Caught in the Carousel

The Hit Back

By Alex Green

The Hit Back

The Hit Back's Jesse Hanabarger is such a ringer for Joe Pernice that frankly it's hard to tell the two apart. Chicago's The Hit Back may have all the finesse and poeticism of The Pernice Brothers, but their debut Who Are These Weird Old Kids takes the kind of inventive sonic detours that bring to mind everyone from Canada's Small Sins to the The Beach Boys. "Me And The Kid" is an infectious number of pure pop weariness; "Sick Of Sweets" is a series of layered loops and harmonies that may only clock in at one minute, but somehow, in its brevity manages to be a mini-indie rock symphony. Later, "That Wave" juxtaposes bleak lyrics with a dark and simple groove and "Everything Leaks" and "Down The Hall" choke back the sobs with such expertly restrained beauty, it's hard to believe this is only the band's first record. The closer "And You're The Night" is the first proper album closer this reviewer has heard in years. Singing against the lone accompaniment of a piano, Hanabarger's voice soars and staggers like someone who's recapturing his balance only so he can plunge back into the darkness: "When I awoke/I was partially healed/You're so right/Sick and addicted feels just fine."

This album feels better than fine. This feels like the debut of a band that's about to produce a wealth of brilliant work.

On the eve of the release of Who Are These Weird Old Kids, singer Jesse Hanabarger willingly subjected himself to CITC's Scouting Report Questionnaire.

The Hit Back

FULL NAME: Jesse H. Hanabarger

HOMETOWN: Fillmore, Il

WEBSITE: www.thehitback.com

RECORD LABEL: Unsigned

DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND IN ONE SENTENCE: Our sound is electronic pop, but tells its parents it's alt/folk.

PROUDEST PROFESSIONAL MOMENT: Seth and I were really excited to get to work with Lindefelt (The LK, Fredrik) on the post-production of our first album. We were both fans of his music and production before we even considered asking him to help out.

STRANGEST PROFESSIONAL MOMENT: A few years ago while setting up stage with a previous band of mine, these three guys hijacked our equipment and played "One-Armed Scissor." Great song. But those three guys did an asshole cover of it.

THE SONG YOU WISH YOU'D WRITTEN: "Sweet Song" by Blur FIVE MUSICIANS YOU ADMIRE: Rufus Wainwright, Damon Albarn, John Vanderslice, Antony Hegarty, Thom Yorke

ALBUM YOU CAN'T STOP LISTENING TO: Crying Light by Antony and the Johnsons

DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS A KID: I was a bit of a misfit. I grew up in a tiny country town where everyone was into hunting, cars, and sports. I was more interested in cats and building dams in the creek.

THREE THINGS THAT KEEP YOU UP AT NIGHT: My friends, TV, the dumpster guy from Mulholland Drive

LAST TWO BOOKS YOU'VE READ: Blood Meridian, Age of Reason

THINGS WE'D FIND IN THE TRUNK OF YOUR CAR: If I had a car I'd keep blankets or tools or something in there.

FAVORITE MUPPET WITH A BRIEF EXPLANATION: I like the Yip Yip Aliens because they say "yip yip" and they're fascinated by everything.

HARDEST PART ABOUT BEING A MUSICIAN: One of the hardest parts is developing your initial inspiration for songs into substantial material. Moments of inspiration with riffs and melodies do seem to pop out of nowhere. But moving forward from there is way more involved. You have to work on the song's development. But you can't over-work it. It sometimes feels like a fight to keep the original soul and inspiration through all the experimentation so it translates in the end.

FAVORITE LATE NIGHT TV SHOW: Syndicated Andy Griffith

IDEAL BREAKFAST: Bleu Cheese Omelet with Limpa from Svea

DRINK OF CHOICE: Wine

BEST ALBUM TO PLAY AFTER A BREAK-UP AND YOU'RE HOLDING A BOTTLE OF VODKA AND SOMETHING SHARP: You Forgot It In People - Broken Social Scene

INDULGENCE YOU REFUSE TO GIVE UP: Sweet drinks

WORDS TO LIVE BY: My grandma would always say, "Don't force it." That was usually when I'd catch the zipper on my jacket. But I now realize it applies on many levels.

Who Are All These Weird Old Kids is out now.

The Hit Back