Chicago's Cougars came together in 2000, drawing members from the remnants of the city's ska-inflected act Hot Stove Jimmy. The octet featured vocalist Matt Irie, keyboardist Sam Ambrosini, guitarists Brett Meingasner and John Mclurg, bassist Bryan Bienias, drummer Brian Wnukowski (formerly of Big'n), trumpeter Mark Beening, and saxophonist Jeff Vidmont. To justify hauling eight players on the road, the group cultivated a raucous, debauched approximation of Jesus Lizard-style clamor, laced with irreverent wit and intermittent melodic hooks. Their first full-length, Nice, Nice, surfaced on Go Kart in October 2003, followed by the Manhandler EP on the local Thick label the next May. Subsequent road work included shows alongside Pigmy Love Circus and Supersuckers.
