Disappears at WBEZ - 4/12/12

Disappears in mid-throwdown; apologies for the poor quality of the photo.

We introduced our "Coolest of the Cool" series last week (check it out here), in which we pay tribute to artists that transcend the commonly held perceptions of what qualifies as "cool." The definition of "cool" is obviously very subjective in nature, so on this blog we're only concerned with our own idea of "cool." I will refrain from attempting to define this standard, other than to say that we know it when we see it (or hear it, as the case may be).

The more we listen to the music of Chicago rockers Disappears, the more we realize that they are some of the coolest motherf***ers in existence at present. Aside from having one of the simplest but most evocative and mysterious monikers in all of indie rock, the band features frontman Brian Case, a veteran of the local indie scene who previously played in acclaimed bands 90 Day Men and The Ponies. Plus, he used to work behind the counter at Reckless Records, so his cred is well established.

The band recently released their third full-length, Pre-Language (which we praised here), and it features the debut of a new drummer, no less than Sonic Youth's Steve Shelley.

So we were thrilled at the opportunity to see the band perform last Thursday in the intimate confines of WBEZ's studios on Navy Pier. After draining a few 312 ales in rapid succession out on a balcony overlooking Lake Michigan (compliments of Goose Island), we made our way into the studio. There were maybe 60-70 peeps in attendance, including a few out-of-place old folks sitting in chairs along the back wall. We stood near them at the back, but had a clear view of the band as they worked through a number of songs from Pre-Language, as well as our favorite Disappears tune, "Magics", off their first abum, Lux. While we would have loved to hear them play more tracks off that album (as well as last year's Guider), the band mad a helluva lot of noise, thanks mainly to Shelley's frenetic but flawless drumming, and lead guitarist Jonathan van Herik's expertly crafted walls of sonic fury (which caused my brother to actually plug his ears on a couple of occasions; for shame!).

Disappears kicked off a tour of the East Coast this past weekend, so catch 'em if they roll into your neck of the woods.