The Fruit Bats
5/6/6 at the Lakeshore Theater in Chicago
The following is a review from a show I posted a couple of months ago when I enjoyed seeing The Fruit Bats. I am reposting it so that people who might be coming from Music for America may get to it more easily. I was very excited when I found out that The Fruit Bats were politically active, which I think is more important than ever in these times. The government will be more than happy to continue to wage war in the Middle East, wire tap our phones, deny our citizens proper health care, and take away our remaining freedoms if we are apathetic. Being politically involved is part of being a responsible citizen and appreciating the freedoms our forefathers set out to insure everyone had. It’s important to suport musicians that recognize this. And another reason you should support them: their newest album, Spelled in Bones, is amazing to listen to!
The Fruit Bats from Seattle, Washington (although I think some members are from or at least at one time were from Chicago) were the headliners of the first ever Empty Bottle presenting music show in The Lakeshore Theater and let me just say I love this venue! The sound and lighting was perfect. The seats were comfortable. The size was just right. I really felt at home here listening to the songs of the Fruit Bats.
Amidst a cover by the Incredible String Band, highlights also included Fruit Bats originals: “Dragon Ships” and a solo version of “The EarthQuake of ‘73 and a rocking encore version of “When U Love Somebody.” At times, they almost remind me of a more folky version of The Essex Green with some nice female/male vocal harmonizing. At one fun point in the set, they were joined by Sam Jayne and played out in the audience.
This was my first time seeing them and it was a real treat. Check out their songs by visiting their sounds page. Click to see more pictures:
May 16th, 2006 at 10:53 pm
Thanks for these great photos – my friends and I were at this same show in Chicago and really enjoyed the Fruit Bats, too—as well as the new theater.
May 17th, 2006 at 4:29 pm
I really hope more shows are booked at this theater! It had a really nice sound and feel to it, I think. I’d never been in there before even though I had passed by it many times. I keep thinking about how the lead singer of the Fruit Bats rambled on about the Smiths…even though I love the Smiths I found it very amusing.