list.in.to.chicago this week: 03.10.2008

In which our hero plays a lot of shows for what he assumes will be a lot of drunk people.

Pick of the week
I'm going to be kind of busy this week, so I leave it to you to leave comments on the website.

list.in.to.COZ
It's the 2008 St. Patrick's Weekend Whirlwind tour for Diver, in which we will be playing three shows in four nights. With three different bassists. And playing some new songs. And Cullen's asked us to add Saturday night to the dance card, but we couldn't possibly fit it in.

Recap
Couldn't make it out to either Adrian Belew or Bob Mould last week, but that'll happen sometimes.

3.10   monday
Otter Petter with Hospital Bombers (Schubas)
All I've got is that there used to be a band called Eagle*Seagull at the top of this bill, but they appear to have canceled.

3.11   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
I don't want to alarm you, but Anto should be along for the third week in a row, and we're actually going to play stuff you've never heard us play before! What the hell?

Helicopters with Bachelorette, Ugly Suit (Schubas)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
I don't bug Dave as much about how his band needs a drummer now that I don't work on the same floor as him, but last I heard, they had a former member possibly coming back into the fold, so I'm not in a hurry or anything.

Yellowcard with The Spill Canvas, Playradioplay!, Treaty of Paris (Metro)
Again, easy ways onto the list are band names that make reference to cyberpunk, The Simpsons or, in this case, soccer.

Yo-Yo Ma (Symphony Center)
Let no one say I'm not cultured. Speaking of highbrow culture, I find it odd that Symphony Center uses the "normal" spelling of "center," while the Sears Centre uses the pretentious spelling.

3.12   wednesday
Dropkick Murphys (Congress Theater)
Another obvious St. Patrick's Week show.

Fu Manchu with Burning Bridges, A.S.G. (Double Door)
One of the earlier standard-bearers for the stoner rock movement. I think I saw them the last time I went to SXSW (timeliness!) and they covered Blue Oyster Cult's "Godzilla." I may be making that up, though.

A Fine Frenzy with Ferras (Schubas)   SOLD OUT!
This week's "sold out show at Schubas from someone I've never heard of" comes from a red-haired Seattle-based singer/songwriter in her early twenties who opened for Iggy Pop at SXSW last year -- I'm starting to detect a theme -- and has appeared on CSI: New York.

An Aesthetic Anesthetic with Kindle (Reggie's Rock Club)
And here's your band name of the week.

3.13   thursday
Anne Harris with Ernie Hendrickson (Martyrs')   FRIENDS OF COZ!
I haven't gotten out to see Anne and her band for a while, to the point where I don't even know who's backing her up these days. Of course, I've said that every time I've seen her name listed for the last six to nine months or so.

X Levitation Cult with Ryan Powers (Schubas)
If you're wondering, this band features a guy from dada.

3.14   friday
Diver (Tommy Nevin's Pub, Evanston)   SEE COZ LIVE!
The onslaught begins with the band's debut at the longstanding Evanston institution. On bass tonight will be Elroy.

The Vandals with The Scissors, Counterpunch, The House That Gloria Vanderbilt (Reggie's Rock Club)
There's something sort of weird about a 28-year old punk band -- and the band is 28 years old, not the band members -- but if they can keep it up, more power to them. This particular 28 year old punk band is on my radar because of drummer Josh Freese.

The Magnetic Fields (Old Town School of Folk Music)
One of indie rock's biggest cult bands, in that fans of Magnetic Fields tend to be very, very outspoken and passionate about Stephin Merritt and his group. Although, technically, I guess Polyphonic Spree would really be one of indie rock's biggest cult bands, in that they've got about thirty people and all wear robes.

Robbie Fulks with Robbie Gjersoe (Martyrs')
I forget if Gerald said he just wasn't touring with Fulks anymore, or not playing with him at all. Anyway, my friend Gerald may or may not be on drums.

The Tossers with Deals Gone Bad, The Arrivals, Kevin Flynn and the Avondale Ramblers (Metro)
And another obvious St. Patrick's Week show.

Lovehammers with American Taxi, Tonight The Prom (House of Blues)   SOLD OUT!
Almost two years out from Rock Star: INXS, and Marty can still move tickets. Good for him.

3.15   saturday
Diver (Fado)   SEE COZ LIVE!
The second leg of the epic St. Patrick's Day weekend whirlwind tour. If last year was any indication, get there early. Really early. And if they charge at the door, they actually give you drink tickets in exchange, as a sort of drink minimum. On bass tonight will be Brian Cohen.

Sunday Morning Chameleon with How Far to Austin, Will Phalen and the Stereo Addicts, Boho Paisley (Martyrs')
I think the last time I saw these guys was at Martyrs', and at that point, they were in transition from a sound influenced heavily by Coldplay to something that seemed a bit more bluesy.

Antigone Rising with David McMillin (Double Door)
Since they released their record exclusively through Starbucks, does that mean they get, like, free coffee while they're on tour?

Vinx (Uncommon Ground on Devon)
First, off, apparently there's an Uncommon Ground on Devon. Second, the former Olympic athlete -- sprinter, I think -- plucked out of the Los Angeles club scene by Sting way back in 1990 or so is still at it. I think this was the first guy I ever saw play a djembe, although I did see Youssou N'Dour that same year.

The Magnetic Fields (Old Town School of Folk Music)
See Friday's listing.

Michael McDermott with Sam Wahl, Braam (Schubas)
A Chicago mainstay in an intimate setting.

3.16   sunday
Pink Martini (Chicago Theatre)
I saw this band on a late-night talk show once while I was traveling, and while I tend to appreciate competent big bands, even if they're excessively loungey, there's something just a bit stiff about them.

The Magnetic Fields (Old Town School of Folk Music)
See Friday's listing. Three nights in a row with two shows a night? Phineas must be over the moon.