list.in.to.chicago this week: 04.09.2007

Okay, I can't possibly stress this enough. Back up your hard drives. And if you're restoring a backup, make sure you're restoring it to the correct drive, and that you're not accidentally reformatting the one that has every single MP3 file you (used to) own on it.

Pick of the week
Since Chris Cornell (Wednesday, Metro) is sold out, I have to go with Peeping Tom on Sunday at Park West. Which I would have done anyway. Mike Patton is still one of the best, if not the best, rock singers alive today. Of course, Cornell isn't too far behind him, but Patton has much more breadth. For the non-vocal, you've got the Paul Wertico Trio on Tuesday at Martyrs'.

And the International Pop Overthrow festival is on this weekend, but there are way too many bands I've never heard of that probably deserve more than the pithy comments I would give them in lieu of trying to figure out what they're about from one song before I get this thing finished.

list.in.to.COZ
Just Vaughan's this week. Next Diver show on the books is April 27th, at which point they'll start coming with greater frequency.

Recap
Okay, so we get all kinds at Vaughan's from time to time. Ask me about the sea shanty guy. Anyway, this week, we had a new one. This guy came in and tap danced while Tony and I accompanied him. It was pretty amazing, and I'm surprised the "stage," such as it is, withstood that pounding.

4.09   monday
Lindsey Buckingham (House of Blues)
The former Fleetwood Mac guitarist quietly released a critically-acclaimed record last year, but while I like a bunch of the songs, it can be a little inconsistent across the entire effort.

Talent Magnet Mondays (Slainte)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
Dana is back with her Monday night open mike, and she even has Jeff -- former owner of TMM's previous home -- in tow, tending bar. Although it probably played out in the other direction.

4.10   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
If anyone is looking for a theme, perhaps songs about dancing after last week's impressive performance. If not, same as usual. May is probably going to be "80s month" and no, I don't know how you'll tell the difference from what I normally play.

Paul Wertico Trio (Martyrs')
The longtime Pat Metheny drummer and local jazz stalwart plays an increasingly (and unfortunately so) rare show with his trio, now with a guy named Brian Peters replacing Eric Hochberg on bass.

Son Volt with Jason Isbell (The Vic)
Son Volt is just as highly regarded as fellow Uncle Tupelo siblings Wilco in some circles, and Jason Isbell was a member of Drive-By Truckers until, like, today.

Butch Walker and the Let's Go Out Tonites with The Honorary Title, Rocket (House of Blues)
Apparently we've got a mini-Rock Star Supernova theme this week, as Walker appeared on the first couple of episodes of the TV talent show last year as the producer of the band's record, then disappeared, never to be heard from again. I actually got this record at Tower's liquidation sale, but I'd be lying if I said I'd listened to it. Kev said it wasn't very good, and I trust him despite the Sevendust thing.

4.11   wednesday
Chris Cornell (Metro)   SOLD OUT!
For the first time either in a long time or ever, I actually got tickets for one of those "smaller venue" tours that bigger artists do in advance of their "real" tours. This time it's "an evening with" the former Soundgarden singer, who will apparently be playing songs from that band, Temple of the Dog, Audioslave and his solo material.

4.12   thursday
Galactic with Papa Mali (The Vic)
While they tend to get grouped with jam bands, Galactic lends a certain authenticity via the band's New Orleans roots.

Phix with Herbert Wiser Band (Double Door)
They seem to be taking the concept of a tribute band a step too far, as this Phish cover band is calling it quits after this tour, just like the objects of their homage.

The Dials with The Mathematicians, Screamin' Cyn Cyn and The Pons (Beat Kitchen)
I can't see this band on a bill and not think of late drummer Doug Meis, and I don't think that will ever change. That's a bit of a disservice to the band, whose spunky pop doesn't need to get brought down by that time and time again.

4.13   friday
Bound Stems with The Satin Peaches, Brad Peterson (Subterranean)
As per LITC a few weeks back, these Chicagoans are sort of a poor man's Arcade Fire, for better or worse.

Chevelle's Black Cat Ball with Finger Eleven, Strata (Riviera Theatre)
I guess I had heard rumblings that the local hard rock trio has a new record coming out, but Q101 seems to have regressed back into playing crap most of the time, so I haven't actually heard anything.

John Legend with Corinne Bailey Rae (Chicago Theatre)   SOLD OUT!
Don't worry, I'm not going to revive the Legend vs. Talent bit from a few weeks ago. Which isn't to say I won't make painful pun-based comments in the future. I'm just sparing you this time.

Lucinda Williams with Carrie Rodriguez (The Vic)
She's one of those artists where I know and really like one particularly iconic song ("Can't Let Go") but never really delved into the catalog.

Martin Sexton with Jonah Smith (Park West)   SOLD OUT!
I'm pretty sure I've seen Sexton before at Schubas, and four or five years ago, those shows sold out, too. So it's not quite a meteoric rise for the singer/songwriter -- and he's not the "sensitive" pseudo-folkie type, thank god -- as much as a sort of slow burn.

Particle with Boombox, Leadfoot String Band (Abbey Pub)
Until I hear evidence to the contrary, these guys are just another jam band to me.

Patrice Pike with Michelle Malone (FitzGerald's, Berwyn)
And finishing off the Rock Star Supernova mini-theme, it's my favorite diminutive singer from the show. I swear the one time she got to sing in front of Tommy Lee, you could have fit her inside his kick drum.

4.14   saturday
Blonde Redhead with Midnight Movies (Metro)
One of the more intriguing bands I saw two Lollapaloozas ago, with an element of avantgarde noise mixed in with drony soundscapes and, if I remember correctly, wordless vocals. I recall them being both trancy and engaging, which is hard to pull off, let alone in 95-degree heat.

Fareed Haque Group (HotHouse)
I don't think Haque lives here any more, which would make him one of my favorite guitarists who used to live here.

Diana Ross (Chicago Theatre)   SOLD OUT!
Just the other day, I was recounting how I had missed a point blank shot playing soccer by putting it over the bar, saying I had "Diana Rossed it" after the singer's similar flub during the opening ceremonies of the 1994 World Cup. Then I did it again. Knee over the ball, dumbass.

Matt Wertz with Stephen Kellogg and The Sixers, Jon McLaughlin (House of Blues)
Doesn't he pitch for the Cubs? Own the Blackhawks? Whatever.

Lucinda Williams with Carrie Rodriguez (The Vic)
See Friday's listing.

4.15   sunday
Peeping Tom with Pigeon John (Park West)
Speaking of Lollapalooza, Mike Patton and Peeping Tom were one of the best sets I saw this past year, sneaking up on everyone with an afternoon set at one of the smaller stages. I find it curious that Patton considers this a "pop" project, but the former Faith No More singer has a twisted view of pretty much everything, so why should pop music be any different?

Iggy and the Stooges (Congress Theatre)   SOLD OUT!
If this link doesn't work or show up, search for "Iggy Pop concert rider" and prepare to laugh your ass off, especially if you're in the music business. In which case you've probably seen it already.

Local H with Riddle of Steel, Muchacha (Double Door)
Scott Lucas seems to be the hardest working man in Chicago music these days, this time with the band that made him somewhat famous.