Chicago–with plenty more ahead of me. Welcome to the Chicago Concert Dispatch.
At the time of this show, it is 27 weeks into the year and I have seen 115 shows.
There was soooo much Harry Potter tat in the audience. As in clothing and accessories. I had a hard time spotting any actual Potter tattoos, which I was kinda hoping to see. But I did see nerds of all ages. If there’s one thing about nerds, we are enthusiastic. Perfect for our opener, Richard Album and the Singles.
He wove a story of greed and despair and redemption using the Christmas Carol framework. Richard Album played the owner of the Beat Kitchen who cancelled the Harry and the Potters show because the “juice drinkers” at all ages shows hurt his profit margin. We saw his childhood love of music. We saw the band he started in his twenties rock out. His decision to quit his beloved band in order to make money as the owner of Beat Kitchen. We saw that in the future his cancelling of the show would lead to a dissolution of our beloved Chicago music scene. The moral of the story? That music isn’t about making money, it’s about being brought together by friendship and nerd love. If you stop valuing that community, it all falls apart. The audience was truly in from the get go. Cheering and booing and yelling out unprompted suggestions.
Throughout this story, he and his band donned costumes. Their commitment was really impressive and sold the fun. Special guest actor and friend of the band, Ian Fullerton, risked life and limb by covering his face for Ghost of Richard Present, and was the perfect, sweet, “aw shucks” voice of reason. I couldn’t help but smile at the dopey low voice keys player Jenn Romero used for the Ghost of Richards Past. Oh, and along the way they played some really great tunes. Richard Album and the Singles’ performance was punk in attitude, passion, and expressing your emotions to the max. The music roams all over indie rock pop. My two fav songs they performed were “Who’s the Boss” and “Prayer Warrior.”
Richard Album had so much genuine joy, it radiated as he played. Every gesture expressed the song in full beautiful glory. The whole band shared that joy. I will look forward to a straightforward Richard Album and the Singles set, but seeing them perform this skit is a memory that will always make me smile.
I can honestly say I was not prepared for the full force enthusiasm that was about to smack me in the face at the Beat Kitchen. It was a beautiful thing. I think brothers Paul (guitar) and Joe (keys/sax) DeGeorge found their calling when they formed Harry and the Potters. They both perform as Harry Potter, which makes sense because they stress that we can all be Harry Potter. Or Ginny. Or Ron. Or Hagrid. Or Luna. Their music is all about the message. Paul preached to the audience about the lessons we can take from Harry Potter, on how we need to go out and be a force for good in this world. About the power of love. And rock ‘n’ roll.
What’s really amazing about their music is that since the theme of Harry Potter is so strong, they can play any genre they want and still sound cohesive. It bounced all over, but the story and the enthusiasm tied it all together perfectly. Joe blasted on the sax. He jumped and kicked when playing the keys. Paul was bouncing punk attitude on the guitar. Drummer Bradley Mehlenbacher stood out even from the back of the stage. The beat was so tight and fast, he must have been enchanted. Truly impressive. He was working so hard, and it was so hot, near the end of the show someone in the audience said, “I think your drummer is going to pass out.”
Bradley smiled and assured us he was ok. It was sweaty work saving the world.
Some of the songs were silly, like in “Save Ginny Weasley” when they threw a giant stuffed basilisk into the audience, and it bounced around like a beachball might at other shows. Others are pulling the political and societal lessons; “No Pureblood Supremacy” really hits the nail on the head with power punk pop accuracy. They craft even the heaviest topics to empower. Paul told us he wants to make sure we feel invigorated and keep pushing because the world needs all of us. And then they started a conga line, singing “Luna Lovegood” set to the music of “Louie Louie.”
As the show ended there was that feeling of being wrung out, but also energized. You can check out their album recorded live at the New York Public Library. It will give you a taste for the passion from both stage and audience. But there is only one way to truly understand. Next time they come through town, I implore you to check out their show.
Richard Album and the Singles Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram
Harry and the Potters Official | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram
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