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Every concertgoer has experienced it. You're watching a band and want to like them. You tap your foot, nod your head, and watch for others in the crowd to confirm your moderate interest. At the Hey Mercedes/Duvall/Pele show at the Empty Bottle on Thursday night, two of the three bands put the audience through this uncertainty. Duvall, on the other hand, treated the audience to a blistering set of beautiful and well-crafted pop/punk songs.

Duvall has been gigging constantly since regrouping after a three-year hiatus in which lead singer/songwriter Josh Caterer became a born-again Christian. The Smoking Popes, Duvall's original incarnation, was one of several successful Chicago bands of the mid-1990s. The Popes intrigued listeners with their unique blend of heavy punk guitars and soft, crooning vocals. Duvall follow the Popes' formula, but Caterer has continued to hone his songwriting, and it showed at this sold out show.

It was clear that Duvall was no average band from the moment Josh Caterer sang his first note. Caterer was at once charismatic and vulnerable. His voice and defined style set him far above his peers. Backing Caterer were Eli Caterer on guitar and John Sewell on bass, both of whom provided physical energy and raw power for the band. Driving it all was creative and infectious drummer Mike Felumlee.

Duvall played through a set of mostly new material, including all four tracks on their "Standing at the Door" EP. Highlights included "The Last Three Years," and Popes favorite, "I Know You Love Me," "Time is Gone," and "Standing at the Door." "The Last Three Years" has the makings of a hit with dual solos and a rolling double snare from Felumlee. "Time is Gone" has a great chorus and showcased Caterer's powerful vocals.

The most intimate moment of the evening was the dedication of a song by Josh Caterer to his wife, Stephanie. The night marked their seventh anniversary, and Caterer dug deep into his personal archives. He played the first song he had ever written for her. "I see everything I need when I look into your eyes," Caterer crooned. It was amazing to think that he had written such a great song at the age of fifteen. Caterer then went into a solo version of "Mrs. You and Me" from the Smoking Popes' album, "Born to Quit."

The set ended with "Standing at the Door," an incredibly catchy song that has quickly become a crowd-pleaser. Caterer set down his guitar for the song, singing and gesturing with a deep passion that engaged the adoring crowd.

Seminal bands like The Smashing Pumpkins and Urge Overkill are no more, and it is a time of hibernation in the Chicago music scene. Duvall could wake things up as one of the best tickets in town for one of the most refined bands around.

Opening band Pele played a lackluster 45-minute set of free form instrumentals. While talented, the band lacked a connection with the audience and became background music rather than the center of attention. Headliner Hey Mercedes (the re-forming of Braid) played a tight set of aggressive pop/punk. Sounding like a less-polished version of Jimmy Eat World, the band made up in energy what it lacked in melody.