Eight Gigs: The Orwells

The Orwells write pop-driven garage-rock with catchy riffs and fun melodies, but the Chicago-based band is also known to switch gears, and turn up the distortion—and the angst. For the garage-rock vibe, listen to the Orwells’ second album Disgraceland; the song “Who Needs You,” in particular, which carries a heavy influence from the Strokes. But, if it’s more rock than pop you crave, check out the band’s latest, Terrible Human Beings, where it’s front-to-back edgy rock ’n’ roll heard loud and clear in the song “Black Francis.”