GIG OF THE MONTH

Charly Bliss — Lincoln Hall, Chicago, Illinois

Bubble gum fizz rock and roll electro pop sugar buzz Adderall in a taffeta skirt and white patent Docs.

This is the energy and look Eva Hendricks—front-woman of Brooklyn-based Charly Bliss— brings to the stage at Chicago’s Lincoln Hall, and it’s an incendiary Jolly Rancher of melodious punk goodness.

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Backed by her brother Sam Hendricks (drums), Spencer Fox (guitar) and Dan Shure (bass) this band unapologetically out-Killers the Killers with buckets of A-Ha worthy synthy-splendor, distorted hooky guitar riffage, and melodious lyrics of sugar-coated, deep-seated angst. Ain’t no embarrassing Brandon Flowerisms here. No-, “I got soul, but I’m not a soldier,” cringiness. Hendrick’s lyrics are more Liz Phair than that. And her band, dressed in white, brings the rock goods. They absolutely crackled though the majority of their latest grunge/80’s synth pop mash-up, Young Enough (Barsuk Records). The energy of this band on stage is tireless, the playing tight and bouncy. This band could absolutely light up a Lollapalooza or Pitchfork stage, but, for now, it’s great to see an arena-worthy outfit in an intimate setting.  Five devil horns for this performance.