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By Dave Miller

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As the Brauer House doorman collected the cover from a concertgoer, he asked whom the patron was there to see. The answer? The Wanton Looks. "Everyone here came to see them!" he said.

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The Wanton Looks made the trek from the city to the music bar located at the northwest corner of North Avenue and Route 53 in Lombard. A number of fresh faces turned out to see the all-girl trio. Singing bassist Traci Trouble, drummer Meg Thomas and guitarist Inga Olson demonstrated how they've been bringing the rock to Chicago clubs and beyond. It was their final area performance before departing for a Rocklahoma festival appearance. The bad-girl band showed itself to be in prime fighting shape. It started the show with a one-two knockout punch of "Worst Side of Me" and "Demons." Many bands would be lucky to have those two weapons to close their shows. Trouble's singing, Thomas' banging and Olson's riffs jolted the place. The confident band has been unveiling new material lately and aired two worthy new rockers, "To Be Free" and "Better Off." Olson shredded during "To Be Free." "Okay, I'm warmed up now," she said with a smile after the song ended. "See You Again" segueing into "Better Off" upped the excitement ante, and indicated the band is increasing its showmanship. That's a good thing. 

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The three-band bill consisted of representatives from the tri-state area. Based in Madison, Wis., Mad Trucker Gone Mad proved a formidable opener with its cow-punk offerings that featured the former in the first half of its set before picking up the punk in the second half. The trio deserves to book as many shows as it wants to play around Chicago. It puts thought into its alcohol-fueled trucker rock presentation, aggressively projecting a definite point of view that's deceptively smart with comedic touch and, above everything, ass-kicking music.

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MG & The Gas City Three from Indiana capped the night with a mixture of originals and covers of Elvis and Carl Perkins that went down as smoothly as a shot and chaser.

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Brauer House is a refuge for punks and rockers in the western burbs. Don't hold the fact that the two-year-old venue is located in the corner of a strip mall against it. It features good sound and lighting. The aforementioned doorman was enthusiastic and welcoming and the attentive bartenders were easy on the eyes. Cool chandeliers hang above the bar. While it was disconcerting to see the TVs remaining on when the live music started, at least the screens soon started playing vintage video of olds cars and skateboarders. It's a place that warrants random drop-ins and calendar circles.

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The Wanton Looks setlist:

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Worst Side of Me

Demons

This Night Alone

Get Thru To You

To Be Free

Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah

86 Me

See You Again

Better Off

Cut Off

Forget You

Electromagnetic Force

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Start: 11:25 p.m./Finish: 12:11 a.m.
Totals: 12 songs, 46 minutes

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Photo Gallery

The Wanton Looks

May 18, 2013 @ Brauer House

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The Wanton Looks

May 18, 2013 @ Brauer House

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The Wanton Looks

May 18, 2013 @ Brauer House

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The Wanton Looks

May 18, 2013 @ Brauer House

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The Wanton Looks

May 18, 2013 @ Brauer House

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The Wanton Looks

May 18, 2013 @ Brauer House

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The Wanton Looks

May 18, 2013 @ Brauer House

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The Wanton Looks

May 18, 2013 @ Brauer House

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The Wanton Looks

May 18, 2013 @ Brauer House

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The Wanton Looks

May 18, 2013 @ Brauer House

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The Wanton Looks

May 18, 2013 @ Brauer House

 

The Wanton Looks

May 18, 2013 @ Brauer House

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The Wanton Looks

May 18, 2013 @ Brauer House

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The Wanton Looks

May 18, 2013 @ Brauer House

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The Wanton Looks

May 18, 2013 @ Brauer House

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The Wanton Looks

May 18, 2013 @ Brauer House

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The Wanton Looks

May 18, 2013 @ Brauer House

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The Wanton Looks

May 18, 2013 @ Brauer House

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Mad Trucker Gone Mad

May 18, 2013 @ Brauer House

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Mad Trucker Gone Mad

May 18, 2013 @ Brauer House

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Mad Trucker Gone Mad

May 18, 2013 @ Brauer House

 

MG & The Gas City Three

May 18, 2013 @ Brauer House

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MG & The Gas City Three

May 18, 2013 @ Brauer House

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MG & The Gas City Three

May 18, 2013 @ Brauer House

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