Chicago, like most of the Midwest, endured a few harrowing hours of storms last Thursday. I am completely going to use that as an excuse for my lack of updates, but I did manage to see some great bands this week in between power outages, dodging downed trees, and huge puddles. Today I'll get caught up with the Jai Alai Savant, and hopefully tomorrow I'll have some time to write about another amazing show I went to last night.

First off, the free Monday night series at the Empty Bottle is a great way to see local talent without going broke. Even if you don't know any of the bands performing, chances are you'll see something you like before the night is over. There are not always just Chicago bands performing, as was the case last Monday night when Professor Murder (NYC) headlined the show. Another important selling point: the drinks are always cheap!

The Jai Alai Savant are Chicago transplants by way of Philadelphia, and I'm glad they chose Chicago as their new home. They opened the show with "Thunderstatement", a song from an EP with the same name, and really had the crowd into it from the beginning of their set. They usually begin their sets with this song, and is always punctuated by beginning with no stage lighting, and when the drums and bass kick in, a brilliant white light is triggered on, and remains for the rest of the set. The band also gets my vote for best dressed band in Chicago, and you really feel the effect of the all white outfit getup when those lights kick on.

Guitarist/frontman Ralph Darden is quite the charismatic leader on stage, often encouraging the crowd to get involved and dance along. Given the style of music they play, however, it really doesn't take much encouragement to want to showcase your best dance moves anyways. The dub/reggae influence is strikingly apparent in just about every song, but its infused with an infectious brand of punk rock that keeps the set moving along at a good clip. The rhythm section of Dan Nash and Michael Bravine are about as tight as they come in the city of Chicago, and with each live show they continue to strengthen their craft. Both are relatively new to the band, but you would never know it from catching their live set. Most of the songs played on Monday night came from their new full length, entitled Flight of the Bass Delegate, and they also managed to slip a few new songs into their setlist.

Here is a video for "White on White Crime" by the Jai Alai Savant, which appears on their new record.