Brilliant Pebbles Goes Disco

By Sarah Cobarrubias in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 26, 2010 7:20PM

Brilliant Pebbles has been spreading their distinctive space-glam-rock around Chicago since 2007. But the band has recently undergone some changes - transforming from a foursome to a trio after losing a bassist and a drummer, and then taking on a new member, Ross Kelly, to handle beats and production. And with this new form, they’re also taking their sound in a different direction, creating what they describe as “disco, new wave, electro, 80s inspired dance music.”

We first saw them perform in their original form last year at the Subterranean for their debut album release party, and it was an insanely entertaining show. Front woman Monika Bukowska (dressed in a sequined bodysuit complete with glittery fringe and a long, ruffled train) dizzied the room with her acrobatic dance moves and still had enough breath to deliver mesmerizing, Polish-accented vocals varying from an eerie whisper to an operatic howl. Mix in explosive drumming, thick bass lines and erratic, discordant synth lines, and the end result is a menacing theatrical spectacle that leaves you feeling a little befuddled yet strangely satisfied.

They’ve yet to release any of their new ‘disco’ material, but they’re currently in the recording process and will be debuting some new songs March 19 at The Empty Bottle. Hopefully, they continue delivering colorful, super-energized performances, which have been their strongest feature in the past. Eighties-inspired synth-pop trio Gil Mantera’s Party Dream will also be performing, so it should be a pretty wild dance party.

Brilliant Pebbles play Friday, March 19 at the Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western, 10 pm, $12, 21+