The Unheard Music (Volume II)

First off, thank you for your support regarding this series, it's a keeper. It's always a crap shoot when I write about music because sometimes I'll hit a chord with you and get a great response and other times I'll be lucky to elicit a comment or two.  I was pleasantly surprised at how many of you not only like and remember Game Theory but also that some of you still have it on vinyl no less. This week I'll be featuring a band that it's unlikely any of you--except for Betty Rocker--have ever heard or even heard of.  Of course, after reading this and hopefully listening to the song, that will no longer be the case and just like that old shampoo commercial, you'll tell a few friends and so on.

As I mentioned last week, we have a lot of music lying around the house and it can be a daunting pile to tackle sometimes but it's a labor of love.  A few years ago I brought home an EP from a local band called Sunday Morning Chameleon which I'll admit I didn't listen to right away but Betty/Carla did and she loved it, so much that she put a song on her Best of 2005 CD.  After hearing them a few more times I jumped onboard and added it to my iPod.  A month or so ago, I got a copy of their second EP More Human which we promptly added to our iTunes library. Whilst listening to the "Recently Added" playlist on my iPod a few weeks ago, the song "Go On" came on.  I couldn't place the voice, it sounded vaguely familiar but I had to look to see who was playing and it was in fact Sunday Morning Chameleon. I proceeded to listen to that song three or four times in a row, then listened to the rest of the EP and then returned to "Go On" and played again another five or six times. It's that good. 

Since they were already my myspace friends, I contacted them, let them know I was pretty tight with Betty Rocker and they took my call.  They had a  record release party/gig last night at Chicago's fabled Empty Bottle, so we agreed to meet up before the show. We had a pow-wow backstage and I told them I'd do everything I could to get the word out: try to get them radio airplay, talk to friends and acquaintences in the music industry and try and get them some love. I'm always leery about seeing bands live for the first time because I've heard many a great record only to be disappointed with a band's stage presence. SMC certainly delivered live, a nice taut 50 minute set to a decent crowd for a night that was plagued by torrential rain and non-stop lightning. Good thing it was at the Bottle as Metro had to cancel a show due to a power outage over in Wrigleyville.

So give "Go On" a listen and let us know your thoughts. If you likey and you're on myspace, reach out to them and make them your friend, tell 'em I sent ya.  Have a great weekend.

Sunday Morning Chameleon "Go On"  (Right click and either download or listen on your media player)

Comments

[scotty]

I like the tune. I tried to find them on e-music but all they have is a live show from Shubas in '05. I may have to break down and join this my-space revolution.

[Jen]

Hi Ken:

I haven't heard anything from Saturday Morning Chameleon, but thanks for the heads up.

I just wanted to give props to my good friend Nathan, who designed that lovely flier and also plays guitars/keyboards for The Assembly!