list.in.to.chicago this week: 10.20.2008

Okay, so remember last week when I said that the Zappa Plays Zappa ticket price included a chance to win an electric guitar? Well, I won it. And got to play it on stage with the band.

Me. On stage. Playing guitar. With Dweezil Zappa. It doesn't get much cooler than that.

Pick of the week
I would definitely recommend the two shows I'm seeing this week, TV On The Radio on Wednesday at the Riv and Secret Machines on Friday at Metro, but you've also got solid choices in Matthew Sweet and The Wood Brothers on Thursday at Park West and Martyrs', respectively, and The Roots on Friday night at the Congress.

list.in.to.COZ
Vaughan's this Tuesday, and Diver is back in action on Saturday at Fado.

Recap
Aside from the part where I got on stage, the Zappa Plays Zappa show was fantastic, with fairly epic versions of "Billy The Mountain" and "King Kong," along with the obligatory performance of "The Illinois Enema Bandit." Joe Travers was a monster on drums, Zappa alum Ray White was fantastic, and multi-instrumentalist Scheila Gonzalez impressed with her playing, her Snoopy dance and her Eric Cartman impressions. Can't wait to hear the recording of the show that came with the ticket.

10.20   monday
Office with The Netherfriends, Justin Petertil, Coupleskate (Schubas)
The Monday night residency continues. I read something recently about personnel changes in the band, and I hope the cute keyboardist/vocalist is still on board.

Duffy with Eli "Paperboy" Reed and the True Loves (The Vic)
Yet another downsized show early in the week, as this one was originally scheduled for the Riviera. I'm officially declaring the local concert business as being affected by the economy.

10.21   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
I think Monica is back from her honeymoon this week. Other than that, I doubt I'll be able to learn anything new and/or special for the occasion.

Joan Osborne with Matt Morris (Park West)
Known primarily for her hit about God being one of us, which was written by one of the guys from The Hooters, if I'm not mistaken.

Jefferson Starship (Heartland Cafe)
Sunday's matinee was an acoustic show, but this one appears to be the full-on version, although your guess is as good as mine as to what era of the band's history they'll be coming from.

10.22   wednesday
TV On The Radio with The Dirtbombs (Riviera Theatre)
The critical darlings just put out a new record that is getting a lot of love from critics. Hence the whole "critical darlings" thing I mentioned. It took me a while to warm up to the last record from the New York outfit, but I like what I hear from Dear Science,. The thumbnail sketch I hear a lot is a much grittier, very urban American version of Radiohead.

Panic at the Disco with Dashboard Confessional, Plain White T's (Allstate Arena)
I would not have figured that this show was big enough to play at the Allstate, but maybe all three bands have just enough drawing power to give the bill some collective oomph.

Asobi Seksu with Blackstrap (Empty Bottle)
Japanese dance-pop by way of New York City, if I'm not mistaken. I've got one song somewhere on my (brand-spanking new, very large capacity) iPod.

10.23   thursday
Matthew Sweet with The Bridges (Park West)
Still the reigning king of Midwestern power-pop. I don't recall if he's got a new album of originals out, or if he's supporting another covers project, like the one he did with Susanna Hoffs a while back.

The Wood Brothers (Martyrs')
One of the brothers is Chris Wood from Medeski, Martin & Wood, but along with Oliver, they have a folky vibe without sounding like a traditional, acoustic folk group. I haven't taken a good solid listen to the new record yet, but on the surface, it seems just as solid as their debut from a couple of years back.

Phil Woods with the DePaul University Big Band (Jazz Showcase)
Lots of Woods this week, I guess. The noted alto saxophonist was considered one of the leading acolytes of Charlie Parker as far back as twenty years ago, and I would imagine he still is.

The Spinto Band with Frightened Rabbit, The Laureates (Metro)
When I saw them open for Art Brut and We Are Scientists, something about the band made me think they were elves or hobbits straight out of the Lord of the Rings, but that may be due to the fact that they came out and did a little dance number during Art Brut's set, and that they're all considerably shorter than Eddie Argos of Art Brut, who is a very tall man.

Electric Six with Golden Dogs, Shock Stars (Double Door)
I have some friends who swear by these guys, and I think it's some sort of Detroit neo-garage glam thing.

10.24   friday
Secret Machines with The Dears (Metro)
The new record with the new guitarist is out, and while it's certainly cut of the same cloth of their previous efforts, I can't help but miss a certain effect-laden sound that Ben Curtis brought.

The Roots with Gym Class Heroes, Estelle (Congress Theater)
The hardest-working band in hip-hop is back, and at least this time I have an excuse for missing the show, in that I'll be at Metro.

Lucinda Williams with Buick 6 (Riviera Theatre)
Speaking of being folky without sounding like traditional folk, I think Williams pretty much wrote the book on that over a 30-year career.

Metro Station with Tyga, The White Tie Affair, Cash Cash (House of Blues)   SOLD OUT!
It's an early show from someone I've never heard of at House of Blues, which means it's either hip-hop, emo, or an artist that has been featured on a show on the CW.

The High Dials with The Red Plastic Buddha, Memphis Graham (Stereophonic Studios)
Noted for the venue, which I've never seen before, and lives at Barry just west of Western.

Phil Woods with the DePaul University Big Band (Jazz Showcase)
See Thursday's listing.

10.25   saturday
Diver (Fado)   SEE COZ LIVE!
Not sure if this is a Halloween party or not, but I'll try to find out. I still need to get my act together for my costume.

LL Cool J (House of Blues)
I think getting up on stage and jamming with Dweezil Zappa pretty definitively trumps one of my previous notable concert moments, which was shaking hands with LL Cool J, either as he was coming on or off the stage at a show at the University of Chicago that nearly broke me as stage manager.

Nachtmystium with Wolves in the Throneroom, The Atlas Moth, Velnias (Reggie's Rock Club)
I've been hearing rumblings about this band for a while, but they are a heavy metal band, so those rumblings might just be the bass speakers.

Fujiya and Miyagi with Prototypes (Bottom Lounge)
Not to be confused with Asobi Seksu earlier in the week. These guys are actually a trio from the UK. Go figure.

Tim Reynolds and TR3 with Van Ghost (Double Door)
Dave Matthews fans might be confused to see Reynolds out on tour by himself, as he usually appears somewhat joined at the hip with Matthews.

Pete Francis with Lava Brothers, Dave and Levi, Keaton Simons (Martyrs')
One of the principals from Dispatch, who seem to have put out more press releases about what they've been able to accomplish as an "indie" band than they have records.

Phil Woods with the DePaul University Big Band (Jazz Showcase)
See Thursday's listing.

10.26   sunday
David Byrne (Civic Opera House)   SOLD OUT!
I've been digging the new record with Brian Eno, but unfortunately, Mr. Eno is not a part of this tour. The record is maybe a little tougher than I'd expect from Byrne, but a lot of that may be due to the nature of the collaboration, as I think Eno provided mostly finished tracks that Byrne came up with lyrics and melodies for.

Experience Hendrix (Chicago Theatre)   SOLD OUT!
Featuring Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox of the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Eric Johnson, Brad Whitford, David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas, Hubert Sumlin, Chris Layton, Eric Gales, Mato Nanji and Doyle Bramhall II. Wow.

Eleventh Dream Day with Algernon, Fred Lonberg-Holm's Zenith Works, Pedway, The Engines, W.W. Lowman, Jeff Greene Large Ensemble (Hideout)
This is the obligatory spot for mentioning how great it is that some local bands just keep on going and going, with enough of their audience growing old along with them to sustain that longevity.

Phil Woods with the DePaul University Big Band (Jazz Showcase)
See Thursday's listing, but with an added matinee.