list.in.to.chicago this week: 05.28.2007

If you did half as much over the long weekend as I did, well, I'd be really, really surprised, 'cause I didn't really do much. There seem to be a lot of good shows on Sunday this week, when a lot of shows this past Sunday would have made a lot more sense.

Pick of the week
If your ears can take it, gotta go with Dinosaur Jr., Thursday through Saturday at the Abbey Pub. Plus, there's Porcupine Tree at Park West again, this time on Friday.

list.in.to.COZ
Nothing 'cept Vaughan's this week, but Diver returns to action next Friday (Fado) and Saturday (Cubby Bear North, Lincolnshire).

Recap
Made it out to Long Room on Sunday night for an unprecedented and entertaining duo show from Nicholas Barron and Steve Gillis. Nicholas actually fell off his chair at one point and Steve had the smallest drumkit I've ever seen him with. Although, once I told him that, he threated to remove his hi-hat and just play with a kick, snare and one cymbal.

5.29   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
It's the end of 80s month, at least for everyone but me, because for me, it's always 80s month. And Jack-FM was offering up a deliciously scattershot mix of 80s tunes over the weekend -- a weekend which, alas, did not afford me the opportunity to figure out an acoustic version of "Der Kommisar."

5.30   wednesday
Joss Stone with Ryan Shaw, Javier (House of Blues)   SOLD OUT!
With precocious youngsters, the question is always whether or not they can transcend the thumbnail descriptions of their precociousness. Can Stone become more than a young, white Brit who sounds like Aretha Franklin?

5.31   thursday
Dinosaur Jr. with Awesome Color (Abbey Pub)
I can't imagine how loud this show will be, as J Mascis and crew put on one of the loudest shows I've ever seen when I caught the band on a double bill with My Bloody Valentine at Metro some fifteen or so years ago. The new record sounds pretty much like the old records, and there's nothing wrong with that.

The Sea And Cake with Euphone, The Zincs (Empty Bottle)
It's Chicago's "other" post-rock band, playing two shows at the Bottle. Euphone opens the first, The Zincs the second.

Shaw-Blades with Casey Barnes, Chris Buehrle (Joe's Bar)
I have to assume that this is Tommy Shaw from Styx and Jack Blades from Night Ranger, which makes me wonder, is Ted Nugent enough of a dick to not let these guys tour as Damn Yankees? Or do they not want to associate themselves with that band? The opener might be either Barnes or Buehrle (or both), as Metromix had this show listed twice.

6.01   friday
Porcupine Tree (Park West)
If you didn't get tickets to the sold out show back in May, you've got another chance for the modern prog-rock band. I'm torn between this and my 15th college reunion.

Dinosaur Jr. with Awesome Color (Abbey Pub)
See Thursday's listing, and bring earplugs.

Bumpus with Contriband, Doko Benjo (Metro)
I haven't been practicing my drums nearly enough lately, so I haven't heard what sorts of tricks these guys have up their sleeves, as they have a penchant for clever cover versions sprinkled throughout their sets.

Pit er Pat with Priestbird, Scalpels (Empty Bottle)
This is the point where I get lazy and don't look up why this band is on my radar, but I think they've gotten some good Internet buzz going, to the point where I'm pretty sure I've downloaded a track or two from either Pitchfork or Idolator.

6.02   saturday
NYCO with Midnight Shows (Cubby Bear)
On the one hand, I should go to this show just to support more original bands playing at the Wrigleyville location, but on the other, more original bands at Cubby Bear means even less chance of Diver playing there. Sometimes it's tough being part of the cover band circuit and not the type who ever actually goes out to see cover bands.

Dead Girls Ruin Everything with Textbook, The Grackles, Four Star Alarm (The Note)
Do you think this band is just, um, dying to tour with Pretty Girls Make Graves?

Dinosaur Jr. with Lou Barlow (Abbey Pub)
See Thursday's listing. And I'm not kidding about the earplugs.

6.03   sunday
Interpol (Metro)   SOLD OUT!
I haven't heard any of the new material, so I can't speak to whether or not the New York band has grown from their relentless pilfering of Joy Division. No word on how closely Editors (the band, not the job title) are watching that same decision in plotting their next step.

Garaj Majal (Martyrs')
I still really want to like this band, because I've heard so much good stuff from three out of the four members.

Johnette Napolitano with Noah Stone (Abbey Pub)
That's Johnette Napolitano, former singer from Concrete Blonde, not Janet Napolitano, Governor of Arizona. And yes, I stole the joke, probably from the aforementioned Idolator.

Office with Favourite Sons, Freer (Empty Bottle)
I find it curious that this local band has gotten popular at the exact time the TV series of the same name has done so well. Coincidence?