Music - In Concert

So what type of music do you like to hear when you walk into a bar? There are always exceptions, but most people I posed that question to this week said, "Music I know" or "Music I can sing along with". This explains the prevalence of cover bands all over Chicagoland.

But music is not just about regurgitating some chords and melodies that someone else has already sung thousands of times before - it's about the interpretation of those chords and melodies. Putting a unique spin on songs that people are familiar with can quickly and easily set apart a band from the rest of the bunch.

So it is with Beat Salad.

Beat Salad recently performed at Bungalow Joe's (7406 Jensen Blvd, Hanover Park, IL 60133) on May 26th (They are the main act on the last Tuesday of every month at Joe's), bringing with them a crowd of fans in their 20's and 30's and a whole lotta energy.

 

Taking cues from such bands as Tenacious D and Flight of the Conchords, members Vince Foss (guitar, vocals) and Miguel Matallanes (percussion, vocals) have a comedy routine that they expertly weave throughout their set. In between (and many times during) songs, most of the audience is grinning ear-to-ear from the on-stage dialogue.

What kind of music does Beat Salad play? The Good Kind. The kind of music you turn up when it comes on the classic rock stations ("Hotel California, "Wish You Were Here"), to stunning renditions of modern songs that you secretly sing in the shower ("Hit Me Baby One More Time", "When Doves Cry"). The combination of Vince and Miguel's musical influences casts a wide net over music from the past 50 years - and they are able to tap into all of that, moving across decades and genres effortlessly.

It's always fun to sing along to some bozo with a guitar playing "Wonderwall" at your local bar, but Beat Salad takes that tired recipe and adds some spice to it - injecting an ever evolving comedy routine and their own unique spin onto your favorite songs.

Plan ahead for these guys, I have it on good authority that Beat Salad will soon be playing several more dates a month in and around Chicagoland - but Bungalow Joe's will always be the place they got started. See them at Joe's! Last Tuesday of every month, 9:00PM - Late.