Small Black Drum With Class Actress' Scott Rosenthal in Chicago

It may have been a Monday night, but Small Black were able to win over the crowd at Chicago's Empty Bottle, inspiring them to dance as if it was the weekend. Supporting their recently released debut album, 'New Chain,' the Brooklyn quartet played a nice mix of songs from both their new album and their self-titled 2009 EP that helped cement their buzz-band status.

Singer Josh Kolenik clutched his microphone in one hand and bopped around the stage for most of Small Black's set, as the crowd mimicked his actions by nodding their heads along in unison. Several songs into their set, ghostly blue lights switched on and Kolenik noted the change in lighting after the song 'Search Party' ended. "I love this lighting change. This is our vibe right here," he said proudly before continuing with with 'Lady in the Wires' from their self-titled EP.

The casual dancing that had come in spurts throughout their set finally culminated in a one-two punch of EP favorite, 'Despicable Dogs,' which had fans singing along and pumping their fists in the air to the chorus of "Do it without me, do it when I'm gone/ Right as I want you, right as you run/ You duck," and 'Photojournalist,' the first single from 'New Chain,' which also inspired jumping and fist pumping during the chorus.

The real treat of Small Black's set came during their encore. "I want to invite Scott from Class Actress to join us on drums," announced Kolenik as the band walked back onstage with Scott Rosenthal from the New York synth-pop trio in tow. Rosenthal took his place next to drummer Jeff Curtain, and proceeded to start off the song 'Hydra,' by tapping on the side of Curtain's tom drum. The rest of the band joined in and the swirling melodies of the song coupled with Kolenik's atmospheric vocals and Rosenthal's pummeling of the tom drum alongside Curtain made for a stunning end to Small Black's solid performance.