ReViewed: Reptoids, Das Kapital & M.O.T.O. at the Hideout

By Julene McCoy in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 20, 2006 1:45PM

Last Thursday night, Chicagoist went out to the Hideout to catch a couple of bands. We had seen Das Kapital before because we know one of the guitarists* and had heard great things about Reptoids and M.O.T.O. These three bands perfectly complemented each other more than any other show we’ve seen this year.

Reptoids opened the gig with a mix of influences from punk to blues-driven rock and metal. We were thrilled to see women up on stage that weren’t there as objects, but because they had kick-ass licks and could pound those drums. After the set, we felt as though we had been transported back to those good old days when we first stepped foot in rock clubs and had the possibilities of music other than Top 40 laid out in front of us. Their screamed lyrics and punk attitude evoke the grittiness of early L7. While not the most polished of bands, the Reptoids have that “thing” that makes us want to keep going back for more and more.

Next up were Das Kapital. This band’s sound is also from our formative indie/college radio days breeding the Replacements with a tougher punk sound, leaving behind smart pop songs that have bite. Thursday night saw Das Kapital adding a few new songs to the mix not off their debut album, Denying the West. We really enjoyed “Blacklick, OH” which showed how the band can blend some country stylings into the set, as well. Das Kapital’s songs tell stories like the great singer/songwriters do, yet they don’t get mired down in telling sad stories with somber music. The band is up on stage having fun, and that makes them all the more compelling. Another band we can’t wait to hear more from in the coming years.

M.O.T.O. was the last to perform at the Hideout on Thursday evening. These guys are straight-up punk, pure and simple. Singing about hating their jobs, having sex, and other such “normal” punk anthems ruled the set. We have to say that M.O.T.O.’s fans are great — even if they sometimes jump on stage and try to help with the vocals. They showed up early and paid attention to the opening bands — something that’s almost unheard of anymore.

From a disparate group of influences as evidenced by the Reptoids, to a chosen few perfectly executed by Das Kapital, to an almost puritanical punk devotion by M.O.T.O., these three Chicago bands have got it going on. Be sure and check them out at their upcoming gigs: Das Kapital at The Lucky Gator Loft on New Year’s Eve, M.O.T.O. takes over the Beat Kitchen on January 13, and the Reptoids hit the Redline Tap on January 19. Further details available at the bands' websites linked above.

*Julene’s Full Disclosure: Das Kapital's Casey Olin works with my roommate, but according to Casey that makes him “nothing to me.”