Terrible Show Tonight

By Lizz Kannenberg in Arts & Entertainment on May 28, 2009 4:00PM

Terrible Spaceship may be, ahem, flying under the radar for most Chicago music fans, but they've caught the attention of some movers and shakers in recent months with their stage show. Elaborate and experimental sonic orchestrations accompany the big-screen projection of leader Travis Chandler's film clip mashup whims with startling creativity and just enough self-awareness to walk the better side of kitsch.

If Chandler's supporting cast looks familiar, it's because most of them have been gracing the stage with him for the past decade in mainstay funk outfit Bumpus. That this same collection of homegrown musicians can continually rearrange itself into fresh incarnations is impressive, and the curiosities show no sign of ebbing.

The Terrible Spaceship concept was just wild enough to earn TS a feature on WBEZ's Eight-Forty-Eight last fall, in part to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Chandler's primary influence in crafting the Terrible Spaceship experience - Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" broadcast.

Not bad for a band whose name is inspired equally by a cardboard box and an avocado (both are "terrible spaceships" - get it?). This is performance art that's fun, danceable and a much-needed breath of fresh air in an increasingly self-conscious underground art scene.

Terrible Spaceship plays with Memphis Graham and Astral Planes tonight, May 28, at Martyr's, 3855 N Lincoln, 9:00 p.m., $7, 21+