A vibrant crowd of people at Metro in Chicago gathered in anticipation as “Young Hearts Run Free” by Candi Staton, followed by “Like A Prayer” by Madonna echoed though the venue on the loudspeakers. I conversed with a fellow journalist whom I’d met, and we debated whether or not artists get to choose the songs that play in the concert hall before they hit the stage. We agreed that if that is the case, Summer Salt made a great decision choosing 1980s hits, as it set the mood for the perfect indie surf-rock night in Chicago.
A three-band bill brought melodic synths that bounced off the walls of Metro on Thursday, February 12. Summer Salt, a “coral-reef rock” band headlined the show, with support from Wabie and Boyscott. Summer Salt formed in 2012 when childhood friends Matthew Terry (vocals/guitar) and Eugene Chung (drums/multi-instrumentalist) let their musical talents collide. Winston Triolo often joins them in the studio and on tour playing bass, and touring with them for the first time is Alex Togashii on guitar.
Boyscott is an indie-rock band with a surfy undertone, currently based in New England. Their debut EP, Goosebumps, was released in 2015, containing hits such as “Nova Scotia 500” and “Killer Whale.”
Wabie (pronounced Wah-Bee) is a writer and producer from Los Angeles, and he creates all of his own art. He has done loads of interviews explaining his creative process, hobbies outside of making music, and news on his musical journey.
All three bands played a sweet nostalgic set of songs that transported the audience into an alternate reality for approximately three hours. They played music that made you want to sit around a campfire with your closest friends, pass around a joint, (if you’re into that of course) and connect with the world around you.
Wabie took the stage first, and his music was the kind that made you crave the sun. On this fine Thursday evening, Wabie was accompanied by bandmates Erick on lead-guitar, Rachel Rhodes on the keys, Bryce Perry on the drums, and Iko on bass. Rhodes wore a striking red-courderoy jacket that complimented the colors of the blue, green and yellow toned lights so well. After introducing the band, Wabie went straight into “Darcy” off his debut album released in 2022, Double Superfine.
“Take it away Erick,” he said, signaling Erick, who broke out into a guitar solo during “Darcy.”
“Take it away Rachel,” he said, shortly after, prompting Rhodes to perform a contagious keyboard solo.
During “Love Me Tomorrow,” Rhodes sang a duet alongside Wabie, and he announced shortly after that the two were dating.
Wabie also played a new song for Chicago, that will hopefully be released soon.
“If it’s chopped sh*t just clap along,” he said jokingly.
As an audience member, I can confirm it wasn’t chopped sh*t.
Wabie and his band had this natural ability to connect with the audience, and their sound and energy created the perfect beginning to a night full of music that felt like summer. Throughout their entire performance, the band exchanged smiles the whole time and appeared so genuinely happy to be there. You could tell they were best-friends.
Boyscott took the stage second, and delivered a nostalgic set that emulated the feeling of discovering surf-rock for the first time. Legend has it that frontman Scott Hermo Jr. was attending university in Nashville, Tenn. when he began recording music in a dorm room. This led to Goosebumps, which was self-released in 2015 by Hermo, with the help of fellow schoolmates and musicians Emma Willer, Tiger Adams, John Lewandowski and Noah Miller. Four years later it was released via Top Shelf Records and Babe City Records in 2019.
Since 2015, Boyscott has contained Hermo, and a rotating lineup of friends and musicians who have toured around the country playing shows.
“Hip-hip” said Hermo in a whisper. “Hooray” the audience responded, mimicking his tone.
This continued throughout Boycott’s entire set, with Hermo utilizing a very wide range of vocal volume. His personality shined through their spot upon the stage, making it so apparent that he is really just some dude, who also happens to be a talented multi-instrumentalist.
“It’s so good,” he laughed, after his last “Hip-Hip” chant.
Hermo introduced his talented bandmates playing alongside him this evening, and also encouraged everyone to check out the various side-projects they are involved in. Tom Bora (guitar), is also a part of Lazy Trail, a project created by Willer, who contributed to Goosebumps. Nick Sebastiano, who played bass on this fine Chicago evening, is a part of a project called Another Michael.
The magical guitar synths from Goosebumps bounced off the walls at Metro, like “Blonde Blood” and “Killer Whale.”
Boyscott also played songs off their new album, Spellbound, released in 2024.
As said before from Crave, music always has, and always will, hold a prominent place in politics. Boyscott donated a portion of their merch proceeds to an anti-ICE organization based in Minneapolis. Along with Wabie and Summer Salt, the three bands used their voices to speak out on the unjust things that are happening in our country. It is small efforts like these that ignite a little power in people, and will allow us to be stronger together in the long run.
After Boyscott ended their set with the famous “Nova Scotia 500,” the lights dimmed on the stage, Madonna and Candi Stanton started to play, and people gathered together and braced for Summer Salt.
At approximately 9:45, Madonna slowly faded, along with the lights in the venue, until it was completely dark. Everyone’s attention averted to the humming of crickets that began echoing throughout Metro. Tungsten lights slowly started to warm the stage, illuminating Chung on the drums, Triolo on bass, and Togashii and Terry on guitar. Blue, yellow, and red rugs were placed on the stage floor underneath the instruments, and the backdrop resembled the shadow of a pine-tree forest.
The production alone was enough to immerse you in the world of Reside, but the songs that were played from the album felt like a new era for Summer Salt. Their classic, “coral-reef rock,” began to feel more like what I would call “campfire rock.” In other words, indie-rock, but surrounded by pine-trees, fireflies, and the subtle crackling of a fire.
They of course had to play their classics off of Driving To Hawaii though. Summer Salt played Rockaway off the 2014 EP, which they remastered in 2024, on naming the LP Driving Back To Hawaii. The audience swayed along.
They also made sure to play “Candy Wrappers” and “Revvin’ My CJ-7” off their debut album released in 2019, Happy Camper.
Perhaps one of their most famous tracks is the one titled “Driving To Hawaii,” and you can probably guess which EP this is off of.
During this jam, Terry sang “Driving to Chicago,” and the crowd couldn’t get enough of that one.
It was a special moment of togetherness to witness, and out of every concert I’ve attended with Crave, the sense of community that Chicagoans bring to live music events is always memorable.
Summer Salt, Boyscott and Wabie are continuing the Reside Tour through March 4. After that, Summer Salt will cross the pond to tour in the UK and Europe. Be sure to stream their new album Reside, and show some love for Spellbound by Boyscott, and Sun Chaser by Wabie.
Keep up with Summer Salt
Website / Spotify / Apple Music / Instagram / YouTube
Keep up with Boyscott
Website / Spotify / Apple Music / Instagram /YouTube
Keep up with Wabie
Website / Spotify / Apple Music /Instagram / YouTube
