In The Loop Magazine Concert Review: Mclusky Do Chicago, Live at Metro

Concert Review: Mclusky Do Chicago, Live at Metro

Apr 06, 2026 admin_bitlc Features, Music News, Reviews 0

By Kyle Decker

For a number of years, which I would prefer to remain redacted lest I reveal my age, I have been a fan of post-hardcore and noise rock. So, it’s odd to me that mclusky wasn’t on my radar their first time around. Coming out of the Cardiff scene starting in the mid-90s, their influence on current Welsh acts such as IDLES and Heavy Lungs is undeniable. Although for the first three years of their existence they went by the name Best, changing it to mclusky in 2000 just in time to release their first album, My Pain and Sadness is More Painful and Sad Than Yours, which set a later trend of lengthy, cheeky album titles. Although it was their sophomore album, Mclusky Do Dallas, that really got them on radars with songs like “To Hell With Good Intentions” and “Lightsabre Cocksucking Blues.” So, the band clearly has a surrealist aesthetic with pop culture references and undertones of sex and violence. Of course, with lyrics like “I’m aching from fuckin’ too much!” and a third album titled The Difference Between You and Me Is That I’m Not On Fire, the “undertones” are more like “overtones.”

The band initially split in 2005, giving the band opportunities to split into sideprojects including frontman Andrew Falkous’s spiritually similar Future of the Left (also worth extensive listening, by the by). The band reformed in 2015 and in 2023 finally released new material through Bandcamp, a four-track EP called The Unpopular Parts of a Pig. Two of these tracks wound up on 2025’s The World Is Still Here and So Are We, while the other two are on the recently released six-track mini album I Sure Am Getting Sick Of This Bowling Alley (remember what I said earlier about the lengthy album titles?). The song “People Person” from The World Is Still Here… is in the Peaky Blinders movie The Immortal Man, so get ready for more people to get introduced to this band. I’m no snob, and so I don’t see that as a negative. I like it when a band gets the recognition they deserve while compromising nothing. But here’s hoping “I Know Computer” doesn’t show up in a fucking Google Gemini ad.

I was excited to catch them this time around. The last time I planned to see them, they had to cancel the North American tour due to Falkous having an issue with his eardrum. But let me tell you, with the volume this music should be played at, it’s not hard to see how that’s a real risk.

I was really glad I made it out to this one. The opening act, Pile, brought a lot of energy. They’re a band I’ve been aware of but never done a deep dive into. I never skip their songs when the algorithm feeds them to me, but based on their performance at The Metro, I will definitely be digging into their catalogue. Especially given they cursed Stephen Miller and “people like Stephen Miller.” Which I can appreciate.

Mclusky came out of the gate with “Lightsabre Cocksucking Blues” and did not relent from that point on. Though the band did occasionally pause between songs to trash-talk Morrissey. At one point, they even read out loud some hate mail they had received regarding the song “The Battle of Los Angelsea”, which they had stated in an interview was “about the plane crash Nigel Farage did not die in.” Apparently, that ruffled some feathers.

It’s worth noting also that Falkous was wearing ear muffs, and drummer Jack Egglestone performed from behind a clear barricade. Considering Falou’s recent ear issues, it makes sense. But the band raged on with Falkous and bassist Damien Sayell trading off vocal duties. Sayell even shared a heartwarming story about how his grandmother had always asked him when he was going to stop trying to be a musician and get a “real job.” But one day, he overheard her telling a nurse how proud she was of him. Falkous then commented that “Damien has been telling that same bullshit story about his grandmother for ages.” It also turned out that the following day was Andrew Falkous’ birthday, so before the last song, the whole crowd sang “Happy Birthday.”

The energy all night was relentless. The crowd was in a frenzy, and I was on the edge of the pit most of the night. I don’t dive in like I used to. Given that I still have a chipped tooth and a scar, both earned in pits at The Metro (The Tossers and Viagra Boys respectively). As the final notes rang out, Sayell encouraged the crowd to push forward and took overhead photos. I’m pretty sure I’m in one of them, so I will have to keep an eye on their Instagram.

I was not able to get a hold of a set list this time around, but I can say the following songs were played. However, I can’t speak to the order. I’m probably missing a couple/

“Lightsabre Cocksucking Blues” (Mclusky Do Dallas, 2002)

“People Person” (the world is still here and so are we, 2025)

“Without Msg I am Nothing” (the difference between you and me…, 2004)

“The Battle of Los Angelsea” (the world is still here and so are we, 2025)

“The Unpopular Parts of a Pig” (the world is still here and so are we, 2025)

“No New Wave No Fun” (Mclusky Do Dallas, 2002)

“As a Dad” (i sure am getting sick of this bowling alley, 2026)

“Collagen Rock” (Mclusky Do Dallas, 2002)

“What We’ve Learned” (Mclusky Do Dallas, 2002)

“Alan is a Cowboy Killer” (Mclusky Do Dallas, 2002)

“Chekhov’s Guns” (the world is still here and so are we, 2025)

“Whiteliberaonwhitelibealacation” (My Pain and Sadness…, 2000)