Last Minute Plans: Slow Gun Shogun At The Whistler

By Sarah Cobarrubias in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 14, 2010 7:40PM

Slow Gun Shogun is a one-man band headed by Chicago’s own A.J. Martin. A gritty mixture of early rock ‘n’ roll, country and blues, it’s the kind of music you might hear in a dimly lit dive bar while drinking a glass of bourbon. But that doesn’t mean Martin’s sound is low-quality. In fact, he’s been mastering his craft since the age of 12 and touring the local scene both solo and with various bands for more than seven years.

We saw him last month at the Empty Bottle as an opening band, and he surprised us with a powerfully passionate performance. He may be a tough-looking guy -- burly, long dreads -- but he sings heart-heavy tunes about life, loneliness and heartache. His vocals are often scratchy and nasal, reminiscent of Billy Childish’s coarse wail, backed up by Martin’s brash, distorted riffs, foot-stomping beats and sometimes the bluesy tones of a harmonica. But the real gems are his acoustic solos, like “Even Outlaws Grow in Utah,” a folksier piece that manages to move your feet while tugging at your heart strings.

Tonight will be your last chance to see Slow Gun Shogun before he takes a break from performing to record his next album. Charlie Fell of Chicago black metal quartet Lord Mantis will drum for the show (as well as the upcoming album), so it’s guaranteed to be good and loud. And since it’s at the Whistler, one of our favorite quaint and cozy venues that happens to serve fantastically flavorful cocktails, chances are you’ll be able to catch Martin afterward for a drink and a little conversation.

Slow Gun Shogun Plays tonight, January 14 at the Whistler, 2421 N Milwaukee, 9:30 pm, 21+, FREE