press
Roctober — Thursday, Jul 12, 2007
"Post punk rarely actually grooves but this is not only actually grooves, it's actually groovy!"
The Sentimentalist — Thursday, Jul 12, 2007
"Chicago's Days Off pummels the senses like classic 80s punk rock legends Black Flag or the Minutemen, especially on dynamic songs like "Shithater" and "Elsewhere Beers". Opener "Idling" takes off as as fearless Kiss-style anthem with a group chorus sung with utter conviction, as if all lives depended upon hearing it shouted from the rooftops. These are songs for day, for night, for parties, for life."
Maxminum Rock'n'Roll — Thursday, Jul 12, 2007
"Damn lucky your music rules, cause your name sucks. At least you've got the priorities right. Where do I start? These Chicago cats are all over the place, and I mean that in a good way- but christ, you're a reviewer's nightmare. Some BIG BOYS, a touch of Dag Nasty (well, a lot of Dag Nasty to be honest), a large helping of those rock hooks of old DC favs King Face, a hint of later Gary Floyd, all topped off with a small helping of some miscellaneous mid-period Dischord acts. Five tracks not one stinker- and even though it wears its influences with great unrelenting pride, there's still something refreshingly original. (SD)."
Chicago Tribune On The Town — Friday, May 11, 2007
Local quartet Days Off is a throwback to the halcyon days of the early '80s when punk rock turned the corner from spitting fury and spiked hair to something blue collar and personal. The debut EP of Days Off, Jamming in the Scene (Make or Break Records), is skronky, muscular and propulsive. The group's lyrics are casually introspective, fluttering with little scenes of everyday life: drinking beers with friends, cruising down the Dan Ryan and questioning history. Singer and guitarist Mike Berg has a wonderfully plain, gruff voice - he earnestly makes do with what he's got. It's endearing and makes clear that Days Off is really about the love of music rather than gunning for a career, which is refreshing and adds to its regular-guy charm.
-- Jessica Hopper
Illinois Entertainer Around Hear — Friday, Sep 29, 2006
Days Off says it began with a stupid idea: to aim for the three-way musical intersection of punk/funk/soul. Unfortunately, the band never really gets there, instead crashing in an Old Style haze into non-descriptive punk land on Jamming In The Scene. Tracks such as "Elsewhere Beers" and "Idling" attempt to incorporate harmonizing, soulful vocals over punk riffage but instead succeed in creating riotous, singalong drinking songs, which perhaps was the mission from the start. (www.daysoff.net)
- Jason Scales
Concussion — Friday, Aug 11, 2006
You might have had a good year financially or had a good break in your career. Maybe hit four out of six numbers in the lottery or had a big night at the indian casino. Maybe you beat the rap, tied the knot, took the crown, lived the dream, slayed the dragon, had your cake and ate it too. Whatever, listen to me now, believe me later, you did not do something this year as good as "Idling", the first song here. If these guys get nothing else down on tape this little ditty will show up on some "Nuggets" compilation in ten twenty thirty years and blow doors on whatever is on there. It sounds good now, shit, and so do the other four songs, some classic rock grooves crossed with wierd Minutemen rhythms and changes and just a band that actually sounds like what they want to not what they think they should for whatever reason. So let's hope there's way more where this came from. This record will improve your commute, your workout, your barbeque, your session, your roadtrip, your cubicle. The contents of your ipod will be green with envy. -MS