Today, I sat down at my desk at work, as I do every Monday and logged into all my various programs as well as Firefox. One of the first handful of sites I check in the morning is Punknews.org, but instead of rolling my eyes at the usual stupid commentary from it's readers and wondering why this site pimps certain bands so hard, I was struck with some of the worst news I've heard in weeks. My favorite modern pop-punk band was breaking up.
The Ergs! are hands down, without an argument one of the best things going in pop punk right now. I hold them up on the same pedestal I hold the Chinese Telephones and Off With Their Heads. These three guys from South Amboy New Jersey hold a very special place in my heart, mostly because they're not unlike people I know and South Amboy is not unlike the part of Chicago in which I grew up. I can relate to this band's songs about girls and get their pop-culture/music nerd references. They could quite possibly be the quintessential riot nrrd band.
Today it's raining in Chicago and I'm sitting at my desk, soaking wet from getting caught in the rain, listening to their most recent full length, Upsairs/Downstairs. I keep thinking back to the summer of 2007, when I set up a basement show for them and Lemuria here in Chicago and how stoked I was. I was smiling ear to ear, singing along, having the most fun I've ever had at a show that I set up. Sure, I'd put on quite a few hardcore shows and a few smaller pop punk shows, but the Ergs!/Lemuria tour was one that I was looking forward to that entire summer. Two bands that I'd been incredibly stoked on at the time, on the road together. It couldn't be beat. Figure in locals, Canadian Rifle and you had the perfect show. I would go so far as to say, it was the best show we put on at the Humility Gallery.
The Ergs! songs are not your typical simple pop punk songs; paying close attention to the bass lines and structures, you realize that these kids are really talented and know what they're doing. You can tell that they've been playing together for a long time and that they've found the formula; they've found the chemistry. Sometimes it's best to get out while you're on top, I guess.
The first time I heard the Ergs! was in 2003. I was heart-broken and "glued up on some chick," and not unlike a Chesterfield King, Dorkrockcorkrod tore through me at just the right speed. Lyrics like "I would bet my life that you’re never gonna call me/I would bet my life that I’ll end up being lonely" and "So while I’m sore from the smiles that you’ve given to me/I just can’t wait for the day when inevitably
You say I’m not the guy you thought you knew when we have “The Talk”/And you’ll regrettably inform me that you’re taking a walk" were feelings that I felt and/or was feeling. I connected with the Ergs! on such a simple, basic level, yet they still hit home the way a Jawbreaker record hit home.
The only time I got to see the Ergs! was at that basement show. I guess that's the way the Ergs! are meant to be seen. I'm currently working out details to insure that I can get to their last show in New Jersey.
Mikey, Jeff, Joey, thanks for everything. Your band will be sorely missed. Best of luck with everything in the future.
The Ergs! web site.
The Ergs! Myspace profile.
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