Le Loup emerges with big sounds, great chemistry in Chicago

March 28, 2008, at Schubas

By Gina Pantone
Published: April 1st, 2008 | 4:20pm

In the cramped, stuffy quarters of Schubas Tavern, Washington, D.C.–based band Le Loup emerged numerous in count and professional in countenance. Seven members took their places armed with myriad instruments ranging from a French horn to a four-gallon water jug led by founding member and primary songwriter Sam Simkoff.

The lanky, ginger-haired leader set the tone: less talk, more rock. Pressed for time (the bill included three other bands: Throw Me The Statue, the Ruby Suns, and Bodies of Water), Le Loup launched directly to the evening’s repertoire from its debut album, The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations’ Millennium General Assembly (Hardly Art).

It became immediately evident that this was not the same folksy music Le Loup fans have come to know and love since the record’s release. This was new, filled out, and ornamented. The band — formed only in late 2006 by an ad Simkoff put out on Craigslist — has developed a refreshing live chemistry since the studio and moved on as a well-oiled machine.

By the second piece, “Sea Took Me,” Le Loup had the crowd in its crosshairs. Keyboardist-French hornist Nicole Keenan wailed on her brass, channeling Charles Mingus on a hot night. “Le Loup (Fear Not)” directly followed, emphasizing the band’s solidarity with drastic dynamics and a slow, anticipatory buildup that exploded into an Animal Collective–inspired chaos.

“To The Stars! To The Night!” was the first track that really demonstrated the group's creative transition from studio to stage. Simkoff’s banjo riffs (featured on the album) were replaced by guitarist Mike Ferguson’s colorful solo work, adding new character to both the song and the live experience. The entire band pitched in vocally at its conclusion, elaborating simple verse to a lush, choral spectacle.

“Canto XXXIV” began the last act, illustrating Le Loup’s percussive side. Drummer Robert Sahm wailed on his toms, triggering multiple band mates to grab anything in sight and bang on it in rhythm as Simkoff danced around as if interpreting a rally cry. “Outside of This Car, the End of the World” followed, with beat breakdowns and hand claps — all building up to the set closer, new song “A Celebration.”

Simkoff and company stomped, pounded, and thrashed on various surfaces until a smooth groove emerged — just in time for seven vibrant players to end their adventure a cappella, their voices like waves crashing, then receding back, only to end in perfect unison. Le Loup may not have headlined, but still should stick out in everyone’s minds as the only band there.