list.in.to.chicago this week: 05.12.2003

Well, there's good news and there's bad news. The good news is, you can actually hear me play guitar and sing cover tunes, mostly from the 80s, ALL NIGHT THIS FRIDAY at Goldie's Bar (3839 North Lincoln). Or, maybe that's the bad news. Actually, the bad news is that there's still a slim chance the gig isn't happening, so for the time being, let's assume it is, and if I find out otherwise, I'll update you all during the week. Which means you should plan on going.

Also, lots of sold out shows this week from people I've never even heard of. Who the hell are The Faint?

Pick of the week
For all the talk of ME this FRIDAY NIGHT at GOLDIE'S BAR (3839 North Lincoln), the real can't-miss shows this week are probably Tomahawk on Tuesday at the Vic, and Chris Whitley on Thursday at Martyr's. Fishbone and King's X on Saturday looks darn good as well, at the Abbey Pub.

list.in.to.COZ
Well, there's Vaughan's on Tuesday, and some other show that I can't recall right now...

Recap
After seeing a lot of music two weeks ago, I laid low this week and watched a lot of basketball. I'm still amazed the Lakers pulled off the win yesterday after it took nearly twenty minutes for someone who wasn't Shaq or Kobe to score. Hey, I'm entitled to a break now and again. It's not like I'm getting paid for this.

5.12   monday
The Interociter with Emilie Autumn and Marigold Engine   FRIENDS OF COZ!
I've known the Marigold Engine guys for quite some time now, and their music is, for lack of a better phrase, "richly textured" rock. With the addition of a second guitarist, it should be even more so. Emilie Autumn, who shared a bill with Lindsie Reitz a while back, is also on the bill.

5.13   tuesday
Open Mike (Vaughan's)   SEE COZ LIVE!
If you're choosing between this and my big solo debut on Friday, definitely go with Friday. If you want to get a taste of what you'll be in for, or need the safety of me playing percussion most of the night to ease your mind around the concept of me actually singing all night at a bar, then come on out. Also, if you like drinking on a school night.

Tomahawk with the Melvins, Skeleton Key (The Vic)
The alt-rock supergroup is back after supporting Tool on their last trek through the Windy City. Apparently, they've got another record out on singer Mike Patton's Ipecac label, and some time together as a real band should make it a more cogent effort, as the first record was made largely by FedExing tapes back and forth after band members added their parts, if I remember correctly.

Strapping Young Lad with Meshuggah (Metro)
This metal band boasts Gene Hoglan on drums, who is supposed to be a monster when it comes to double bass drum playing. Also in the band is singer Devin Townsend, who I'm sure very few people recall from his contribution to Steve Vai's incredibly forgettable Sex and Religion album.

5.14   wednesday
Rock N' Roll Karaoke (Underground Lounge)
At this point, I have to point out that URT did the "live band karaoke" thing first. We were just that far ahead of our time. But really, maybe you should stay in tonight, seeing as how you'll be going out on Friday. To Goldie's Bar, 3839 North Lincoln.

5.15   thursday
Chris Whitley with Johnny Society, Gus Black (Martyr's)
With a new album that apparently sets the Houston singer/guitarist in yet another direction, it's getting awfully tough to predict what kind of vein he'll be mining when he comes through town. This tour is with a band, but not the electronica-inflected one that backed him on 2001's wonderful Rocket House.

5.16   friday
list.in.to.chicago presents CHRIS COSTELLO (Goldie's Bar, 3839 North Lincoln)   SEE COZ LIVE!
I can tell you, with utmost certainty, that there is absolutely nothing of note going on anywhere else in the city. This is where you should go. Where the heck else are you going to hear Wall of Voodoo and Queens of the Stone Age adapted for acoustic guitar? And there's no cover!

Jeff Tweedy with Sons of the Never Wrong, Al Day (Martyr's)
Well, actually, there is something else going on just up the street from Goldie's, but darn the luck, it's sold out. Three guesses where I think you should go instead, and the first two don't count.

5.17   saturday
Fishbone, King's X, Sons of Jorel (Abbey Pub)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
Rumor has it this show is already sold out, so let that be a lesson to you to buy tickets in advance. Actually, let that be a lesson to me, and one that I have a nasty tendency to forget. Sure, Fishbone is a shell of their former selves, and King's X are sort of a niche proggy hard rock band that not a lot of people have heard of, but it would still be pretty freakin' cool in that room. And I'm assuming Sons of Jorel is Nitrous Foxide guitarist Erik Peterson's new band, since his e-mail didn't actually mention the band name. That, or the unnamed project is replacing Sons of Jorel on the bill.

Motorhead, Anthrax with Erase the Grey, Havochate (House of Blues)
Would you be as inclined to see this show if one of the bands was called Basket Full of Puppies, which is what Anthrax joked about in the wake of the bioterrorism scare following 9/11? Didn't think so, even though I thought the joke was pretty funny at the time.

5.18   sunday
Skatelites, Deals Gone Bad, Skapone, DJ Chuck Wren (The Abbey)
It's Sunday night ska, which almost always means former Northwestern Radio DJ (I'm assuming former, if he's still a student, well it's been quite a while now) Wren is involved. And for any general managers of local sports teams who might be on the list, no, I don't know what time it starts.