Lil Daggers 3/2011
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I often fantasize about hosting a house party in my backyard in Logan Square, Chicago, with Lil Daggers and Natural Child rocking everyone’s faces off on into the starless summer night. Barbecues blazing, the scent of chorizo in the air, the go-between of the bands and the wild amplified mariachi parties down the street create a seething pattern in my head as I get down on the lawn with all my buds. Then, I realize that in this fantasy my apartment gets trashed, people puke in my bed and I eventually get evicted. This is a rowdy bunch.
Lil Daggers new album, which they were kind enough to share with me, is more refined and better produced than their earlier work. This self-titled album catches the band exploring not only their sixties psych-pop leanings but actually stretches out to include heavy doses of real composition and thought provoking textured arrangements. In many instances they even conjure elements of Ennio Morricone, legendary composer of all great Western soundtracks. The music is not Western per se but it is frontier music, on the boundary/edge of existence. In Lil Daggers’ case, it’s the everglades. An endless uncharted adventure land of swamp slime, terrifying man-eating predators and poisonous psychedelic fauna.
This is their first full length after a protracted series of 7”s, 10”s, a split somewhere in there and a whole lotta’ touring. I caught them at the Empty Bottle in Spring 2011. Needless to say, I was blown away. This is the forefront of dirty southern rock culture. Lil Daggers’ singer has an attitude reminiscent of Cole from the Black Lips. Their live show is good enough that they land about ten miles ahead of any other band they share a bill with… which is why I would risk being evicted to have them play at my house. If you read this, you should buy.
Thanks guys, you rock!
Sample Trax From Lil Daggers - S/T:
1. Slave Exchange
2. Past Due
Click here to download.
