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 Matt Skiba |
 Chuck Ragan |
 Matt Skiba & Chuck Ragan |
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Story and photos by Karen Bondowski Flying all the way from California for a one time show in Chicago, Chuck Ragan (formerly of Hot Water Music, Rumbleseat) joined Chicago native, Matt Skiba (Alkaline Trio, Heavens) for a return to their roots with powerful and raw acoustic sets.Gracing the stage first was Chuck Ragan. Having a penchant for the upbeat and featuring a heavy-handed acoustic guitar, Ragan builds rich harmonies that are laid upon buttery melodies. When this man sings - he sings. With a voice falling somewhere between the monotone drawls of Leonard Cohen and a much less raspy Tom Waits - Ragan belted out the lyrics with vein-popping and eye bulging beauty. Songs that shined were "Open Up and Wail," "Fixin' To Die," "For Broken Ears," "Do You Pray," "Congratulations Joe" and the Pogues inspired "California Burritos." Matt Skiba strolled out for a duet on "The Boat" to help finish Ragan's set. The good friends melded well musically. As Ragan exited the stage - Skiba started strumming The Violent Femmes "I Held Her In My Arms." Wearing black jeans and a white t-shirt, this wasn't the Matt everyone recognized from a Trio show. Usually he's wearing a bit of make-up and a skin tight suit. Skiba was a bit more introspective than Ragan and let the beautifully eerie lyrics and darker melodies of songs like "Sadie," "Demons Away," In Your Wake" and "Blue in the Face" remain the true focus. "Good Fucking Bye" and "That City That Day" played out like minimalist, but enduring catch-phrases. Ragan than rejoined Skiba for an emotional cover of Bob Dylan's "It's All over Now, Baby Blue." The soldout Metro got a rare opportunity to see two talents heading down a musical road much less travelled. |
 Matt Skiba |
 Chuck Ragan |
 Chuck Ragan |
 Matt Skiba |
