Critic's Choice

Related Content

• Beastie Boys' Licensed To Ill turns 25
  November 15, 2011
• Guns N' Roses, Joan Jett, the Cure nominated for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  September 27, 2011
• Dear Diary: Why won't this ska boy notice me? Where is my Nirvana shirt? I have nothing to wear!
  January 10, 2012
• Record Store Day, the Black Friday edition
  November 25, 2011
• Deal of a lifetime: Discounted umbilical cord storage
  August 19, 2011

More About

• Johnny Socko
• Bob Knight
• Bloomington
• College Basketball
• Soul Music

Bloomington, Indiana’s Johnny Socko, with Bad Rufus and Lesser Profits, Wednesday, June 21, at the Bluebird Theater, is proof that college basketball coach Bobby Knight isn’t the only explosive entity to emerge from the Hoosier state. Now based in Indianapolis, Socko is currently on its own self-described rock-and-roll rampage (hopefully, there will be no choking of fans) on the heels of the group’s fourth album, appropriately titled Quatro. The CD -- like the band’s live approach -- is an electric smorgasbord that covers everything from ’70s arena rock to bossa nova and lounge, power pop, Motown and rap. The moderately skanking sounds of groups like the Mighty Mighty Bosstones are found in the very non-ABBA-esque Dancin’ Queen:; elsewhere, hard-driving pop guitars, Beastie Boys grooves and even a little Robert Plant rock action make appearances. The band takes what it likes and puts it through the Socko musical meat grinder. So watch your fingers and toes, and don’t get too close.