X 

By Dave Miller

X 

Traci Trouble knows how to dress for the occasion. Overshadowing even her black dress and boots, the Wanton Looks lead singer and bassist donned a blonde wig and, most noticeably, what best can be described as a Fred Flintstone buffalo lodge hat for Saturday's show at Cobra Lounge which celebrated the vinyl release of the band's debut album.

X

"What time is it?" Trouble asked as her band took the stage and the clock swung toward midnight. "Is it time to rock?" That question was rhetorical. Trouble rocks whenever she hits the stage. There are few things more dependable, in fact. This time, though, there was a slight delay because her mouth was being shocked whenever it touched the microphone. "It's probably the horns on your head," guitarist Susie Q cracked, referencing Trouble's hat. "Grand Poobah gets shocked," Trouble said, as if writing her own obituary. Actually a faulty amplifier setup was behind the problem, which was handled by covering the mic with a white towel. "Okay, I guess we're going to do this," Trouble announced when she was finally ready. "Thanks for coming out to our record (release) show." With that, the band poured its pent-up energy into an explosive "See You Again" to start the show.

X 

The Wanton Looks made a convincing case for their self-titled album during their trademark blast of a performance. The triumph of an album is a testament to Trouble's disciplined devotion to her vision when she and drummer Meg Thomas decided to form the band, which saw guitarists Inga Olson and Susie Q eventually complete it. In an age where immediate gratification is the norm, the Wanton Looks honed their songs and tightened as a group for more than two years in dive bars and rock clubs across Chicago before releasing their first album. The group's patience paid off in a collection of 12 compelling songs with memorable melodies, Girl Group harmonies, surprising structures, interesting variety, machine-gun drums, rock-star guitars and ballsy vocals. In a nice change from your standard fare, the vocals are prominently featured in the mix. And for all of the black leather coolness the group exudes, the lyrics can be surprising vulnerable, yet another indication we're not talking about your average rock band here.

X

The Wanton Looks came close to capturing their live sound on record, an achievement in itself, especially considering it's their first attempt, but they're still a band that is at its best playing live in a club. Thomas is the band's backbone with her rapid-fire drumming, which virtually ensures that the Wanton Looks have a good night every time they play. Watching and hearing her on "Demons" is worth the price of admission alone. With a larger-than-life person that lives up to her name, Trouble is a fearless catalyst who sparks the performance as a true believer in rock and roll with a penchant for saying anything that crosses her mind. Like with so many bands including the Rolling Stones, the guitarists often determine the heights a show climbs. In this one, Olson and Susie Q were both in fine form on lead and rhythm, respectively.

X

Susie Q's mom, Sue, came from Arkansas to see the band for the first time and her daugher put on a show for her, working the roomy stage and playing off Olson's leads. She downed a sizeable shot of whiskey, gave a shot to Trouble before "86 Me" ("Traci, I'll give you $10 if you know what key this song is in") and jumped into "All I Want Is You." Trouble dedicated "Used & Abused" to Susie's mom with Susie adding the disclaimer that she was not abused.

X

A person seeing the Wanton Looks for the first time wouldn't have noticed, but Trouble was slowed by a severe case of food poisoning. She played hurt. That's rock and roll, and that's her. When she heard someone in the crowd tell her to shut up, she challenged the loudmouth to come on the stage and say it. However, for all of her brashness, Trouble is humble when it comes to the band and the bond with its increasing number of fans. "Thank you for coming out," she said. "It really means a lot. We're just this little fucking band from Chicago. We're going on on the road. It's about time."

X

X

The Wanton Looks setlist:

X

See You Again

Get Thru To You

Demons

86 Me

Used & Abused

Forget You

Cut Off

All I Want Is You

Worst Side of Me

Electromagnetic Force

X

Start: 11:32 p.m./Finish: 12:15 a.m.

Totals: 10 songs, 43 minutes

X

"The Wanton Looks are a tough act to follow," Joe Mizzi said as About The Mess played in the post-midnight slot. His band did punk proud with a blitzing set that enticed many people to stick around the club. Mizzi has a resonate voice that cuts through the music's mayhem. Late in the set when the band kicked into "I Remember '94," a few people moved to the front of the stage and danced. "Thanks a lot, everybody," Mizzi said. "That made us feel good." The feeling was mutual.

X

The Wanton Looks

June 9, 2012 @ Cobra Lounge

X

The Wanton Looks

June 9, 2012 @ Cobra Lounge

Zo 

 

The Wanton Looks

June 9, 2012 @ Cobra Lounge

X