It's no big secret that Tankboy is a little in love with local garage punk band Mr. Russia, though he's keeping quiet about their upcoming show because, well, he organized it. This might be a good opportunity play devil’s advocate and bash his beloved Mr. Russia, but damn it, they're just too good to hate. The Chicago four-piece has an undeniable knack for simple, brash, old-school punk, underscored by playfully cocky lyrics, thick bass lines and heavy drum beats. Further proof of their badassery is their ability to rock without the use of guitars (in fact they have two bassists) and a tendency to give their music away for free. more ›

We gave you our own history of local band Mr. Russia a while ago. And we enjoyed their debut they dropped waaaaay back ... earlier this year. Well, you certainly can't call them lazy (or stingy) because they've already released a follow up Training For The Gameshow Host EP (for free)! The new EP is populated by a darker and slightly more skewed vibe, and while the debut was no light affair, the group seems more menacing here. But it shows a band branching out from its more rudimentary inclinations. The EP also houses a wicked cover of Radiohead's "The National Anthem." Download your own free copy before the band comes back to it's sensed. more ›

We've already spewed forth our admiration for Chicago new-wave-punk-garage-rock quartet Mr. Russia, but we just wanted to alert you to their CD release show for their debut album -- Teething -- at Metro this Friday. To whet everyone's appetite in advance of the big day the group has cobbled together a video for lead single "Skipping Hearts." more ›

Mr. Russia is not from Russia, but you probably already guessed that. What they are from, though, is some sludgy pool that formed behind CBGB's in the late '70s, stagnated throughout the '80s, was hit by lighting in the '90s, thus creating some rudimentary lifeforms that picked up some instruments and learned to play them alongside each other at the latter end of our current decade. Mr. Russia is primitive in their pursuits, clanking out simple-minded punk rock tunes that keep running after '80s synth pop flavors only to have those sounds melt away just beyond their reach. Mr. Russia wear uniforms that are not uniforms. Their look matches their sound, or is it the other way around? Mr. Russia plays "roots rock," or they would if the term "roots rock" hadn't been appropriated by a bunch of banjo and fiiddle playing pansies when in fact "roots rock" should be used to describe rock and/or roll that yanks itself out of the ground whole and squealing like a drunkard chasing after its basest tendencies. Mr. Russia had the balls to give out their last EP as a cassette only release. Mr. Russia's forthcoming debut, Teething, is one of the sweatiest sides of rock and/or roll we've enjoyed in the recent past. more ›