JC Brooks’ least favorite word used to describe his post-punk/soul group, JC Brooks and The Uptown Sound, is the lazy designation “throwback.”

Though it’s an understandable prima facie label of the band’s echoing blues guitars, jumpy horns and subtle drums setting a scene for Brooks’ soulful pitch-perfect bellow, it isn’t a thorough portrayal of the group. Finessing between the emotive energies of James Brown and Iggy Pop, The Uptown Sound, performing Oct. 28 at Otto’s, 118 E Lincoln Hwy 118 E. Lincoln Highway, is as much of a thrust forward as a throwback.

There is a definite reflection of JC Brooks’ own personal influences of Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers, and lyrical themes of working hard for love is nostalgic of old soul. However, there is also a certain meta-soul characteristic to their songs as the band often winks at its audience.

“Is there a sexual undertone? I don’t know what you mean,” goes the libidinous song “Alright”.

The Uptown Sound was formed in Chicago in 2007 with JC Brooks(vocals), Billy Bungeroth (guitar), Kevin Marks (drums) and Ben Taylor (Bass). After touring on the Eccentric Soul Revue tour, the band released its debut album, Beat of Our Own Drum in 2009. Receiving a buzz of media attention from New York Times, Chicago Tribune, TimeOut and Chicago Sun-Times, JC Brooks and The Uptown Sound has toured North America and Europe. Quickly following was the catchy single, Get It Together and a wildly inventive, Wilco-approved cover of “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart.”

“Bill and [Jeff Tweedy] talked more about it, and they love it,” Brooks said. “They think it’s interesting and they never would have imagined the song going in that direction. There’s a lot of nice things you can say about such genuinely nice guys who aren’t weirded out or threatened by some other contemporary band covering their music. That’s what’s been the coolest about it.”

With a background in musical theatre and punk rock groups, Brooks is well-versed in the art of live performance, once called a black David Byrne for his polished stage antics.

“It’s mostly a stage character,” Brooks said. “Of course there are elements that are based in what I actually think and believe, but it’s largely a stage character, someone who has a bigger personality than I do. For me personally, I’ve always loved an excuse to get crazy in front of people. It’s just something that I find fun. I used to sing in punk bands in the past, in high school and college, and actually right here in Chicago. I get up there -I don’t want to say I black out-but I defiantly become less overly conscious, and I just get rid of all my stress.”

Though Brooks is a professionally trained vocalist, he prides his mother, a former funk diva, in giving him his powerful holler.

“It’s from my mom but not in any formalized way, singing around the house,” Brooks said. “I ended up having to take vocal lessons in college because my major in college was musical theater so I did have some voice lessons but if my voice teacher from college ever sampled the band I’m sure she would be intensely disappointed.”

You might be surprised by JC Brooks and The Uptown Sound’s punk-rock influence, but it’s definitely there. Brooks is quick to assure that although the band has recently focused on their soul roots, more rock is yet to come.

“I think the more rock element of the band has gotten downplayed,” Brooks said. “It’s connected a lot better in the new material that’s going to be on the next album.”

Catch JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound at 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28 at Otto’s.