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Early in the group’s 14-year career, Jon Langford explained that he saw the Waco Brothers as a bar band that would let him bash out loud rock ‘n’ roll on a regular basis. For many years that’s just what the Wacos did, becoming one of Chicago’s most dependable (and drunken) live acts. But it’s been ages since they’ve been scene fixtures, since original drummer Steve Goulding moved to New York long ago (Joe Camarillo subs when Goulding can’t make a gig) and other members have committed themselves to nonmusical careers–singer and guitarist Dean Schlabowske, for instance, opened the Wicker Park wine shop Cellar Rat a couple years back.
Helena Espvall, Nimis & Arx (Fire Museum/Pax)Michael Thieke Unununium, Where Shall I Fly Not to Be Sad, My Dear? (Charhizma)Vladislav Delay, Multila (Huume)Copperpot, WYLA? (EV Productions)Tom Lucas, Red Letter Day (Radioactive)