Like a fine cheap beer, Chicago’s Rabble Rabble hasn’t disappeared from the music scene, they’ve simply aged to perfection (that’s how beer works, right?).
After their last show in 2016, each member of the band went their separate ways (Couple II, Plastic Crimewave Syndicate, and Bleach Party, to name a few). It seems that was all the time it took for them to see the light and reunite–even if just for one night–and we’re happy to see them return to one of our favorite haunts, The Empty Bottle.
Matt Ciarleglio, guitarist of Rabble Rabble, answered a few burning questions we’ve been waiting three years to ask:
What were you listening to that inspired Rabble’s music compared to what you’re into these days?
Thinking back to our last two albums (Brain Hole 2014, Composure 2016) I was listening to a lot of Danzig, Motorhead, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and the like. Lot’s of 80’s “I’m on speed” music. This was also right around when I started getting more into classical/spanish guitar so I was listening to a lot of that stuff as well. In the last few years I’ve gotten really into world, lounge, afrobeat, new sound, afropop, jazz, and samba. Rim Kwaku Obeng, Pasteur Lappe, Deodato, Mulatu Astatke, that kind of shit. I love it.
If you could go back to one “era” or “sound” of Rabble Rabble what would it be?
2011 – 2016. That was when we were the tightest. Touring, playing a ton of shows, and writing new songs, it was essentially a non-stop party for five years. From 2010-2011, we played something like 180 shows. It sounds incredibly tiring now, but it was fun as hell back then.
What was it like rehearsing these songs again for the first time in some years? Did everything click right back into place or was there some rust to shake off?
When we first got back in the rehearsal space it felt like no time had past at yet we’ve all changed and grown up so much. It was more like “Here we are. Again.”. There was definitely some rust but as hard as we may have tried to forget these songs, they are still floating around our brains. It was just a matter of pulling them out of whatever dark corner they were dormant in and getting that muscle memory back.
What Midwestern bands are you into these days?
Platinum Boys (Milwaukee) and DANA (Columbus) are the first that come to mind. For Chicago, I would say my favorites are Meat Wave, DIM, Oozing Wound, Spun Out, HITTER, Melkbelly, and obviously the bands we’re playing with on the 28th: the Sueves, PEEL, Vamos, and Absolutely Not.
Is this reunion a one-off event or can we expect more shows and maybe some new music soon?
Let’s just say it’s a one-off but who the Christ really knows? I never thought we would do a reunion show, but here we are!
You’ve all got various new projects these days, how has your time in Rabble Rabble informed the music you’re making today?
Being in Rabble was very informative for me. I learned the Do’s and Don’ts of booking shows, playing shows, and playing music with other people. I made a lot of mistakes but that’s part of the learning curve, right? As a musician I think it’s important to never get to comfortable with one style or mode of execution otherwise you’ll end up stagnant and boring. But I guess some people like boring music? Oh, well.
Have the holes in your brains finally begun to heal in the three- or four-year break?
Ehhh…. Yes and no. Ten years of Rabble Rabble have probably done irreparable damage to my brain/liver, but I am actually very happy and healthy these days! I believe I can say the same for Ralph, Kaylee, and Drew.
How did the idea of a reunion show come about? Was it always the plan to have the show benefit a great local cause like Resilience Chicago?
We had been throwing the idea around for a couple months just for fun and then got a date at Empty Bottle. At first we were planning on making a bunch of money but I got to thinking about how fucked up the world is and thought it better to have a benefit. Fuck money (I say as I buy some shit from Amazon). Resilience Chicago does so many incredible things for the Chicago community. They are super heroes! Give them your money!
What was your most memorable show and why does it stand out among the rest?
Oh, god… There are so many. We have played with some really amazing bands. Guitar Wolf, Murder City Devils, DEATH, Wooden Shjips, Melt-Banana, Screaming Females, JEFF the Brotherhood, to name a few.
I think the most memorable ones were our more DIY shows. One time we were playing at a loft in Pilsen and it was about 2am by the time we actually started playing so everyone was very loose. This guy in a bunny costume started slam dancing into me and grabbing my mic so we started fighting. I’m thinking, “God, I’m fighting the fucking Easter Bunny right now,” and I turn around and everyone else in the band is also fighting someone. It was chaos.
There was also a few month stint where we couldn’t even play anywhere in Chicago ’cause the cops would show up and shut us down.
Another good one was the Brain Hole Record release show in 2014. Some friends of ours (you know who you are) came up to the stage as we were getting ready to play and shoved a large handful of a certain kind of mushroom in my mouth. Needless to say, during that particular set I thought my guitar was a Christmas Tree and the stage was a pit of venomous snakes.
There has been so much debauchery in Rabble Rabble, it’s hard to pick just one.
What took you so long?! We’ve been dying for a reunion forever…
Sorry 😇
Are you as fuckin’ pumped as we are to have Rabble Rabble back on stage at the Empyy Bottle?
Hell yeah we are excited! Not only are we excited to play some weird old songs, but it’ll be nice to see old and new friends alike coming together for a good cause.
Catch Rabble Rabble’s reunion alongside local scene heavy-hitters Vamos, PEEL, and the Sueves, at The Empty Bottle on October 28th. RSVP here.