Those Darlins Get Dirty in Chicago

Posted on Feb 12th 2010 2:15PM by Tim Lowery
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After opening for the likes of Deer Tick and the King Khan & BBQ Show, country-tinged rockers Those Darlins are hitting the road as headliners. If last night's sold-out gig at Schubas in Chicago is any indication, they're in for one hell of a tour -- not to mention a very promising 2010.

Enthusiastic fans, as well as a lot of newcomers who seemingly showed up to witness what the buzz was about, created a sweaty, boozy atmosphere, and as the dress-clad trio -- Kelley, Jessi and Nikki Darlin -- and backing drummer Linwood Regensberg took the stage, there was a palpable good-times-to-be-had energy.

A group of women wearing dinosaur costumes bounced up and down near the front, prompting baritone ukulele player Nikki to coax them into coming closer by saying "I heard there are drugs up here." After a somewhat shaky, underwhelming start, a raucous version of two-chord stomper 'Who's That Knockin' at My Window?' sparked the rest of the audience to follow suit.

That's when the dirty jokes started. Nikki, by far the most vocal of the three girls, responded to an inebriated audience member's yell by telling him "I like your t--s," which he repeated back to her.

"I like your d---," retorted drummer Regensberg. A song later, he followed it up with "Where are those balls at? Where are they?" Needless to say, the guy in the audience shut up.

During the set, which consisted mostly of cuts from last year's self-titled debut LP -- the standouts being 'DUI or Die' and 'Red Light Love,' which sounded more punk live than on record -- the girls covered the Velvet Underground's only consciously-countrified tune, the William S. Burroughs-nodding 'Lonesome Cowboy Bill,' as well as the Guess Who version of 'Shakin' All Over,' which made up for its sloppy delivery with sheer, unbridled energy.

The band also debuted two new songs, which both showed more '60s-era rock leanings than their rambunctious, country-heavy output thus far. But the girls' goal seems to stay intact, no matter what style they're dabbling in: Provide a good time. And that they did.

Those Darlins continue their U.S. tour, stopping for several shows at the SXSW Music Festival in March before teaming up with Deer Tick for another tour in April.