Randy J. Klodz - Ima Robot To Bring Nerd-Rock to Chicago

Jan. 29, 2004

Ima Robot To Bring Nerd-Rock to Chicago

By Randy J. Klodz

What may be the second-coming to geek-rock all-stars Weezer, Los Angeles dork-rockers Ima Robot will bring its 80’s driven guitar pop to Chicago when the band will be supporting Chicago’s own pop-rock princes Kill Hannah on Feb. 17 at Metro.

Ima Robot--which includes Alex Ebert (vocals), Tim Anderson (guitar), Justin Meldal-Johnson (bass), Joey Waronker (drums) and Oliver Goldstein (keys)--has drawn creative comparisons to 80’s joke-rockers Devo, the band that released that unavoidable song titled “Whip It,” for the band’s goofy appearance, and slapstick sense of humor. For instance, Ebert’s hair has been seen in a laughable mullet, a hairstyle popular in the 80s where the hair is short in the front of the head, but is long in the back--picture the hair-do of “Uncle Jesse” played by John Stamos in episodes of the family TV series “Full House.”

The band’s self-titled debut, released last September on Virgin Records, has gained gobs of critical acclaim, and even has its initial single, the catchy “Dynomite” played throughout the month of January during MTV’s advertising for the channel’s new nightly “Ten Spot” line-up. Chances are that MTV viewers have encountered these advertisements with the “Dynomite” lyrics that begin: “Here’s a story for the kids,” and continue with the bouncy chorus: “No I want to wait for someone like you / To make my life so dynamite / Ah ah ah ah ah ah / Turn this dark life into light.”

Ima Robot further displays its penchant for a sense of humor in that the second track of the album is titled “Song #1,” when indeed, it is song number two on the album. But this band isn’t always joking around. The track “Scream” may be the best, and most mature track on the album. “Scream” takes the energy level down a bit with a slow-moving ballad that sounds more like the Cure than it does Ima Robot, a feat that should be readily accepted as it gives the listener a break from the punch lines. Much like the “Scream” chorus lyrics read, Ebert’s voice can hit both the high and low notes, often in a full-out falsetto: “You were the best love I ever had / You hit me high, you hit me low / Time doesn't slow down for those who dream / I wake only to hear this scream.”

Metro is at 3730 N. Clark St., in the Wrigleyville neighborhood. Tickets for this all-ages show are listed for $12 each, with a start time scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The Sounds are also scheduled to perform. For more information on the band log on to www.imarobot.com.