list.in.to.chicago this week: 04.07.2008

Since I'd easily pay $60 to see Radiohead, $60 to see Nine Inch Nails, at least $30 or $40 each to see Wilco and Rage Against the Machine, and certainly $10-$20 to see three or four other bands on the bill that was announced today, it's hard to say $200 for Lollapalooza isn't worth it.

And Metromix tried to trick me into thinking King Crimson was here this week instead of in August.

Pick of the week
I think the dark horse pick this week is Head of Femur on Friday at Schubas, and I might make it back over there Sunday night for Athlete and Helicopters if Dave can get me on the guest list.

list.in.to.COZ
After cruelly depriving you of performances last week, you can catch me on Tuesday at Vaughan's and then with Diver on Saturday at Fado.

Recap
I thought Kaki King was a little hit or miss. She's clearly not much of a singer, and maybe a little too much of the material had her playing to that weakness. On the other hand, the percussive acoustic guitar playing was really cool, and the band sometimes got into this sort of Mogwai-esque wall of reverb-drenched sound that I enjoyed.

4.07   monday
The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir with Cabin (Schubas)
If this is the beginning of a new Monday night residency, it could be a good one, as I've heard a lot of good things that I can't quite remember about SYGC. If it's not, then it would still be a good show, right?

4.08   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
This week I may be playing nothing but songs from Sting's Ten Summoner's Tales record, which is pretty much the sound of Sting jumping the shark as a solo artist, but there are still a handful of good tunes on it, along with some tasty drumming from Vinnie Colaiuta. No good reason. I just got "Seven Days" stuck in my head a couple of weeks ago and figured I'd learn it, and one thing led to another.

4.09   wednesday
Super Model Freak Tooth (Viaduct Theater)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
I don't know anything about this other than it features Gerald Dowd on drums, along with Dan Trudell, Brian O'Hern and Pat Mallinger. However, it's worth pointing out that the Viaduct is sort of the new quasi-home for HotHouse, so expect to see more shows -- particularly interesting jazz shows -- at that location.

Jason Mraz with Bushwalla, Justin Kredible (Metro)   SOLD OUT!
Sorta surprised this one is at Metro, as it's got Park West written all over it.

4.10   thursday
Victor Wooten with Family Groove Company (House of Blues)
While the bass virtuoso is impressive, and I totally dig the looping stuff, I'm curious to see if he's managed to keep it "real" in the melodic, musical sense, because a lot of instrumentalists struggle with that.

4.11   friday
Head of Femur with Kid Dakota, Darren Spitzer, DJ Matt Fields (Schubas)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
More like friends of friends, but I met one of the guys in this band at the Hideout Block Party over the summer. Plus, Darren from The Changes is on the bill.

Widespread Panic (Auditorium Theatre)   SOLD OUT!
I normally don't go for this sort of thing, but jam-band replacement guitarist of choice Jimmy Herring is now a part of the group.

Tapes N Tapes with White Denim (Metro)
Lots of hype on this Minneapolis band a few years ago when they played Pitchfork, but I didn't think they lived up to it. Haven't checked out the new record to see how they've progressed.

Deals Gone Bad with Hillbillly Idle, The Stacks, Waste Basket (Reggie's Rock Club)
This is a ska/punk show starting really early, so I'm guessing all-ages and that the kids will be out in force.

Kelly Steward with Justin Jahnke, Kelsey Wild (Uncommon Ground)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
I had exchanged e-mails with Steward a few months ago -- she was a Vaughan's regular for a bit and Tony and I had backed her up live on a few occasions -- and she said she would be getting back into the city a bit more this year. Apparently she wasn't kidding.

Dizastro with Tyler Traband, Alexandar Webb, Andrew Pelletier (Elbo Room)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
It's still a little unnerving how much Ben looks like Gillis. Steve, not Dana. I guess I forgot that I have to be more specific now.

4.12   saturday
Diver (Fado)   SEE COZ LIVE!
Let's see how far over our bar tab we go this time.

The Black Keys with Jay Reatard (Riviera Theatre)   SOLD OUT!
One thing about this duo is that their fans are true believers. Or maybe that's just one guy in my office. I'm intrigued by this notion of Dangermouse producing their new record, but I haven't had a chance to check it out yet.

American Music Club with Canasta (Schubas)
Mark Eitzel and crew are back, and while I've had their new record loaded up in my big Rhapsody playlist of 2008 releases, it hasn't jumped out at me. It would be kind of weird if it did, though, wouldn't it? Especially if it pulled me into the computer screen like that A-Ha video.

Sasha and Digweed (House of Blues)
I thought DJs stopped playing live music venues (versus dance clubs) years ago.

Widespread Panic (Auditorium Theatre)   SOLD OUT!
See Friday's listing.

4.13   sunday
Athlete with Helicopters (Schubas)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
Two shows from the U.K. band very much in a Coldplay/Snow Patrol mold, only retaining the self-deprecating wit that goes along with playing much smaller venues than either of those bands, and my co-worker Dave and Helicopters open both shows.

Widespread Panic (Auditorium Theatre)
See Friday's listing, only this one isn't sold out as of press time. And by "press" time, I mean the time when I press "send."