The Hold Steady

Fronted by Midwestern-raised singer-songwriter Craig Finn, the Hold Steady has always worn its flyover state origins on its sleeve. The group's first new album in five years, Thrashing Thru The Passion, is another collection of tracks that follow interesting characters who weartuxedo T-shirts and get robbed in seedy motels. As usual, Finn's evocative lyrics are backed by searing guitar riffs and rousing horn melodies that often sound as if they were ripped from the grooves of forgotten classic rock records. During their latest visit to Chicago, the Hold Steady perform two nights at Thalia Hall (August 22 and 24) and an extremely intimate show at the Empty Bottle (August 23).