Deconstructing Jim

It's a sure sign that a band doesn't take itself too seriously when it lists its influences as "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions" and hosts a pre-holiday "Bad Christmas Sweater" concert.

But the lack of pretense doesn't mean that the members of Deconstructing Jim -- Jeff Julian (singer/guitar), Matt Yeager (singer/bass) and Brennen Chouinard (drums) -- aren't dedicated to their music.

The trio has played about 150 shows in just under four years, a number that backs up the "have van, will travel" claim posted on the band's MySpace page. Likewise, anthemic guitar jams like "Crash Landing" and "Fall On Your Own Sword" are the perfect soundtrack for knocking back cheap beers at a local dive -- exactly what attendees can expect on this suburban stop. - Chicago Tribune

Well I'll be damned, if it isn't yet another reason to visit Joliet — the heavy rock trio known as Deconstructing Jim adds another layer of intrigue to the diamond-in-the-rough allure of Chicago's southwest. Combine syncopation, fuzz, distorted bass and full, strong vocals and you get the heavy sound of Jeff Julian (vocals/guitar), Matt Yeager (vocals/bass), and Brennen Chouinard (drums). You can look forward to a rhythm section that makes the Running of the Bulls sound like ants fleeing an anthill, and guitars that sound like frogs being crushed by the dozens. Pretentious solos are not the style of Mr. Julian, nor are lyrics about topics being covered daily on the WB. The songs I heard from their newest album, A Future Told By Swords, reminded me a lot of Queens of the Stone Age — some good riffs played loud with that sweet and spicy Joliet flavor. Who is Jim? Maybe someone whose head spontaneously exploded while listening to this band. (Appearing at Mustache Fest in Lemont on June 16) --text: Billy Kenefick - Chicago Innerview