list.in.to.chicago this week: 06.09.2008

He's noble enough to win the world, but weak enough to lose it...

Pick of the week
Duh, Rush.

list.in.to.COZ
Just Vaughan's this week, just like last week.

Recap
Made it out to Elbo Room on Friday to catch Aeth3r, and had a good time catching up with their bass player. I'm not well-versed in modern hard rock, but it was pretty riff-tastic in ways that reminded me of Velvet Revolver, Incubus, and maybe even that first Rush record, seeing as how I have Rush on the brain right now. The Damnwell Betters had a sort of a post-Born In The USA vibe that I can't quite put my finger on. They didn't sound like Bruce, but sounded like a lot of late eighties bands clearly influenced by Bruce. They may warrant another listen, particularly for their lead guitarist.

6.09   monday
Rush (United Center)
I think the last time I saw the Canadian power trio was back in 1991 or so. I'm looking forward to this, although my high school-esque summer of prog rock has been derailed by the cancellation of Yes' summer tour. I still need to get those King Crimson tickets.

Ours with God or Julie, Plain Jane Automobile (Martyrs')
Now that I've learned that the principal guy in this band was not, in fact, Jeff Buckley's guitar tech, I got nothin'.

An Aesthetic Anaesthetic with Johnny Come Late, Wicked Soul, Lilly Schaffer (Elbo Room)
A couple of candidates for band name of the week. And I'm amazed that Elbo Room can support a four-band bill on a Monday night.

6.10   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
Smack dab in between shows from Rush and Iron Maiden, I think my job for the night is pretty clear.

Holding Mercury with Infrared, Make Shift Prodigy, Perfect Red (Double Door)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
One less friend of Coz in the band now that Larry has gone back to Regal Standard, but I sorta know Ashok. And I don't think I've pissed Hoffer off, so he certainly still counts.

Ugly Radio Rebellion (Martyrs')
It would appear that Gail Zappa actually sent this band a threatening legal letter late last year for playing Frank Zappa's music and advertising their shows as such. Their website now states that they will be playing the music of "Francis Zappart," and they have Zappa alumnus Ike Willis in tow. Draw your own conclusions.

Cyndi Lauper with The B-52s, Tegan and Sara, The Cliks, Rosie O’Donnell, Carson Kressley, The White Tie Affair (Chicago Theatre)
This is, I believe, the second or third iteration of the True Colors tour. All of these acts seem to have something in common, but I can't quite place what it is.

6.11   wednesday
Iron Maiden (Allstate Arena)
I've heard some rumbling about how this is a return to the "classic" Maiden, and I'm not sure if that means it's the "classic" lineup -- "original members" doesn't work for the British metal band, as their second drummer and singer were more prominent during their success -- or if they're just using an older Eddie puppet.

Mulgrew Miller Trio (Andy's Jazz Club)
I remember taking my dad to see the Tony Williams Quintet at the Jazz Showcase, back when it was still in the Blackstone Hotel, and my dad said he thought pianist Miller was mad at his piano, based on all the funny faces he was making while he played. He also said that maybe we sat too close to the drums, but it was Tony Williams! Where else would you want to sit?

Tributosaurus (Martyrs')   FRIENDS OF COZ!
This seems to be the first new show from these guys in a while, and a timely one, too, as they'll be tackling Al Green, who just released a new record a couple of weeks ago.

Ozric Tentacles with C-Mon and Kypski (Abbey Pub)
Man, I haven't heard this name in a long time. They were always one of those prog rock bands on the fringe of the genre that were just a little too obscure for me.

6.12   thursday
Junior Mance Quartet (Jazz Showcase)
The Jazz Showcase is back! The Jazz Showcase is back! I hadn't actually heard a word about this until I saw the listing in Metromix. The new location is at Dearborn Station down south of the Loop. This is very, very good news, and means I can stop casting sinister glances at the restaurant now occupying the last known location of the Showcase, over on Grand Avenue.

Be Your Own Pet with She Wants Revenge, The Virgins, Switches (House of Blues)
There was a bit of controversy when this band released their new album a couple of months ago, as there were a number of songs that someone at their label thought might be glorifying teen violence. That aside, the record has a sort of noisy, garage-y punk aesthetic that doesn't do a whole heck of a lot for me.

Oxford Collapse with Frightened Rabbit, Tigercity (Empty Bottle)
Is it wrong that I'm getting them confused with Okkervil River? And I think Frightened Rabbit was just here for that street festival on Division last week. Not to be confused with White Rabbits, who were here a few weeks ago. Or Echo and the Bunnymen.

The Atlantic Divide (Bottom Lounge)
Speaking of new locations for old venues, could the long-rumored reopening of Bottom Lounge finally be upon us? Call first, just in case. At this point, I don't think anyone is going to believe it until they see it.

Mulgrew Miller Trio (Andy's Jazz Club)
See Wednesday's listing.

6.13   friday
Nicholas Barron Trio (Navy Pier Beer Garden)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
A nice little afterwork set -- a 5pm start -- if you can deal with the tourists. Of course, if you're on summer hours, you will have been drinking since about 1pm, and won't care about the tourists. Or much of anything else.

Kory Quinn & The Comrades, The Jeff and Vida Band (Quencher's)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
This is a CD release party, and to be honest, I had no idea Kory had grown up to be a musician. Then again, I had no idea I was actually talking to him the other night until someone said his name. He's gotten a bit bigger and scruffier. And finally, I had no idea he spelled his name with a 'K' that's pronounced as an 'R'.

Lightspeed Champion with Flowers Forever, The Explorers Club (Empty Bottle)
There's a buzz about this new band from the former Test Icicle, but I saw a bit of a performance on London Live, and I have no patience for ironic electroclash.

6.14   saturday
Annuals with Needers and Givers, The Silent Years (Empty Bottle)
I didn't hear what all the buzz was about when I saw this eclectic indie pop group at Bonnaroo last year, but I'm still willing to concede that may have been due to an extraordinarily crappy mix.

Average White Band with CTA (House of Blues)
Arguably the greatest funk band ever from Scotland. And I think "CTA" is the California Transit Authority, anchored by the former drummer of Chicago, Danny Seraphine.

Swervedriver with The Life And Times, Terra Diablo (Metro)
Despite being mentioned in the same breath as My Bloody Valentine a lot back in the nineties, I haven't heard nearly as much about their reunion as I have about Kevin Shields and his band.

6.15   sunday
Fish (Park West)
If I really want to make this the summer of prog rock, I'll go check out this solo set from the former lead singer of Marillion, and the only lead singer of Marillion that matters for me. I just never quite warmed up to Steve Hogarth.

The Swell Season with Damien Dempsey (Chicago Theatre)   SOLD OUT!
Now I'm curious to see how long Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova can ride the wave of popularity generated from Once, and how they follow that up.