U.S. Royalty Reigns Supreme

By Lizz Kannenberg in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 25, 2011 10:00PM

We've probably reached the point of saturation when it comes to "new" anthemic rock and roll bands, but pray tell give a listen to Washington, D.C. quartet U.S. Royalty. Treading the path recently blazed by grandiose, vocal- and rhythm-driven outfits like Band of Horses, Local Natives and Fleet Foxes, U.S. Royalty finds a niche by incorporating the kind of big, major-chord song structures you would expect from a band hailing from our nation's capital.

Indeed, the group's debut LP Mirrors isn't afraid to be, well, distinctly American in its version of rock, meaning you won't feel overwhelmed by complicated minor progressions or particularly introspective lyrics. But that's ok, because the middle of February in Chicago is exactly when you want to hear soaring vocals and a reminder that "We're just cool kids living like the good times never end/We just day drink, waste away in a stoned-out summer's end."

U.S. Royalty plays tomorrow, February 26, at Schubas, 3159 N Southport, 10 p.m., $12, 21+