#sideouts

     It’s a crowded night at Sideouts bar and eatery in Island Lake, Illinois. The nightlife brings many middle-aged women and men styled in fashions that drastically disagree with their time; their search for youth continues. The mob is merry, the booze is flowing, and stage is jumpin. “ R-gang” a groovin’ six man band consisting of: Robert Davis (Lead vocals), Anthony Owens (Vocals), Bill Syniar (Bass), Todd Brown (Keyboard), Will Crosby (Guitar), and Linard Stroud (Drums) take the stage to begin their set.

     R-Gang is a laid back sound combination of Motown and rhythm and blues. Their funkadelic voice and energetic personalities omit the resonance of confidence, soulful passion, and a seasoned stage presence. Compared to other bands of their genre such as: The Staple Singers, Marvin Gaye, and Smokey Robinson, R-Gang adds a psychedelic rock inspired zest that sweetens the flavor ten-fold. The colorful lights twisted and curled as Robert Davis eagerly danced to the music. As boogie fever broke out, the horde of alcohol inspired recipients lunged to the stage and began swaying to the colorful music twirling in the environment.

     Driving on a very wet Friday night in Island Lake, Illinois, one cannot help but notice the rockin’ vibe and packed parking lot of Sideouts bar and eatery. A typical bowling alley/bar combination, Sideouts is a venue very much in love with both music and their Chicago sports teams. Tonight’s musical headliner was Rod Tuff curls and the bench-press, an up and coming rock and roll cover band from Chicago, Illinois.

     Much like a bottle of wine uncorked prematurely, the band is a green taste to the potential it could have and still could be. At first glance, one would expect a more modern sound. The band’s mismatched wardrobe involving 80s inspired shorts higher than respectable, elongated tube socks pulled up to the knees, and skintight baseball shirts bring to mind an expected sound culmination not unlike emo and punk.

     The band took the stage and began cavorting to their sound of classic rock inspired covers. Their sound did not match their look and the interest of the band’s voice did not reach far. Their girlfriends eagerly danced and swayed in the front row as one inebriated gentleman enthusiastically danced about, drink in hand.