list.in.to.chicago this week: 12.22.2008

This shouldn't be that much of a surprise, but I only saw one of the shows listed at the Best of 2008 by either Greg Kot or Jim DeRogatis. Some of that is just that they get tickets for both expensive and high-demand shows without having to put any work into it, but that's only half the equation.

I may look through all my recaps from last year if I have any downtime in Virginia this week and see if I can cobble together a list that's not just Nine Inch Nails at Lollapalooza repeated ten times.

Pick of the week
Gotta go with the (presumably) un-sold out My Morning Jacket shows on Saturday and Sunday at the Chicago Theatre, which are more interesting now that there are tickets available.

list.in.to.COZ
I know I may have told you guys that I was playing New Year's Eve with Gareth and Sugar Beat, but their regular drummer is back on the gig now, so I'm probably going to go see that Bottom Lounge show instead. I'd say I hope none of you had made your plans based on this gig, but the chances of that happening are remote at best.

Recap
If that sounded a little cranky, it's just where my head's been at lately. Why am I still dwelling on it? Because I defy you to stay in a bad mood when you go see Los Borrachos. It's just not possible. Saturday's show at Martyrs' may have been somewhat under-attended due to the weather and the season, but right from the get-go, the Santana-esque groove and horn section blasts just put a smile on your face. It's unavoidable. They were dropping Christmas tunes into the middle of pretty much everything, and mixed up "Feliz Navidad" with "We Are The World," among other things. Plus, new Borrachos songs! They added "Fly Like An Eagle" -- which morphed into "Fly Like A Reindeer" -- and something I didn't recognize.

I only caught one song of the first band, and then Atypical Science sounded (and looked) like some mutant cross of Clinic and Red Hot Chili Peppers, with all their bass and drum tracks pre-recorded. They weren't bad, but they would have been much better with a live rhythm section.

12.22   monday
The Audition with Just Left, Kid is Qual, The Bigger Lights (Reggie's Rock Club)
I've listed these guys as support for a couple of different local "modern alternative/active rock" bands, so I'm guessing they're somewhere in that vein. For their sake, I hope they're better than that vein.

Susan Voelz with Quartet Parapluie (Schubas)
The Monday night residency continues. Now that I think about it, I'm not quite sure what to expect from Voelz on her own, as I've only seen her in supporting roles.

12.23   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
I'll be at my parents' house in Virginia, trying not to give my cold to my niece for Christmas, but you should go keep Tony, Anto, Monica and Andy company.

The Rikters with Color Radio, Snowsera (Schubas)
So, I've been mentioning these guys without remembering why for well over a year now. Apparently, I stumbled across a description of them that sounded interesting. Site-specific Google searches rock!

12.24   wednesday
Willie Pickens Trio with Paulinho Garcia and Scott Burns (Jazz Showcase)
So, are Garcia and Burns the other two in the trio? Or is it the trio, plus those two, to make it a quintet?

12.25   thursday
Willie Pickens Trio with Paulinho Garcia and Scott Burns (Jazz Showcase)
And, am I only asking these questions because I need something to list on Christmas day, and you can always count on Joe Segal to have a show at his place? To flog one of the most overused phrases of 2008, you betcha! Merry Christmas!

12.26   friday
Simple Simon with Lucky Boys Confusion, Heart Set Self-Destruct (Metro)
I've long suspected this about local bands that were really active, went away for a while, and then came back, but Simple Simon's flyers for this show explicitly state that they were "creating the next generation of Chicago rockers" or something like that.

The Waco Brothers (Schubas)
I think I read that the Wacos are part of a Hideout-curated show in D.C. as part of the presidential inauguration activities next month. Cool.

Willie Pickens Trio with Paulinho Garcia and Scott Burns (Jazz Showcase)
See Thursday's listing.

12.27   saturday
My Morning Jacket (Chicago Theatre)
Much like the Pumpkins' rescheduled show, I think this formerly sold-out stand now has tickets available. Let's just hope nobody falls off a stage this week. And Evil Urges would be in stronger contention for my year-end top ten list if it weren't for that one godawful track.

Rusted Root with Backyard Tire Fire (House of Blues)
With MMJ and Rusted Root both playing downtown on the same night, the area is likely going to be overrun with jam band fans. Just so you know, and can plan accordingly. Maybe set up a glow stick stand or something.

Lucky Boys Confusion with Mark Rose, Love Me Electric, Cavashawn (Metro)
Technically, it's a two-night stand for the suburban stalwarts whose name I can never remember when I want to explain my theory of sold-out all-ages shows at House of Blues from bands I've never heard of being punkish bands from the 'burbs, but the Simple Simon story was more interesting for Friday night's show.

The Waco Brothers (Schubas)
See Friday's listing.

Willie Pickens Trio with Paulinho Garcia and Scott Burns (Jazz Showcase)
See Thursday's listing.

12.28   sunday
My Morning Jacket (Chicago Theatre)
See Saturday's listing.

Rusted Root with Backyard Tire Fire (House of Blues)
See Saturday's listing.

Willie Pickens Trio with Paulinho Garcia and Scott Burns (Jazz Showcase)
See Thursday's listing.