Sadhu Sadhu are another solid experimental psych band in what seems an ever expanding universe oozing its way onto the Chicago music scene. More Cave than Mako Sica (to name just a couple examples), Sadhu Sadhu’s Live At The Hideout features deep bass grooves and soaring, twisting guitar lines. Although the band says they’ve been compared to Acid Mothers Temple and Can, there is more than a hint at the loopy, droney side of Yo La Tengo at play in their music as well.

It’s hard to go into great detail about this release as it is a pretty lo-fi live recording that was released as a cassette and CD-R in 2009. What I can say is that Sadhu Sadhu is not afraid of finding a groove and sticking with it until your head is bobbing almost unconsciously. Specifically the first song on side two, which steadfastly rides a bass line not unlike Yo La Tengo’s “Pass The Hatchet, I Think I’m Goodkind” and clocks in at nearly 10 minutes, shows Sadhu Sadhu’s dedication to staying the course and wrenching every hypnotic second out of a groove.

Additionally, they definitely tow the rock line of Krautrock. What’s impressive about Live At The Hideout is that the songs grab you right away. Sadhu Sadhu never tries to get cute or noodle away as is the temptation and often the nature of psychedelic music. Editing and pacing can plague young bands at times over fascinated with experimentation. But there is a confidence here and the songs are just that: songs. The guitars may be contorting and full of feedback, but there’s always an underlying melodic line, and the vocals are rather straight forward. The drums and bass keep everything grooving right along, devoid of filler.

For your standard guitar, bass and drum trio, these guys do deliver a thick and full sound evident even on this recording. Word from their myspace page says they are working on a studio recording. It should be exciting to hear what they can bring in a bit more polished recording because live Sadhu Sadhu already sound like a band in pretty good command of what they want to do.
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Catch Sadhu Sadhu at Psych Fest on Friday, January 22, at The Hideout. Tickets are available right now on Ticketweb.com for only $10!
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