Knuckle Puck, Real Friends bring Midwest punk to The Blue Note's spotlight
Midwest punk steps under the bright lights next week as a pair of Chicagoland bands play The Blue Note.
Real Friends and Knuckle Puck share more than the same metropolitan area. Both groups launched into the atmosphere in 2010; both now work under the Pure Noise Records umbrella; and both hold fast, committed to play in the sweet spot where charging guitars and singalong choruses collide.
Here's a brief look at what each band is up to.
Real Friends
A decade into its existence, Real Friends welcomed a new comrade into the fold, with Cody Muraro replacing founding singer Dan Lambton. To hear the band tell it, Muraro brings a new timbre and distinct dimension to Real Friends' unwavering intentions.
"It’s really still the same mission," bassist Kyle Fasel said in the band's Pure Noise bio. "We write songs you can connect to. We want those songs to be a part of your life as much as they’re a part of our lives."
Music from the still-young Muraro years confirms Fasel's notion of living and creating undeterred. 2021's "Torn in Two" feels especially visceral, the band reaching into listeners' lives and pulling them toward a sort of rock 'n' roll liberation. Released this February, "There's Nothing Worse Than Too Late" wrings every bit of the bitter and the sweet from songs that arc like short films.
Knuckle Puck
Knuckle Puck roared across the threshold, winning over fans and critics with its debut full-length, 2015's "Copacetic," establishing "a muscular and melodic blend of old-school punk rock and emo," as AllMusic's James Christopher Monger wrote.
Released just last month, "Losing What We Love" forms a lovely storm of swirling guitars— courtesy of Kevin Maida and Nick Casasanto; and drummer John Siorek and bassist Ryan Rumchaks take an athletic, agile approach to their rhythm-section duties.
Their major sound frames Joe Taylor's melodies, strong, high and romantic enough to appeal to any generation of pop-minded punks.
Real Friends and Knuckle Puck play The Blue Note at 7 p.m. Wednesday; One Step Closer and Arms Length share the bill. Tickets are $25-$30. Visit https://thebluenote.com/ for more details.
Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com or by calling 573-815-1731. He's on Twitter/X @aarikdanielsen.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: These Midwest punk bands will seize the spotlight at The Blue Note
