Otto’s Niteclub & Underground hosted underrated talent and small crowds Saturday night.

The crowd in the main room was close to abysmal when The Riverbilly Cousin Touchers took the stage, but that didn’t stop these hometown heroes from keeping a giant stage presence. The DeKalb natives kept the small crowd entertained through a strong sense of camaraderie and overall goofiness. Highlights of the performance included vocals by Pat Clap. During the song “California Dreaming,” his voice started off smooth and salty and sounded the way Tina Turner might if she had a mohawk.

The trio then broke into a rendition of “Blue Suede Shoes.” The King would have probably rolled over in his grave if he had heard the punk rockers, but The Riverbilly Cousin Touchers probably wouldn’t have cared if he did. Otto’s would have done better to blanket DeKalb with Riverbilly Cousin Touchers’ fliers so everyone could have enjoyed this great opening act.

Tall Dark Stranger from Elgin played next. The band started its performance with a bagpiper walking from the entrance to the main stage, but that was the only highlight. When the bag piper sat down, it became clear that these four out-of-towners were barely happy to play for anyone.

“We still have four more songs. That’s good news, right?” the band asked in the middle of its set. The lack of audience reply summed up the emotion felt in the Otto’s during the performance.

The Great Influence Machine closed out the evening with a unique performance. The band’s songs sounded like an illegitimate offspring between Grand Funk Railroad and Sublime with more brass business happening, and surprisingly, it was great to listen to. The band opened its set with a procession of horns on the Otto’s balcony. The Great Influence Machine proved this town grows some great musicians.

The night was eventually good for business as more people slowly walked in from the street and enjoyed some music. Otto’s should continue booking hometown talent and upping the advertisement for innovative artists. Forget Elgin rockers, and stick to Riverbilly Cousin Touchers with some Great Influence Machine on the side.

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