list.in.to.chicago this week: 08.26.2002

Last week wasn't a good week in the nascent history of l.i.t.c. Not only did I flub the date on the Coldplay gig, but I FORGOT JUDAS PRIEST!! I saw it was coming up, but spaced on the date. So those of you who were desperately relying on me to settle your craving for 80s-metal-without-the-original-singer (the ranks of which apparently include Ratt, or so says VH1's "One-Hit Wonders"), well, I let you down. For the record, I skipped the Poison/Cinderella show on purpose.

Pick of the week
I'm going to be less self-serving this week and NOT shamelessly recommend Lindsie Reitz on Saturday at Elbo Room, even though we rocked the Double Door last week and you should go. I'm above that. Or not. Instead, or to be accurate, in addition to that, tickets are apparently still available for Tool and Tomahawk at the United Center this Thursday, and any chance to see Mike Patton sing should not be missed.

Recap
This thing is going to be a running commentary on how lame I am when it comes to getting out to see music. I did make it to Joe's for Victor Wooten, and while I was initially a little put out by the $20 ticket, a 3-hour plus show more than made up for it. Speech sang three songs and scratched most of the rest of the time. The highlight was definitely older brother Reggie Wooten's segment, opening with a two-handed tapping solo frenzy on guitar, followed by a medley that started with Otis Redding and somehow found its way to "Iron Man."

8.26   monday
Patricia Barber Quartet (Green Mill)
What little I've seen of Barber has been awfully good, and I don't think I've ever heard anyone speak ill of her, critic or otherwise. This is a record release party to boot.

8.27   tuesday
Open Mike (Vaughan's)   SEE COZ LIVE!
You never know when Your Little Ponies will show up and regale the crowd with their classic "Fried Fucking Chicken Tonight," and trust me, you don't want to miss that.

Daryl Hall and John Oates with Todd Rundgren (Chicago Theater)
A friend of mine has recently extolled the virtues of 80s mainstays Hall and Oates, and if you focus on the "blue-eyed soul" side of the picture, they're not as silly as you might remember from MTV. Plus, Todd Rundgren was and is a songwriting genius, so this should be an entertaining show.

8.28   wednesday
Michael Jackson's Karaoke Cult (Goose Island Wrigleyville)
I haven't got the foggiest idea who these guys are, what they sound like, or even if it's just karaoke night, but the name is hilarious.

The Changes with 28IF (Elbo Room)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
If you've been to Vaughan's on a Tuesday, you've probably seen these guys, even if you can't keep track of what their name is. I haven't seen the full-on electric version of the band yet, which I'm told is a little less rockabilly than their open mike appearances. And while MJKC gets the "best band name of the week" award, 28IF looks to hit the other end of the spectrum.

8.29   thursday
Tool with Tomahawk (United Center)
Hopefully, the current crop of nu-metalers will be at this one taking notes. Between Tool's dark aggression and Tomahawk's all-star lineup of modern rock's heritage (Faith No More, Jesus Lizard, Helmet, The Melvins), the heavier side of today's "alternative" radio could learn a lot.

Lyla Stone with Ruth Buzzy and The Like Young (Double Door)
We played a show with Lyla Stone, which features former members of electronica outfit Dirty, with Lindsie's band, and one recently cowboy-hatted member of said band really likes them a lot. I only saw their soundcheck, but that was good, and if I'm recommending bands just for funny names, then this is practically a lock.

8.30   friday
The Smithereens (House of Blues)
Singer Pat DiNizio is from my hometown of Scotch Plains, NJ, which was where he based his unsuccessful run for the US Senate as a Reform Party candidate. Now he's back with The Smithereens, delivering on his campaign pledge to ROCK! Okay, that was weak. I'm sorry.

Unlimited Sunshine Tour (Aragon Ballroom)
I'm intrigued by this lineup, more for the likes of The Flaming Lips, De La Soul and Modest Mouse than for nominal headliners Cake. It's a lot of band for your buck, assuming tickets aren't absurdly expensive. I suppose a real journalist would actually check stuff like that.

8.31   saturday
Lindsie Reitz (Elbo Room)   SEE COZ LIVE!
The two-week whirlwind tour by the Lindsie Reitz Experience continues. Also appearing are Three Card Guts, Toe and Fazer.

9.01   sunday
Stuart Davis with Katie Todd (Schuba's)
I've only seen Minnesota native Davis once, but my friend Phineas swears by him. But not at him, because that would be mean. That said, I recall Davis encouraging audience participation, so who knows?