In a category all its own in terms of Chicago’s current musical scene, the Trickshooter Social Club is not simply a roots-rock band but a lean-in roots-rock band that somehow manages to convey the sheer power and joy of the stomping clapping rock-n-roll tradition while still managing lyrics that are both lyrically poetic and evocative of a distinctly wiser perspective that seems infused with years spent drinking cheap liquor and driving down back roads at night, never losing sight of a more graceful vision of things. The music that they produce is a unique and elaborate collage that blends seamlessly the roughness of the alt-country and blues genres along with the intense and high-octane power of garage rock. Simply put, they are the perfect sound representation of a garage band with integrity. The band released an EP on May 14th to allow us to get a more detailed glimpse of this unique and gritty atmosphere. “Porchlight Pie” is comprised of five songs and is an example of the perfect balance between tough and soulful.

The first song, “We’re Better When We’re Broken,” starts with the dry sound of the guitarist scraping his guitar pick against the strings before bursting forth with a distorted Telecaster that stops abruptly only to settle down into a walking beat. This song revels in our brokenness, and the theme takes the radical stance that our truth shines through only when we give up on trying to cover up the fact that we’ve failed and embrace the dirtiness of our humanity. The song’s strength lies in its use of contrast; it builds tension and then gives relief in the music and vocals. The vocals are rough, gritty, and seem to have rasped from years spent screaming over a jukebox, while the instruments create intimacy, making one feel as though they’ve been let in on an intimate secret.

At number two comes “Wide Awake”, which begins with a frenzied drumroll that smashes against a wall of buzzing, distortion-laden guitar chords that mirror the experience of an adrenaline rush. It is the portrayal of the frenetic, wide-eyed experience of a brain that will not quiet down even as the rest of the world sleeps. The lyrical themes are those of reckless survivalism, where we use the chaos around us as a means of avoidance. The character doesn’t tell us what or how his life is; one thing is clear: he is grateful to have been granted yet another day to wake up because it means it’s another chance to keep fighting. The music is jagged and raw, making use of the powerful beats from the drums along with the jagged guitar lines to keep listeners on edge and motivated.

“Slower Horses” begins with a solitary note from an electric guitar, then a harmonica sound, which gradually distorts and swells into something resembling the sound of the wind rushing through an isolated valley, until an acoustic guitar takes over with a deliberately paced rhythm. This song deals with the idea of the weariness that comes when one feels compelled to keep up with a fast-paced world. The message of the song is a subtle, heartfelt call for refuge and the sweet respite that comes from finally slowing down. The vocals of the song are unexpectedly gentle, devoid of the rough edge seen in previous songs, and sing a plaintive melody.

“Poppy and Harriet” is the fourth song on the EP, and it opens with a warm and clear-toned acoustic guitar riff that rolls in a soothing manner that is country-infused. There’s the clicking sound of a metronome-like wooden block that provides a rhythmic background to the music. The lyrics paint a picture of nostalgia as it tells a story of the anchors of life, the people who give us a sense of place, even in the midst of constant movement in reality. It is a song of communal coziness and the burden of history that we have in the form of our last names.

“Jericho,” which closes out this EP, begins with a distant rumble of the muted kick drum, then moves into a melancholic electric guitar slide reminiscent of the sound of an express train passing through the night. In “Jericho,” the listener gets a final taste of a heavy, rhythmically driven journey through the idea of building walls only to have them come tumbling down after we finally take off our masks. “Jericho” focuses on the need for bravery that comes with the act of radical vulnerability. The vocals in “Jericho” are compelling and rich, moving from low, tense growls and some very beautiful violin sounds in the verses into the cathartic release of the chorus. The instrumentation creates a wide, spacious soundscape, and together it all combines into the perfect ending to the EP.

Chicago’s Trickshooter Social Club has found the right way to depict today’s “interesting times” in their latest EP release, *Porchlight Pie*. It is a daring work, which can be seen not only as a reflection of the turbulent reality we all live in but also as the intimate portrait of a person who finds himself in such conditions. What makes this project absolutely unique is how skillfully Trickshooter Social Club combines the soulful sound of country fiddle tunes with the energy of pure, hard-rock garage music that echoes like lightning in the night. Listening to this EP becomes almost an eerie experience because it feels like the sound penetrates the bones of your spine, making you shiver with its haunting ferociousness and raw honesty. This EP is the work that keeps me spellbound for several days now, and what impresses me about it most is the amazing way in which Chaos can be made melodic. With their latest EP Trickshooter Social Club made the state of modern rock theirs, and from what this blazing project is showing, one can already say when the band will present us another piece of their genius.

Stream the “Porchlight Pie” EP on Spotify 

Follow Trickshooter Social Club here and their socials: X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube