list.in.to.chicago this week: 11.22.2004

Happy Turkey Day, everybody! As it happens, the day before induced inertia through L-Triptophan, or whatever it's called, has become a pretty happening night for live music in Chicago, and it looks like Friday's pretty chock full of shows as well.

As ever, if you feel like you have friends who might like this newsletter, feel free to forward it. Subscription info is at the bottom.

Pick of the week
I'm leaning toward Sparta on Tuesday at Metro. Good, powerful hard rock there. For something completely different. Roy Hargove (Tuesday through Sunday at the Jazz Showcase) looks really good.

list.in.to.COZ
If you're not going anywhere for Thanksgiving, or if you're not leaving until sometime on Thursday, then you've got no excuse for not coming out to see Diver at Fado on Wednesday night.

Recap
I atoned for my suckitude last week by making it out to see Ivory Wire and Jayh Johnson at Elbo Room AND Nicholas Barron's Hyperactive at Horseshoe on Friday night. A couple new tunes from Ivory Wire sounded pretty good, and I was thoroughly surprised to see Damo from Cullen's anywhere other than Cullen's. Turns out one of the guys from Blackmaker, who I didn't get to see, also plays in a cover band at Diver's second home.

And I like Horseshoe. For one, they've got a really sweet sound system in there, which makes up for perhaps trying a little too hard to be too hip by half. They might need to reinforce the glass in the front windows, though, as it seems there was a noise complaint on Friday that almost reduced the second set to just Nicholas by himself.

Then there was the Scorpio Party on Saturday. One weird byproduct of playing at sports bars in general is that I end up staring at a lot of TVs, and since Joe's has more televisions than some electronics stores, I feel like I've seen Pacers throwing punches more often than Oliver Stone has watched the Zapruder film. Other than that, I think a good time was had by most, although the manager for the evening could have told me sooner that I was maybe a touch too loud instead of waiting until the very end of the first set.

11.22   monday
Ministry with Hansel Und Gretyl, Opiate For The Masses (House of Blues)
What's curious about this show, for me, is that it was moved from Durty Nellie's in Palatine. From what I understand, the new Nellie's holds about a thousand "peeps," as the kids like to call them. Usually these things happen because of a lack of ticket sales, but isn't HOB in that same vicinity? I sense there's a story here, but I don't know what it is.

Elevation (Fado)
The U2 tribute band celebrates a whole new album of material for them to pillage. I have a hunch Jim DeRogatis won't be attending.

11.23   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
It's almost like it's a Thursday night. Nobody's going to be working hard on Wednesday. Come on, you know you want to.

EXO (MTV2)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
One of l.i.t.c.'s favorite bands will be featured on something called MTV2's Dew Circuit Breakout at 8pm central time. Apparently it's some sort of multi-region Battle of the Bands, so tune in and then vote. I think I stayed far enough away from the camera when they filmed at Elbo Room to not hurt their chances.

Sparta with Further Seems Forever, Copeland, Sunshine (Metro)
If you're one of those people -- and I know for a fact that there are at least two of you on this list -- who liked At The Drive-In, but didn't particularly care for the sprawling style of The Mars Volta, then this may be the ATDI offshoot band for you.

Roy Hargrove Quintet (Jazz Showcase)
I think I read that Hargrove is around my age, but it feels like he's been around a lot longer than that. He definitely seems to have moved on from the post-Marsalis "young lion" tag to become a formidable jazz artist in his own right. I'm a huge fan of his RH Factor configuration, but this will be a more traditional quintet, and the stand runs through Sunday with shows on Thanksgiving Day as well.

Lit with Riddlin Kids, Denver Harbor, Sarah Hudson (House of Blues)
Okay, I'm moderately surprised that HOB didn't feel they needed to tag the ad for this show with "My Own Worst Enemy," to remind folks of the only real hit the band has to differentiate themselves from the rest of the modern rock pack's inherent sameness.

11.24   wednesday
Diver (Fado)   SEE COZ LIVE!
I'm assuming Anto made it back stateside with no problem. Whether or not he learned some of the new tunes we want to try while he was gone is anybody's guess.

Escape From Earth with Inept, Burning Autumn, Infrared, Synikal (Metro)
Personally, I would think you might go with a smaller bill of bands on a night when you've got to clear out for a late show, but I guess the all ages set needs to have their pre-Thanksgiving entertainment, too. I will refrain from harshing on deliberately misspelled band names too much, but Synikal, you've been warned.

Sacrilicous with Deuce High (Hoghead McDunna's)
Okay, any band with a Simpsons reference as a name scores points in my book. Even more so if it's a particularly good one. I remember the scene, but was this from the one where Homer starts his own religion?

Tom Jones (House of Blues)
Poi Dog Pondering (Park West)
Bumpus with Buddah's Belly (Martyr's)
Anna Fermin's Trigger Gospel with the Riptones, the Honeybees (Abbey Pub)
See what I'm saying about this being a very busy night? And do you like how I just weaseled my way out of descriptions for a whole lot of shows?

11.25   thursday
The Arcade Fire with Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, The Like Young (Logan Square Auditorium)
I've been hearing a lot about this husband and wife team, as the critics seem to be annointing them the next something-or-other, but I haven't heard any of the tunes yet.

Roy Hargrove Quintet (Jazz Showcase)
I thought I'd reiterate this for any of you who, like me, are staying in town for the holiday. If I can will myself off of my couch, I might try to make this one.

11.26   friday
The Arcade Fire with Icy Demons, Lot Six (Empty Bottle)   SOLD OUT!
Apparently other people have been hearing about them, too.

Liquid Soul (Martyr's)
I'm noticing that Mars Williams and company seem suddenly partial to the North Center club, which is just as well, 'cause it remains one of the best rooms in Chicago for live music. Also, you never know when former Bull Norm van Lier is going to show up and join the band on stage, which is what happened the last time I saw the band here.

Waco Brothers with Paul Burch, Ladies and Gentlement (Abbey Pub)
I have to wonder if Leeds native John Langford and his Waco buddies are still celebrating their home side's thrashing of QPR on the weekend. Somebody stop me before I use another Anglicism. If I ever use the phrase "on the weekend" or call a team a "side" in public and out loud, I give you the right to smack me. I reserve the right to say "shite" and "for fuck's sake," though, because they're just fun. Of course, the Waco Brothers' sound belies their British roots, so this whole tirade is sort of misplaced, but that's what can happen when you're your own editor.

Tom Jones (House of Blues)
That reminds me, I should rent Mars Attacks! again one of these days. Gotta love Tom Jones' role in that one. I'm guessing the Liquid Soul show made me think of it. Mars Williams Attacks!

CSM with Tight Pants Jimmy (Hoghead McDunna's)
Okay, a band with a Simpsons reference for a name and a band with an X-Files reference for a name at the same bar in the same week? Perhaps Fox Mulder could investigate.

Korn with Breaking Benjamin, Skindred, Instruction (Aragon Ballroom)   SOLD OUT!
A big mosh pit seems like the perfect way to work off all that turkey and stuffing, don'tcha think?

11.27   saturday
Vital Information with Garaj Mahal (Martyr's)
I double-dog-dare you to bring a copy of Journey's Escape album for drummer Steve Smith to sign at this one. The pairing of bands shouldn't be too much of a surprise, as Garaj Mahal bassist Kai Eckhart appeared on Vital Information's Fiafiaga album back in the early nineties, which was where I first heard of him.

Willie Porter with Rachel Davis (Old Town School of Folk Music)
I know I saw Porter play live many, many years ago at South By Southwest in Austin, and I know I enjoyed it. I downloaded one of his albums -- legally, mind you -- a couple of years ago, and I think Tony Levin played bass on that particular effort. Yet I couldn't tell you much about what he sounds like. I think he has a sort of Michael Hedges vibe, but a little less weird.

Nicholas Barron's Hyperactive (Green Dolphin Street)
I think it stands to reason that they won't have to worry about being too loud for the neighbors this time. I don't even think there's an apartment building or other residence within a two block radius. Incidentally, this is one of a couple of music venues in Chicago I've still never been to. To which I've still never been? Why does correct grammar look so damn weird?

Tom Jones (House of Blues)
I forgot to mention that, of the four Tom Jones shows, only Sunday is sold out.

11.28   sunday
Vital Information with Garaj Mahal (Martyr's)
Second of two nights for the fusion/jam-band double bill. I wonder if Frank Gambale still has that godawful mullet?

Clearly and the Mainstream with Midwest Blue, The Ridiculous Trio (Abbey Pub)
I, for the life of me, can't remember why I know who Clearly and the Mainstream is. I think I saw a poster that I liked, or something. Or their merch table was funny. I have a memory like a steel trap. A broken, entirely useless steel trap.