Album Review

 Sidekick Kato- 1st Class Chump

Sidekick Kato is an Emo and Indie Rock band from Des Plaines, IL. This album came out in 1996 on Johanns Face Records. Sidekick Kato is one of my favorite bands from the Chicago underground scene. Back in 1996 when this record came out Emo and Indie Rock meant very different things than they do today. They were just different genres that were part of the hardcore scene at the time and they were seen in a positive light. Sidekick Kato was called a drunk emo band because they were always drunk at every show they played. There was a much deeper meaning though because they were fantastic musicians and at different times their music sounded melodic and perfect and then a couple minutes later their music sounded heavy and like it was all going to fall apart. This is the true essence of their music and the real reason why they were called a drunk emo band. Sidekick Kato is so dynamic and so intricate and the music they write is quite complex sounding and shockingly beautiful. This is the kind of Emo where the singer violently falls on the floor screaming his guts out because his lyrics are so filled with emotion. Some of you may know that Emo used to be called emocore and that was just another name for emotional hardcore. There is no doubt that Sidekick Kato is truly a heavy band and the singer has some amazing screaming vocals on this album. Todd Pot from Apocalypse Hoboken is a backing vocalist and Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio is a backing vocalist as well. This is like the perfect album and I have been listening to this album since it was first released in 1996. They are a truly legendary band in the Chicago scene because their style of drunk emo had never been attempted before but many Chicago bands tried to emulate their style. The only problem is none of these bands came close to sounding as good as Sidekick Kato. I just don't think they had the talent to pull it off. Although it might be a bygone era for this type of Emo and Indie Rock their most loyal fans still care and have been checking out Sidekick Kato at their most recent reunion shows. They're even selling new shirts on the bands website that are quite fashionable and I may be interested in buying a couple shirts. Sidekick Kato has meant so much to me in my life and I hope my readers will get something out of them as well. This is a classic release and also an essential album for you to add to your collection. Take a chance and you will be rewarded with a downright legendary record. Thanks so much for reading.
​Kevin

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