Opener of the Week: Capsula
Support the support acts! Opening bands are more than a commercial break—it’s your preview of the next big attraction, and we know you don’t want a bad case of FOMO. Get to know our pick of the week, and get to the show early to see them in action.
By Selena Fragassi
For Sun-Times Media
While Americans were adjusting their radio dials to soft jams from Barenaked Ladies, Sister Hazel and Edwin McCain in the awkward growing pains of the late ’90s, Argentina got Capsula. No fair.
This explosive glam-garage rock trio of Martin Guevara, Coni Duchess and Ignacio Villarejo Solimo (now based in Spain) has been active for 15 years, but has yet to move the needle stateside short of import junkies on a long dig. That will no doubt change after the exposure gained on their current tour with fellow Brazilian nuts Os Mutantes, where Capsula will have a chance to debut the tracks from their latest, and first worldwide release, Solar Secrets.
Produced by Tony Visconti — most famous for his work with David Bowie — songs like the first single “Blind” bring to mind the Velvet Goldmine era along with modern rock influences of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and The Brian Jonestown Massacre mixed with rustic punk icons like The Stooges.
Purists can rest assured, the band doesn’t throw those influences out carelessly. Often described as “pure animals” on stage, Guevara pragmatically slinks into never-ending space-out solos while Duchess and Solimo anchor the psychedelic day dreams with raw gaveling that usually ends in someone crashing into something.
As a Halloween treat, the band recently covered Black Sabbath’s “Planet Caravan” by the riverside and didn’t get electrocuted. Yep, there’s something special about this band.
See Capsula open for Os Mutantes on Wednesday, November 13 at Lincoln Hall. Set time is 8 p.m. Buy tickets.
