Reggie and The Full Effect: House of Blues Chicago, 9/3/08

Reggie and the Full Effect rolled into town at Chicago’s House of Blues for part of what is being called his “Final Tour.” Whether this is fact or merely a ploy to get the kids to come out to the shows is definitely on the minds of dedicated Reggie fans. If the latter proves to be true, Chicago fans get a F-, as ticket sales were quite poor.

James Dewees (a.k.a. Reggie) performed the entirety of the show in house slippers, opting to leave his alter-egos’ (Fluxuation and Common Denominator) costumes behind. Nonetheless, the crowd was entertained by his usual wisecracks and off-the-wall humor.

Dewees’ parents made it to the show from St. Louis, and as I caught several glances of them, I had to wonder what this nice elderly couple that looked like they attended church regularly really thought of their son and his antics.

Towards the end of the set, I began to feel saddened by the thought that this really could be Reggie’s “Final Tour,” although Dewees did announce a Get Up Kids reunion tour in the spring…and that would be totally awesome.

-Tanya Van Kampen

Photos by Kevin J. Bradley

Reggie and the Full Effect: www.myspace.com/reggieandthefulleffect
Vagrant Records: www.vagrant.com

SET LIST:

Mood 4 Luv
Your Girlfriends Hate Me
Congratulations, Smack and Katy
What the Hell is Contempt
Thanx for Stayin
Better For You
Girl, Why’d You Run Away?
Happy V-Day From Me 2 You
What the Hell is Stipulation?
J Train
V Train
Take Me Home
Get Well Soon
Slayer
New Flux
Love Reality
Gloves
Dwarf Invasion