Red Scare Industries – 17 May 2024
The triumphant return of one of Chicago’s best… in only two songs!
I will never forget heading to Rock N Records in Wheeling, IL after school to pick up the “latest” Sludgeworth single. That was over 30 years ago in 1992 when the “Brightside” single was released. I never would have thought in 2024 that I would be here reviewing new material from my all-time favorite local band.
I am very fortunate to have come up in the Chicago punk scene. We were blessed to have so many amazing bands at our disposal. Many acts who years later have fans who possibly never got the chance to see live. Last year, alongside with the Red Scare re-release of the Losers Of The Year collection in 2022, Sludgeworth embarked on a number of reunion shows. I was fortunate to catch several of them. The band picked up where they left off, leveling any stage in their path.
It had been speculated whether Sludgeworth would write new material together. What we have for now are two new songs released on the 7” format for our listening pleasure. Together Not Together is both the title track and A-Side of this single. This song tells the tale of continuing where the band last left off. I interpret this as the band’s love song to each other as bandmates and friends. They have overcome all odds to reform and perform again. This song is classic Sludgeworth to the max. Like many of their classic tracks, this begins with a loose guitar lead intro that eventually directs the band to full tempo. Dan Schafer sounds as youthful and vibrant as he did in the 90s on this single. The highlight of this track musically is the pre-chorus leading into a bombastic vocal delivery of “together, not together.” This number will bring all the middle-aged punks, myself included, back to pogo and fist pump along on the dancefloor. Existing fans of the band will be more than pleased with this track.
“Foundation” serves as the B-Side of this fine reunion single. This song has a more contemporary power pop feel compared to the A-Side. The guitars palm mute and chug along through the verse to help accentuate the lead vocals. Fans who have followed Dan’s career post-Sludgeworth would hear the obvious influence of Dan Vapid and the Cheats on this one. It appears to also speak of starting over through building a new foundation. The bridge boasts the repeated vocal line of “tear it all down” which can be a metaphor for breaking up a band or relationship. This emotional song showcases a new side of the band.
Sludgeworth always had extremely personal and introspective lyrics contrasted with a poppy, and sometimes funky, rhythm. Once again, I have the benefit and privilege of being keen to Sludgeworth since literally the beginning when attending their debut show at the Wrigleyside in Chicago, IL. Watching them grow quickly into THE premier local band in a short period of time was quite the site to see. They were my Naked Raygun and Effigies. Many don’t realize that the band formed in between Screeching Weasel’s first breakup and the first reunion, prior to the Lookout! Records years.
It pleases me to no end that Sludgeworth are back and getting to perform their brilliance to a whole new audience. I can only hope this is the beginning of forthcoming new material.
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I am mostly known in cyberspace as a vinyl junkie and punk rock bassist! Fair assessment. I am the bassist of the Chicago area power pop / pop punk band SPACE AGE ZEROS.
