Opener of the week: Bad Suns

Bad Suns opens for Royal Bangs at Schubas Saturday at 10 p.m. | Supplied photo

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 live.By Selena Fragassi

For Sun-Times Media

Kids these days. In the past few years, it seems the indie music machine has found its own fountain of youth with an influx of deliveries that, through charm and innocence, have swelled record and concert sales (see the entire 2014 Coachella lineup, which sold out in record time). While some groups may be more primed than others, California dream pop band Bad Suns is one that is coming of age quite nicely.

While there is not one member older than 22, the talented quartet matures their bouncy pop sound with influences wise beyond their combined years, imbuing rabble rouser tracks like “Cardiac Arrest” and reality ready “Salt” with sprinkles of The Clash, The Cure, Elvis Costello and even a dusting of George Michael and Duran Duran for good measure—and it’s worked out well.

On the opening track from their newest EP, Transpose, which comes out this week, singer Christo Bowman postures, “I can’t stop even if I wanted to,” which foreshadows the confluence of success that is about to find his band.

Signed to Vagrant Records, they are in good hands with the same boutique record label that pushed marquee act The 1975 to become a modern mainstay in 2013; in fact, Bad Suns have opened for them on a tour or two already. Currently, they join experimental follies Royal Bangs on a January jaunt before blowing up by the end of the year with a promising debut album on the line. Now’s your chance to get into ‘em while they’re still young.

BAD SUNS

With Royal Bangs

When: 10 p.m. Jan. 25

Where: Schubas, 3159 N. Southport

Tickets: $13

Info: (773) 525.2508; schubas.com

Follow @SelenaFragassi

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