Last Minute Plans: Geronimo! At Fireside Bowl

By Sarah Cobarrubias in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 22, 2010 4:40PM

The guys from Geronimo! originally hail from Rockford, and it shows. The now Chicago-based trio creates the type of skuzzy rock hazed over with a layer of gritty distortion that sounds like it came from Illinois’ grittiest city. But this isn’t a bad thing, and though their sound is grungy, they balance it nicely by infusing melodic pop and psychedelic rock.

We caught them at Schubas last April for the record release show of their debut LP, Fuzzy Dreams. We were originally there to see headliners Kid, You’ll Move Mountains, but Geronimo! stole the show with a passionate performance and an uncontrollable fervor. Much of their set was taken straight from the album, which also contained a dynamic energy, mixing together lengthy psychedelic jams like “Table Legs” and “Battery Acid Moustache” that you can put you in a daze with vigorous, somewhat poppy tracks like “Approaching the Skyline” and “Judgment Day.”

The album is a winner, but this band must be seen live to be truly appreciated. Watch the expression of frontman KJ Blaze’s face as he shout-sings into the mic, the delirious mile-wide smile of keyboardist Ben Grigg and the wildly flailing arms of drummer Matt Schwerin, and you’ll know just what we mean. Check them out tonight at Fireside Bowl (oh, memories), along with locals Bust!, Warren Franklin and The Please and Thank Yous.

Geronimo! Performs Tonight, Tuesday, June 22 at Fireside Bowl, 2648 W Fullerton, 7pm, $8, 17+