Tom Lynch

An experience to be had in person: Toronto's mind-crunch musical oddity Holy Fuck sets out each night to create contemporary electronic music without contemporary electronic-music tools--no laptops, no pre-programming, no looping. With mere instruments--and some non-instruments, like a 35mm film sequencer--the group births pulsing, paranoid and mesmerizing beats matched with biting synth leads--lo-fi in all, but never underachieving. And the best part? It's all improvisational, so just like the guys on stage, you don't know what's coming next, no matter how many times you've heard the record. The record in question, the group's 2005 self-titled release, is overwhelmingly penetrating--two years later, I still can't get it out of my mind. Apparently, a hard-drive crash ate up the new record the band's been working on, but no matter--the live show more than makes up for new recorded material. This David Lynchian electronica is not to be missed for any reason.

Holy Fuck plays February 24 at Empty Bottle, 1035 North Western, (773)276-3600, at 10pm. $10.

(2007-02-20)

Also by Tom Lynch

Syked Out
Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter are an ethereal bunch, creating late-night soundtracks to long drives across the States, long nights with a lover or never-ending evenings of vast melancholy, loneliness and doubt. Unlike many other outfits, the band is able to pull such intensely distinct feelings from a listener--one moment you're on top of the world, the next, well, isn't there a little bit left in that bottle of Jack?
(2007-02-13)

Tip of the Week
Intriguing beginnings--Brooklyn's The Subject began in high school but, unlike these common tales of band launches, two members were students and the two others were teachers. They kept band practice secret until graduation, though
(2007-02-13)

State of Grace
If a microscope has ever truly been put on a band, it's now on Portland's The Shins
(2007-02-06)

Dead Calm
Kevin Brockmeier's "The Brief History of the Dead," originally released last March and now coming out in paperback, successfully, delightfully and with overflowing entertainment, blends elements of philosophical literary exploration, wilderness adventure and good-natured, heart-pounding thriller
(2007-02-06)

Bowlshit
(2007-02-06)

Tip of the Week
(2007-02-06)

Tip of the Week
(2007-02-06)

Soundcheck
(2007-01-30)

Tip of the Week
(2007-01-30)

Tip of the Week
(2007-01-30)

Bear of a Life
(2007-01-30)

Soundcheck
(2007-01-23)

about Newcitychicago | about Newcity magazine | advertising | privacy policy | FAQ | employment