JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound knows Soul and folds into its musical mix healthy chunks of Garage Rock energy, smooth R&B style and frenetic Punk swagger, tapping into the best aspects of their Chicago roots, Detroit’s Rock and Soul heritage and Philly’s towering R&B/Soul tradition. After just two albums — 2009’s Beat of Our Own Drum and their just-released debut for Bloodshot, Want More — JCBUS has become one of the most in-demand party bands in its native Chicago, opening for everyone from Robert Plant and Buddy Guy to Fitz & the Tantrums and Peter Bjorn & John. The band scored a personal invitation to Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival after Jeff Tweedy heard their rave-up version of “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart” and even joined JCBUS onstage to perform the song at the group’s rousing Park West show. A trip to a JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound show is so spiritually intense that it actually counts as a Sunday church appearance. The band performs as part of the album release party for local Ska group The Pinstripes’ new I album (see Spill It) Friday at Bangarang’s of Covington (620 Scott Blvd., the former home of The Mad Hatter). Tickets to the all-ages show are $8-$10 and available through www.cincyticket.com.
This article appears in Jan 25-31, 2012.