Scott Lucas And The Hideout Holiday Music Hour
By Michele Lenni in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 17, 2010 9:20PM
Photo credit: Audrey kelleR phoTography
As the holiday fast approaches we've been so busy between shopping, baking, not to mention recovering from the Chicagoist holiday Festivus, that our heads haven't stopped spinning since Thanksgiving. Now is the time we decided to take a small break and actually enjoy the season with one of our favorite local acts here at Chicagoist, Scott Lucas and the Married Men. Most of you probably know Lucas from his days in the two-man, riff heavy institution known as Local H. Then of course there were his days in the Chicago electro-infused super-group The Prairie Cartel. Through these projects we've come to expect a certain sonic aesthetic from Lucas: piercing guitar, impassioned vocals and a general gut wrenching, foot stomping brand of rock n' roll. Lucas and his Married Men are a definite departure from that music. A kinder, gentler and definitely folkier sound is what drives this project, and we got to say, we love it.
Saturday at The Hideout Scott Lucas and the Married Men will present The Hideout Holiday Music Hour, which will feature not only Lucas and his merry crew, but a vast array of guest performers bringing holiday cheer to all those in the audience. Lucas has fashioned this musical variety show after one of our favorite National Public Radio programs, A Prairie Home Companion. "At first we were only going to do a couple of Christmas songs, but we got carried away," explains Lucas. "We wanted to fashion a show after olde tyme Christmas radio specials -- like A Prairie Home Companion -- but also with an almost Opry-type of vibe. And, The Hideout is perfect for that." We have to say, we totally agree. There is probably no better venue in this city of our's then Hideout for such a production. In addition to the many guests that will grace the stage Lucas has lined up an expanded string section to their already abundant line-up, which usually consists of seven and includes organ, accordion and violin. The group will perform half a dozen Holiday classics, including Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, Child's Christmas In Wales, and Do They Know It's Christmas? They will also be accompanied by singer Elizabeth Elmore, who appears on the band's debut album, George Lassos the Moon, released earlier this year. We have to say, we can't really find a better way to spend a Saturday then listening to holiday classics, sipping a brew and being around some of the best musicians Chicago has to offer.
Scott Lucas and the Married Men perform Saturday, December 18 at The Hideout, 1354 W Wabansia, 9 p.m., $8, 21+