Wrocklage is going Nubile

Versatility is everything for the Nubile Thangs. Their unconventional rap sheet includes appearances on everyone's favorite benign crime-stopping show "America's Most Wanted" and a moment of patriotism singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" before a White Sox game at Comiskey Park.

The members also served as a reincarnation of Buddy Holly and the Crickets in the Truman O'Rourke Theatre's "Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story."

Singer and bassist Lindsay Jones and drummer John Noyes played Crickets while guitarist Chris Rudy fulfilled his childhood dream of playing Buddy.

The Thangs will be playing tonight at the Wrocklage in support of Tough Luck, Fatboy , a six-song CD produced on their own record label, Full Size Hut.

The Thangs came from the ripe picking ground of Winston-Salem, N.C., but had to move to Chicago because of the limited scene in Winston-Salem.

Self-described as a mix between the Replacements and James Brown, the Thangs provide an ample amount of slop rock and knee pumping funk to live up to the claim. Chunks of slabby guitar fall over their songs like most bands that appear to be taking it easy.

Effective for some, but awkward for most, the "We're not trying too hard" attitude and sound works marginally.

Tough Luck, Fatboy features the unlikely "Supermodel of Dayton" and alliteration of the year award goes to "Perfect Perfunctory Pants."

"Kill and Kill Again" is a quaking assault of guitar skronk and snaring drums.

The title of the politically correct irreverent "Prayer for the Easily Challenged" offers a respite from the intensity, if only for a minute, until the carnage starts again.

Don't be fooled by the apparent grueling attack of the music. But then, don't be suckered by the "unalternative alternative to the alternative," either.