BIO
Bev Rage & the Drinks is
Beverly Rage – rhythm guitar, vocals
Sam Westerling – bass, vocals
Mary Rose Gonzales – drums
David DuCasse – lead guitar
Wearing tall hair and heels, the charismatic seven-foot drag queen Beverly Rage leads the band Bev Rage & the Drinks in a dynamic, visually exhilarating, anarchic garage punk spectacle. Bev Rage & the Drinks’ unique style, which earned them the title of Chicago’s Best Punk Band in 2024, is relentlessly loud, fast, and brash, showcasing a trove of hooks that invite audiences to bop along.
Bev Rage & the Drinks is deeply rooted in Chicago’s punk and queer communities. They infuse the local scene with a vibrant pageantry that gives the finger to the powers that be while permitting their audience to be unapologetically queer. On tour, Bev Rage surprises new audiences with gleeful levity that critiques an unprogressive status quo. The band’s connection to these communities has built a loyal following throughout the Midwest and parts of the US, touring in support of bands like Pansy Division and BULLY.
Bev formed the Drinks in 2016, debuting a self-released EP, Don’t Know Shit, that introduced their DIY spirit and comedic delivery. In 2017, bassist Sam Westerling (Swimsuit Addition) joined, bringing depth to the rhythm section and adding melodic backing vocals. That year, Midwest Action launched the Honk If Yer Hungry EP, and in 2018, their first full-length album, Cockeyed. Both releases firmly established the band’s signature humor and sharp wit, entertaining their fans. In 2022, they issued their sophomore LP, Exes & Hexes – a bigger, louder, and more complex collection of songs with the addition of Mary Rose Gonzales (Mystery Actions) on drums – through What’s For Breakfast? Records. The band has unveiled 10 music videos, all produced by local Chicago filmmakers, and they are working on their third full-length album, with singles to be released this spring.
Bev Rage & the Drinks will appeal to fans of Wet Leg, Mannequin Pussy, The Beths, IDLES, and Amyl & the Sniffers.
Press
“Punk rock and drag share an anti-authority spirit and similar counterculture roots, but few make the connection as explicitly obvious and entertaining as Chicago’s Bev Rage & the Drinks. They combine the charisma, nerve, and pageantry of drag with driving garage punk.” – Chris Chappell, Razorcake
“Strong and propulsive drums. Thick, steady bass lines. Killer riffs. And some killer, rocking drag. What’s not to enjoy?” – Derrick Lee, Blurred Culture
“These tracks are fun, poppy, fast, and fervently personal—the soundtrack of a party that’s rowdy yet responsible (“Drink Water”), brash yet sensitive (“Younger Lover”).” – Willis Schenk, Maximum Rocknroll
“While the band has always taken influences from a number of sources—you can hear elements of everything from Cheap Trick to The Cramps to riot grrl in its sound—this one is a straight-up garage-punk blitzkrieg, with a howling start-stop refrain and shrieking vocals that rail against the daily indignities of contemporary corporate office culture.” – Alex McLevy, AV Club
Videos
Notable Past Shows
Tours:
2024: Pansy Division support tour of Midwest
2023: BULLY month long support tour of North America
2023: Pansy Division support tour of Midwest.
2022: Four US Midwest/South tours
2019: Two Midwest tours
2018: One Midwest tour
2016: One Midwest tour
2025:
Bottom of the Hill w/Pansy Division
924 Gilman Street Headlining
Edgewater Music Fest w/ Cloud Nothings, Foxy Shazam
2024:
Lincoln Hall w/ CSS
Bay View Bash w/ A Giant Dog, Babe Haven, Boris the Sprinkler
2023:
Wicker Park Fest w/ Built to Spill
The Metro w/ Adore Delano
2022:
Riot Fest Aftershow, Empty Bottle, Chicago w/ Bully
Schubas, Chicago “Exes & Hexes” album release (Sold Out)
Sleeping Village, Chicago w/ Man on Man
Schubas, Chicago w/ Detroit Cobras
2021
Liar’s Club, Chicago w/ Josie Cotton
2019:
Lincoln Hall, Chicago w/ Marc Ribellet
Subterranean, Chicago w/ Shonen Knife
2018:
Empty Bottle, Chicago w/ A Giant Dog
“Cockeyed” album release w/ The Cell Phones, Superknova at Cole’s Bar, Chicago.
2016:
Schubas w/ Pansy Division, Chicago
Festivals:
Wicker Park Fest, Chicago w/ Built to Spill, Cherry Glazerr, Caroline Rose, Nnamdi, The Spits, The Regrettes, and more (2023, 2022)
Northalsted Pride Fest (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2019) w/ Natasha Bedinfield, Betty Who, Debbie Gibson, and many more.
Andersonville Midsommarfest (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2018) w/ Ratboys, Finom, and many more
Northalsted Market Days (2025, 2023) w/ Pussy Riot
Harbor Country Pride, The Acorn, Three Oaks Michigan (2022)
Rock N Roll Market, Chicago w/ Hunx & his Punx, Shannon & the Clams
Chicago is a Drag Fest w/ Raja, TS Madison
Ravenswood on Tap Festival (2019, 2023), Chicago w/ SuperKnova, No Men, and many more
Discography
Audiotree Live, Live Album 2025
Phantoms, Single 2025
Gay Panic, Single 2025
Exes & Hexes, What’s For Breakfast Records 2022, Full Length LP
Cockeyed, Midwest Action Records 2019, Full Length LP
Honk If Yer Hungry, Midwest Action 2017, EP
Don’t Know Shit, 2016, EP
Other Appearances
Oh Scotus, Up Yours LP, “Truth or Dare” 2022
Waterloo Sparkling Sessions LP, “Limp Wrist” and “Why Won’t You Hate Me?” 2020
All Comps Are Bastards Compilation, “Limp Wrist” 2019
Sponsorship
Jeppson’s Malort
2022
The iconic Chicago spirit Jeppson’s Malort and Bev Rage & the Drinks team up to support each other at shows, festivals, and through social media.
Waterloo Sparking Water / DoStuff Media
2019-2020
Bev Rage & the Drinks teamed up with Waterloo Sparkling Water and DoStuff Media Group as an official “Waterloo Band” in 2019. Unfortunately the pandemic put a damper on the full scope of the partnership which included a tour, festival placements, and advertisement. However, Bev Rage & the Drinks participated in many virtual Waterloo/DoStuff events including the premiere of their “WhoDunnit SheDunnit” video documentary, “Loo Live” and several other livestreams. Bev Rage & the Drinks were also a featured band on the vinyl LP “Waterloo Sessions” released in 2020.
Bev Rage & the Drinks 