The Old Haunts preview

The Old Haunts
Empty Bottle, Chicago
Wednesday, May 21, 2008

The Old Haunts frontman Craig Extine couldn’t sound any more like Jack White. And we mean that in kinda sorta the best way possible.

Think about it: Would you really like White’s screech in any circumstance other than over the fucking hot licks of White Stripes and The Raconteurs (or dueting with Dick Valentine on the best disco metal song ever, Electric Six’s “Danger! High Voltage”)?

Be honest. There rises the problem with The Old Haunts and Poisonous Times (Kill Rock Stars): The licks on songs like “Knives On The Mind” and “Not Hopeless” are decent, but not hot – certainly not fucking hot – but you still have to deal with Extine’s voice. That’s not to say Haunts aren’t without their charms. The trio’s (Extine, bassist Scott Seckington, and drummer Tobi Vail of Bikini Kill fame) mix of quaint garage rock and boppy punk is undeniably blue collar and somehow equally bright and blight, undoubtedly attributable to their Pacific Northwest-scene upbringing.

Red Eyed Legends and Stanley Ross open.

– Trevor Fisher

Click here to download The Old Haunts’ “Poison Control.”

Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly