“On a mission to conquer the world,” ChicagoConcertGoers.com

White Mystery

May 10, 2013 @ The Hideout

By Dave Miller

A sonic storm blew through the Hideout late Friday night.

White Mystery slammed through its album-release show with relentless fury. Miss Alex White cracked off lighting strikes with her guitar and brother Francis Scott Key brought the thunder on drums. Their primal garage rock has always been powerful, but they’ve raised the ruckus on their third album, Telepathic.

The dynamic duo pounded a hometown audience with one two-minute blast after another, starting with a trio of scorchers from Telepathic — “Jungle Cat,” “Secret Garden” and the title song. “Jungle Cat” was an attention-getting opener with alley-cat vocals from Francis. A handful of songs from the new album was played along with such favorites as “Birthday,” “Take a Walk” and “People Power.” White Mystery doesn’t play a concert as much as take you on a thrill ride that doesn’t stop. The proceedings halted just once for a short question-and-answer segment late in the set. Where did Alex get her leather jumpsuit? San Francisco. Who’s the band naked on the album cover shown on the projection screen? Indian Wars from Vancouver. Can you play “Buttheads from Mars”? Yes. The band instantly honored the request for the new song, reveling with the crowd in the silliness of its lyrics.

White Mystery isn’t home much these days. It’s on a mission to conquer the world. This show was the final one before the red-headed siblings departed for their second European tour this year. The never-ending touring is paying off. Sister and brother have developed an onstage communication that lives up to their new album’s title.

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A Giant Dog from Austin, Texas proved a worthy opener. Kinetic singer Sabrina Ellis fronted a band that fueled her energy with an aggressive, two-guitar surge. Ellis removed parts of her clothing as the performance overheated.

You know it’s going to be a good night when there’s free beer. That was the case at the Hideout courtesy of a Pabst Blue Ribbon rep sitting at the bar. That wasn’t the only reward for early-arriving concertgoers. South side rapper Psalm One reeled off a varied and compelling string of songs with the aid of her sidekick, Fluffy. It may have been eye-opening for some who came to rock to see two young black females rapping, but Alex and Francis White helped get the crowd on their side by showing solidarity in front of the stage. Psalm One took care of the rest. She has an ease and likeability about her and her raps. The rap and rock worlds collided at the end of the enthusiastically-received set when a beer can was thrown onstage. Psalm One thanked the crowd, but wondered why the can was thrown. Alex White assured her it was a punk-rock stamp of approval. Psalm One turned visibly relieved. It was a good night for everyone.

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Jungle Cat

Secret Garden

Telepathic

Powerglove

Blood & Venom

Good Girl

Smoke

Birthday

Take a Walk

Buttheads from Mars

Kickin My Ball

Pumpkin Creme

People Power

Heart Attack/Dirty Hair

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Start: 11:37 p.m./Finish: 12:15 a.m.

Totals: 15 songs, 38 minutes

*Estimated by Miss Alex White

 

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