i:scintilla decided to relinquish their status as a “local band” earlier this year when they moved to Chicago. Generally speaking, I’d be the first to tell an indie band that this move is a bad one and that they were making a huge mistake. The rent is higher, the scene is harder to break into, and the chance of being “discovered” at something like MOBFest fell out of fashion at the onset of blog culture a few years back.
Fortunately for i:scintilla, they aren’t an indie rock act at all.
This is a band that roots itself in the Chicago tradition of churning out some of the most powerful and anthemic industrial rock in the world. Starting with Wax Trax Records releases from pioneers like Sister Machine Gun, Pigface and Revolting Cocks and leading all the way up to the most recent releases from bands like Ministry and Chris Connelly, Chicago has long been known for harboring and embracing the world of industrial and goth music.
Tonight, catch Champaign’s finest contribution to the canon when they share the stage with long time tour mates from Los Angeles, Mankind is Obsolete.
It’s an early show, starting at 8 p.m. Cover is a stupidly low $5 at the door.