Have you ever gone to a concert and wanted to jump onstage with the band, whoโs shirtless and covered in sweat? Have you ever wanted to thrash to songs about Hammโs beer set to charismatic surf punk music? Do you enjoy things that seem silly in concept but are performance juggernauts in execution? If you answered no, do you hate fun?
If you answered yes, meet The Chugs, a punk rock trio from Evansville that has taken over the region because of its catchy melodies, tenacity, and genuineness that connect emotionally โ and sometimes physically โ with the audience.
โI think it legitimately is just like weโre friends with everyone,โ says drummer Sam Kuban, explaining the bandโs connection with the audience.
โYeah, honestly, the music is second,โ agrees guitarist Scott Wambach.
โIf we werenโt doing this, weโd be doing something else,โ says bassist Brian Harding. โWhat?โ Wambach asks. โWrestling!โ Harding answers immediately, to which they all loudly agree.
Thatโs The Chugs: equal parts talent, energy, a classic Midwest beer, and The Three Stooges. The affectionate, sometimes boyish bond the trio shares with one another is infectious. And yes, sometimes they end up shirtless on stage. But thatโs all part of the fun.
The band rehearses their Hammโs-centric songs in the Old Vanderburgh County Courthouse. Thatโs where they also record their music, including their โsix packโ EPs, โThe Cancept Albumโ and โHey Neighbor!โ The band is working on another โsix packโ with local punk band Sluice. The project will be called โSlugs.โ
The band opened for comedian and actor Chris Gethard at Arcademie in early July. Itโs not the first time the band has warmed u an audience for a comedy show. They also opened for โKids in the Hallโ star Kevin McDonald in February.
โIt feels like it fits for us, though, right?โ Kuban says.
With multiple shows coming up this summer, what does the band want the audience to take away?
โA lot of sweat. A couple of bruises,โ Wambach says.
โWell, that they had fun at a punk show, honestly,โ Kuban adds. โAnd also a couple hundred dollarsโ worth of merch.โ
Upcoming shows
July 26 โ North End Pub, Lafayette, Indiana
Aug. 17 โ Damsel Brew Pub, Evansville
Aug. 31 โ Hammsfest, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Sept. 7 โ Front Porch Fest, Evansville
