Album Notes

Formed in early 1980, the Effigies were one of Chicago's first punk rock bands. Along with bands like Naked Raygun and Strike Under, the Effigies were instrumental in developing what became the dominant sound in the first generation of Chicago punk: driving, guitar-heavy noise which often leapt unabashedly into catchy melodies. The Effigies rode hard in those heady days of the last decade, putting on manic live gigs, touring the U.S. in a used van, and putting out their own records on Ruthless Records, a chimerical label existing solely as the cooperative efforts of the Effigies, Naked Raygun and Steve Albini (Big Black). The band split in 1986. It re-formed in 1987, performed under different lineups, and split again around 1990. In 1992, the Effigies re-united for a reunion show; the original members getting together for the closing days of Chicago's notorious club, Exit. In 1995, the original members agreed to re-release some of their early material on CD. "Remains Nonviewable" was released by Touch & Go Records in late 1995. The band played gigs in Chicago clubs in December, 1995 and in early 1996. Older, wiser, and decidedly as loud as ever, The Effigies are no nostalgia act – “Reside” is proof. With 10 new songs and original art and concepts, “Reside” is an album of the present time and place, yet it draws strongly on The Effigies’ own legacy as hard-hitting rockers with charging melodies and flinty lyrical incisiveness. It’s all here: white-hot guitar hooks, pounding rhythms and poignant songs about love, death and dirty politics. “Reside” will surprise new fans, confirm what the old fans have always known, and re-establishes The Effigies as Chicago’s first band of punk.