Good Party

A Bad Party show in Chicago always seems to have a dark cloud hovering over it but this time you cannot blame the band. Ghost Ice was a last-minute cancellation, which was definitely disappointing, as I have not yet heard Jeremy over the Empty Bottle PA. As a late-breaking substitution, Anthony Miller -- AKA Dirty Tony, AKA Hazmat, AKA the original Detroit upsetter -- joined Miss NC onstage. Dirty Chambers? Not a bad name. A relatively quick set of electronic frequencies and distorted minimal tones. Something to warm up the ears. Bad Party completed their increasingly high-volume set with no less than two covers; The Smiths and AC/DC. Michael's muscular and distorted bass really rose through the mix nicely. Nate overcame acid-burned throat to deliver his caustic vocals. The pair seemed to deliver on the promise of the hardened blend of noise punk/synth punk better than ever. They lived in some dark place between blown out bootlegs of Big Black, Suicide, and dare I say it -- since I have been combing through such things lately -- really early The Sisters of Mercy live shows and demos. Nah, Bad Party did not go goth, but if you have ever paid attention to the primitive DR-55 drum programming on early TSOM, you get what I mean. Our Brother the Native wrapped up the night. Some of the loops and textures sounded nice -- sort of what I expected from hearing some stuff online -- but the greater songs that unfolded were not really my thing. It had a lighter, prettier "vibe" than I would want after seeing Bad Party. The night wrapped up with a late diner session so that Isidro, James, and I, could continue the recording discussion...