Choir goings on

There's something about country and folk music that seems to attract punk rockers. It's almost an inevitable evolution: One day it's a leather jacket and bullet belt, the next it's a western shirt. The Mekons may be the best known group to follow the route en masse; the same bug has obviously struck former Van Johnson members Nick Di Gaetano, Bill Greene and Andrew Butko. Their new outfit is Nick Di Gaetano and the Vespertine Choir, a.k.a. the O'Connor St. Vespertine Choir. They're joined by Sleeping Pilot/Army of Saint Joan/Embassies of Denmark's Pat Johnson and keyboardist Alexis Van Bernel. Their debut show at Babylon went off really well. Pretty good attendance too, for a Tuesday.

Di Gaetano goes Nudie.



In profile.



Butko and Van Bernel. Keyboards are obviously the way to go if you like a wide drink selection.



Pat prepares to deliver a double whammy.



Bill; scroll down a wee bit and you'll see him and Pat in Embassies of Denmark.



Choir action!







And altogether (and larger).



Definitely worth checking out. I'm not sure when the group's next show is, but you're sure to catch various members in their other projects sooner rather than later.

• Show reminder: In Sleeping Pilot, for example, which performs with The Grey and Crimson Mire at Zaphod Beeblebrox tonight. Kill Cheerleader, The Creeps, 8 Minute Veil and Krown play Mavericks. Upstairs, JerryCan, C.I.A., The Botched Suicides and The Knockoffs play Cafe DeKcuf.