The Greenwoods @ The Hideout (1/13/2006)

Somewhere around 2004, Dag Juhlin must have gone for a walk in his suburb of Woodstock, IL and landed in a nearby forest. When he emerged he brought with him not only the title for his first solo album, Into The Woods, but the name of his eventual new band...The Greenwoods.

Now in 2006, Juhlin, with his older brother Gregg (bass) and Jim Bashaw (drums), The Greenwoods have become a reality. Already a respected musician in the Chicago music community through his continuing work with Poi Dog Pondering and twenty years with The Slugs, Dag Juhlin is keeping himself occupied with a new outlet for his pop power, Townshend-influenced ideas. The Greenwoods have remained closer to their turf, playing the odd show here and there, developing the band's identity. Their show Friday night at the Hideout marked their first time in Chicago in front of an audience. Opening for local band Ness, The Greenwoods worked their hour set to their advantage, showcasing their blend of '60s rock a la The Who with a swagger harking back to the late '70s Mod revival fueled by The Jam.

The Brothers Juhlin have forged a musical bond that goes back to the days of The Slugs and even before that. If there were ever two musicians that mirrored Pete Townshend and John Entwistle on stage, it would have to be Dag and Gregg Juhlin. Before The Greenwoods even took the stage, I couldn't help but notice the bass guitar as the exact same model Entwistle played throughout the '70s with The Who (watch Entwistle during "Baba O'Riley" in the 1979 movie The Kids Are Alright). Then there's Dag with his gold top Les Paul that was also a favorite of Townshend's during the 1975-1976 touring era of The Who. The sixth sense connection that the Townshend/Entwistle team possessed is something the Juhlins also share.

The trio dove into their set as if to avoid any nervousness with their Chicago debut, but the supply of friendly drinks brought up to the stage certainly didn't hurt with calming the nerves.

A song that jumped out right away was a nicely structured gem called "How We Get There." The jingle-jangle of Juhlin's guitar and the added harmonies by his brother created this breezy, warm tune filled with little moments of perfection. Gregg Juhlin had Entwistle's style of play burned on the tips of his fingers. His busy fingers would race up and down the fret board of his bass with ease. Though he produced a sound that was as meaty, beaty, big and bouncy as Entwistle, The Ox, was known for, Gregg Juhlin was more aimed to beef up the harmonies to the songs.

For the most part, The Greenwoods held their own on the small Hideout stage. At times bumpy, the band would land on that one note which happened to not be the same note they all had in mind. Drummer Jim Bashaw kept things simple rather than trying to keep pace with Gregg Juhlin's thunder fingers on the bass. It was almost a reversal of roles; Juhlin's bass playing often spurred the band forward while Bashaw steadied a foundation. Not to be left out was Dag Juhlin.

Juhlin pulled double duty as singer and guitarist. As sharp and swift as his rhythm guitar work, Juhlin fired off a couple of heavily charged guitar solos that showed he wasn't shy about taking a lead on guitar. During another highlight, a song called "Pulling Change", The Greenwoods became this entirely different band; suddenly they sounded like a veteran band of ten years. They had become fearless. It was a moment when The Greenwoods were at their tightest musically, and loudest, topped off with a leaping Dag Juhlin.

There's plenty of potential with The Greenwoods. They are a band in the making, and like any newly formed band, they are filled with excitement and curiousity, eager to see what corners they can turn. But you can bet The Greenwoods will show you a good time.

All Photos By: Chris Castaneda