list.in.to.chicago this week: 10.21.2002

This week marks several Harvest Moon festivals, which brings back memories of a URT gig several years ago in which (a) hardly anyone showed up for a three-day festival, including many of the bands, (b) we didn't get paid what we were promised, and (c) I was rendered mostly incommunicato and way the hell out in Kane Country on a day where I was desperately trying to arrange a date for the evening that hinged on being able to get a hold of people, and had it gone off, could have led to at least something. This is why it's fun being me sometimes. Not that it was fun, but that it can only be sometimes, because the rest of the time is filled with crap like that gig.

Pick of the week
It's time to be bittersweet again, as the obvious pick is Elvis Costello at the Chicago Theater, but alas, I can't go. I guess that's the appropriate emotion, given the tone of many of his songs. A close second is either or both of Friday's shows at Schuba's. I recommend trying to hide behind one of the curtains while they clear the room between Marc Ribot and Eyes Adrift.

Recap
Not only did I catch two of the non-Coz shows on the list from last week, I also made it out to Sleater-Kinney at Metro on Friday, after being admonished for not mentioning them. It was my first time seeing the band, and while they were good, I still have some issues with bands that don't have bass players, and the competing vocal parts often diluted the focus of the songs for me. That said, the lead guitarist kicked butt. Then it was on to EXO et al at Elbo Room, which answered the age-old question "what happens when you spill a gin and tonic on a guitar tuner?" The previous evening at Martyr's was full of pleasant surprises, as Two Ton Levy added an acoustic opening set, Lyla Stone closed out with Queen's "Fat-Bottomed Girls," replete with four-part harmonies, and Drive had Joshua Shapera on bass, whose previous credits include recording the bulk of the URT album.

10.14   monday
The Chameleons UK with Tracer and Light FM (Metro)
This Manchester band is described by AMG as "atmospheric pop." Given that their heyday preceded the much ballyhooed "Manchester scene" by half a decade at least, it will be interesting to see them from a historical perspective.

10.15   tuesday
Open Mike (Vaughan's)   SEE COZ LIVE!
Last week, I wound up playing something like eight songs, and if I do say so myself, I seem to be turning a corner on this whole "singing" thing.

Branford Marsalis (Park West)
While this appearance won't be nearly as intimate as the tenor saxophonist's dates this week at the Green Mill and the Old Town School of Folk Music, it's the only one with tickets still available.

10.16   wednesday
Gov't Mule (Park West)
It's hard to say whether interest in this band died with bass player Allen Woody, but the jam-band had to move this show from the Riviera, which is about three times the size. What I've heard of them, I've liked (which speaks volumes about someone in this particular genre), and my interest is definitely piqued by their recent CDs, which pay tribute to Woody by featuring a star-studded parade of bass players that include Me'Shell Ndegeocello, Tony Levin, Les Claypool, and Chris Squire, among others.

10.17   thursday
Elvis Costello and the Imposters with Laura Cantrell (Chicago Theater)
Aside from having a great last name, the former Declan McManus is touring to support an absolutely fantastic album in When I Was Cruel. If you don't have that, go buy it now. Seriously. Right now. Tower is open until midnight, you've got plenty of time.

Treeline with Pinch and Marizen (Cubby Bear)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
Fellow RollingStone.com alum Andrew Fraker fronts this band, and they'll be taking advantage of the Cubby Bear's local and original music "renaissance," which, along with what appears to be a similar move by Lakeview Links, seems to be trying to bolster that sort of band at the expense of cover bands, which would be great if I was playing in at least two of the latter right now.

10.18   friday
Marc Ribot (Schuba's, early show)
I have no idea what the context of this show is, as Ribot's projects tend to run the gamut from rock instrumentals to Afro-Cuban music, but he's good enough that it probably doesn't matter.

Eyes Adrift (Schuba's, late show)
This band is comprised of Krist Novoselic (Nirvana), Curt Kirkwood (Meat Puppets) and Bud Gaugh (Sublime), and their debut album sounds pretty good after a couple of listens, even with a somewhat dubious song about JonBenet Ramsay in the early going.

10.19   saturday
Hoobastank (House of Blues)
Granted, my exposure to this unfortunately-named band first comprised mostly of me wondering "is this Incubus?" and then graduated to hearing that one song over and over and over on the radio, but I haven't gotten sick of it yet. I may have even heard another song or two from the record, but they really DO sound a lot like Incubus, so it's hard to tell. This show is sold out, so consider this more of a "enjoy the show" message to anyone going. I don't know that I'd be interested in this one enough to scalp tickets. Man, I'm going on and on about everything today, aren't I?

Los Lobos with The Detroit Cobras (Riviera Theater)
To date, I don't think Los Lobos has been really lumped in with the whole jam band culture, which is good, because they're much different than other bands in that genre. And yet, they jam, which is one of the things I like about them. Not only that, they do it from many different angles, and that variety makes for a very entertaining performance.

10.20   sunday
Jets To Brazil with Decibully (Metro)
Speaking of RollingStone.com, which it seemed like I was doing several hours ago, Jets To Brazil is one of those bands all the indie rockers who worked there seemed to always be talking about. I haven't heard them, so I can't tell you why. Maybe after this week?

Okay, I'm done now. Honest.