Lifeguard is, in my opinion, one of the greatest underground rock bands of the 2020s so far. The Chicago-based trio first caught my attention when preparing to cover Pitchfork Music Festival (which did not end up happening) and going through the pre-fest coverage lists. I saw the name on the lineup and could not seem to deduce what type of music it could be. On a long road trip, I couldn’t stop thinking about the band name, and I decided to play their EPs, “Dressed In Trenches,” and “Crowd Can Talk.” I was immediately blown away by what I heard. Soon thereafter learning that these kids had yet to finish high school made it all the more impressive–their sound was developed and centered, and their confidence shone through the speakers.

Songs like “17-18 Lovesong,” “New Age (I’ve Got A),” and “Ten Canisters (O.F.B.)” became regular tracks in my rotation. I managed to find a 12” dual copy of both EPs, and since then, I have patiently waited for new music. Lifeguard released a single “It Will Get Worse” ahead of their new album, “Ripped and Torn,” and it showed a maturation in sound, straying from the heavy reverb-laden vocals and twangy guitars. Their sound has developed into a pure-70s early punk tone–think Buzzcocks on tracks “Everybody’s Happy Nowadays” and “Why Can’t I Touch It?” The new record is somewhere at the nexus of art punk and lo-fi garage rock. The record is mixed with intent–drums muted, high mids, little to no reverb, and an overall tight sound. The record is notably recorded in mono, and I have a feeling they either dubbed it on tape or recorded straight analog. Seriously though–give it a listen. Give their entire catalogue a listen, it’s worth it.

PARKiNG took me by surprise. After a brief break on the Ace of Cups patio, I came back in to a dimly-lit scene. A singular incandescent lightbulb illuminates the entire room, and the band dives into their impeccable set. They sound like if someone took the band Slint and crossed them with Dry Cleaning, and some of the aesthetics of Black Country, New Road’s album “For The First Time.” Once you see that a drummer doubles as a vocalist, you know the show is about to be killer. The post-punk sound seems to be a common theme here, and I could not be more thrilled. The band plays with dynamics and sound in such an interesting way–the bass is punchy and metallic, drums unwavering and full of might, guitar providing the perfect phrasing and complementation to the sound. The vocals oscillate between a seemingly pissed-off monotone monologue, to frantic, almost chilling shrills. An unexpected upright bass interlude really tied the artistic expression together. I have found myself listening to their new record over and over, and I highly suggest you give it a listen, you’ll be blown away.

Tracks of note include “Siren,” “Thirds,” and my personal favorite off the new record, “Mike Johnson Is A Mechanic.” If you took a break and listened to The Laughing Chimes and enjoyed it, I really think you’re going to unlock a whole new level of underground post-punk that will give you hope for the future of alternative music.

Lifeguard, as expected, delivered with an incredible set featuring a plethora of songs from their new record. The band played many of these tracks, including “It Will Get Worse,” “A Tightwire,” and “(I Wanna) Break Out.” Of course, other tracks from their previous work such as “New Age (I’ve Got A)” were performed, and were as great as I expected them to be. Their live sound is just as refined as the recordings, and this makes their vision even more clear; Lifeguard doesn’t rely on post-processing and effects to make great music, they’re able to translate the unique timbre of “Ripped and Torn” to the stage with ease.

Kai, Asher, and Isaac have great chemistry on stage, and I have a feeling that their trajectory is going to be exponential if they continue working at this rate. I have been consistently impressed by Lifeguard, and I cannot wait to see where their sound goes next. If their first full-length record is any indication, big things are coming, and they are certainly a band to keep your eye on. The Chicago youth music scene is producing a lot of truly impeccable art, and Lifeguard is just the tip of the iceberg.

My only qualm of the show was with the audience rather than any of the artists. This is the type of music you can’t resist moving to, yet, somehow, the largely older audience seemed to be more keen on standing as still as possible. All of the bands that performed on this bill deserved a lot more energy from the crowd, and I wish that the younger demographic would have shown out. The youth music scene in Columbus is thriving, but often times weeknight shows can be difficult for turnout. Still, there was plenty of dancing and movement in the crowd from those that did attend, and between photo bursts I was sure to partake.

Mannequin Pussy is arguably one of the greatest band names. It’s everything a punk band aspires to be–it’s shocking, it captures your attention, and simply put, it’s badass. From the controversy behind their name, to the theft of some $50,000 worth of gear while on tour in 2021, Mannequin Pussy, despite the odds, never threw in the towel, and have since managed to take larger stages as each year passes. I was thankful to have the opportunity to finally catch them on tour in Cincinnati at Bogart’s, and they did not disappoint.

Missy is an incredible performer, and Mannequin Pussy is what America needs right now. In a time where so much is uncertain and so much collective pain is festering, releasing this energy is important to maintain an iota of sanity. The stage is Missy’s outlet, and it’s easy to see why the band has grown a significant fanbase. During one of her monologues, Missy made several notable statements surrounding the current political climate, the band, and the collective anger of living in a society that devalues those outside who aren’t straight, white men. “I think you all have suffered from the rage that lives in your body every fucking day of your lives. Like us, you too feel sometimes and don’t know what the fuck to do with it. You feel the anger and rage pulsate in your body, because every single day, especially in this country, especially under capitalism, they try to disconnect us from our empathy…They infantilize our rage and tell us it’s something you’ll grow out of when you grow older. But, the truth is, my rage has grown every fucking year I have been alive.” Missy raises her microphone, and the audience erupts into cheers. Seeing such a receptive audience of nearly 1500 people cheer gives me hope for the future. Despite the attempts to make us feel helpless through legislating hate, resistance is everywhere. Personally, I enjoyed the primal scream–it felt good to let out a guttural, throat-irritating yell that nearly triggered my gag reflex.

Mannequin Pussy put on an incredible performance and did what many artists are afraid to do–speak up. In the words of Missy herself, “if you’re the type of person who doesn’t think politics belong in entertainment, you’re gonna fucking hate this.” The show was full of positive energy, and most importantly, people of all ages and backgrounds letting go and embracing the beauty of live music. Their musicianship was impeccable on all fronts, and they are a group that you do not want to miss. My favorite songs from the night included “Drunk II,” “Loud Bark,” and “Romantic.” The setlist covered most of their discography and gave a stellar synopsis of the band’s dynamic, eclectic sound.

Ratboys