Waco Brothers w/ The Shams Band
Saturday, Jan. 25 | 8:00pm ET (7:00pm CT)
The Waco Brothers was formed by Jon Langford of the Mekons. The group grew out of Langford’s wish to play more country-influenced music as the Mekons concentrated more on a punk sound. They were originally put together simply for local Chicago shows, but the success of their Bloodshot Records albums allowed them to tour the US occasionally. Some of the members also participated in Langford’s Pine Valley Cosmonauts project.
About the Artists
The Waco Brothers
The band recorded the first of its studio albums in 1995. Their album, Waco Express: Live & Kickin‘ at Schuba’s Tavern is a concert recording which Ken Tucker, the pop music critic for NPR’s Fresh Air and editor-at-large at Entertainment Weekly, described as “country as it should be written and played, with a long memory for roadhouse honky-tonks rather than TV-ready music videos.” Author and music critic Sarah Vowell told the Chicagoist, “I’ve never been able to find a live band in New York as consistently thrilling and funny and fun as the Waco Brothers.“
In 2012, the Waco Brothers collaborated with Nashville mainstay Paul Burch to produce Great Chicago Fire. The Chicago Tribune said of the album, “If the Rolling Stones were still making great records, this would be it.”
The Shams Band
Drawing heavily from their Kinks, Rolling Stones, and Wilco influences, songwriters Donnie Biggins and Paul Gulyas create whiskey-driven blues, complete with four-part harmonies. It's whiskey-driven storytelling. It's a party. It's rock 'n roll with a banjo.
Please note Week of Show price increases by $5 per ticket.
RESERVED SEATING DONATION option includes a $30 tax-deductible donation to The Acorn and guarantees you a seat with optimal sightlines. $30 Donation per ticket holder in your group.