The Wanton Looks

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The Wanton Looks
L-R: Susie Q. Winn, Meg Thomas, Traci Trouble, Inga Olson
L-R: Susie Q. Winn, Meg Thomas, Traci Trouble, Inga Olson
Background information
OriginChicago, Illinois
GenresPop punk, punk rock
Years active2009-2013
Past membersTraci Trouble, Meg Thomas, Inga Olson, Susie Q. Winn
Websitewantonlooks.com

The Wanton Looks were a pop punk band from Chicago whose music has been described as reminiscent of Joan Jett's early 80's work.[1] They were called one of the best underground bands of 2011 by the Chicago Tribune[2] and one of the best unsigned bands of 2012 by The Jivewired Journal.[3] They have also been a featured artist on WXRT's "Local Anesthetic" program.[4]

Background[edit]

Bass player Traci Trouble and drummer Meg Thomas first met at a pool hall in Buffalo Grove, Illinois in 2006 and started writing songs together. They decided to form a band, but after ads on Craigslist failed to find suitable musicians, the pair met Inga Olson and she joined as the band's guitarist. They also found Susie Winn who joined as the second guitarist. The band played its debut concert at the Cobra Lounge in Chicago in 2009.[5][6][7]

The band released its debut self-titled album on their own "Haughty Eyes" record label in March 2012 and it was named a "top indie album" by the Chicago Tribune.[1]

Guitarist Susie Q. Winn left the band in December 2012 with the remaining members continuing as a three piece.[8][9] In February 2013 Winn joined The Handcuffs, replacing Ellis Clark. The band continued as a trio for a while before eventually disbanding.

The Wanton Looks
As a trio. Left to right: Inga Olson, Meg Thomas, Traci Trouble

Band members[edit]

  • Traci Trouble: Bass/Vocals
  • Meg Thomas: Drums/Vocals
  • Inga Olson: Guitar/Vocals
  • Susie Q. Winn: Guitar/Vocals

Discography[edit]

Electromagnetic Force

  • Released: 2009
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Wanton Looks
  • Tracks: "Electromagnetic Force", "Worst Side of Me", "Demons"

self-titled

  • Released: 2012
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Haughty Eyes/Whoa! Records
  • Tracks: "Electromagnetic Force", "Get Thru To You", "Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah", "Worst Side Of Me", "86 Me", "All I Want Is You", "Demons", "All Your Fault", "Come On", "Used & Abused", "Forget You", "Neverending"

Reception[edit]

  • Named one of the best underground bands of 2011 by the Chicago Tribune[2]
  • Named one of the best unsigned bands of 2012 by The Jivewired Journal.[3]
  • "a little bit punk, a chunk of metal, some gleaming pop hooks, and a whole lot of attitude" - Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune (2012).[1]
  • "The Wanton Looks offer limitless potential and the talent and work ethic to go easily traverse above and beyond the benchmarks that they established in the past year." - Michael Canter, Jivewire Journal (2012).[3]
  • "Bad-girl harmonies (think Shangri-La’s) meet fuzzed-up guitar and relentless tempos... with fizzy hooks and towering sing-along choruses" - Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune (2009).[7]
  • "The Wanton Looks bring the heat — the guitars are detonative, the bass lines are aureate and those female voices resemble sirens" - Michael Canter, Jivewire Journal (2012).[10]
  • "This album is full of hooks and tight little punchy songs" - Jim Kopeny, Chicagoist (2012)[11]
  • "The Wanton Looks' debut is certainly the next best thing for your daily infusion of infectious pop with a bit of hard rock edge." - Audrey Leon, Loud Loop Press (2012)[12]
  • The band "combine metal virtuosity – 10-ton guitar solos, rampaging drums – with don’t-mess-with-me garage-punk attitude" - Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune (2012).[13]
  • Drummer Meg Thomas was named a "Rising Star" by DRUM! Magazine in 2010[14] and "Musician of the Month" in January 2013 by the Chicago Music Guide.[15]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Kot, Greg (December 13, 2012). "Top Chicago indie albums". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 7, 2013. The spirit of Joan Jett's early '80s work – a little bit punk, a chunk of metal, some gleaming pop hooks, and a whole lot of attitude – is alive and well in the music of this no-nonsense quartet.
  2. ^ a b Kot, Greg (August 19, 2011). "Top rock shows". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 7, 2013. Three of Chicago's best underground bands — the Wanton Looks, the Cathy Santonies and Hollows — join forces to mark the 10th annual celebration of women in rock
  3. ^ a b c Canter, Michael (December 31, 2012). "BEST UNSIGNED BAND OF 2012 - THE WANTON LOOKS". The Jivewired Journal. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  4. ^ Milne, Richard (June 3, 2012). "Playlist: Local Anesthetic 6/3/2012". WXRT. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  5. ^ Kot, Greg (August 12, 2011). "Female rock group took time to group". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  6. ^ Kot, Greg (August 10, 2011). "Wanton Looks: 'Upset, ticked off, ready to rock'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  7. ^ a b Kot, Greg (December 18, 2009). "Local heroes who made 2009 rip". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 7, 2013. Bad-girl harmonies (think Shangri-La's) meet fuzzed-up guitar and relentless tempos. Sure it's been done countless times before, but when it's done well – with fizzy hooks and towering sing-along choruses – who can complain? ... Bassist Traci Trouble, drummer Meg Thomas and guitarists Inga Olson and Susie Q simply bring the rock.
  8. ^ Miller, Dave (December 14, 2012). "The Wanton Looks/The Handcuffs: 12-14-12 at The 411 Club, Kalamazoo, Mich". Chicago Concert Goers. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  9. ^ Welchans, Michael (December 15, 2012). "The Ruiners wsg The Handcuffs, The Wanton Looks — Northern Lights 12/15/12". Motor City Blog. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  10. ^ Canter, Michael (May 4, 2012). "CD Review: The Wanton Looks". The Jivewired Journal. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  11. ^ Kopeny, Jim "Tankboy" (March 30, 2012). "Shootin' You The Wanton Looks". Chicagoist. Archived from the original on February 15, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  12. ^ Leon, Audrey (March 30, 2012). "Wanton Looks — Album Review". Loud Loop Press. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  13. ^ Kot, Greg (March 29, 2012). "Top weekend show: Wanton Looks at Schubas". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 7, 2013. This Chicago quartet celebrates the release of its self-titled debut album with songs that have been honed over years of live gigs for maximum clenched-fist impact. Traci Trouble, Meg Thomas, Inga Olson and Susie Q. Winn combine metal virtuosity – 10-ton guitar solos, rampaging drums – with don't-mess-with-me garage-punk attitude
  14. ^ "Awards - Drummies! Awards". DRUM! Magazine. 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
  15. ^ Kelly, Dennis (January 2, 2013). "Musician of the Month – January, 2013". Chicago Music Guide. Retrieved January 12, 2013.

External links[edit]