Carol Hilker

Thursday, 7pm, 101 degrees.

Four men sit outside of the empty Blue Frog Bar and Grill, a dive adjacent to Wall to Wall Studios. They are Darren Spitzer, Rob Kallick, Jonny Basofin and David Rothblatt, aka The Changes.

On this evening, they are rehearsing for an upcoming album, their Lollapalooza performance--one of only two unsigned bands to play the festival--and for their upcoming Monday night residency at Schubas in August.

This is an accomplishment that would make most bands start wearing sunglasses, however their thrill is "to play the new songs that we are making now," songs that will eventually be on the band's first "real" album. An album they hope will be completely original with little or no songs from their first two self-released records, "1st of May" and "S/T."

Spitzer, the lead singer and natural front-man, with enigmatic eyes, a charming smile and constant enthusiasm, has a one-word answer about who has made label offers: "Everybody," he says blushing. "We are at the point now of kind of figuring out where we want to go."

The Changes are fresh-faced and Midwestern to a T. Rothblatt, the band's lyrical mastermind and motivator and a cross between Rick Nelson and Bobby Darin, went to high school with Basofin. Meeting Spitzer and Kallick, the quiet, Parliament Light-smoking George of the group, a few years back was kismet.

Basofin says he wouldn't want to play music without the band or without their Chicago fan base. "Chicago is about two different things: the real fun party bands or the indie bands. But for us personally, I know that we don't gravitate towards either state," Rothblatt says, lighting a cigarette.

"You get bored, you watch other bands and think, if they would only do this or try that; we want to do different things and keep it going," he adds.

"There is nothing better than playing with these guys, it's an incredible dynamic," Spitzer says. "I feel like if the band wasn't where it was going that we would still play together three times a week. Making the songs is so fun with us."

As far as songwriting, "Dave brings in all the ideas for how they're going to be, the melodies, the words and stuff like that," Kallick says. Spitzer takes over the conversation with a laugh and a nod to Rothblatt, "They come on these really awesome sheets of paper...it's not the paper, it's what's on it. It's like here's this idea and we all sit around and think about it. It's our little magic; it's a very elaborate process." "And we always get the feeling that this song is the best one yet," Rothblatt completes.

Inside, the studio features red walls with strings of Christmas lights, three pianos that go unused, and a big old stand-up bass. They start rehearsal first with "When I Wake," a catchy song that sounds like a bit of Echo and The Bunnymen mixed with the Talking Heads. This has become one of their signature songs. Kallick gently handles the bass, analyzing his line and coaxing the song along while Rothblatt tightly holds his guitar, his arms toned from constant strumming, his eyebrows up, his right leg keeping time. They play through, "When I Sleep," "Her You and I" and two new unnamed songs, all while Basofin's high hats and cymbals slay the beat. Spitzer is breathless, smiling and blushing at his keyboard solo, exuding his natural stage presence.

The rehearsal ends. Spitzer walks disheveled and wide-eyed back into a now-packed Blue Frog karaoke night. "Our rehearsal was amazing tonight. It's just in the air." But are they ready for all that this may bring?

"You know, we are all family-oriented guys, we are from here, and there are girlfriends here, so I am not really sure how we will all take it in. We are at this point, where it's make-or-break time, and I think either way it goes, we'll do it together and come out okay. I love these guys; we do it in a way that makes me feel so good. We would just like to do more and more and keep on doing the songs and the music with the guys, you know. We love each other. It's a love story, it's a modern day love story."

The Changes play in residency every Monday night in August at Schubas, 3159 North Southport, (773)525-2508.

(2005-08-02)

Also by Carol Hilker

Leg Man
"You watch your phraseology!" says Mayor Shinn to Harold Hill in "The Music Man." James Mercer took the advice to heart.
(2005-04-12)

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