Photos by Andy Argyrakis

As one of the grunge/alternative rock superpowers that really picked up steam in the front half of the 1990s, it might have seemed like the Toadies would’ve connected with Chicago’s own super producer Steve Albini much sooner than right before he passed away in 2024.

Nonetheless, the long overdue collaboration between the multi-platinum players and the man behind the Pixies, Nirvana, PJ Harvey, Manic Street Preachers and many other masters of the underground was unquestionably worth the wait.

In fact, “The Charmer,” the resulting mental health-themed and classic rock-inspired album recorded right here at Electrical Audio, may be the Toadies’ most durable to date, which is a pretty tall order in an already exceptional discography from “Rubberneck” to “The Lower Side Of Uptown,” plus it’s prompting an extensive and ambitious tour for the Fort Worth-bred band.

The Vic Theatre’s standing room floor and seated balcony were both filled to the brim and featured nearly two-dozen tunes, comprising the bulk of the brand new collection and the prior key cuts.

They included “Ash’s Theme,” “I Come From The Water,” “No Deliverance” and “Away” as founding front man/rhythm guitarist Vaden Todd Lewis, almost as early drummer Mark Reznicek, longtime lead guitarist Clark Vogeler and later bassist Doni Blair locked in then let loose.

The group’s insistence and intensity only built throughout 95 unrelenting minutes, thanks in part to “I Walk A Line,” “Song I Hate,” “Little Sin” and “I Call Your Name,” culminating in such left of the dial classics as “Possum Kingdom” and “Tyler.”

Even so, an encore of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ bluesy “I Put A Spell On You,” alongside Local H’s Scott Lucas, was an uncharacteristic yet quite captivating choice, followed by the ferocity of “I Wanted To Be Everywhere,” “Get Out Of Your Head” and “I Burn” as the Toadies practically lit The Vic on fire.

Speaking of Local H, the Zion natives are currently commemorating the 30th anniversary of its breakthrough, “As Good As Dead,” a concept collection about dead-end suburban life, remastered for double vinyl and also available again on CD.

The majority of the project appeared, including “Bound For The Floor” wrapped around “T.V. Eye,” “Eddie Vedder,” “High-Fiving MF” and “Manifest Density Pt. 2,” each providing additional examples of the evening’s ageless aggression.

For additional information on Toadies and Local H, visit TheToadies.com and LocalH.com.

For a list of upcoming Jam Productions concerts, visit JamUSA.com.

Upcoming shows at the Vic Theatre include “Prof G Markets” (Jun. 1); Justin Willman (Jun. 7); The Wallflowers (Jun. 11); “Sabrina” Cast Reunion (Jun. 13); Honne (Jun. 14); Del Amitri (Jun. 15); Holly Humberstone (Jun. 16); “The Dozen Trivia” (Jun. 18); Joshua Slone (Jun. 20); Pepper and The Movement (Jun. 26); Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs (Jul. 9); Chance Peña (Jul. 10); “You Should Know” (Jul. 18); Wet Leg (Jul. 29); Zara Larsson (Jul. 30); Spacey Jane (Jul. 31) and JADE (Aug. 1). For additional details, visit VicTheatre.com.

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