DS Show Review & Gallery: A Wilhelm Scream; Counterpunch; and Much The Same. Chicago (12.12.2023)
Reggie’s Rock Club played host to a strong night of melodic punk. A Wilhelm Scream out of New Bedford, MA, with Counterpunch, and Much The Same, both from the Chicago area, added up to a knockout bill.
A Wilhelm Scream is a cinematic sound effect in use for many decades and the name inspiration for the headliners this evening. Witnessing frontman Nuno Pereira belt out the vocals, the name choice seems appropriate. However, the screaming done by Pereira is quite a bit more of a pleasant listen than the iconic bit of film audio. A Wilhelm Scream blasted through a fiery set which included as highlights, “Me vs. Morrissey in the Pretentiousness Contest (The Ladder Match),” “These Dead Streets,” “Jaws 3, People 0,” “Figure Eights in My Head,” “Famous Friends and Fashion Drunks,” and “Boat Builders.” Pereira appeared emotional as he spoke of how special it felt to be back in Chicago, and Reggie’s Rock Club.
A Wilhelm Scream is scheduled to return to the United Kingdom in March 2024 as part of Hot Water Music’s 30th Anniversary Tour.
Counterpunch, one of the two melodic skate punk bands on this bill, tore through a set including, but not limited to, “No Man’s Land,” “Destroyed by Lions,” “Collateral Damage,” “Wish You Were Here,” “Paradise Lost,” and “Waiting in the Wings.”
The hometown crowd was all in for the band’s set, and it was rewarded with a powerful performance. Make sure to check out Counterpunch the next time the group hits your area.
Much The Same kicked off the night and its name works as a description of its set. That is, much the same as Counterpunch in that the hometown crowd was ecstatic to see them. However, running through a set including “American Idle,” “Snake in the Grass,” “Gut Shot,” “Skeletons,” and “Living A Lie,” among others, Much The Same demonstrated its own hard-worn identity, standing out in the Windy City punk scene.
Please check out more photos from the show. Thanks and cheers!