Things to do, eat, see and love this weekend and beyond

Outer Minds record release show at Empty Bottle

Outer Minds “Bohemian Grove” from Chris Anderson on Vimeo.

Before you get gussied up for Easter with your family, make the most out of your Saturday night and head to the Empty Bottle for a FREE show (with RSVP) celebrating the record release of Chicago favorites Outer Minds. Their first LP, Bloodshot Eyes, has been eagerly anticipated, and other great locals Mannequin Men, Radar Eyes and Summer Girlfriends are also on the bill to keep the party going. To RSVP for free entry into the show, simply email rsvp@emptybottle.com by midnight the night before with your name . 

By Zach Braun

I dunno how the hell they did it, but Chicago’s Outer Minds have somehow managed to come up with a debut LP that sounds like it came right out of Los Angeles, circa 1966. Lots of bands cite the Nuggets compilations as an influence, but it’s rare when one actually nails the spirit and sound so perfectly without drifting into stuffy, overly reverential hero worship. These kids have got the energy and record collections to put most garage rock bands to shame.

Each of these ten tracks pour from the grooves like hundreds of crucial rock n’ roll songs poured from the clubs and hit factory studios of southern California in the mid-60s. LA garage bands were always a bit more showy and professional than their grittier midwestern and southern counterparts, as shown by Rhino’s excellent Where The Action Is: LA Nuggets box set, and Outer Minds are no different. They sacrifice the punk edge for the jangly guitar sounds of Arthur Lee & Love, and replace snarly shouts with layers of cavernous harmonies nicked from sunshine pop acts like the Association and the Mamas & The Papas. That combination makes for a dense, joyous sound that is pure, sun-kissed pop psychedelia.

The band’s real secret strength are the vocals of Mary and Gina (no last names here), who “ooh” and “aah” all over album stand-out “Gimme a Reason” before coming together with vocalist/guitarist Zach on a chorus that hits like a ton of bricks. In case you had any doubts to the band’s influences, check out closing track “The Road”, which steals its stomping groove from the Blues Magoos’ classic cover of “Tobacco Road” before blasting off into a instrumental freak-out that would have packed the dance floor of Sunset Strip club Pandora’s Box back in the day.

This LP kinda blew my mind a little bit. When I first heard it, I posted every video I could find on Facebook, texted my friends at SXSW to tell them to see Outer Minds live, and begged to review it for GET BENT. It’s my favorite album of the year so far, so definitely pick up a copy from Southpaw Records.

Outer Minds - Gimme a Reason

By Paul Blawat

In continuing our Tour Tuesday series, here are a few upcoming shows to check out at a venue near you. This edition features dates from Outer Minds, Bare Wires, and Pierced Arrows. For more tour dates, we’re sure you’ll find something of interest here.

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