list.in.to.chicago this week: 04.05.2004

It's a big week here in l.i.t.c.-land. First up, I got a job. It had been a while, so someone had to explain this whole concept of going to an office from 9 to 5 and, you know, working. Fear not for your local music roundup, as I have every intention of keeping this little operation, well, operational once I start next week.

Then, there's the billboard. Don't be surprised if you're driving around the Chicagoland area and see me, tweny feet tall or so, looking back at you courtesy of the new Chicago Fire ads. So far, they've been spotted on the inbound Skyway and south I-294.

Finally, and it's a rare day in the kingdom when something like this would get trumped not once but twice as the lead story, you've got FIVE different chances to see me on stage this week.

Pick of the week
Gonna plug the heck out of the Joel Burleson/Chris Costello show on Friday at Wild Goose, because we could use the turnout. Other than that, EXO on Saturday at Bottom Lounge, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter on Friday at Orchestra Hall, and Tributosaurus on Wednesday at Martyr's look to be the cream of the crop.

list.in.to.COZ
I'm pretty stoked to be sitting in for a tune with Tributosaurus on Wednesday. Then, Friday's double bill with Richmond native Joel Burleson should be a good time. I'm looking forward to hearing what he's got going on. Then it's a Diver weekend at Cullen's, after two whole weeks off.

Oh, and the final two Potbelly's gigs are today and Wednesday at the Merchandise Mart. I might look into playing weekends at a different location, but I'm waiting to hear on some other things first.

Recap
I didn't do a whole heck of a lot last week. I dropped by the Kick The Cat/Renegades show on Wednesday, but my ears were not ready for fusion, so I didn't last very long. Last night I checked out Gareth Woods at Cullen's, and had entirely too much to drink. So apologize for any additional lack of coherence in the listings.

4.05   monday
Grazyna Auguscik Quintet (Green Mill)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
Drummer Tom Hipskind is back at Green Mill on Monday night with singer Auguscik and a band that also includes John McLean and Dave Onderdonk on guitar and Eric Hochberg on bass. No, I still don't know how to pronounce her name.

4.06   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
Anto's still in England, but that doesn't mean we can't still rock it out on a Tuesday night. Don't believe me? I'm going to play Ozzy Osbourne this week.

Method Man with Street Radio (House of Blues)
My primary exposure to Method Man is still his one vocal track on the last Roni Size record, but that was really, really good. Very kinetic, resonant rapping style, from what I can tell.

4.07   wednesday
Tributosaurus with Motion to Fix (Martyr's)   SEE COZ LIVE!
This month, the musical chameleon becomes David Bowie, and I've finally gotten myself in on the deal. I'll be guesting (on drums) along with the likes of Jason Narducy, Eddie Carlson and Frank Orrall, which is pretty good company.

The Twilight Singers with The Damnwells (Metro)
This is the current project of former Afghan Whigs frontman Greg Dulli. If you're so inclined, yes, that makes this a Whig Party. Or something.

Stereolab with Clearlake (Vic Theatre)
Just read Margasak's take, and I had no idea Stereolab singer/guitarist Mary Hansen had passed away. Sounds like the band has been able to continue without missing an electronically ambient beat.

4.08   thursday
N*E*R*D with The Black-Eyed Peas (Riviera)
Hotshot production team The Neptunes are back in support of their second album, which has gotten slammed pretty hard in nearly every review I've read. I like the first one, so that's a little unfortunate.

4.09   friday
Joel Burleson with Chris Costello (Wild Goose)   COZ SINGS!
Burleson is a friend of a friend from Virginia who is in town for a little while, and was looking to play live a bit during his stay. It'll be mostly acoustic cover songs, but his set will be augmented by samples, loops and electric guitar provided by a subscriber to this very list.

Herbie Hancock Quartet with Wayne Shorter (Symphony Center)
The good news is that Hancock and Shorter have been hitting Chicago pretty regularly for the last couple of years. The bad news is that I keep not going to see them.

Local H with Cobra Verde, Cisco Pike (Metro)   SOLD OUT!
I was never quite onboard with the whole guitar/drums duo concept, whether it be The White Stripes or Chicagoland favorites Local H. Although I've come around a little on Scott Lucas' band since I realized they did that "keep it kopasetic" song.

Switchfoot with Copeland (Vic Theatre)
I never did find out how this band ended up on two different CMJ New Music Monthly discs a couple of months apart. Editorial oversight, I would imagine, unless they really, really like the band over at the magazine.

4.10   saturday
Diver (Cullen's)   SEE COZ LIVE!
Watch jet lag in action as Anto gets off a plan on Friday, sleeps a bit, then takes the stage for the first of two nights in Wrigleyville. Also, if you're good, I'll introduce you to my little sister, who is in town visiting her significant other. Had to get that last bit in there in case any of you were getting any funny ideas.

EXO with The Frogs, Capitol Years, Chalet Chalet (Bottom Lounge)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
Almost missed this one. The Metro show last month was pretty darn rocking, so I expect Scott and company to keep that momentum going. And The Frogs are very, very strange, in a good way according to most. I've only seen them once or twice, so I don't have that great of a handle on the experience.

4.11   sunday
Diver (Cullen's)   SEE COZ LIVE!
If last night was any indication, Sunday night at Cullen's is pretty hopping. With Easter being a family holiday, and so many Irish expats being far from their families, I have to imagine a pretty good turnout.

Fantomas with Melt-Banana, End (Metro)
This is going to be noisy and weird, as you've got one of Mike Patton's eclectic hard rock projects in Fantomas along with Japanese noise rock Melt-Banana, but there's nothing wrong with being noisy and weird. At least I kept telling myself that all through high school.

Todd Rundgren and the Liars (House of Blues)
I guess this is the last day that "I don't want to work, I just want to bang on the drum all day" is appropriate for me. The end of an era. Second of two shows, with Saturday being sold out.