Chicago quartet Disappears rematerializes at Cactus Club

Bay View’s Cactus Club has always had a reputation for hosting some of the finest up-and-coming acts in modern music. Stars including Spoon and the White Stripes have graced its stage before moving full-force into larger-sized venues, and many of its other shows feature top-level underground acts from Milwaukee and elsewhere. Chicago quartet Disappears is one of those top-level acts, and they’ll be playing what is sure to be an excellent set this Friday in support of their brand new album Era, released at the end of last month via Kranky Records.

Disappears’ pedigree is quite impressive. Its members have previously played in beloved Chicago bands 90 Day Men and the Ponys, and Sonic Youth drummer Steve Shelley was a member for a year, recording and touring on their third full length, the critically acclaimed Pre-Language. The members’ backstories shouldn’t, and don’t, define the group, but those unfamiliar with Disappears should take their former achievements as the excuse to attend.

Disappears’ music is dense, a unique and interesting blend of post-punk, psychedelic and indie rock that truly blurs the lines dividing the three sub-genres. Era opens with “Girl“, a powerhouse of crashing percussion, distorted vocals and thick guitars, maintaining its intensity for much of the song’s duration. “Ultra” clocks in at nearly ten minutes; its hypnotic Kraut-y instrumentation accompanied by vocalist Brian Case aiming at the lower register, sounding something like Leonard Cohen fronting Joy Division. Era’s closer “New House” is airy and spacious, loosely recalling the classic Black Sabbath track “Planet Caravan”, but with less emphasis on melody and more on atmosphere.

Disappears takes the stage on Friday, bringing along with them Oakland shoegazers Weekend. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online. Bring your earplugs, I’ll see you there.