Showoff

In 1997 the alt-rock outfit Showoff assembled in Chicago, uniting vocalist/guitarist Chris Envy (aka Chris Messer), bassist Dave Envy, drummer Dan Castady, and guitarist Graham Jordan. The melodic pop-punk unit quickly established itself in the Windy City circuit and landed a deal with Maverick. Its self-titled debut, produced by Goldfinger’s John Feldmann, appeared in 1999. The single “Falling Star” registered on Billboard’s Modern Rock chart, prompting tours with the RX Bandits, Everclear, Allister, Citizen King, Student Rick, and others. After tracking a sophomore album with Mark Trombino, the band was dropped by Maverick and the finished record was shelved. Showoff formally disbanded in 2002; its members subsequently launched projects including the Fold and Farewell My Enemy. Frontman Chris Envy briefly revived the name with an entirely new lineup that issued the Waiting for You EP in 2006, only for the group to split again before year’s end. Nearly a decade afterward, the original members reconvened, resumed live dates, and began recording. In September 2017 they issued Midwest Side Story, their first full-length album in 18 years.