Opening for Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros at the 2010 Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival was kind of a big deal for The Shams Band. But it was really nothing more than a catalyst of public recognition for one of the best musical acts currently based in Chicago. In honor of the anniversary of the Chicago Roots Collective Showcase, The Shams Band headlined a show at Lincoln Hall.
When they took the stage, the outcome of the show was – in my eyes – uncertain. Lincoln Hall is a decent sized room and at first glance the guys don’t look like rockstars. The lack of embellished western shirts and cowboy hats was just the first of many indications that The Shams Band is all about stripping away the bullshit and being real.
As they twanged and drawled their way harmoniously through a collection of fan favorites, the entire room lit up with an appreciation often reserved for teen heartthrob crushes. Between the shared vocal duties, impressive song writing and guitar and banjo licks there was hardly a moment when at least one foot wasn’t tapping along or one voice echoing lyrics from the audience.
It’s Lousiana Blues Rockabilly. It’s more cowbell. It’s tambourine and banjo. Sometimes, it’s all of them with an added harmonica for good measure. The Shams Band is a delicious musical stew of folk, blues, country and rock – with a secret ingredient. The secret ingredient is love… dammit. Not the type of love that is often professed from one person to another. The type of love that only happens between a man and his instrument. The type of unstated love shared between guys who are just as much friends as they are band mates. The type of love that’s inimitable. The real deal. Yeah, The Shams Band is like that.
SHOW DATE: Thursday, January 27, 2011
WORDS BY: Ben Dahl ( @CobaltInfinity )
PHOTOS BY: Mandy Dempsey ( @mandydempsey )
One Comment
Agreed. Like so many musicians, these guys are doing it for the sheer joy of playing music. They are busking with the well worn hat of the collective Chicago music community where many share in the experience, and not chasing after some pot of gold. More tunes, please!