Joe Pug: That kind of hometown feeling
Joe Pug and C-U share a special relationship. 
Though the singer-songwriter has adopted Chicago as his home, C-U very well could be his second home.
Pug has filled up the Canopy Club in past performances and even played at far-fetched venues like the County Market on campus. No matter where he plays, though, he brings out a passionate fan base.
From the time his debut EP spread across the Internet in 2008 fans have multiplied in C-U and around the world. Credit his earnestness and his poetic lyrics for the strong following. It’s very easy to find something, some nugget of honest songwriting, to connect to in Pug’s music.
In that debut, Nation of Heat, Pug struck a cord with beautiful verse such as this, from “Hymn 101.”
“I've come to meet the legendary takers / I've only come to ask them for a lot / Oh they say I come with less than I should rightfully possess / I say the more I buy the more I'm bought.”
His directness, in this song and most of his work, gets to the core of the experience of the Millennial generation: the desire to be the best we can be without being a part of some failed version of the American Dream that came before us.
The lyrics are obviously meant to be heard and to be digested, but the music behind them is not simply decoration. Pug is a fine guitarist and when he tours with a band the full effect is phenomenal. And, as with many good things, the full band experience is employed in careful doses.
Pug’s sets generally evolve from him alone with a guitar, to include a lap steel guitar and eventually a traditional band. Then he breaks it all down and plays a song by himself again. The effect is fantastic, and since it has been nearly two years since he released his full-length album, Messenger, I would think he would treat the crowd to many new songs as well as old favorites.
Though neither Pug’s site nor the Canopy Club’s website states explicitly that he is playing with a full band (interview requests with Pug’s management went unanswered), the Elgin Daily Herald lists Pug with the Hundred Mile Band on Feb. 3 in Naperville. Based on that, I would say it’s safe to assume Pug will be playing with a band in tow.
If so, this is not a concert to be missed. But you may want to get there early — last time Pug played Canopy, the void room was nearly at capacity.
Pug is set to play Canopy Club on Saturday, February 4th at 10:30 p.m. ($12 advance/$15 door).
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Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
That article almost looks like something out of The Onion
Thanks! I’m looking forward to writing even more….
Yay! Love this! Welcome to the family!
that last photo’s a doozie, Chris. good work.
that city center house show was one of those life-affirming things.
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I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.
Okay, almost 24 hours later and I finally got Issac’s Summer joke. I’m an idiot.
Excellent. I am glad sometimes American dreams are encouraged, rather than stifled.
Swap the dog for a fire pit and it sounds like you’re writing about my back yard. Very nice.
funny, as your summer begins, another Summer ends.
@Dan - Wow. Unfortunately, I have to refrain from further comment due to a previous employment relationship. But with that brief context you might be able to imagine possible comments or responses I could have.
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represent, Matt.