Siderunners Preview

Siderunners
Hideout, Chicago
Friday, March 16, 2007

Never had the opportunity to see the Siderunners? Clear you calendar for Friday night because it will be one of your last chances — for awhile at least — to see the band in their hometown.

It seems the Siderunners will go on an “indefinite hiatus” while guitarist/frontman Sappy moves to and gets settled in Nantucket, Massachusetts. It’s a shame because it seems like the group, which also includes guitarist/vocalist Nate Van Allen, drummer/vocalist Andy Abrisz, and a revolving cast of bassist, were just hitting their stride. There is no shortage of alt-country in Chicago, being the home of influential acts like Wilco and the kindred spirits behind Bloodshot Records, but it’s hard to find anyone who do it with as much attitude as the Siderunners, who have been described as “Motörhead meets Hank Williams.” Their live shows are a sweaty, gritty, and generally raucous time, probably leftover energy from the members past projects. Van Allen did a stint with South Side Irish punks The Tossers, and Sappy is a former member of Pruno, which also included Adam Norden of ultra heavy Chicagoans American Heritage. They’re a country band that can play shows with Beatallica and The Violent Femmes and can get away with covering Black Sabbath’s “Sweetleaf.” Hell, they even called their second record Sabbath Country Sabbath.

Speaking of, Friday will be the release party for the band’s “Sabbath Country Sabbath” music video, which directed by Myke Adams. The Lawrence Peters Outfit open.

— Trevor Fisher

Click here to download the Siderunners’ “Cook County Blue.”

Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly