OTOBOKE BEAVER LOLLA AFTER SHOW NIGHT 1 AT EMPTY BOTTLE CHICAGO

Kyoto punks Otoboke Beaver stopped into Empty Bottle this Wednesday to play a sold out Lollapalooza "After" show. Night 1 of the Lolla after shows featured Emi Morimoto of Shonen Knife on drums, filling in for Kahokiss while she is on maternity leave. The band performed for about an hour to a packed crowd, playing an almost seamless set of rapid-fire Japanese punk. The show was billed as a Lolla After show, although the band won't be performing until this Friday Aug 1st, and the crowd was all the more eager for this sneak peek of what's instore for festival goers.

Opening band Spread Joy took the stage shortly after 9pm to the delight of everyone in the crowd. This is the second time I've seen Spread Joy play a sold out show in the last 3 months and everytime I'm blown away by their energy and chemistry. Punchy bass lines over a driving backbeat intertwine with funk guitar while lead singer Briana Hernandes waxes philosophical in both German and English. Imagine if Suburban Lawns and Talking Heads made a baby. The band just wrapped recording at Jamdek with Doug Malone for an upcoming release. Keep a lookout!

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Up next was Otoboke Beaver, straight from Japan. As the band setup their gear and checked for sound an announcement came over the house speakers cautioning the audience to refrain from throwing things at the band or jumping on stage and splashing them. A bit puzzling for a native concert goer. Chicago has some of the most respectful and devoted music attendees in the country, especially an EB crowd. Could this be due to an obvious lack of huge muscle men in black shirts with the word SECURITY emblazoned on the chests? Not a thing at The Bottle. Never needed them. Another reason Chicagoans have been flocking to this venue the last 30 years.

Once the band's crew were assured things were under control, the ladies of Otoboke Beaver hit the stage full force. I was mostly impressed with how Morimoto held it down on drums. Filling in for long time drummer Kahokiss is no simple feat. Otoboke Beaver is known for pairing blast beats to matching vocal harmonies. One moment your playing hardcore punk, the next your laying down a disco groove. Oh, and can you please sing into this microphone dangling over your head? Drumming for a band like that requires stamina and soaring confidence. The band managed to play the entire night seemingly flawless. No false starts or issues with their gear. A few lengthy pauses between some songs to reset and catch their breath. I did notice lead vocalist Accorinrin puffing on some kind of inhaler prior to their set. I can imagine the jet lag from an international flight the night before you play your first show with your new drummer could be quite exhausting. If Wednesday night's performance is any indication of how this band will play in front of a crowd of tens of thousands in Grant Park on Friday, Otoboke Beaver is going to be a showstopper.

-Adam O

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