Download Then See: The Kickback

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 7, 2013 5:55PM

Photo by Katie Schmaltz

The Kickback proves that one can still form a pretty kick-ass band via the classifieds section. In their case it was through a Craigslist ad posted by brothers Billy and Danny Yost looking for like-minded souls when they moved to Chicago in 2009. Eamonn Donnelly and Jonny Ifergan answered the ad and a band was born. We stumbled across them opening for Free Energy a while ago and immediately fell for their bounding energy and sharp songwriting. Onstage Billy Yost is the focus on vocals and guitar, a skinny livewire of energy. His voice can power on over a straight melody and then launch into bloodcurdling Black Francis-style screaming that never falls off key. Collectively the band meshes classic Brit-inspired riffs with rock history drawn from the posters on the walls of '90s college dorm rooms.

They recently released a cassette single, and you can listen to its digital version below and download for free (or for a few bucks, it's your choice). If you dig it you'll probably like their debut EP that collects a few live tracks and a few studio tracks and still holds together cohesively.

The band plays tonight, June 7, at Schuba's, sharing the bill with another one of our favorite local acts Archie Powell & The Exports. If you're looking for a solid night of Chicago-based music, this is the place to be.