End Of Silence preview

The End Of Silence
Cal’s, Chicago
Thursday, August 3, 2006

Even if The End Of Silence’s debut full-length, Ugly People, Ugly Problems (Killer Puppy) was knock-out awesome, it would be hard to get past the bandmembers’ names, which include Twitch and, our favorite, Dr. Jelly.

It’s kind of a moot point, though, because Ugly People isn’t a knock-out awesome record. It’s not bad, just generic. Vocalist, eh, Dr. Jelly, is a chameleon who can blend into a number of different vocal styles, none of them his own, though. Jelly channels the dramatic theatrics of Dream Theater’s James LaBrie (“Burney”) and the nu metal screaming of Mudvayne’s Chad Gray (title track). All the while guitarists Matt. K and Kroll Vello chug along competently, if not creatively, behind him. In fact, TEOS’ best track is a blatant System Of A Down clone called “Ride The Bullet” where the good Dr. does a spot-on Serj Tankian. At least TEOS copy original bands.

Cal’s, the venue TEOS play Thursday, is an original, though. If you crave DIY, this is the place. No stage, no sound system beyond a PA for vocalists, and band pay comes in the form of a bucket passed through the crowd.

— Trevor Fisher

Click here to download The End Of Silence’s “Handle.”

Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly