BLACKFINGER ROCKS AURORA!
Report and Photos by Cathy "Nightcatt" Palmer.
The Chicago metal scene is as elusive as the Holy Grail at times, and as fickle as Chicago weather. It’s underlying, and always out there… stalking the night, but forever changing its fury, style and location. It travels from summer festival stages to shot and beer bars, (Oh, excuse me, they’re called sports bars now) in any given neighborhood, city or suburban.
It’s hard to believe that a city that has enough rock and metal fans to fill the Allstate Arena for nights on end for some acts, would snub some of it’s own local talent. Yes, they snub. They snub them by not attending their shows. They snub them by not giving them as much radio airplay, (if any), as other music genres, and they snub them again by downloading their music for free and not actually purchasing their CDs.
Chicago has bands that fill huge venues and have loyal fans all over the world, yet don’t draw large in their own hometown. They’re almost invisible here and seem to have a limited underground following.
There are hundreds of excuses and theories about why people won’t support their local band’s shows, but that’s not what this article is about. This is about a band called BLACKFINGER. For those of you reading this and didn’t go to the show, all I could say is it’s your loss.
It’s hard to believe that a city that has enough rock and metal fans to fill the Allstate Arena for nights on end for some acts, would snub some of it’s own local talent. Yes, they snub. They snub them by not attending their shows. They snub them by not giving them as much radio airplay, (if any), as other music genres, and they snub them again by downloading their music for free and not actually purchasing their CDs.
Chicago has bands that fill huge venues and have loyal fans all over the world, yet don’t draw large in their own hometown. They’re almost invisible here and seem to have a limited underground following.
There are hundreds of excuses and theories about why people won’t support their local band’s shows, but that’s not what this article is about. This is about a band called BLACKFINGER. For those of you reading this and didn’t go to the show, all I could say is it’s your loss.
When I heard BLACKFINGER was playing at Doug’s Rockhouse, Aurora, IL on June 13th, 2009, I didn’t care that I was going to have to drive 35+ miles to see this band perform. I knew that any project that Eric Wagner was in, the former front man for the Metal/Doom/Psychedelic band TROUBLE , was going to be worth the drive.
Since I hadn’t heard but two of BLACKFINGER’S new songs, I went to the show not too sure of what to expect musically, as I hadn’t seen Eric perform since he parted from TROUBLE. To my surprise, the music was much stronger, just as gloomy and a lot heavier than the Psychedelic Rock on his previous solo effort, a band named LID.
BLACKFINGER played a well-rounded set consisting of original music of their own, plus select songs from LID, PROBOT and also TROUBLE. And speaking of TROUBLE, all of the TROUBLE fans there experienced a killer ending to the set, as Bruce Franklin (TROUBLE) and Ron Holzner, (Ex TROUBLE, currently EARTHEN GRAVE) joined Eric for the TROUBLE classic, At the End of My Daze.
On behalf of fans that attended the show that had a lot of questions for Eric, I asked him if he wouldn’t mind answering a few of them for publication.
Since I hadn’t heard but two of BLACKFINGER’S new songs, I went to the show not too sure of what to expect musically, as I hadn’t seen Eric perform since he parted from TROUBLE. To my surprise, the music was much stronger, just as gloomy and a lot heavier than the Psychedelic Rock on his previous solo effort, a band named LID.
BLACKFINGER played a well-rounded set consisting of original music of their own, plus select songs from LID, PROBOT and also TROUBLE. And speaking of TROUBLE, all of the TROUBLE fans there experienced a killer ending to the set, as Bruce Franklin (TROUBLE) and Ron Holzner, (Ex TROUBLE, currently EARTHEN GRAVE) joined Eric for the TROUBLE classic, At the End of My Daze.
On behalf of fans that attended the show that had a lot of questions for Eric, I asked him if he wouldn’t mind answering a few of them for publication.
Cathy: “Eric, let’s start with where did the current line up of your band members [come] from?”
Eric: “They are all friends of mine and have been in local (Chicago) bands for years.”
Cathy: “The talk in the Chicago area is that you no longer wish to tour, is that a fact?”
Eric: “I would probably consider it. At the time I was sick of playing the same old songs, same old arguments…. I just needed a change and felt it was time to do my own thing again.”
Cathy: “When you’re not with an international act and touring regularly, do you find short tours disruptive to your family life?”
Eric: “No! It’s good to get the hell out once in a while and see different places and people. I get bored easy!”
Cathy: “Toggling between music and home life, did you ever feel like your were living two entirely different lives? How did you cope?”
Eric: “Unfortunately, not very well. On the road, I could do pretty much what I wanted to. You are catered to. I could flick my boogers on the wall of the hotel and nobody could tell me no. When I got home, at least back then anyway, I had two kids in diapers, so I went from playing ‘rock star’ to changing diapers and taking out the garbage. Yes, you could say they are 2 different worlds.”
Cathy: “Do you think that smaller scale projects will be satisfying enough for you after having played all around the world?”
Eric: “My favorite part of being in a band was always writing and recording new songs. There is something about starting with nothing and ending up with a disc in your hand full of music that gets me high like nothing else.”
Cathy: “Your fans love when you jam at shows or make guest appearances with former band members of TROUBLE. Do you have any projects in line to work with any of them again?”
Eric: “ That kinda just happened. There is nothing planned, but if it comes up again, I’m sure we will do it again. It was fun!”
Cathy: “As a father with all of your experienced based wisdom, what advice have you given to your children that wish to pursue music as a career?”
Eric: “Don’t do it! But, if you do, I will be behind you 100%.”
Cathy: “When is BLACKFINGER playing out again so others can see you play, and, any CD’s for sale at this time or in the near future?”
Eric: “Yes, I think we’ll play again. We are talking about doing some more shows with Earthen Grave. For now, we are going back to work on new songs. I hope to record a new CD in the near future.”
The turn out was very good with a crowd that also came out to see MINDWARP CHAMBER, EARTHEN GRAVE, URN and LISA’S REVENGE. And like most Chicago area shows, was promoted more so by word of mouth, Internet mail, E-flyers and various promoters, including new promoter, Las Divas Productions.
I attend shows from a wide range of musical talents and genres but I have a preference for metal. If you’re looking for some kick-ass metal music, look to some of the more seasoned musician’s shows. They’re professional, more accomplished and their music does the talking. Make a note of their names and watch for some of their current projects, as they seem to move around more and may be playing in multiple bands at a time. For what it costs these days to go to a show, you’ll more than get your money’s worth. It’s always fun to see new metal fans rocking out and saying, “Damn! Where did these guys come from?”
BLACKFINGER IS: Eric Wagner, vocals; Doug Hakes, guitar; Rico Bianchi, guitar; Ben Smith, bass; Larry Piatz, drums.
Special guest appearances by Bruce Franklin on guitar and Ron Holzner on bass.
Visit BLACKFINGER’S web page for updates on new music and upcoming shows. Their MySpace URL is as follows:
www.myspace.com/blackfingereric and www.myspace.com/troublechicago
I attend shows from a wide range of musical talents and genres but I have a preference for metal. If you’re looking for some kick-ass metal music, look to some of the more seasoned musician’s shows. They’re professional, more accomplished and their music does the talking. Make a note of their names and watch for some of their current projects, as they seem to move around more and may be playing in multiple bands at a time. For what it costs these days to go to a show, you’ll more than get your money’s worth. It’s always fun to see new metal fans rocking out and saying, “Damn! Where did these guys come from?”
BLACKFINGER IS: Eric Wagner, vocals; Doug Hakes, guitar; Rico Bianchi, guitar; Ben Smith, bass; Larry Piatz, drums.
Special guest appearances by Bruce Franklin on guitar and Ron Holzner on bass.
Visit BLACKFINGER’S web page for updates on new music and upcoming shows. Their MySpace URL is as follows:
www.myspace.com/blackfingereric and www.myspace.com/troublechicago