THE
UNDERCARD
PREVIEW
continued from page 20
making music today. Earlier this year they
released their fifth album After the Party.
It’s filled with strong melodies, heart-
wrenching lyrics and plenty of sing-along
moments. The Menzingers solidified their
sound with the release of On the Impossible
Past in 2012, a record that’s arguably one of
the best punk records ever. With every
release, we expect The Menzingers to
break through into the mainstream
because they’re just that good. You can
expect their Riot Fest performance to be
intense and filled with passionate fans
who sing along to every song.
category of “extra special.” The band is
currently working on new music, so we’re
hoping to hear a new song or two during
their set.
Beach Slang
Beach Slang
Real Friends
Real Friends
Real Friends have been carrying the pop
punk banner for Chicago (Yes, they’re
actually from Tinley Park) ever since their
breakout release, Everyone That Dragged
You Here. Since then, the band has grown
into a pop punk powerhouse inspiring
countless other suburban teenagers to
form bands. Hometown shows are always
special and their Riot Fest return is in the
46 illinoisentertainer.com september 2017
In an interview with Riot Fest's website,
Beach Slang frontman James Alex
described his favorite memory of perform-
ing in Chicago, which included playing an
acoustic after-show that Alex described as
“the drunkest, sweatiest sing-along I’ve
ever been in the middle of.” If there’s a bet-
ter description of a great punk show, we
haven’t seen it. Be prepared to sweat and
sing-along (of course) to “Punks in a Disco
Bar” and “Future Mixtape for the Art
Kids.”