CHIRP: Chicago Independent Radio Project

Posted by Claire B. on May 12, 2008 around 8am

Many friends sit around drinking and talking about starting a band, but never have the chutzpah to get the project off the ground. When the initial idea for the Blue Ribbon Glee Club was hatched, I recall someone hopefully suggesting that perhaps Pabst might sponsor the choir. Following their formation in 2007, they were part of a stellar Hideout Block Party lineup that included Art Brut–who enjoyed their set so much they showed up at the after party. Recently, their acapella covers of essential songs like “Spanish Bombs” and “California Uber Alles” forced even the crustiest of the vendors at the CHIRP record fair to look up and flash a knowing smile.

I caught up with 4 of the original members, a marginal fraction given that almost 30 people are in the group. Whitney Johnson and Joshua Dumas also comprise part of local band the Notes & Scratches, while Rob Kowalczyk and Katy Groves are the co-captains of the Glee Club these days.

CHIRP: Any plans to cover Bad Brains in the future? What other classics and obscurities do you have in the works–the Misfits, perhaps?
Rob Kowalczyk: We get into little groups or committees to choose songs. The Misfits came up once, and I was real excited about it, except the lyrics were rather obscene, so it got scrapped pretty quickly (I never knew the lyrics to, but always really liked, Last Caress — now I know).
Joshua Dumas: The Raincoats! I’d love to tackle Superchunk. I think we’ll be working on a Talking Heads song soon…Bad Brains would be great. There are just so many wonderful possibilities, and we welcome suggestions.

CHIRP: How many people have rotated in and out of the Glee Club? It seems like there are folks who I haven’t seen around much lately.
Katy Groves: Some have moved to the coasts, or have lots of things going on career-wise…and then there is the constant poaching of the Glee Club by the Polyphonic Spree, the Harlem Boys Choir, and the NBA.
Whitney Johnson: Really, this project could go on forever with a revolving door of singers and songs. I can imagine 90-year-old Rob and Josh fumbling through their wallets for $5 to come hear the Glee Club at the Empty Bottle in 2068, at that point morphed into a throwback Reggaeton flute choir. This thing will never die.

CHIRP: My boyfriend thinks some crushed blue velvet choir robes might be nice on all of you. Are there any dress codes of conduct for everyone when you perform?
JD: Um, yes. We do in fact spend a fair amount time discussing wardrobe. I’m all for it. My third favorite thing to do with my time is play dress-up.
KG: It typically takes hours of discussion to settle on one color (usually blue) or theme (”fancy” or “school”) and then we tie it together with white satin sashes. Any kind of uniform would prevent the true expressions of ourselves, and by that, I mean “looking hot.” Tell Tim “Tube Sock” Gunn to mind his own beeswax.

CHIRP: I must confess that I’m an avid reader of missed connections on Craigslist. I noticed that you’ve gained quite a following on there. Anything interesting come of it?
KG: Missed connections are fun, but the action is in casual encounters. Since we formed via a MWMWMWMWM4MWWWMWMWMMM posting, there is also a certain sweetness to how much action we get on Craigslist.

CHIRP: As a kind of community-based organization, it seems like you are happy to play any kind of venue. Tell me about some of your favorite Chicago places to be outside of band practice and shows.
RK: My kitchen, where I spend a lot of time cooking and un-learning any names or faces I might have learned that day. I also love riding my bike on the streets of Chicago. And I love getting together with friends in back yards or living rooms.
JD: Whitney and I took a really lovely trip to the Shedd Aquarium recently.
I like back porches and front stoops. The Museum of Contemporary
Photography is consistently great. I’ve grown fond of the Damen bus.
I love the Epiphany Episcopal Church where we practice. I like drinking at the Edgewater Lounge. Taste of Lebanon is wonderful. My reading chair is plush and green and sits by the windows that look onto the street.

CHIRP: What’s next for the group? I understand you were working on a record.
RK: True! We’re about to send off four songs to squeeze onto a 7″. The 7″ will contain covers of Fugazi, Sleater Kinney, The Black Lips, and the Dead Kennedys. We also have a few shows lined up throughout the summer…and we might try to get some sort of benefit cooking, although we’re not quite sure yet.

The Blue Ribbon Glee Club will be performing next at Summer on the Square on June 21st.