On Wednesday night, Chicago’s JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound will return to Columbus to play the Basement. They are touring in support of Want More, their second album and first on hometown Bloodshot Records (Lydia Loveless, Justin Townes Earle, ETC.). In the sometimes crowded field of modern funk/soul bands, JCBUS manages to stand apart with their approach that meshes old school gutbucket soul with rock ‘n roll energy (a style they sometimes refer to as “post-punk soul”). While their debut tended to jump around a bit between various ideas and approaches, Want More seems focused on their own take on vintage soul storytelling and party-starting. The fact that a Wilco cover (see video above) fits seamlessly into this collection is a testament to the heart and soul they apply to their material.
While they continue to evolve with their recorded output, JCBUS has also been a live force to be reckoned with for some time (including their role in the Numero Eccentric Soul Revue that appeared at the Lincoln Theatre in 2009), as JC Brooks’ soul-shouting antics lead the show with rock solid support from the Uptown Sound rhythm section. There is no (listed) opening band for the show Wednesday, so the band will have plenty of room to stretch out and put on a fiery soul spectacle. Doors are at 7pm, admission is $12 at the door.
