The Lilacs
Encyclopedia
The Lilacs were a four-piece rock band from Chicago, formed in Summer 1990 by Ken Kurson
, David Levinsky, Tom Whalen and John Packel. Kurson had previously played bass for Green, and after leaving the fold, he and fellow Glenbrook North High School graduate David Levinsky joined together to form the Lilacs, recruiting Tom Whalen on bass and another Glenbrook North alum, John Packel. The name was chosen for the group by Material Issue frontman Jim Ellison
, who also produced the first 7" record -- The Lilacs Love You.
John Packel left the fold after that release and was replaced by yet another Glenbrook North alum, Arthur Kim. The next record, The Lilacs Hate You, contained Kurson's syruppy opus "Baby Tells Me," as well as a Levinsky-penned rager called "The Knife."
The group went into Idful Music to record their first full-length CD, The Lilacs Rise Above the Filth. Produced by Brad Wood
, who would soon become well-known for recording fellow Chicagoan Liz Phair
, the CD was met with wide praise and much college radio play. Ira Robbins describe its "Witty, post-adolescent, rock and pop originals" in Trouser Press noting that "the band suffers from a puppy-like incapability to keep its enthusiasm in check, which occasionally leads things astray on the album," but concluding that "the spunky and unpretentious Rise Above the Filth contains attractive examples of Kurson's sprightly '70s-styled youth-pop."
The group's masterpiece, released in 1992 by Dead Dog Records (a play on the fake record label from the television show Wiseguy
) was the Penelope single, which featured "Have I Told You" and Levinsky's "Pointless."
Ken Kurson
Ken Kurson is the Executive Vice President of Jamestown Associates, a political consulting firm based in Princeton, New Jersey and Washington, DC...
, David Levinsky, Tom Whalen and John Packel. Kurson had previously played bass for Green, and after leaving the fold, he and fellow Glenbrook North High School graduate David Levinsky joined together to form the Lilacs, recruiting Tom Whalen on bass and another Glenbrook North alum, John Packel. The name was chosen for the group by Material Issue frontman Jim Ellison
Jim Ellison
Jim Ellison was the frontman for the band Material Issue. He tirelessly promoted his band, booked tours, and secured a major-label deal in 1990. Ellison — along with bassist Ted Ansani and drummer Mike Zelenko — would lead the renaissance of powerpop in the early 1990s...
, who also produced the first 7" record -- The Lilacs Love You.
John Packel left the fold after that release and was replaced by yet another Glenbrook North alum, Arthur Kim. The next record, The Lilacs Hate You, contained Kurson's syruppy opus "Baby Tells Me," as well as a Levinsky-penned rager called "The Knife."
The group went into Idful Music to record their first full-length CD, The Lilacs Rise Above the Filth. Produced by Brad Wood
Brad Wood
Brad Wood is a record producer from Rockford, Illinois. He served as a drummer for the band Shrimp Boat. Brad records, mixes and produces records and is based in Los Angeles, California. He began his career in earnest in 1988 with the construction of Idful Music Corporation- a recording studio in...
, who would soon become well-known for recording fellow Chicagoan Liz Phair
Liz Phair
Phair's entry into the music industry began when she met guitarist Chris Brokaw, a member of the band Come. Brokaw and Phair moved to San Francisco together, and Phair tried to become an artist there...
, the CD was met with wide praise and much college radio play. Ira Robbins describe its "Witty, post-adolescent, rock and pop originals" in Trouser Press noting that "the band suffers from a puppy-like incapability to keep its enthusiasm in check, which occasionally leads things astray on the album," but concluding that "the spunky and unpretentious Rise Above the Filth contains attractive examples of Kurson's sprightly '70s-styled youth-pop."
The group's masterpiece, released in 1992 by Dead Dog Records (a play on the fake record label from the television show Wiseguy
Wiseguy
Wiseguy is an American crime drama series that aired on CBS from September 16, 1987 to December 8, 1990 for a total of four seasons. Starring Ken Wahl, the series was produced by Stephen J...
) was the Penelope single, which featured "Have I Told You" and Levinsky's "Pointless."