The Effigies, The Scratch-Offs

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Jesse Pace

Members of the band The Effigies.

The Effigies

Coming together in 1980, the Effigies were among the first punk bands in Chicago and helped define the Midwest's musically expansive take on the genre. Singer and lyricist John Kedzy kept the band active through three acclaimed albums and varying lineups before it broke up in the late '80s. Since the '90s The Effigies have reunited several times, most recently gathering to work on a new album; the tracks for Burned, set for release Oct. 25, had just been completed before Kedzy lost his life in a bicycling accident in 2023. To honor Kedzy and celebrate the forthcoming album, original Effigies rhythm section Steve Economou and Paul Zamost are playing a few Midwest shows, joined by Chicago music scene veterans guitarist Andy Gerber and guitarist/singer Geoff Sabin (a Madison resident). With The Scratch-Offs.

$12 ($10 adv.).

media release: Formed in 1980, The EFFIGIES along with NAKED RAYGUN defined the early Chicago punk sound and scene. They released a string of acclaimed EPs and LPs before disbanding in the late 80s. Resurfacing a few times over the years, the band had just finished recording a new album when singer John Kezdy died in an accident in the summer of 2023.

In 2024 The Effigies are releasing John’s final album “Burned” as well as a 40th anniversary edition of the seminal album “For Ever Grounded” from 1984. 

“With “For Ever Grounded” in 1984, the Effigies made an album for the ages, a foundational document in the Chicago sound that transformed the city’s music scene.” - Greg Kot SOUND OPINIONS

“Effigies were the first great band from Chicago’s scene. Not overstating to say that without John and the Effigies, I would never have made any records.” - Steve Albini TWITTER 82023