Something is Waiting - Livelick

Chicago has brought us legendary bands such as The Smashing Pumpkins, Jesus Lizard, Articles of Faith, Big Black and that’s not even counting the impact its had on the Blues scene. Well, the windy city has triumphed yet again with Something is Waiting.

Formed in 2016, the band are Eddie Gobbo – Vocals, William T. Fay – Guitar/Bass and Drummer Idin Alexzander. This live set follows three full-length albums, the majority of which have been put out by Learning Curve Records and are 2023's Absolutely 2019's Songs from the Sally Beauty Pavilion and 2016's The Something Is Waiting Band. Livelick features all of the tracks from Absolutely with one track apiece from the preceding two albums and was recorded at Chicago’s famous venue Empty Bottle who have hosted Indie/Alt-Rock darlings The Flaming Lips and The Mountain Goats. Furthermore the promo-notes mention Bob Seger's Live Bullet and Pantera's Official Live: 101 Proof, presumably as benchmarks for them to live up to.

‘The SIW Nu Roll’ melds yelped Vince Neil type Vocals with Punky Sludge Metal, of the kind whichwould make Buzz and Dale of the Melvins beam with pride, or green with envy, the perfect opener. The band stay in the Pacific North-West on ‘Unholy Alliance’ which recalls the mighty Tad whose ball-crushing riffs Guitarist Fay captures perfectly. To quote that band’s infamous 1994 tour poster “That’s Heavy Shit” the sentiment definitely applies here but with the injection of the word “great” instead, stunning. ‘House Of Style’ is essentially the trio’s ‘Smoke on the Water’ in so far as it can be viewed as their signature tune and an undeniable hook laden monster. I defy anyone to listen to it and not have it as an earworm for the next god knows how many hours, weeks or months. There are hints of White Zombie’s Industrial tinged Alt-Metal too which will make fans of the early to mid 90’s underground music scene particularly nostalgic. A personal favourite. ‘In the Pool (WetWorld)’is a little faster with some thrash moments not overly dissimilar to Slayer but with the Vocal effects of Stuck Mojo, such as on ‘Pigwalk’, this is impressive stuff. ‘Lick The Spoon’ is the kind of track Guns ‘N’ Roses should have featured on the overblown Use Your Illusion set and don’t let the silly Spinal Tap-esque title fool you either, this is a full-blown kickass Post-Hardcore infused Rock ‘n’ Roll belter.

“This is for the Chicago Hardcore and Metal scene, the best in the United States” states Gobbo when introducing ‘Full Friction’. Pantera come to mind here, not only the killer Dimebag Guitarwork and Vocals which touch on Anselmo were they sung in a lower register, but also the whole ‘stronger than all’ vibe emanating throughout. Groove-Metaltastic baby! ‘Poster Boys’ has the exuberance of Exodus around the time of Bonded By Blood while the spirit of Paul Baloff lives on in Eddie Gobbo, meanwhile ‘Lost in Space’ exemplifies what makes Something is Waiting such an exciting listening prospect. There’s an obnoxious Glam Metal swagger, (a genre I usually detest), but run through a Noise-Rock Killdozer filter, another band known for pushing boundaries and people’s buttons, exceptionally skilful songwriting. ‘New Lows In Hell’ concludes the album brilliantly with an unholy blend of Today is the Day, classic 70’s Classic Rock ala ZZ Top and a latter day Black Flag slipped on in.

Livelick serves as well as any greatest hits set while also inspiring you to go see the band when they’re next touring and should they tour the UK that’s most certainly what I’ll be doing.