GIG OF THE MONTH

Charly Bliss — Lincoln Hall, Chicago, Illinois

Bubble gum fizz rock and roll electro pop sugar buzz Adderall in a taffeta skirt and white patent Docs.

This is the energy and look Eva Hendricks—front-woman of Brooklyn-based Charly Bliss— brings to the stage at Chicago’s Lincoln Hall, and it’s an incendiary Jolly Rancher of melodious punk goodness.

Backed by her brother Sam Hendricks (drums), Spencer Fox (guitar) and Dan Shure (bass) this band unapologetically out-Killers the Killers with buckets of A-Ha worthy synthy-splendor, distorted hooky guitar riffage, and melodious lyrics of sugar-coated, deep-seated angst. Ain’t no embarrassing Brandon Flowerisms here. No-, “I got soul, but I’m not a soldier,” cringiness. Hendrick’s lyrics are more Liz Phair than that. And her band, dressed in white, brings the rock goods. They absolutely crackled though the majority of their latest grunge/80’s synth pop mash-up, Young Enough (Barsuk Records). The energy of this band on stage is tireless, the playing tight and bouncy. This band could absolutely light up a Lollapalooza or Pitchfork stage, but, for now, it’s great to see an arena-worthy outfit in an intimate setting.  Five devil horns for this performance.