Bad Copy

I’ve been following Dave Hause and his musical career for over 19 years and that trajectory has taken us both to some really interesting places. I saw him (and the rest of The Loved Ones) open for The Bouncing Souls almost two decades ago at a House of Blues in Southern California when I lived on the West Coast. I saw him on his first solo run years later in a smaller LA club. I have made it a point to try and see him – and now his brother Tim – every time they come through Chicago, where I moved over a decade ago. And this latest run lead me to a affluent Chicago suburb just north of the city, to a restaurant/bar/venue space called Hey Nonny.

It’s been such an interesting ride to watch Dave change as a musician and lyricist, to grow as a solo artist, to absorb his brother Tim into the musical fold of his projects, and to grow as a human being. This show struck chords of awe in me. I spent the time sitting at a table that was reserved for me in a darkened room filled with other tables, small tea candles lighting up the space as other fans watched the set while sipping double digit priced drinks and snacking on upscale bar food. The music may sound differently toned; electric guitars have been – at times – traded out for acoustic electric. The crowd may no longer be knock down drunk, pushing each other around in overhyped excitement when the first words of “Jane” rings out. But the punch and grit behind the lyrics are still there. The power behind the set has never dwindled. And, while it was a bit of adjustment as a fan years ago, I honestly now like this set up, these songs, and the rawness each set conveys.

Check out my photos of the night below and check out a new single from Tim Hause here!