In the early afternoons of the St. Patrick’s day hangovers, a group of working class self profiteers, Irish delights, the poorly destitute and blatant rock n rollers crowded into a sold out Schubas Tavern in Chicago for a matinee to see one man; Ike Reilly. What Ike and the rest of his band, the Ike Reilly Assassnation (IRA) deliver is nothing short of back pocket magic that they seem to master with every performance. 

The opener “My Wasted Friends” invites what being at an Ike Reilly show is; a brooding sense of comradery tapered with washed up friends, intoxicated singalongs, and the holy belief in the importance of sharing stories.

With little time in between songs besides for talent or instrument switch outs, Ike performed a setlist that collected songs from his entire catalog, but still holding tight to the latest LP titled, Because the Angels, with the songs “Ashes to Ashes” and the fabled “Racquel Blue”. Ike even played some long-time-fan pleasers, such as the deep cut “Falling Into Happiness” from the 1992 release of Community #9. And because it was the day after St. Patrick’s Day, Ike and the band couldn’t help but pay homage to “one of the greatest songwriters of all time who drinks a lot and has no teeth”, Shane MacGowan (as described in a story about his oldest son for which he is named after). Covering both “Rainy Night in Soho” and “Dirty Old Town” accompanied by the Irish tin whistle, Ike’s long time friend Frank Quinn joined the band for a handful of songs to ring in the Irish holiday tradition. 

Since the faulty days of quarantine, Ike has been performing with his three boys, Shane, Kevin, and Mickey in what were live stream videos as a source of income; or just an attempt at family bonding. But since then, the boys have been touring with their dad and the IRA family, and now are a pleasurable staple to the shows. Shane performed an original song, “Who’s Been Hurting’” from his anticipated album. Implementing Dylan undertones, (but catchier), he showcases his own writing ability next to his established father. The Reilly family also pulled out the new crowd favorite, “Trick of the Light”, in which every boy gets to sing memorable lines of messed up families, greed, internal mutiny and the common backhand to those around you. 

After seeing Ike and the IRA a dozen times, it’s striking how the band can make each show unique. Ike Reilly, as the front man, is no more fierce as he is endearing. Taking a hold of the stage with what is years of experience and a powerful message to be told, Ike will always give a nod and smile to familiar faces in the crowd and tell personal stories that ground him as a humble yet sometimes flawed human. The band behind him is just as important as Ike himself to the unforgettable IRA shows. Whether that be Phil Karnat’s ability to emulate overarching tones with atmospheric guitar playing, Dave Cottini’s taut style of drumming, Pete Cimbalo’s strict bass lines and iconic bass-face, or Adam Krier’s ability to blend any instrument into the song, Ike Reilly uses this high-class talent for his benefit. A benefit, that no matter the venue, the band has the ability to own it. 

To capsize the show with IRA traditions, the show ended with “Put A Little Love In It”, where the stage was filled to its brim for this holistic sing along about death, weed, and a gravedigger. For as intense and heartbreaking the original story behind that song is, it means something different to everyone, and I think Ike understands that. “This is a song for the people that we have lost and the people that we miss”, Ike says before brandishing the song that closes so many IRA shows. 

Ike Reilly is often referred to as a renegade, a poet, a storyteller and a rebel, but what I think deviates Ike Reilly from other singer songwriters today, and the novel past, is his humility. Throughout his career he has experienced critical acclaim and critical neglect, but has learned to become something more important to his fans; an escape from life’s shitty doings. He is a man who understands hardship, religious turmoil, soul-sucking suits, the towny drunk, and the lost familyman; but in the end that makes him no different than anyone else in that crowd who gathered into Schubas at 2pm on Saturday to listen to the most experienced folk singer that no one has heard of.

Written by Shea Roney

Ike Reilly Information: https://www.ikereilly.com/