Get 'All Funned Up' With Super Happy Fun Club

By Katie Karpowicz in Arts & Entertainment on May 17, 2013 7:00PM

Photo courtesy Super Happy Fun Club

If you consider yourself even a novice fan of Chicago's pop punk scene then Stubhy Pandov's voice should be one that stands out to you. When Chicagoist listened to Super Happy Fun Club's debut album All Funned Up, his vocals were instantly recognizable.

But Pandov, frontman of similar sounding mainstay Chicago act Lucky Boys Confusion, isn't the only vet in this band. Guitarist Phil Kosch played in the now defunct, formerly relatively successful Treaty of Paris. Other members of SHFC were once on the rosters of bands like The Waiting Game and Close enough. Saying this is a Chicago "super group" might be a stretch but if you're looking for a solid display of our city's pop punk sound, look no further.

With a sugary name like Super Happy Fun Club you might assume this band is all nauseatingly shallow sing-a-longs. Take one listen to any of SHFC's songs though and you'll quickly realize the name is blatantly tongue in cheek. Too sarcastic to be considered emo, but too introverted to come off as radio-friendly pop, All Funned Up is a sometimes harsh, always honest look at relationships, defining success, growing out of your 20s and life in general.

A healthy dose of keyboards and poppy hooks keep the album from being a total down though. The chorus to "Plus One" reminds us of songs we used to sing into our hairbrushes in front of the mirror during our high school days and will undoubtedly be stuck in our heads all weekend long.

The new album drops Saturday, May 18, and you can celebrate at the band's super happy, super fun record release show that night at Lincoln Hall. Tickets are still available for $10. If you can't wait a day, check out the band's debut EP Go Fun Yourself as a primer.