list.in.to.chicago this week: 01.19.2004

One of the reasons I like this town so much is that, in any given week, it's entirely possible that I know someone playing somewhere every single night. This is one of those weeks. Enjoy.

And you know the drill. Forward, subscribe, repeat.

Pick of the week
Mitch will kill me if I don't scream Soulfix from the top of the mountain this week. There may even be free beer involved before their Friday show at Metro. It's a CD release party for The Changes on Thursday at Schuba's that'll be worth your while, and longtime friend Scottinho hits the stage Saturday up in Evanston.

list.in.to.COZ
Just Vaughan's this week, but it's been particularly fun lately.

Recap
Wow. David Bowie was amazing. Almost transcendant, and definitely jumping up into my top N concerts, with N being somewhere between 5 and 10, probably 5. Full review on notabbott.com, and maybe a point-by-point rebuttals of DeRo's less-than-glowing review sometime soon.

1.19   monday
Donna Summer with Dev/Null, Stunt Rock, Cruder and Dorkmeister (Empty Bottle)
No, no one left a cake out in the rain. Not that Donna Summer, but an electronic musician from New York. I think that means a musician who plays electronic music, not some sort of MIDI-enhanced cyborg. Said non-robot was recommended to me by a friend who knows the owner of Summer's label. And "Cruder and Dorkmeister" is sorta funny, if you get the joke.

Corey Radford/Scott Anderson Quartet (Phyllis' Musical Inn)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
I'm pretty sure that these guys are still doing their weekly jazz excursion at Phyllis', as it's necessary to complete the clean sweep of friend-of-Coz shows. Plus, you should go see them anyway.

1.20   tuesday
Open Mike (Vaughan's)   SEE COZ LIVE!
On the docket this week is Joe Jackson's "Is She Really Going Out With Him," hopefully a better rendition of Bowie than last week, and Outkast, if the people demand it. And they usually do. Once again, I encourage some of you singers to come on out and strut your stuff.

Metro Night School (Metro)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
The friend in question at this new weekly offering from Metro (featuring just a $2 cover and $2 drink specials) is Darren Spitzer from the Changes, in a solo warmup set for the band's CD release party on Thursday. Also on the docket are Dan Andriano from Alkaline Trio and Hey Mercedes' Bob Nanna, among others.

1.21   wednesday
Electricon with Taxi (Elbo Room)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
Bassist Mike Sixx was one of the friends I randomly ran into at The Note on New Year's Eve, and deserves a shout-out for his band in return for his contribution to the evening, at the very least.

1.22   thursday
The Changes with Early Risers, Satellite 66 (Schuba's)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
This is the release party for the new 5-song EP from The Changes, which I've got, and it's good stuff. The "Police-meets-the-Strokes" description still holds up as a thumbnail description.

1.23   friday
Soulfix with Burn Rome Burn, Stylus, Brother Lowdown (Metro)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
Bassmaster general Mike Mitchel graces the Metro stage for what I believe is the first time. There's likely going to be a pre-game show down the street at Mullen's where you can procure free tickets, so e-mail me for more "deets," as the kids like to call them.

Missile with Woolworthy, The Melismatics, Chopper 5 (The Note)
On the one hand, maybe I should stop listing local bands that I've been meaning to see for over two years, but haven't. Or I should just get off my butt and see them, but it won't happen this week, either.

John McLean Quintet (Green Mill)
Don't know who six-stringer McLean has in his band this time around, but it'll be from that usual cadre of Green Mill guys, and as such, will make for a worthwhile trip to Uptown for some electric jazz.

1.24   saturday
Scottinho with Andreus, Joseph Messing (Nevin's Live, Evanston)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
This outing features an electric version of Scottinho's band with Vijay Tellis-Nayak on keyboards, Dave Hiltebrand on bass and Gerald Dowd on drums. Which means maybe a slightly more aggressive take on the Brazilian music that's been Scott's main focus over the last several years.

Tony Piscotti with Mike and Amy Finders, Annie Capps (Uncommon Ground)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
Should be a solid outing for Piscotti at Chicago's main space for singer/songwriters. A coffeeshop, or at least this particular coffeeshop, just serves a better environment than a loud bar or club where you have to struggle to be heard.

1.25   sunday
Nicholas Barron's Hyperactive (Long Room)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
Since it's a good week to be a friend of Coz, it's only fitting to end with some project that Gillis is in, since he's probably garnered more "friend" listings than anyone else by this point.