What to Expect

The Venue: Union Brewing Company

Union Brewing Company sits just off the Monon Trail, making it an easy stop whether you’re coming from to Gradle Drive from 3rd Ave SW, or Rangeline. When the weather’s nice, they offer outdoor seating and a dog-friendly setup that fits the trail-side vibe.

 Their tap list mixes a handful of house beers—like the Sexi Mexi Mexican Lager and UBC Space Balz Schwarzbier—with a rotating selection of guest taps, so there’s usually a range of styles to choose from. If craft beer isn’t your lane, they also carry familiar options like PBR and Miller High Life, along with ciders and wine.

 There’s no kitchen, but you’re welcome to bring in food or order from nearby spots, which makes it easy to settle in for a while.

 The space itself is straightforward and geared toward live music, with plenty of seating and a slightly raised stage that keeps the band in view from just about anywhere in the room.

The name of the band tells you most of what you need to know them—a group of good dudes playing music without taking themselves too seriously. And honestly, with how smooth they sound, they could probably get away with being a little pretentious… but that’s not their style.

Straight out of Greenwood (IN), the Chumps musical style is hard to pin down. They move between originals, jam rock, and fusion-style covers, blending hip hop, rock, and psychedelic sounds into something that doesn’t really sit in one lane.

As someone who’s seen Straight Up Chumps more than a few times, you start to pick up on their “tricks.” A song will end, they’ll drift into a groove, and you’ll catch yourself thinking, wait… I know this. This is…Next thing you know, it turns into it is “Fight for Your Right” by Beastie Boys and then whole place is in on it.

When it comes to cover songs there can be a healthy debate between those who expect to hear a note-perfect copy of the original, and those who think a song is enhanced when another artist interprets it and puts their personality into it. The Chumps fall into the latter category and are brilliant.

 The vibe overall is easygoing and welcoming. With a brewery in the background, it’s the kind of show where you can hang out, talk with friends, grab a beer, and still find yourself getting pulled into the music.