Nothing quite annoys me more than concert reviews. I mean, what's the point? "Look, I'm cool and went a one-off show that you missed. Let me rub it in and tell you how awesome it is in print form." However, I must mention this past week's final Flesh Hungry Dog Show at Jackhammer as it had its final show after seven great years.
Since 2005, Gary Ward/Airedale has brought the best in queer rock/pop to the north side of Chicago to those of us who might not be so adventurous as to go to a rock club and take a chance on a good local band. While there are tons of great rock clubs in this town, the sheer volume of clubs can be daunting. So it was such a godsend when Gary started Flesh Hungry Dog Show, giving us all in the LGBT community somewhere to see real rock bands: gay, straight, trans, and gay-friendly; setting aside the traditional gay music expectation of poetry slams and girls with acoustic guitars. Over the years FHDS brought us huge acts like Tom Goss, Matt Alber, The Aluminum Group, The Joans, Bobby Conn, Brilliant Pebbles, and their crowning glory Jinx Titanic & Super 8 Cum Shot. Ward acknowledged the John Kamys-led band as an inspiration for starting this showcase, so it was only fitting that as Jinx embarks on his new project (the '50s-influenced Jinx Titanic and the Ladykillers) that he'd play his final show with the old band as FHDS wraps up its time as well.
As this era drew to a close, Gary said he's folding the show because, "I've accomplished everything I set out to do when I started the show seven years ago. I've helped build and nurture an audience for live rock in the gay community, nurtured nascent queer bands, and I've shown the audience a great time. I'm really proud what I've accomplished."
As for the future, Ward isn't ruling much out. "While the monthly show is over, I'm not saying that I'll never produce a show again. I just need a break. At some point I'd like to produce special, larger events with more well-known or touring acts in a larger venue ... although I don't have any specific plans at this time."
If I know Gary, he won't be sitting still for long. As for you, get out of your Boystown rut. Go to live show. This summer you've got Scott Free's Alt-Q festival, the new Wavefront dance music fest at Montrose Beach along with Pitchfork, Lollapallooza and hundreds of streets fairs, all featuring great live music and tons of new homosexuals you've yet to meet. So until the next phase of Gary Ward's amazing career, get out there and rock the house!