The Effigies Go Out Swinging

Who the Hell Are The Effigies?

If you know anything about Chicago punk history, you know The Effigies weren’t just part of the scene — they helped build the damn thing. Formed in 1980, they were one of the first bands to bring hardcore attitude to the Midwest. No mohawks, no slogans — just grit, politics, and urban decay turned into sound. They shared stages with Black Flag, Dead Kennedys, and Naked Raygun, but always carved their own, darker path.

After several stops and starts, they came back in the 2000s — older, sharper, and still pissed. But Burned? This one’s different. It’s the end of the road. And it knows it.

You want feel-good punk? Keep walking. Burned is grim, heavy, and uncomfortably honest — a final middle finger to false hope, polished scenes, and the ticking clock.

John Kezdy’s voice doesn’t bark like it used to. It hurts. You hear it in “How We Exit,” where he practically groans his way through lines about fading out and letting go. This album doesn’t fake anger — it shows what it looks like when you’ve been through hell and don’t need to prove anything anymore.

Musically, it’s tight but not flashy. No tricks, no gimmicks — just four people making noise that matters. The riffs grind, the drums march, and the bass keeps dragging you forward like a bad memory. Nothing feels overworked. Everything feels final.

And while earlier Effigies records had that urgent Midwest punk gallop, Burned is slower, heavier — almost post-punk in places. The guitar tone’s dry and sharp, like wire cutting through concrete. The rhythm section holds its ground with a stubborn pulse — not fast, but relentless. It’s less about starting a riot, more about walking through the ruins after one.

And that’s what Burned is: final. A last word. A closing chapter. Not hopeful, but not hopeless either. Just real — the kind of real that most punk bands are too afraid to touch.

Liked it? Get your damn copy here

THE EFFIGIES:

John Kezdy: Lyrics and vocals

Paul Zamost: Bass

Steve Economou: Drums

Keith Shigeta / Andy Gerber: Guitars

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