CHICAGO TRIBUNE/THE A LIST
by Rick Reger
The Nihilist Spasm Band, Saturday at the Empty Bottle: Though the name
might lead one to believe this is a collection of anarchist punks, the
NSB is actually a sextet of congenial, fiftyish Canadian librarians, physicians,
schoolteachers and artists. Yet there's certainly something subversive
to their music. For more than 30 years, this renowned ensemble has been
improvising brash sonic sculptures on homemade instruments that include
modified guitars, eledtric kazoos, theremin and drums. The resultant eruptions
canbe abrasive, confrontational, exhilarating, humorous, just about anything
but boring. First ever U.S. appearance.