LOCATION: Durty Nellies,
Palatine, IL
Well, we can thank Camel cigarettes for two reasons. 1) For
brining an awesome band like Pepper out on tour and 2) For providing
smokers of legal age with a bunch of Camel swag to get them to switch
over to or maintain their Camel loyalty! It was a bit comical that
Camel was handing out two packs of cigarettes to people in a state that
just passed a no indoor smoking law. Durty Nellies as a venue is not the place for a band
like Pepper. Hell, it really wasn't the place for Lucky Boys
Confusion. The last time Pepper came through the Chicago area,
they played at House of Blues and it was completely packed. The
Hawaiian-based trio has a huge following here in Chicago and all I can
hope for is that the venue treated the band well. While the sound
engineers were on their game, the lighting was horrible, security was
too busy staring at the girls and fights were breaking out in the middle
of the floor. Try taking photo in that environment. None the less, Lucky Boys, a band that has said it
wouldn't be touring much anymore together was decent. It was
obvious that their hearts are no longer in it. Lead singer Stuhby
is working on his latest endeavor, Shock Stars, while other members of
the band are also pursuing other musical aspirations. While LBC
did play mainly newer tracks like "Hey Driver," they did throw in some
older favorites like "Dumb Pop Song." I'll miss LBC when their
gone. Pepper was seamless. I still contend that they
are one of the biggest sounding three-piece bands on the market right
now. They really covered a broad spectrum of music, playing tracks
of Kona Town, No Shame and even a forthcoming record.
In true Sublime-like fashion, Pepper even played a track that they
hadn't penned any words for. A Pepper show is always a party. They are
interactive, animated and always about drinking, smoking and well, it
rhymes with trucking. PHOTO GALLERIES:
BANDS: Lucky Boys Confusion & Pepper
Words & Photo By: Adam K. Zakroczymski III - Senior Editor / Founder
