Commodes humor may help heal at Jan. 15 benefit
Thursday, January 6, 2005
By Jessi Virtusio
Gig of the Week
Humor often is a healer.
So several local bands, many known for their humorous side, have joined forces for Winter Wingding 2005, a benefit for the Leukemia Research Foundation.
The Commodes have corralled this musical comedy cavalcade.
"We're a rock and roll band with more of a punk style, and these bands fit in with the music we play," said Soter Nomikos, better known as Steve "The Kernel" Crapper, guitarist and vocalist of the Commodes. The Jan. 15 benefit also will include the Polkaholics (a mix of punk and polka), the Goldstars (featuring members of the New Duncan Imperials), the Locals (a female-fronted acoustic group) and Seven Day Run (known for well-crafted songs). "We're all friends from the scene, but we've never played a show together, so it will be fun to do it," Nomikos, of Mokena, said. He added that Matt Priest, the new booking coordinator at the Beat Kitchen, was instrumental in getting Winter Wingding into that legendary Chicago venue. In addition to a music room that accommodates about 180 people and "an awesome sound system," he said, "the Beat Kitchen's restaurant provides attendees the chance to eat before the show. "It's an awesome venue. It's a little off the beaten path, but that place has brought so many good acts there through the years," the 29-year-old said. "Hopefully, we're going to give it a jump start."
Nomikos said the idea for the benefit stemmed from seeing information about the Jim Gibbons Run/Walk/Strut for the Leukemia Research Foundation, www.leukemia-research.org. "I decided to look into it and I liked what they had to say," he said. "Most of their money goes toward helping kids, rather than their actual organization." The Evanston-based nonprofit's mission is to conquer leukemia, lymphoma and myelodysplastic syndromes by funding research into their causes and cures, and to enrich the quality of life of those touched by these diseases. "My goal is $3,000, at least. If we can get anywhere close to that, I will be a very happy man," Nomikos said.
He added that Chicago's Cameron Electric Motor Corp., which is owned by his father, John Nomikos, and Schaumburg's Wireless Concepts, which is owned by his brother, George Nomikos, are helping to sponsor the benefit. Chicago's Palmer Printing, a customer of Cameron's, also is lending sponsorship support.
Nomikos said a number of people are buying tickets in advance at Threshold Music in Tinley Park or the Beat Kitchen box office, and one south suburban school has pledged funds to the benefit from a class project. In addition to attending the event, donating raffle prizes is another way to assist the benefit. More information is at [email protected], or (847) 727-1886.
Along with raising money for the Leukemia Research Foundation, Winter Wingding also will feature the debut of the Commodes' full-length CD "The Kids Are Not Bright." The 11-song platter, which was four months in the making, was recorded at his home operation, Frothy Dog Studios. Like its predecessor, the three-song "We Have a Single?" CD, "The Kids Are Not Bright" will be available at Commodes shows and through CDBaby.com. Joining Nomikos in the trio of toilet humorists are Oak Forest's Dan Kotheimer, better known as Angry Elmer (keyboards and vocals) and Frankfort's Paul "The Big Ragu" Frigo (drums). The former Foam Rubber members, who were featured in Firstlook in 2002, have been performing as the Commodes, geocities.com/loscommodes, for more than a year and gig out once or twice a month.
"We call ourselves a novelty act," Nomikos said."We're all ridiculous and we know it."
IF YOU GO ...
WHAT: Winter Wingding 2005, a benefit for the Leukemia Research Foundation, featuring the Polkaholics, the Goldstars, the Locals, Seven Day Run and the Commodes.
WHERE: The Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago.
WHEN: 8 p.m. Jan. 15.
TICKETS: $10 in advance at Threshold Music, 7901 W. 159th St., Tinley Park, (708) 429-0220, or the Beat Kitchen box office. Or $15 on the night of the 21-and-over show.
WEB: www.geocities.com/xxlowbudgetxx/benefit.
Jessi Virtusio may be reached at [email protected] or (708) 802-8854.
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January 18, 2005
Written by Jolly James Wallace of The Polkaholics
COLD outside- but HOT Inside!
Thank you to every single one of you that braved the cold this past Saturday in order to attend the Winter Wingding 2005 Concert @ Beat Kitchen. The place was filled to capacity, and at $15 a pop- with all of the money going to the Leukemia Research Foundation- plus the money that was collected and donated by The Polkaholics®- the night was a rip roaring success! Pardon the cliché but it warms my heart to know that so many people came out to not only support a good cause but to have some fun, drink some beer, and dance!
The Locals.
Their bass player was damn amazing, especially when you take into account that her MusicMan bass is just as big as she was! She was all over that thing, and if you were there at 8:00pm for their set you know what I'm talking about. They are the loudest acoustic band around! Check out their web page and look for Danger Boy!!
The Commodes were a damn funny band! Any band that can sing about Schlitz, electrical pap smears and the bowel movements of the The King-Elvis- deserve my support. Keep on the lookout for an upcoming Commodes/Polkaholics® show in the future. Colonel Crapper of the Commodes put this entire show for the Leukemia Research Foundation together, way to go!
Goldstars. What can I say? A great power-pop group. Dag Juhlin is one the nicest guys in town and he can play the shit out of his gold Les Paul! And when you throw is two members of New Duncan Imperials- well you are in for a good time. The got the crowd ready for....
The Polkaholics®! We took the stage around 11:00pm and played for just over an hour. It's strange playing for only an hour because we usually play for 3 to 4 times that long!!
Dandy Don and I had some technical issues during the first couple of songs but we quickly worked them out, and I think I can safely say that we rocked the house! A big shout out goes out to Anne and Erin, two ladies who came to see us for the first time. They were brave (or should I say crazy!?) enough to get up on stage with us and do the Chicken Dance. Thanks ladies! I hope that you had a fun time and that you come out to see some more shows.
Seven Day Run. I was only able to hear one song by SDR. I was a little perplexed by the 6 string bass, hell you only need the E and the D!!
Ok a little bass humor there.
I was able to talk with these guys before the show and they were all cool guys.
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Review by Joseph Simek of Illinois Entertainer Magazine
One’s expectations can’t be too high when opening The Commodes latest, Flying Sausage. After all, the three “Chicago novelty rockers” are riding a giant, flying Oscar Mayer wiener on the album cover. Despite efforts to make us laugh with songs like “300 Pound Internet Girl” and “Electrical Pap Smear,” the artwork is about as entertaining as this joke band gets. (www.geocities.com/loscommodes)
by Joseph Simek