Chicago-based Talking Heads cover band This Must Be the Band will be “burning down the house” this Sunday night at the Old Rock House downtown.
For those not familiar with the band, The Talking Heads were a rock band active throughout the seventies and eighties.

The musical pioneers combined elements of world music, art rock and funk to create music that defies genre.
Despite their avant-garde nature, their catchy songwriting and danceable beats scored the Heads many hits. Songs like “Once in a lifetime” and “Psycho Killer” have become eighties standards.

Formed in 2007, This Must Be the Band (the name comes from the Head’s classic, “This Must Be The Place”) plays only music from the original band’s extensive catalogue. The band’s seemingly limitless reserve of energy, combined with their stellar musicianship, contributes to a show that greatly transcends lame tribute band stereotypes.

Due to the concert being held on Halloween, the concert will have a holiday party element as well.

“It’s definitely a costume party,” Old Rock House promotions coordinator Erica Deiters said.
In addition to costumes and covers culled from the Talking Heads’ Afro-funk-inspired albums, new wave anthology concertgoers can expect a fun atmosphere.

“There’s a group of people that’s definitely going to dance,” singer Charlie Otto said. He is the band’s “David Byrne.”
“It’s better than a lot of shows when there’s people just standing around.”

Those in attendance can also expect a lack of pretension.

“I think a lot of people take themselves really seriously when they play,” Otto said. “I don’t think you can do that when you play the Talking Heads.”

The band remains silent on what Halloween surprises they have in store.

“Let’s just say we found an old TV show that fits the band pretty well,” Otto said.

The Old Rock House is located at 1200 South 7th Street. Doors open at 8 p.m., and the show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets will cost $10, with a $2 surcharge for those under 21. The show is 18 and up.

Everyone is encouraged to dress up in their Halloween-finest and to wear comfortable shoes.

“If they know how to dance, then they’ll be dancing right away,” Otto said. “And if they don’t know…they’ll figure it out.”