If International Pop Overthrow founder David Bash doesn’t mind copping a Monty Python catchphrase, he could introduce each of Tuesday night’s acts by saying, “And now for something completely different.” It should be an unusual and entertaining evening. International Pop Overthrow runs through this Saturday, May 3 at Montrose Saloon on Chicago’s north side.
Somerville, MA vocalist-keyboards player Captain Easychord (Tom Despres) appears to have taken his stage name from the title of a 2001 Stereolab EP, and has notched airplay on Tufts University radio station WMFO. Songs such as “I Got My Act Together” and “My Blind Shrink” find him setting humorous observations to easygoing rock arrangements. Eight-member Chicago area band Transference released their debut EP 100 Mirrors a little over a year ago, with vocalist-keyboards player Laura Hollingsworth and bass player MJ Johnson writing all six tracks. Paranormal elements are woven through their indie rock arrangements, along with themes of social justice and environmental preservation. The Oh Boys, whose Facebook page lists their location as Chicago, Philadelphia, and Vancouver, expertly tap into vintage rock and roll, and then tweak that era with their own offbeat sentiments. Countless musicians have promised to love someone forever, but on their 2021 single “The End Of Time,” these guys go into the gruesome details of an apocalypse, alien invasion, and global warming. The Oh Boys’ most recent release was the 2024 retro single single “Dog-A-Bone.” One last interesting note: The Oh Boys’ drummer Kieran McCabe recently spent a little over a month portraying The Kinks drummer Mick Avory in the Chicago Shakespeare Theaters’s production of Sunny Afternoon.
According to a Facebook post, Cigarette Supernova is a new side project from the catchy and humorous IPO - Chicago regulars The Unswept. The post describes the music as fuzzed-out and blissfully loud, and promises, “If you’ve ever wondered what The Pixies meeting Sonic Youth might sound like ... you’re gonna love it.” Channahon, IL quintet Space Age Zeros craft a punk rock power pop blend they correctly believe will appeal to appeal to fans of “The Ramones, Screeching Weasel, Material Issue, Cheap Trick and beyond.” Their September 2024 full length debut Strange New World features high speed gems such as “Fireworks,” “Jet Lagged,” “I Don’t Wanna Have Fun Anymore,” and a revved-up take on America’s “Sister Golden Hair.”
Check the official International Pop Overthrow website for the full Chicago 2025 schedule. You’ll also find links for most of the acts who’ll be participating this year. Even if you can’t attend in person, it’s a great way to discover new music. Many of the acts have Bandcamp pages, so it’s possible to already have some favorite songs before you even see the band perform.
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