BY LIANA KATZ

In print | Published February 7, 2008

Local bands reigned supreme at Olde Club this past Friday night with a lineup that featured two groups hailing from Southeastern Pennsylvania. Illinois, ironically from Bucks County, and openers The Extraordinaires, from South Philadelphia, took to the small stage and filled the venue with over two hours of music that got even the most reluctant of Swarthmore students nodding their heads to the beat.

The evening began with The Extraordinaires, who describe their sound as “an electric muppet showdown.” Although playing to a somewhat unenthused audience, the band attempted to woo the crowd with theatrical tales of self-sacrificing cacti and monsters. The Extraordinaries’ eccentric combination of guitar-driven rock and children’s books was powered by solid musicianship and an evident love for performance. The set was marred by technical difficulties, which were ultimately resolved when Illinois lent a Fender Telecaster to Extraordinaires guitarist/keyboardist Jacob Wolf. Despite the complications, The Extraordinaires found some fans at Olde Club. “The Extraordinaires had a swagger and a sense of humor,” Robin Lipp ‘10 said. "They went crazy on stage for a little while…and weren’t too cool to talk to people after the show."

As Illinois began setting up their instruments soon after The Extraordinaires left the stage, it was clear that the quartet had the look of a disaffected indie outfit down. With tight jeans and multiple packs of cigarettes in tow, Illinois proved that they had not only the look but also the talent to play a powerful set. Although their appearance seemed predictable, Illinois’ music proved to be uncategorizable and, at times, foot-stompingly danceable. “Their music was so rhythmic, you couldn’t help but dance, or at least jump up and down,” Diana Pozo ’09 said.

Illinois’ Web site describes the band as having an “indie/folk-rock” style. However, Illinois’ music meandered through various stylistic incarnations. With songs ranging from hazy, keyboard heavy laments to pop tunes driven by lead singer Chris Archibald’s yelping vocals (sometimes refracted through what appeared to be a rewired telephone), the band defied the “indie/folk-rock” genre.

Following the quirkiness of The Extraordinaires, Illinois did come off as the less innovative of the two bands. “From what I saw they seemed to have a pretty good sound, nothing too unusual or special, but still enjoyable. The first band was much more out there,” Scott Weiss ’11 said.

Yet, what Illinois lacked in originality, they made up for in concision. Picking up on the technique championed by the Ramones in the 1970s, all of the Illinois’ songs were very short, allowing the band to show off the range of their talents.

Illinois did offer up one awesome quirk to novelty-hungry Olde Club audience. After shouts from the audience demanding that the band bring out its signature instrument, Illinois launched into the banjo-dominated “Nosebleed,” which was featured on an episode of Showtime’s “Weeds.” “Nosebleed” proved to be Illinois at its most unique, blending a country riff with heavy base and drum undertones. “It was an interesting twist to have an instrument so strongly associated with simple folk and country tunes play the prime role in a dance-punk/shoegaze ensemble,” Illy Quintano ’09 said.

From cacti to boys clad in tight pants, Southern Pennsylvania offered some of its best to Olde Club, oddities and all. Who knew the banjo could rock so hard?

Editor’s Note: Diana Pozo ’09 is a Living & Arts artist, but did not play a role in the writing of this article.

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