The Macks – Bonanza + Live at Cobra Lounge

Portland’s The Macks have built their own strange, high-speed universe, and with Bonanza (via DevilDuck Records/Monotone’s fullaway), they prove that rock can still be both deliberate and gloriously chaotic. Announced just weeks before its release, the record rejects polish in favor of sincerity — focused yet frayed, electric yet human.

Founded in 2015 by brothers Josef and Ben Windheim alongside Sam Fulwiler, Jacob Michael Perris, and Aidan Harrison, The Macks have amassed a cult-like following through sheer conviction. Bonanza captures that energy across 11 tracks exploring modern disillusionment, suburban malaise, and flashes of defiant joy. It’s a record made for their people — honest, messy, and alive.

That same spirit erupted at Cobra Lounge, where the band turned the compact room into a whirlwind of riffs, sweat, and catharsis. Fulwiler commanded the stage with manic charm, while the rest of the group tore through Bonanza highlights with precision and abandon. The Macks don’t chase fortune; they create it — one thunderous show, one converted believer at a time.

Photos and review by Steve Sym from The Macks performance at The Cobra Lounge in Chicago on October 17, 2025