Mobius Band @ The Elbo Room
September 14th, 2005On the way to the The Elbo Room, I thought I had never been there before, but I was wrong. When I first moved to Chicago, I think I went to see The Stereophonics there (or a band who’s name sounded REALLY similar).
The scene at The Elbo Room is interesting: it reminded me a lot of the jazz/hash bar scene from Killing Zoe. It’s underground, there’s tables and couches along the walls, and everyone there seemed to be retreating from the light into whatever shadowed corner they could find. The stage isn’t so much a stage, as a slightly raised circular surface in the center of the room. If you were so inclined, you could walk right up and try and sing a solo with the band, or try and steal one of their Powerbooks. Luckily, no one was so inclined.
Two beer specials later, Mobius Band took the stage. Due to some sort of family emergency, their drummer was unavailable make the show. For the evening’s purposes, his role was fulfilled by an iPod with backing drum tracks. However, there are many ways to rock. Despite this setback, they put on a great show of material from their new album "The Loving Sounds of Static" on the Ghostly International label, as well as older material.
Their sound? It’s laprock. Or whatever the kids are calling it these days when a band has live instruments and vocals, and well as backing drum machine beats and synth washes. Think of a more rocking "The Postal Service" or a more accessible "Headphones" and you’re on the right track.
At any rate, they played a great set, drummer or no drummer. It’s the best $7 I’ve spent in a long time.