KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE Friday, March 17th, 2000
Page 6 Sidetracks; Review
LOCAL BANDS PRESENT THEIR OWN MATERIAL
By Eric Schelkopf

You don’t have to go into Chicago to hear some great music.

Some of the area’s best music is right in our backyard, as St. Charles bands Saldo Kreek and Kampfire Kowboys proved Saturday in playing electrifying sets at club 602 North in Glendale Heights.

Both bands play original material, a refreshing alternative to the sea of cover bands that are clogging the Chicago music scene. The show was a CD release party for Kampfire Kowboys’ new album, “Stand Still.”

Saldo Kreek started off the evening in fine fashion with their appealing acoustic pop and folk-rock. This was Saldo Kreek’s first show with its new lineup, with violinist Carrie Davids and drummer Lou Celenza recently joining the group.

Both are already making strong contributions to the group, with Davids’ lush violin-playing bringing a warm dimension to their songs.

Everything clicked for the band on the song “You Can’t Come In,” one of several new songs Saldo Kreek premiered during their set.

As Davids’ violin weaved through the song, Tom Wade growled out the vocals with bluesy, Joe Cocker-like delivery.

But the music was only getting started as the group finished its set and Kampfire Kowboys stepped on stage.

Playing songs from its new CD, Kampfire Kowboys kicked up more than a little dust with its driving country-rock sound.

The new songs feature more of the band’s twangy rock along with the out-on-the-dusty trail vocals of lead singer and songwriter Tom Colton.

Unfortunately, Brian Tedeschi’s furious guitar licks got drowned out in the mix for much of the evening. Even so, the band produced a sound that could easily fill a bigger venue.

Showing off their rockabilly roots, Kampfire Kowboys capped off the evening with a storming version of the Stray Cats’ “Rock This Town.”

If the show sparked your interest in Kampfire Kowboys, the band will hold another CD release party at the Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, on Thursday, April 6.