Music
Press
Chicago’s got a new contender. Brought up by sideshow gypsy warriors, acid-folk progressives, and genius Broadway composers, this group of strapping gentleman are out of the gates and elevated onto some next level shit. Orchestrated in madness, wits, and a sense of humor, I’m placing all my bets on the Bitter Tears. (BM)
- Punk Plannet
Chicago’s got a new contender. Brought up by sideshow gypsy warriors, acid-folk progressives, and genius Broadway composers, this group of strapping gentleman are out of the gates and elevated onto some next level shit. Orchestrated in madness, wits, and a sense of humor, I’m placing all my bets on the Bitter Tears. (BM)
- Punk Plannet
Given having fun seems to be as important to The Bitter Tears as making music, it’s kind of hard to categorize what their 11-song debut is all about in a few words. The group’s absurdist lyrical point of view, eclectic choice of instrumentation, and classic psychedelic/garage leanings give them a delightfully crossbred pedigree, which, since they’re already appearing on more major act billings, perhaps best positions them as a new, improved, and less-politicized Chumbawumba?
– David C. Eldredge - Illinois Entertainer
Given having fun seems to be as important to The Bitter Tears as making music, it’s kind of hard to categorize what their 11-song debut is all about in a few words. The group’s absurdist lyrical point of view, eclectic choice of instrumentation, and classic psychedelic/garage leanings give them a delightfully crossbred pedigree, which, since they’re already appearing on more major act billings, perhaps best positions them as a new, improved, and less-politicized Chumbawumba?
– David C. Eldredge - Illinois Entertainer
Onstage these punk vaudevillians often look like a half-assed circus sideshow -- the guys might wear Daisy Dukes or ruffled gowns with their three-day stubble, and sooner or later somebody's bound to dress up as a pregnant pirate or a zombie rugby player. Their colorful, obnoxious music augments rock instrumentation with piano, strings, accordion, and a wagonload of horns, from baritone sax to oboe. They call it "fucked-up folk," which is at least half right -- it isn't exactly folk, instead touching on everything from 70s action-film scores ("The Marriage Hole") to sotto voce children's songs ("Grieving"), tear-in-your-beer twang ("Spark of Pleasure"), and Mexican corridos ("Mandaria"). The Bitter Tears are less self-consciously wacky than Ween -- they feel genuinely weird, more in line with a cult band like Jon Wayne. Plenty original, if not always listenable. - The Chicago Reader
Onstage these punk vaudevillians often look like a half-assed circus sideshow -- the guys might wear Daisy Dukes or ruffled gowns with their three-day stubble, and sooner or later somebody's bound to dress up as a pregnant pirate or a zombie rugby player. Their colorful, obnoxious music augments rock instrumentation with piano, strings, accordion, and a wagonload of horns, from baritone sax to oboe. They call it "fucked-up folk," which is at least half right -- it isn't exactly folk, instead touching on everything from 70s action-film scores ("The Marriage Hole") to sotto voce children's songs ("Grieving"), tear-in-your-beer twang ("Spark of Pleasure"), and Mexican corridos ("Mandaria"). The Bitter Tears are less self-consciously wacky than Ween -- they feel genuinely weird, more in line with a cult band like Jon Wayne. Plenty original, if not always listenable. - The Chicago Reader
Discography
Frank J.P and the Monkey 7" (2004)
The Grinning Corpse Who Went to Town CD (2005)
Photos
Bio
The Bitter Tears have a strange take on music and performing. Fortunately people tend to like it. The band usually dresses in home made costumes which sets a festive tone. They play eerily catchy songs.
The most jaded of music fans tend to enjoy themselves as much as everyone else.
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