Radius – 13 Nov 2021
A triple play in the Second City
Body oAs I crossed the decrepit wooden threshold, the black paint-flaked walls closed in around me; event posters smothered each other for my attention. I knew I had entered another world. Cabaret Metro (now just Metro) on Clark Street in Chicago. I must have been around 16 at the time. I think Dead Milkmen headlined the show. When you walked into Metro in those days, you knew you were experiencing something special, with special people, in a special place. Attached to Metro, Pravda, the punkest/most industrial/least poser record store ever, stood ready to gird you against the corporate hoard. Don't get me started on Aragon, Empty Bottle, the Riv, The Vic, Park West… Chicago is spoiled with so many totally rad venues. When I heard about Radius, in the Pilsen neighborhood, my curiosity was piqued. The venue did not have an easy birth. Just before the doors opened, COVID hit, and the entry had to remain shuttered for over a year. This was unfortunate, as I had tickets for the first iteration of the Alkaline Trio/Bad Religion show they slated for November 2019. Thankfully, the bands honored their commitment and rescheduled the event for 13 Nov 2021.
I have to admit, at first blush, Radius appeared to be a location akin to Metro from old. The building, situated in an industrial section of Pilsen, sports a giant screaming skull on its imposing front façade. As we entered, the cannon blast of the opener, War on Women, served as a forceful welcome. We prepared for the onslaught by breaking out the earplugs. I think the developer behind Radius sought to somehow morph the Thunderdome from Mad Max and a Walmart. If that was the goal, they did an excellent job. Unlike the more divey nature of the typical Chicago venue, Radius sparkles with newness. The bars flanking the expanse in front of the stage don't have the rustic charm, but more of a metallic sheen. As noted earlier, they have learned a few things from the Aragon in how to deliver a solid sonic experience. Radius is basically a giant airplane hangar, you'd think the sound would echo into a cacophonous mess. Not so. Somehow they manage to blow your hair back, but also avoid the reverberation that would normally occur in a similar space. Another sign that we were not in a typical divey Chicago venue: exorbitant drink prices. I ordered two 16 oz macro beers. The total, $28. Note to self, tie on a buzz prior to entry.
What about the headlining bands? We weren't sure which band would open, but had a hunch that Trio would close since they are from Chicago. Our prognostication proved accurate as the Bad Religion banner dropped and the band took the stage. No matter how many times you've seen them, Greg Graffin and co. make you feel like a kid again. They sound great and they deliver their songs with precision. Some of the standouts: “Anesthesia” (one of my faves), “Generator”, “New Dark Ages”, “Los Angeles is Burning”, “A Walk”, “Do What You Want”, “I Want to Conquer the World”, and “No Control”. I love that they play the classics, like true pros. When Bad Religion strolled off the stage, we would have been satisfied with that alone. Little did we know that a few days later, they would have to drop off the tour due to a COVID infection in their tour party. Timing is everything.
Although Bad Religion carries a lot of weight in Chicago, not many bands have the city's heart quite like Alkaline Trio. When their Heart/Skull banner dropped, the crowd went wild. Minutes later the band took the stage and went right into “Private Eye.” Ever since Matt joined Blink 182, I think Alkaline Trio has sounded better. I think he took whatever juju from touring with a major outfit like Blink and carried it over to the Trio. They just seem tighter. That tightness, coupled with the crystal clear sound, provided a recipe for an incredible spectacle. The setlist played to their strengths and the audience's wishes with cuts like: “Nose Over Tail”, “Cringe” (my fave of the show), “Clavicle”, “Emma”, “Queen of Pain”, and the closer, fan-favorite singalong “Radio”. As my wife and I trudged the treacherous half mile walk back to the car, snow began to fall. Another issue with Radius, the parking. If you don't want to cram into their parking lot and deal with the inevitable logjam exit, you might have to hoof it. We both agreed that although it won't challenge Metro or Aragon, if Radius books another show like Bad Religion/Alkaline Trio, we'll be there.
