CHaT (Chicago Harmony and Truth) is an organization that exists to provide no-hassle networking opportunities for local musicians. The brainchild of noted photojournalist Paul Natkin, CHaT is a non-profit group that gives local artists a way to get in contact with each other and with music industry professionals in a supportive environment. In addition to its monthly meetings which are held the first Monday of every month at a rotating list of North Side music venues, CHaT maintains a website for its members with informational databases and sponsors live showcase performances. This night at the Abbey Pub is the third electric showcase the group has held (there is also a weekly weds. night acoustic showcase at Uncommon Ground). The gig spotlighted four bands that represented a decent cross-section of original music in Chicago. The event also drew several exhibitors that provide services to area musicians. Present were Chicagogigs.com, VirtualParties.com, Monsterdisc, The Gottlieb Report, and Renwood Messenger Recording Studios. Attendees were able to check out some quality live music as well as find out about ways to advance their own musical aspirations.

The first act onstage was Clip. Clip’s music is rock fused with electronica and female vocals. Their tunes feature pulsating, hypnotic grooves, rock guitar sounds, and the sultry vocals of frontperson Keri Campbell. Guitarist Dave Colombe is obviously the one who brings the rock to Clip’s sound and his overdriven tone made a big difference in the bands’ ability to bring the electronic stuff to life. Fans of Garbage will find much to like here. Next on the bill was Sour Deluxe, who turned in a super-strong set despite one of the biggest setbacks a band can have. It seems that as they were moving their gear onstage, some ill-mannered lout dropped singer/guitarist Jamie Jacobs’ Gibson SG and split it into two pieces. Despite her distress over the accident, Jacobs strapped on her backup guitar and led her band in one of the night’s best performances. Jacobs was a compact mass of energy on the Abbey stage and could show a lot of Chicago’s rock singers a thing or two, regardless of their gender. Sour Deluxe’s sound is heavy alternative pop, kinda like if Hole was actually good. Something tells me this is a band to keep an eye on.

Third act of the night was Soulfix. My regular readers know that this is a band I have grown quite fond of over the past year or so, and they turned in the kind of energetic, musical set that made me like them in the first place. Their music is modern pop with classic rock musicianship. Their set drew heavily from their debut CD "Living Numb" (Nation Records) and was very well-received. Closing the festivities for the night was Slaveship. Slaveship lays down a cool modern rock sound that is reminiscent of Stone Temple Pilots. Frontman Aaron Kerr is a dynamic focal point in the bands’ live show and the group itself was much improved over the last time I saw them over the summer. One of their set’s best moments was their reggae/skank/rock anthem "Marijuana", which has to be seen to be believed. I love a band with a sense of humor and this song proves that Slaveship can plant their tongue firmly in cheek as well as anybody. The rest of their show was more serious rock stuff that they handled equally well.