Live Review: Stabbing Westward - Chasing Ghosts 2024 Tour

Stabbing Westward - Bobby Talamine (c) 2024

Stabbing Westward - Bobby Talamine (c) 2024

Writing and Photography by Bobby Talamine
Edited by Fiza Javid

House of Blues Chicago
Friday - April 26, 2024

The band still lives, thank god.
They're as fierce and as committed as ever- that being Christopher Hall and Walter Flakus of Stabbing Westward.

So refreshing, so invigorating to see them performing live, and in their element of embracing high energy with solid songs in a live and intimate venue such as House of Blues Chicago.
It's like you have to take a deep breath of sorts- that the band is still intact, after some 35 or more or so years of some serious tumult, and rugged ups and downs of staying together, staying intact as a band.
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I'm not in their shoes obviously, but from interviews, and knowing the guys somewhat over the years- you get a sense that they understand emphatically the amount of courageousness  it takes to make attempts throughout to keep things going, let alone find that creative spark to continue to write solid songs, let alone perform.

And it's like the oddball potholes never let up, including their Facebook page, let alone other social media sites, which before entering, have this kind of disclaimer: "Are you sure you want to continue? This search may include content that's graphic or violent, which may be sensitive to some people".
All because the word "Stabbing" is in the name of the band. And it's not as if there's a hotline or a customer service to Facebook and other social media companies to explain your case direct- let alone if any knucklehead who came up with the disclaimer has investigated their website or social media home pages further to check what they're about, and realize that the statement upon entering said website or homepage is the dumbest thing known to man, or at least pretty close, when actually viewing the website or home page firsthand.

Now you have a brief idea of what Christopher and Walter are up against, compared to other bands of similar genre and feel.
The definition of oddball- stuff like that to comprehend and overcome.
However they certainly know how to rise above so to speak, and just get on with it.
And when performing live, with the additions of Bobby Amaro on drums, along with Cyamak Ashtiani on guitars- they have that spark, that chemistry to elevate things, with an 18 song set that delivers, no let up in sight.

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Stabbing Westward - Bobby Talamine (c) 2024

Stabbing Westward - Bobby Talamine (c) 2024

Stabbing Westward - Bobby Talamine (c) 2024

Stabbing Westward - Bobby Talamine (c) 2024

Stabbing Westward - Bobby Talamine (c) 2024

Stabbing Westward - Bobby Talamine (c) 2024

An invigorating show, with amped up enthusiasm from the main floor brethren, with Christopher Hall delivering flawlessly throughout, and Walter getting his fair share of letting loose when the moment strikes, keyboards not stopping the limited feel of space- hit a solid note and notes, and move around accordingly stage wise.

A simple set up at the House of Blues, not much clutter, the four of them, with a white backdrop that had solid visuals to amp up the mood even more, followed by solid musicianship.
And their songs, their catalog to the present day-
A wide breadth of coolness, with nothing seeming dated whatsoever.
Gotta like that about a band like Stabbing Westward, who since 1985 have persevered, and have continued to deliver songs flawlessly, even while under attack from incompetent this, incompetent that.

Christopher and Walter- two guys who know a thing or two about like minded vision- like minded intuitiveness to see things through to the end, done their way.
Touring on the strength of their latest release, from 2022- "Chasing Ghosts"- and yet their setlist reflects a lot from their back catalog, with "Dead & Gone" being the only song from "Chasing Ghosts" performed live- no matter.

The song selections were bangers throughout, including an invigorating cover from The Cure in "Burn"- a song that has the inkling and understated firepower of expansion, done with propulsive firepower followed by heavy backbeat, and made even more dark than the original.
Their whole set had that same sort of feel, where the songs matter lots, that taking deep dives into overall mood and striking delivery should be equal in measure.
My opinion- the band deserves more and more.
They are still that good and solid as all get out.
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Makes you want to stand up and take notice, to get the word out- no slights whatsoever.
My kinda show that leaves a memorable mark in your cranium.

Bobby Talamine - JBTV Music Television Chicago

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Stabbing Westward, Bobby Talamine, House of Blues, JBTV Music Television, Fiza Javid, Chicago, Live Music, House of Blues, Jerry Bryant