Trauma Illinois was destined to be a rock band from the moment of their conception.
Lead singer Jack Johnson, following a “horrific car accident” and laid up in the ICU, received a get well card from none other than Fall Out Boy, who just happened to be at the same hospital, according to the band’s Cincy Music profile.
At the end, it read “P.S. – Trauma Illinois – sweet band name.” And so, christened by legends like Fall Out Boy, they ran with it.
Trauma Illinois is a Cincy band, born and bred. Don’t let the name fool you — they’ve been proud of their roots the whole time. “Queen City” is one of their early standout singles, joyously grooving through a sing-a-longable and vintage rock-and-roll track. Last year, “PROST!” celebrated Cincy’s German beer culture, and “Pink Motel” is about falling in love… at Riverbend.
2024’s “White House” compilation contains many of the band’s singles, characterizing Trauma Illinois as a tried-and-true blues rock act at home alongside the likes of Wolfmother, albeit with a cheeky edge.
Thumbing through their discography, the energy only seems to grow with time. Their newest single from this May, “2007 Toyota RAV4” loses none of the latent cheeriness the band fosters throughout their songs while significantly picking up the pace. It ends up in a place that’s less Led Zeppelin and more Origami Angel, which might seem like a jarring switch, but it works.
But by no means is the slower stuff less worthwhile. “Blue Bus”, for example, takes its sweet time to build from a single guitar into a soaring melodic affair complete with pipe organ – I’d be surprised if the band left that sound behind, because they so clearly love to make it.
That being said, I like the direction the band is heading into with their new singles. Come for a rocker like “On Your Lips”, stay for the fun glossiness of “Pink Motel.”
You can find last week’s feature on Beloved Youth here. Leave a comment on our Instagram or email me at ebloomfield@linknky.com with your suggestions for next week’s local band highlight!