More than 40 years after the first British Invasion, the four members of Chicago’s the Redwalls average less than half that number of years in age. No matter how they got there, the young quartet breathes fire into its Sixties-style garage punk and power-pop. They’ve had some label problems in the past, dropped by Capitol at the beginning of the year. But with youthful vigor on their side, it apparently hasn’t affected their stage presence or mix-and-match sound one iota.
At Saturday’s Mohawk show, the Redwalls proved they’re not just Beatles imitators. Styled as if it were 1966, with pointy shoes, skinny jeans, and poofy hair, they jangled and harmonized through a set that was dominated by songs from 2005’s De Nova (Capitol).
And there were new tunes from their upcoming self-titled, due in October. “Edge of the Night” set guitars abuzz for a near perfect pop tune, while “Build a Bridge” showed off brotherly harmonies.
The encore: a spot-on cover of New Order’s “Bizarre Love Triangle” that brought their oeuvre (almost) up to date. Yeah, you’ve heard every note before – the Kinks, Big Star, the Buzzcocks, take your pick – but after that sweaty Saturday night, the Redwalls’ obvious love of what they do gets under your skin until you can’t help but shimmy ’n’ shake.
Or bang your head, depending on your generation.
This article appears in August 3 • 2007.