Telethon
Devon Kay and the Solutions
Big Sky Hunters
GMan Tavern
February 6th
Telethon / all 📷 : Tina Mead
Last Thursday was a special evening at The GMan Tavern. The convergence of very serious rock and power pop punk for the kids proved why Chicago is a great boiling pot for talent, pageantry, and community.
Big Sky Hunters came out like a buzzing saw slaying the crowd. Their presence carried a certain ferocity like a viking rock band pitched in a life-or-death battle of the bands.
As they warmed into their set, you could feel the creative playfulness between bandmates. Terry Pallanti ran up and down the fretboard of his bass with religious fervor while Tim Shaunnessey masterfully shredded guitar riffs with relative ease. Jake Buss was pretty damn impressive on the drums whilst rocking the Kobe jersey. Even though these guys are from Chicago, they are doing a good job of keeping that ‘80s artistic OC punk vibe alive.
Devon Kay and the Solutions opened with “Oh, Glorious Nothing!” a truly American pub rock anthem. They rolled into some new material pouring out emo rock with hints of ska. “Yes, I Can’t” was probably my favorite. I damn-near yelled, “Oi oi oi” during the song.
Then they transitioned back to some older material which got the crowd bobbing and swaying in tandem with the band. They left the set the same way they came in: Like a Herculean baby destroying the world with hammer fists pounding and bolts of lightning spewing from their arses.
Telethon hit the stage with what seemed like a prison-style-esque version of Yo Gabba Gabba! They kept the pub rock vibe alive and also had Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tubemen in support.
Guitarist Jack Sibilski was a masterful combination of swagger and sex appeal. Alex Meylink on bass kept the pace for the band and was shit hot all fucking night. Collectively, Telethon are a troupe of beautifully classic anthem rockers who brought a big sound to an intimate Chicago bar on a Thursday night.
Devon Kay’s trombone player, Jacob Horn jumped on stage to add a little flavor to the mix. When they played, “Wander” I just about jumped out of my skin. It’s a fairly hardcore song and these guys were playing their set pretty fast and loose.
Thursday night was a great idea for GMan Tavern. There was an undeniable energy pouring through the entire evening that really brought out the teenage kid in me. I loved the music, the talent, and the heart and soul that went into the entire evening.
