Where We're At Podcast – No. 13
The Living Blue
The Living Blue, formerly known as the Blackouts, are a stripped down garage band out of Champaign – and headed for greatness. There most recent album (Fire, Blood, Water – on Chicago’s indie Minty Fresh label) has been described by rock journalist Zach Adcock as “…a gritty, fiery album that has been on deck for the Living Blue for several years now. It's a marriage of the Animals and Black Sabbath with J. Mascis on lead guitar, a maelstrom that matches the poppiest moments to the most mind-numbing ferocity with ease.” Their current lineup harnesses the throaty swagger of lead singer/guitarist Steve Ucherek, the blistering ferocity of Andrew Coon on drums, Joe Prokop bringing it home on guitar, and Andrew Davidson’s thrumming bass. This group has charisma and talent to spare, and a quirky sort of vision backing up their quiet and hard-earned expertise. Influences, according to Living Blue’s My Space page, include “psychedelic visions, colors on the back of our eyelids, being human, love, The Small Faces, Funk, Punk, rock and roll, love, fuzz pedals, open minds, James Baldwin, vinyl records…” and the list goes on and on. Their next Champaign gig happens December 14th at the Canopy Club – NINTH LETTER caught up with them at the Highdive last winter where they proceeded to rock the house.
Credits
Interview
Megan Severson
Videography
Sam Copeland and Roshan Murthy
Project Manager
Laura Bandy
