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Pink corsages. Shiny halter top dresses. Dudes wearing pinstriped ties. If you have ever been to a Secret Show before, then you know that these are not the kinds of things you typically see at such an event. But this past Thursday in Chicago wasn't your typical Secret Show. No, for starters, it was Valentine's Day and, to celebrate, nearly 400 MySpace users lined up outside of Subterranean in the City's Wicker Park district to see post-hardcore heroes Chiodos play an intimate show inside. By the time they filed in, many were holding flowers and, at the request of the band, were dressed in the type of formal attire modeled by the couple on the cover of their latest album, Bone Palace Ballet.
The end result? A sort of punk rock prom that no one in attendance will soon forget. Starting off were locals Powerspace, who kicked off the holiday show with a string of songs off of 2007's The Kicks Of Passion. Near the end of their set, an overzealous fan unexpectedly yanked the power out on the group, prompting frontman Alec Cyganowski to suggest that the crowd begin "making out" while they got things back in order.
While some obliged, mostly fans grew anxious for Chiodos to take the stage. When they finally did, singer Craig Owens emerged wearing a pink tie and a snug blue blazer. Over the next hour, he and his bandmates were baraged with bouquets while playing a set that included current favorites like "A Letter From Janelle," as well as extremely rare tracks like "Intensity In Ten Cities" (which, according to the group, they have never once performed in public.)
As the night came to a close, Chiodos churned out a rousing version of their latest single, "Lexington." But before doing so, Owens insisted that all the couples gather in the middle of the club for a slow dance. It wasn't exactly the kind of raging mosh pit that you would expect at a show like this, but then again, that's exactly what made this night so memorable.
That being said, Secret Shows would like to send out a huge thank you to both Chiodos and Powerspace for playing, as well all the kids who dressed up and waited patiently in the cold. Thanks guys, and we'll see you at the next show!
The end result? A sort of punk rock prom that no one in attendance will soon forget. Starting off were locals Powerspace, who kicked off the holiday show with a string of songs off of 2007's The Kicks Of Passion. Near the end of their set, an overzealous fan unexpectedly yanked the power out on the group, prompting frontman Alec Cyganowski to suggest that the crowd begin "making out" while they got things back in order.
While some obliged, mostly fans grew anxious for Chiodos to take the stage. When they finally did, singer Craig Owens emerged wearing a pink tie and a snug blue blazer. Over the next hour, he and his bandmates were baraged with bouquets while playing a set that included current favorites like "A Letter From Janelle," as well as extremely rare tracks like "Intensity In Ten Cities" (which, according to the group, they have never once performed in public.)
As the night came to a close, Chiodos churned out a rousing version of their latest single, "Lexington." But before doing so, Owens insisted that all the couples gather in the middle of the club for a slow dance. It wasn't exactly the kind of raging mosh pit that you would expect at a show like this, but then again, that's exactly what made this night so memorable.
That being said, Secret Shows would like to send out a huge thank you to both Chiodos and Powerspace for playing, as well all the kids who dressed up and waited patiently in the cold. Thanks guys, and we'll see you at the next show!
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