list.in.to.chicago this week: 06.25.2007

And just like that, we're back to something vaguely related to normal. Except that I actually got an e-mail from a PR person asking me to "post something" about her client. That's not exactly normal, at least once I figured out that it wasn't spam. I try to honor those requests -- especially since I used to play soccer with two guys in this particular band -- although there's never a guarantee I'm not going to make fun of them in the process.

Pick of the week
Historically, I'm a big fan of Tool (Wednesday, Sears Centre) and Tortoise (Sunday, Metro), so I'll throw those out there even though I've seen both bands around five or six times and don't really need to see either of them again.

list.in.to.COZ
Just Vaughan's this week, and three-piece acoustic Diver next Friday at Blue Bayou.

Recap
I was at a family thing in Virginia for the long weekend, so nothing to report, although I did half-heartedly try to convince my siblings to go see Rush at some shed in Virginia Beach.

6.25   monday
The Click Five with Kate Voegele (Schubas)
They're a power pop band out of Boston, although allmusic's similar artists listing is a little bit suspect in that regard. Anyway, by the time you read this, you'll have missed them anyway, so never mind.

6.26   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
With the iPhone being released this week, bonus points to anyone who can pull songs about telephones out of their, um, you know.

George Thorogood and The Destroyers with Eddie Shaw and The Wolf Gang (House of Blues)
So I was sitting by the pool in Virginia on Saturday afternoon, and there was this pretty awesome classic rock station being played. I could tell right away, it was bad to the bone.

6.27   wednesday
Marigold Engine with Frozen Moses (Elbo Room)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
Longtime readers may recall that I actually played drums with these guys for about six months while their regular drummer was off playing on a cruise ship or some such. They've got some new tunes and apparently have to start back at the beginning with crappy midweek gigs at Elbo, which is unfortunate.

Nicholas Barron with Andy McKee (Martyrs')   FRIENDS OF COZ!
This is a CD release party for a new solo disk from Nicholas, but I don't know if that means he'll be playing by himself for this gig or if he'll have some semblance of a band in tow.

Tool with Big Business (Sears Centre, Hoffman Estates)
I don't know if it means I'm getting old, or my tastes are changing, or what, but after Bonnaroo, I think I'm done seeing Tool live. I had this sense of having gotten all I'm going to get out of this band, although I reserve the right to change my mind if they release another album as transcendent as Aenima.

Steely Dan with the Sam Yehal Organ Trio (Auditorium Theatre)
On the other hand, here's a band I haven't ever seen, and would appeal to my occasional jazzbo sensibilities. The Dan has the honor of one of my favorite lyrics of all time, that being "the things that you find precious I can't understand." Right up there with "when I am king, you will be first against the wall."

6.28   thursday
Absent Star with The Year After, Gnomeattic, Red Line District (Beat Kitchen)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
I know the debut record from these guys has been a long time coming, on account of one of those record label shakeup stories you're always reading about. You mean you're not always reading about record label shakeup stories? What are you reading? Can I borrow it when you're done?

Madina Lake (Double Door)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
Apparently you need to RSVP for free tickets for this show, which is sponsored by Blender magazine and presented by -- and I'm not making this up, even though I so desperately want to -- "Fructis Rock Your Style," which is so utterly appropriate for the local hard rock band with more hair colors than songs.

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones (Symphony Center)
I'm a little surprised that banjo virtuoso Fleck is out with the Flecktones and not with jazz pianist Chick Corea, with whom he just recorded a fairly well-reviewed record.

John Mayer with Ben Folds (Charter One Pavilion)
This is part of some sort of benefit/charity/something or other. You know, for the kids.

Oh My God with The Hard Lessons, Modern Temper (Schubas)
If I remember correctly -- and it's entirely possible I've got it completely wrong -- this is a two-night CD release party for the local mainstays. And now I can't recall what this band used to be named.

6.29   friday
Alice Peacock with Peter Bradley Adams (Schubas)
This is what random association will get you. Peacock will always be stuck in my head for having opened for Elvis Costello at Petrillo Music Shell during Taste of Chicago some four or five years ago. I don't even think I saw her -- maybe her last two songs, if that -- but I remember that she was on that bill.

Cowboy Junkies (Park West)
I'm guessing this band has a very comfortable adult contemporary existence by now. There's no real risk in declaring yourself a Cowboy Junkies fan, is there? Not really going out on an artistic limb, there.

Deal's Gone Bad with Manic Sewing Circle, The Rebel Angels, The Risk (Subterranean)
I don't even know if I still know anyone in this band, but they've solidified themselves into something of a local ska-punk institution by now.

Psychedelic Furs (House of Blues)
I saw this band about five years ago, and was complimented on my assessment of frontman Richard Butler as the bastard son of Brian Ferry and Iggy Pop, so I'm going to run with that.

John Mayer with Ben Folds (Charter One Pavilion)
See Thursday's listing. You know, for the kids.

Oh My God with The Countdown, Lord Of The Yum Yum (Schubas)
Also see Thursday's listing, although with different opening acts. And it's the late show.

6.30   saturday
Ladies and Gentlemen with Semi Precious Weapons, Vsparks, Little Red and the Hoods (Martyrs')
Hmmm. Decent buzz on this band, and they're playing the week after MOBfest? At the risk of another angry e-mail from the MOBfest braintrust, that tells you something.

Chicago with America (Charter One Pavilion)
Didn't we just have a band called Illinois play in town? Couldn't we get them on this bill? If we then add someone who plays under their own name, and local band Division and Honore, it would be like a whole address. That would be awesome. No, I'm not stoned. I think that's funny sober.

Alice Peacock with Peter Bradley Adams (Schubas)
See Friday's listing.

7.01   sunday
Tortoise with Make Believe, David Daniell (Metro)
On the one hand, there's not much new to gain if you've already seen the post-rock poster boys live. On the other, if you haven't seen them, it's totally worth it, unless you like to sing along at concerts. And if you've seen them, it's worth it to see them again if it's with someone who hasn't.