Review: The Subhumans, FEA, and Blind Adam and the Federal League at Reggie's

One of the last times I came out of mosh pit retirement was for The Subhumans when they played Cobra Lounge in what I guess was 2023, but honestly I think it might’ve been five years before that. The last couple years have gone by in a blink but have also been the longest decade of my life so far. In either case, I shoved my way into a circle pretty early on in their set that time, tripped, fell on my bad knee, and promptly hobbled my way towards the back. It was still a great show. 

The Subhumans at Reggie's in Chicago. Photo by Aaron Cynic.

I was a little more sensible on Sunday at Reggie’s, remembering my fully middle aged body is kind of falling apart even more than it was a few or more years ago, and that there’s no way I could afford to replace the cameras on my shoulders these days if something should happen to them. 

I picked up my first Subhumans album when I was a teenager. I was hanging out at the local record store, thumbing through random albums when I stumbled on “The Day the Country Died.” I thought the cover looked cool, and I’d seen their logo painted on people’s jackets at shows. I had no idea at the time but that album changed my life in ways I might still be realizing today. Not only did it open my ears to a sound that would carry through my ears for nearly 30 years and counting, but it opened my mind up to the sheer gravity of how fucked up the world can be. 

The Subhumans at Reggie's in Chicago. Photo by Aaron Cynic.

Despite feeling my age, when they broke into “All Gone Dead” I felt like I was that kid again, in body, mind, and spirit. The same with every other classic anthem they belted out on Sunday from every legendary album they’ve put out. Just as angry (if not more) than I was when I was young, but more pointed, more informed, with stakes that feel even more dire.

I was probably a teenager the first time I saw Dick Lucas and company, most likely at the Fireside or some other iconic Chicago venue that may or may not be still around. 

But, even though I didn’t have the energy or wherewithal for the pit these days, The Subhumans still brought the same energy they a couple years ago at Cobra, more than a decade ago at Reggie’s, and who knows how long ago since whenever I saw them when I was actually young. 

I got to interview Dick about 14 years ago on the rooftop of Reggies while it was under construction, and it’s still a conversation I think about today. He might be one of the most interesting and smartest folks I’ve spent an hour talking with on a rooftop (or in any other place). And while there’s plenty of negativity in the world, especially with this “fascist bullshit of a government you’ve got,” as he so pointedly put things onstage last night, there’s still a sense of angry positivity interwoven throughout the DNA of the Subhumans. 

The Subhumans at Reggie's in Chicago.

“There’s a lot of self contained, nervous, pissed off, upset, depressed people who just need some outside encouragement to realize that they do stand or sit on an equal ground with a lot of other people,” Dick told me back in 2011. “We just happen to be playing really good music at the same time.”

He echoed something similar onstage last night, bringing up Saturday’s protests that saw millions of people in the streets worldwide demonstrating against the Trump regime. 

“Some cynics might say well yeah it doesn’t change anything. It fucking does change something,” Lucas told the crowd. “You may not notice it now but what happens when people go on marches, they come away from the marches inspired, built up, and confident again that the numbers of people involved in the anger against the system trying to shit on them, the numbers it’s just inspiring. It gives people hope instead of fear, that’s the whole fucking point.”

FEA at Reggie's in Chicago.

Opening for The Subhumans were Chicago’s very own premiere anti-fascist rockers Blind Adam and the Federal League and San Antonia Riot Grrrl band FEA. Both put on fantastic, blistering, and fun sets. One of the shit parts about getting old is sometimes bands and music you know you’ll love fall through the cracks over the years. Last night was the first time I’d seen either of them, and I’m thrilled I was able, and both are making their way into my regular rotation and they should in yours too.