One very cold night in Chicago last February, my mom, aunt, cousin, and I braved the elements to see a show at the Subterranean, a venue courting the Windy Citys punks and hipsters. Theres something special about watching women in their mom-jeans and turtlenecks politely refusing to sell their tickets to desperate, tattooed, face-pierced fans. At the heart of this twisted peace-on-earth intergenerational moment was Seattles Tullycraft, who release their fifth album, Every Scene Needs a Center, tonight. Tullycraft has been unapologetically twee for more than a decade [the sub-headline refers to their indie-name-dropping hit which champions The Halo Benders over the BreedersEd]. Their last album, 2005s Disenchanted Hearts Unite, featured the usual listener-friendly chords and quirky lyrics, and added Jenny Mears on backup vocals with many a Woo-ooo for all-ages-approved pop sing-a-long fun. For Every Scene, bassist and vocalist Sean Tollefson says he told the band to write songs as if we were a small-town theater group. The result: tunes with names like Georgette Plays a Goth. Their music may not be revolutionary, but Tullycrafts joyous tone and energetic live show make for a damn good timebring your mom. With Math & Physics Club and Patience Please (CD release).
Thu., Oct. 18, 9 p.m., 2007