Surfer Blood Perform New Song in Chicago

Although they played a sold-out show at Schubas in Chicago less than two months ago, Surfer Blood still managed to sell out the same venue again on Wednesday night, proving that their buzz isn't about to fade anytime soon. The fresh-faced quartet (plus touring percussionist Marcos Marchesani) seemed genuinely excited to be back, interacting with the crowd and giving each song their all.

The crowd interacted right back with the band, dancing up a storm to the percussion-heavy 'Take It Easy' and nodding their heads along to a set list that was mostly comprised of songs from Surfer Blood's debut album, 'Astro Coast.' "We're going to slow it down to the pace of a snail," said singer/guitarist JP Pitts, introducing 'Harmonix.' The snail's pace was quickly interrupted by a squeal of feedback from guitarist Thomas Fekete's Telecaster, as he picked up a drumstick and ran it up and down his strings, Sonic Youth-style. It was pretty impressive considering the 102 degree fever that Fekete later announced to the crowd that he was currently battling.

Fekete wasn't the only one who lost himself in each song though, as Pitts and Marchesani proved during 'Twin Peaks'; Marchesani banged so hard on his percussion set-up that he knocked over a cowbell and Pitts cathartically screamed into his microphone. Still, it was Fekete who stole the show again during 'Catholic Pagans' when he raised the body of his guitar to his mouth and proceeded to play with his teeth for several seconds. Lowering his guitar again, a smile stretched across his impish face, showing that he's not quite a hardened rock star just yet.

Surfer Blood's set wound down with 'Swim,' their 2009 debut single and the song that earned them the wave of buzz they're currently riding on. Pitts wailed into his microphone as the crowd nodded their heads enthusiastically, dancing and waving their arms. It may sound great as a recording, but there is no doubt that 'Swim' is one of those songs that is meant to be heard in a live setting. For their encore, Surfer Blood closed their set with a new song, 'I'm Not Ready,' which still had the crowd dancing despite the fact that many had never heard it before. Walking offstage with smiles on their faces, it's clear that Surfer Blood are enjoying their time in the spotlight -- as they should be.