list.in.to.chicago this week: 04.06.2009

First, a personal note: If you happen to be aware of any management-level research jobs in Chicago, let me know, as I've just developed a very sudden need for a new one. As such, I may have to ask you to disregard all comments about buying a condo in previous newsletters, although maybe not.

Pick of the week
All the really good stuff -- Alejandro Escovedo at Schubas and the Old Town School and Andrew Bird at the Civic Opera house -- is sold out, but Bill Frisell (Friday at Old Town School of Folk Music) should be on par with those two acts.

list.in.to.COZ
The calendar is looking less bleak, but your only chance to see me this week is still Vaughan's, where I'll be working out my unemployed rage in song.

Recap
While I wasn't paying attention, a bunch of former members of Sumo formed a new band called the Booty Movement Coalition, playing the last Monday of every month at Martyrs'. Fortunately, a friend of mine hipped me to it in time for me to catch the March installment, and man, did they deliver. I felt like it was 1996 at Elbo Room on a Sunday night.

The other very 1996-ish bit last week was that I tried to get an audition with the Smashing Pumpkins. If you've been watching the music news, you may know that Jimmy Chamberlin quite the band about two weeks ago, and last week, Billy Corgan announced an open call for applications to earn an audition this Friday in L.A. So I compiled a little musical history, organized some MP3s, and sent it along. I probably had a better shot back in 1996 when I actually had connections.

4.06   monday
Electric Six with Bang Camaro, Leslie, The Cetan Clawson Revolution (Double Door)
Perhaps a little glam rock for your Monday night? Too late now, but I've been out commiserating.

4.07   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
Come for the Cubs game, stay for the live music. I've got a lot of free time during the day, so I might actually follow through on that "Mr. Roboto" cover I threatened a couple weeks ago. At the very least, I can work up Todd Rundgren's "Bang The Drum All Day." Maybe "Take This Job And Shove It"?

Kindle with So Elated, Wiitala Bros (Martyrs')
I knew Amazon was doing a lot of promotion for the new version of their electronic book reader, but this is ridiculous.

4.08   wednesday
Alejandro Escovedo (Schubas)   SOLD OUT!
This is part of the Schubas anniversary series, and I was very surprised when I was able to get a ticket a few days after they announced it. Escovedo is a rare breed of singer/songwriter, who is able to combine elements of punk and country in consistently interesting and listenable ways. I'm also hoping I get to stare at Susan Voelz on violin all night, 'cause she's purty.

H.R. with Lionize, Outlaw Nation (Reggie's Rock Club)
Yes, it's the singer of Bad Brains, still at it. I've been delving into my musical history as part of my "application" for the Smashing Pumpkins gig, and was reminded that Step Zero -- the band I was in back in the early nineties -- cited Bad Brains as an influence, and even covered "I". Can't remember it worth a damn now, but there might be a lousy recording from Czar Bar in a box around here somewhere.

Mucca Pazza with Jason Webley, White Mystery (Empty Bottle)
Indie rock marching band. 'Nuff said.

The Derek Trucks Band with Van Ghost (Park West)
I think Trucks was 11 years old when I first saw him guest with the Aquarium Rescue Unit at Lounge Ax. Now, oddly enough, I think the blues guitarist is older than I am. Being on the road all the time will do that to you.

4.09   thursday
Andrew Bird with Hayley Bonar (Civic Opera House)   SOLD OUT!
Everyone's favorite local songwriter/violinist/whistler is in town for two dates in support of his new album, which I've listened to once or twice and haven't quite let sink in yet. I'm detecting a bit of a critical backlash against Bird lately, but I suspect some of it is just critics getting annoyed that he's so inoffensively good.

Dr. Dog with The Cave Singers, Golden Boots (Double Door)
When I saw this Philly band at Lollapalooza last year, two things jumped out at me. First, their guitar tone was dreadful. I don't think anyone in the band had any idea what those knobs on their amps actually do. Second, they passed what I dubbed the "hipping point," in that band members were combining so many hipster clothing items and accessories that they looked utterly ridiculous, and not in that cool, ironic way.

The Derek Trucks Band with Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues (Park West)   SOLD OUT!
Same as Wednesday's show, only with a different opener and no tickets available.

4.10   friday
Bill Frisell with Sarah Siskind (Old Town School of Folk Music)
The jazz guitarist has had many fingers in many different pies over the years, but they're always interesting flavors. Don't know what he's got in store here, but this should be a great match of artist and venue.

Lucero with Titus Andronicus, Catfish Haven (Metro)
I've never heard of the headliner, but there was a wave of buzz on Titus Andronicus earlier this year when their album came out, and Catfish Haven have been making waves locally for over a year now.

Rusted Root with Andrew Ripp (Cubby Bear)
Be on the look out for totally arhythmic noodle dancing up in Wrigleyville from slightly older jam band fans. I remember hearing some sort of percussion breakdown from one of their songs way back when I was in high school or college that struck me as interesting, but never quite enough for me to investigate further.

Andrew Bird with A Hawk And A Hacksaw (Civic Opera House)   SOLD OUT!
See Thursday's listing.

Dr. Dog with The Cave Singers, Golden Boots (Double Door)
See Thursday's listing.

4.11   saturday
Alejandro Escovedo with Carrie Rodriguez (Old Town School of Folk Music)
The two shows here from the Austin singer/songwriter are not listed as sold out, but I think that's an oversight.

The Academy Is with Empires, Evan Taubenfeld (Bottom Lounge)
It's an early all-ages show, which is as it should be for suburban punk-pop heroes.

The Dials with Coupleskate, Jonny Rumble (Bottom Lounge)
The late show at the same venue is going to be equally propulsive, but with less of a suburban vibe and with a female front line. And keyboards.

4.12   sunday
Lily Allen with Natalie Portman's Shaved Head (Riviera Theatre)
Moved from The Vic, which tells me the bratty U.K. pop singer is maybe doing a bit better than expected.