Record review: The Bingers - 'Rhymes w/ Fingers'

By Gene Wagendorf III   

Right on the heels of last year's rollicking Land Lobster, The Bingers are back with Rhymes w/ Fingers, a three-track EP out on Wiener Records. On it the trio combine scuzzy surf, Buddy Holly-swagger and patient intensity, taking a logical step forward from their last release while buffering all the qualities that made that one so much fun.

"In A Thought" rolls out on a lazy lick, splashing about in reverb and cymbal crashes through an elegant denouement. Smart percussion keeps the froth focused and gives the track's airy vocals a platform to linger over. The Bingers really hit their stride on the tune- where solos that start off rubbery and tightly controlled burst into a shower of glistening notes against the singer's echoed cries. The band sounds like they're playing as if their very existence is on the line, and that desperation serves them well. What might've shimmered as a simple if forgettable '50s prom ballad is rendered immeasurably magnetic in the hands of The Bingers.

Gene's 2012 favorites

By Gene Wagendorf III 

Twin Peaks at The Whip (photo by Gene Wagendorf III)

It's the end of the year and we're a music blog, so you know what that means: "best of" list time. That said, "best" is a silly and subjective word that we at Windy City Rock are trying to avoid this year. Instead we're offering you some lists of local favorites from several of our contributors. Over the next few days we'll be posting about our favorite Chicago records, bands, shows and what-have-you from 2012. Enjoy, and happy holidays!

5 Favorite Records

Twin Peaks - 'Sunken'
The soundtrack to my summer came courtesy of a group of delinquent minors who, between burning trees, skateboarding and prepping for college, managed to put together a record filled with anthemic, sunny jams. Expect big things out of Twin Peaks in 2013. Read a full review of Sunken here.

Fave track: Fast Eddie
Get the record: here

Running  - 'Asshole Savant'
Get Bent nailed it when they described Running as "an incendiary blast of rock ‘n’ roll akin to smashing Lou Reed’s Metal Machine Music into the Stooges and then smashing that combo into Suicide." Asshole Savant does an admirable job of capturing the mayhem of Running's live sets. 

Fave track: I Can't Believe I'm Alive
Get the record: here

The Smashing Pumpkins - 'Oceania'
Oceania is Corgan and company's best record in the better part of a decade. Doesn't quite reach as high as it aims, but there are some beautiful moments here.

Fave track: Pinwheels
Get the record: here

Record review: The Bingers - 'Land Lobster EP'

By Gene Wagendorf III  

While the current garage rock revival has dozens of footholds across the country, few have been as prolific as Chicago. The Windy City's success as such can certainly be measured in quantity, but in the end quality is what matters. This summer local fuzz-poppers The Bingers offered up the Land Lobster EP, a more than worthy addition to the city's growing catalog.

The record gets off to a fast start on its eponymous track, a three and a half minute bubblegum jam that typifies the ability of strong pop songs to transcend time. The tune's jangling stride and whoo-ooing never look back, tumbling forward towards a beach rock solo with interstellar aspirations. Surfy washes segue right into the rollicking lead guitar on "Burnout," a slightly filthier tune that walks the line between Buddy Holly and basement punk. The vocal work here is an echo-y celebration- the cool croon of a joyride to Make-Out Point. The mixing on "Burnout" is especially tight; the singer's voice never climbs over the instrumentation, but isn't obscured by it either. Proof that not every sound need be recorded through an empty Folger's can to make a solid garage rock tune.

Introducing the Bingers

Posted by Bobby Minelli

If there's any chance that magic in the air could warm up Chicago tonight, it will probably be happening at Fireside Bowl. A new Windy City band called the Bingers have lit up my heart's metaphorical afternoon joint with their fuzzy summer sidewalk tunes, and you can hear for yourself starting at 8:30 at the Fireside (also with The Pear Traps, Videotape and We are the Willows). I asked the Bingers a few questions in anticipation of the show.

WCR: How did the Bingers come to be?

Teddy Binger moved back to Chicago from Marquette, Michigan, and after short debates about starting a rock 'n’ roll band, the three of us decided to rent a house in Logan Square, get into debt and buy some amps.

What are some of your favorite summertime sounds?

Liking the new Sonny and the Sunsets, T-Rex, Lawrence Welk’s Blue Hawaii, Chuck Berry, The Living Sisters, Dick Dale, Monster Rally.