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Naked Raygun Back in Action

Posted at 12:06 PM on January 22, 2007 by Ali Lozoff (2 Comments)

So the seminal Chicago punk band Naked Raygun is playing out again, including some upcoming dates at the Triple Rock in May. (Does anyone else wax poetic over the reverse-drum solo that come in about 30 seconds into the anthemic anti-love song "Vanilla Blue"? Gets me every time.) Looks like the current line up consists of Jeff Pessati, Bill Stephens, Pierre Kezdy and Eric Spicer. My memories of the 'gun include John Haggerty on guitar (before he split to form Pegboy in the late late '80s), so I'm a little bummed that's not the line up touring, but die hard fans will be thrilled at this version making the rounds. So my question is - what do you think of these founders of "The Chicago Sound" making a comeback? Do you like seeing the originators show the kids these days how it's done, or do you feel like it's a little weird to see guys in their '50s play such youth-oriented music? (See also Buzzcocks, Blondie, Iggy Pop and various other aging punk bands who have recently played SXSW, Lollapalooza and Coachella.) Does the anger and exuberance of punk rock seem out of place when it's banged out by people in that age group, or is it comforting to know that age is just a number and you can rock out with your (ahem) out at any stage of life?

Comments (2)

I've got tickets to the all ages show with Naked Raygun and D4. Yeah!

On the comeback question: Based on a roundtable discussion at Gluek's last night, we decided it's okay to reunite if a band retains a certain sexiness and dignity. It also helps if their songs' lyrics do not contain references to being 21 or dating, etc. If a band can navigate around those issues, I think it's a-okay for them to reunite. Oh--as long as they still can rock a stage.

Posted by Christina Schmitt | January 26, 2007 11:12 AM

I believe you, Mary and I also decided that a certain amount of hair retention helps. Sad but true.

Posted by Ali Lozoff | January 28, 2007 1:57 PM

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