Last Minute Plans: Great Society Mind Destroyers/Rodeo

By Jon Graef in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 20, 2011 10:00PM

A band name like Great Society Mind Destroyers implies imminent destruction, but the Chicago psych-rock group are belatedly celebrating the release of their "Spirit Smoke" LP tonight at the Empty Bottle. Confrontational, sardonic noise-rockers Rodeo join them.

Like Rabble Rabble, another fantastic local band, Great Society Mind Destroyers are well versed in '60s psychedelia, but also add a distinctly Midwestern style of taut rhythms and riffage, resulting in music that's muscular, but also varied, complex, and lively, like a good IPA. Spirit Smoke, originally a cassette, being pressed on LP bySlow Knife, a local imprint founded by Thrill Jockey PR man Dave Halstead. It is an album that is well worth your time and dollars.

Rodeo is a noisy rock trio who just put out a digital single goofing on Internet sensation Lana Del Rey. "Lana Deth Rey," is busy at times, but it's also whip-smart dexterous. Rodeo's song would be the definitive Del Rey take-down if she hadn't recently done such a great job of it herself. (On the death of Christopher Hitchens: "don't fear offending Muslims. Stop imposing Sharia law in our country!" Oh boy.)

At any rate, both bands play tonight, December 20, at 9 p.m. at the Empty Bottle, along with Velocicopter and T'Bone. Tickets are eight bucks for the 21+ show.

Listen to both bands below: