Last Minute Plans: Rainbow Danger Club At The Whistler
By Samantha Abernethy in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 1, 2012 8:20PM
Rainbow Danger Club
Rainbow Danger Club is a Shanghai-based band of Americans, embarking on their first U.S. tour. Their first ever Chicago show is a free show tonight at The Whistler. In fact, our pals over at Shanghaiist have known the talent of Rainbow Danger Club for years. It's comprised of four men who went to Shanghai to teach, and they took their summer to embark on a tour to simultaneously visit with friends and family.
Bass and keyboard player Dennis Ming Nichols describes their sound as "a mix between Arcade Fire and Pink Floyd." Munson says the conceptual inspiration came from fantasy—a Jules Verne story in music: what would it sound like?
"I think that kind of world is kind of attractive," Munson said, "a little bit old timey, a little bit where the physics is not quite right and full of adventure, and slightly childish, but there's some scary moments."
Munson said the band isn't influenced as much by current American music trends, having been insulated in China in the last few years. That adds to their inspiration to build a fantasy world, as do their jobs teaching children. The great equalizer of the internet has helped them spread their own sound internationally, though.
The band describes the Shanghai music scene as very open and dynamic, still in the developing stages. They say many of the bands have members from other countries, and the international elements show in their music. Nichols said, "There are instruments at bars, and you don't have to bring your own instruments. You can just show up and play a gig." If you're interested in hearing other bands from the Shanghai music scene, here are some bands they suggest: X is Y, Duck Fight Goose and Stegosaurus? (the question mark is intentional).
Rainbow Danger Club is Jesse Munson on lead vocals, guitar and keyboard; Dennis Ming Nichols on bass, keyboard and percussion; Michael Corayer on trumpet and Michael Ford on drums.
Rainbow Danger Club plays with Labors at The Whistler, 2421 N. Milwaukee, tonight at 10 p.m. Free
Special thanks to Jenn Freeman for this interview.