Viza-Noir

Born in Chicago and raised on the city streets, the founding members of Viza-Noir (bassist Mike O'Connell, guitarist Dan MacAdam, and drummer Joe Kaplan) learned the basic facts of life from post-punk idols like Wire, Wipers, MX-80, and the Ex. The band also incorporated elements of the short-lived Midwest noise renaissance into their signature sound, though their lyrics lack the unabashed self-consciousness and haughty pretensions that typify the intellectual rock experience. Since their formation in 1998, the trio has performed with such indie rock luminaries as the Shipping News and Kim and Kelly Deal; meanwhile, they've released two 7" singles -- 1998's American Family Flakes and 1999's Missed Connection -- that belie their old-school punk roots and highlight their ferocious, unrelenting chops. (Imagine a fusion of early Who and Fugazi, with a slightly progressive edge, and you'll get the idea.) In July of 2001, the band released its first full-length release (the self-titled Viza-Noir) for the Windy City's newest indie label, Flameshovel. The album doesn't explore any new, uncharted artistic ground, but it does provide enough of a rapid-fire sonic assault to please the most discriminating hardcore audiences. ~ Rossiter Drake