Last-Minute Plans: Pink Frost Record Release Show

By Jon Graef in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 28, 2013 6:30PM

Pink Frost, the band formerly known as Apetka, will no doubt release a torrent of melodic psychedelia and alt-rock tonight at their record release show for Sundowning, the band's second album, tonight at the Empty Bottle.

The record, co-released by local imprints BLVD Records and Notes and Bolts, sees Pink Frost refining and expanding their sound. The Chicago quartet has drawn a lot of comparisons to classic alternative-era groups like The Smashing Pumpkins (Sundowning's brisk, waltz-time second track, "Ruins," plays like a leaner version of a Siamese Dream cut) and Jane's Addiction.

The band, however, also dip promisingly into other sounds. Lead-off track "Western Child" pairs a rocketing rockabilly guitar riff with a punishing industrial beat, while the entire second side of Sundowning successfully showcases Pink Frost's dreamier, prettier, more mid-tempo side. (Especially gorgeous is "Maybe It's You," wherein Pink Frost start slow and steady with clean guitar tones before whipping up a fury of fuzz worthy of the best shoegazer bands like Ride.)

Pink Frost may not be reinventing the wheel, but, considering how well and fast they're driving the alt-rock car in the first place, it's really hard to complain about them doing so. Opening tonight's 21+ show at the Bottle are Outer Minds and Touched By Ghoul. The fun starts at 9:30 p.m.