Javelinas, The Philosophy, ESW
The Historic Melody Inn
Friday, Jan. 25, 8 p.m., $5, 21+

Entries from The Dictionary of Rock Bands and Pigs:

Javelina (animal): a wild pig with a rudimentary tail and small tusks on the upper jaw that grow downward. Native to: Mexico, South America.
Javelinas (band): a four-piece americana/rock band born in Chicago; comprised of guitarist Mark Grzelak, drummer Chris Glynn, bassist Dan Postlewait and lead singer Chris McInnis.

Straightforward enough, and yet there’s some overlap in the definitions; says guitarist Grzelak, his band might also be described as “filthy white pigs that run around scaring people.”

But they clean up from time to time: according to Grzelak, the Javelinas latest album Seven Sisters is a progression in their sound.

“It’s more rock ‘n’ roll than our first album [2005’s Dirtbath] which had more of a rockabilly sound,” says Grzelak. “On this album, we go back to our rock ‘n’ roll roots.”

On Seven Sisters, songwriter and lead singer McInnis writes about those places that have been meaningful to him, from a road in his hometown to a coal factory that the singer fondly remembers from his childhood.

“‘The 102’ is about a stretch of highway in Detroit where Chris grew up,” Grzelak says, “and it’s just like the song says, ‘where you can find yourself in a plastic bag ticker tape parade.’

“‘Seven Sisters’ is the name of a coal plant that Chris’ grandfather helped build. When the plant was torn down, it hit Chris really hard.”

In addition to being the band’s guitarist, Grzelak runs Kentland Records, the label that released and promoted the Javelinas’ albums.

“My own label is a great venue for our stuff,” says Grzelak. “We are in control of our own destiny. We feel empowered with our situation.”