story by Bart Niedzialkowski
photo by Marko Mihailovich
Chicago has long been unappreciated as a punk rock breeding ground.
Despite a large and loyal local following, bands like Naked Raygun,
Apocalypse Hoboken, Pegboy and even the Effigies were relatively unknown
outside the state borders. Part of the reason that the Windy City
has been so overlooked is the perception that it is populated by an
artsy crowd intent on prettifying and decorating everything in sight.
Likewise, the music coming out of our city is often said to lack any
punch, aggression or drive - relying instead on gimmicks, smoke and
mirrors. Shot Baker, one of Chicago's youngest bands, is out to change
all that.
"Back in high school we were rivals," says Tony Kovacs,
25, of his bandmate and friend Chris Gach, 24. "His band [the
Dorks] and my band [the Poonanies] despised each other. It wasn't
until years later that Chris and I gained a mutual respect for one
another as being the promotional machines for our bands." It
is that mutual respect that led to the formation of Shot Baker in
September of 2002.
Joining Tony and Chris were John Krohn, 26, and Nat Wright, 21, to
round out the line-up that promises to send shockwaves throughout
the Chicago punk rock scene.
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KOVACS' INNER VIEW
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"Fuck the rules. It's not about status
or money. It's about passion."
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Tony Kovacs can easily seem intimidating both onstage and off. He's
a big guy with a voice to match and a naturally snotty way about him.
Early on in the conversation he precedes the obligatory career questioning
with a spirited outburst. "Fuck a career," he says. "I
don't want a career. I'm a romantic and I want to do the band thing.
I'll say this about our band - everyone involved is extremely passionate
and serious about the music."
After playing shows with the likes of the Queers and Murphy's Law,
Shot Baker seemed destined to tour the States in support of a well-known
band. Not so, says Tony. "We're sick of coat-tailing," he
proclaims with a sneer. "It's not about what bands you played
with. If you think that sharing a stage with a huge band will give
you credibility, you're not in this for the right reasons."
Instead, the band decided to book their own shows locally with emphasis
placed on all-ages venues. "We basically grew up at all-ages
punk shows here in the city and we want the majority of our shows
to be played in front of all-ages crowds." Invariably, such a
decision has ramifications, something Tony is well aware of. "There
are so many bars in Chicago and aside from the Fireside and the Bottom
Lounge, they're the only places to play. But right now we're not worried
with that. We just want to play the music we grew up on at the places
we grew up in. There's a romantic feel to playing the Fireside and
nothing can beat that."
It is that way of simplifying things that makes Shot Baker such a
refreshing act in these days of "punk rock rules" - another
topic Tony is willing to candidly discuss. "Fuck the rules. It's
not about status or money. It's about passion. When we play, it's
all about the passion and nothing but. Our music is the love child
of four extremely passionate artists and that's what matters."
The music itself is pretty straightforward, and yet so appealing.
While there aren't any fancy or clever gimmicks to spice up the sound,
there is an abundance of furious energy and the passion that Tony
talks of so prominently. The band prides itself on playing a very
aggressive "in your face" style of punk. It is a very pure
and brutal amalgamation that lends itself well to Tony's rough vocal
style and the rampant melodies. The songs are driven by the brash
guitar which blends well with the catchy bass lines and the rapid-fire
drumming, creating a ferocious sound that Tony just barely keeps in
check with his gruff vocals. It is a highly volatile mixture of raw
aggression, anger, passion and love for the music.
"We're a punk rock band. We're not here to mix genres, hop on
what's popular or capture a sound. We're here to play music that drives
us." When it all comes together this summer and the long-awaited
debut full-length hits the streets, Chicago will notice. And whether
or not Shot Baker is recognized outside the state lines, the locals
will know that punk rock is back with a mean streak and the spite
to use it.
Shot Baker will play at Nevin's Live with Deals Gone Bad and The
Krunchies May 8.