Bongripper Flyer Doubles As Illicit How-To Guide

By Jon Graef in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 24, 2010 6:40PM

At the very least, Chicago metal quartet Bongripper can’t be accused of false advertising. Albums like Hippie Killer and the group’s recently released sixth record, Satan Worshipping Doom, are filled with thick-as-molasses, cannabis-laden mix of doom and trash metal.

Tracks like "Reefer Sutherland" take their musical cues from the obvious sources without merely going through the motions. Additionally, the band possesses a self-aware humor approaching Stephen Colbert levels. (The band’s identifying pictures on their MySpace page could be described as LOLgoats).

But while Bongripper may be winking at their audience with tongue-and-cheek pop culture references, they’re also making their heads explode with instru-metal that ebbs-and-flows with an impressive musical dexterity. (For example, “Satan,” one of Doom's four ten-minute-plus opuses, and its sudden gearshift from downtempo sludge to uptempo boogie).

With all these factors in mind, we got a kick out of the band’s flyer promoting their free in-store at the Milwaukee Ave. Reckless celebrating the vinyl release of Satan Worshipping Doom. Not that we would ever condone the deplorable, reprehensible practice of smoking marijua - oh, hey there, Chicagoist Phish bootleg collection!

Bongripper, Saturday, Sept. 25, 3 p.m., Reckless Records in-store, 1532 N Milwaukee Ave., FREE.