list.in.to.chicago this week: 06.29.2009

Once again, I encourage you to point out bands I've missed -- particularly local bands that are making some noise that maybe I should know about. I also encourage you to forward this link or this e-mail to friends who might like it. And to eat your vegetables.

Pick of the week
With all the buzz I've been hearing about White Rabbits, I'm skeptical that their show on Wednesday (Empty Bottle) still has tickets available. If so, that looks like a good one for staying ahead of the musical curve. And now that I know Sam Maloney is involved, I'm curious to check out Chelsea Girls at LaSalle Power Company on Friday, although a bit of reading on the new venue has me thinking the room might have too much of a wannabe-L.A. vibe for my liking.

Other standouts this week are Booty Movement Coalition (tonight at Martyrs') and Explosions In The Sky (Thursday at the Congress Theater).

list.in.to.COZ
Just Vaughan's this week, but I have to warn you that August is going to be lousy with Coz-related musical activities.

Recap
I think maybe Taste of Chicago and the weather sapped a lot of crowd from the Diver show at Fado on Saturday night, so special thanks to the couple of you that actually made it out.

6.29   monday
Booty Movement Coalition (Martyrs')   FRIENDS OF COZ!
I keep hoping the name will seem less silly as I get used to it. It doesn't, but if you're inclined to go out on a Monday night, two sets of improvised funk is still a fine choice.

The Feelies with Icy Demons (Pritzker Pavilion)
I didn't really know there was an underground rock scene in Hoboken, NJ when I was growing up just about a half-hour away in Scotch Plains, so the Garden State's contemporary answer to early R.E.M. never quite made an impact, even before you factor in all the prog rock and jazz fusion that dominated my teenage years. And that one guy totally rocking out at this free show is probably Jim DeRogatis of the Sun-Times, who is a little older than me and grew up either in or much closer to Hoboken, so they're much nearer and dearer to his heart.

Susan Voelz with Dag Juhlin (Schubas)
The local violinist keeps knocking me out whenever I see her with Alejandro Escovedo, but I haven't seen her play solo in a while, this time with the former Slug in tow as an opener. Or maybe as an accompanist. I think they travel in the same circles. If we're lucky, Schubas is starting one of those month-long Monday night residencies a week early, because I'll be at Martyrs' tonight.

Michael Schenker Group with Doug Doppler (House of Blues)
I would think that the economy would put a dent in the market for aging hard-rock bands from the late 70s, but you figure most of those fans have low expenses from living in their mom's basement for all those years, so they probably have more disposable income than most. And yes, one of these days, I'm going to get my ass kicked for saying shit like this, but that's what makes this fun.

6.30   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
So, if I wanted to be super-topical, I'd go with the Chris Cornell version of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean," then "Lawyers, Guns and Money" as a sort of homage to the former president "hiding in Honduras" from the military coup in that country (although I guess he was actually exiled to Costa Rica, but never mind), and then continued solidarity with protesters in Tehran with "I Ran" from A Flock of Seagulls. Yes, my brain is a very, very scary place to be sometimes.

Scott Lucas and the Married Men with Tributosaurus, Michael McDermott, Kevin Lee, Muck Brothers, Motion to Fix, The Webstirs, Katie Todd Band (Bottom Lounge)
This is both a tribute and a benefit show, the former for a local soundman named Gary (Gator) Rogers, who had worked at Bottom Lounge and who passed away recently, and the latter for his family.

Barenaked Ladies (Petrillo Music Shell)
It's a 5:30 start for the jocular Canadians as they take their turn adding a soundtrack to the Taste of Chicago festivities.

7.01   wednesday
Tributosaurus (Martyrs')   FRIENDS OF COZ!
They're going to be The Cars again this month, which makes me wonder if this is technically a repeat performance, or if they'll learn a different Cars set than the first time they "became" the band.

White Rabbits with The Subjects, Canasta (Empty Bottle)
These guys have been near the top of the charts on indie music download site eMusic since their new record -- produced by Britt Daniel of Spoon and inviting lots of comparisons to that band -- came out about a month and a half ago.

Jackie Greene with Rob Nicholas (Schubas)   SOLD OUT!
This whole thing where I guess that artists I've never heard of that sell out Schubas must have had a song featured on some TV show I'd never, ever watch would be played out if it weren't so consistently true. This guy has had songs on Life and Private Practice, and also has a bit of an association with Phil Lesh from the Grateful Dead, none of which will ever earn you a place on my radar.

7.02   thursday
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks with Catfish Haven (Bottom Lounge)
I sort of missed out on Pavement, so I've subsequently never been in a good position to compare and contrast Malkmus as solo artist. Still, he's gained a reputation as a bit of an elder statesman of alternative rock from back when that term carried a bit more weight.

Explosions in the Sky with Jason Lytle (Congress Theater)
This instrumental band -- one of the critical faves from last year's Lollapalooza, and for good reason -- might get lumped in as "post-rock," but they pack a much more visceral punch than bands like Tortoise, Mogwai or Maserati. And use a lot more reverb.

Vortis with The Cathy Santonies, Blane Fonda, Hot and Heavy Burlesque (Hideout)
Speaking of Jim DeRogatis -- see the Feelies listing -- here's his punk band. Hideout is a non-Ticketmaster venue, isn't it? I wonder if DeRo has ever played a Ticketmaster venue, or if he would turn down the gig on principle. Maybe I should shout that question at him every time I see him.

7.03   friday
Chelsea Girls (LaSalle Power Company)
It looks like fairly famous rock stars have a tendency to sit in with this L.A. band, which features stupendous badass Samantha Maloney -- who has played with Hole and Motley Crue -- on drums as well as original Nashville Pussy bassist Corey Parks. I'm thinking these girls know how to rock pretty damn hard if Lemmy from Motorhead has joined them on stage.

Liquid Soul with Nyco (Double Door)
The venerable Chicago acid-jazz collective comes out of hiding every couple of months, this time with the polished pop of Nyco opening.

7.04   saturday
Buddy Guy with Guster, Booker T. and the DBT's (Petrillo Music Shell)
Not a lot of options on our nation's birthday, but if I had to go up against a free show from one of the greatest blues guitarists in the world, I'd pick another day to play, too.

7.05   sunday
Jet (Double Door)
The retro rock band is touring to support the 1,000th use of "Are You Gonna Be My Girl?" in a television commercial. Or maybe a new record, but you have to admit, my first guess just sounds right.

Man Man with Chandeliers (Bottom Lounge)
I didn't really care for this noise-rock band when I saw them at Pitchfork a couple of years ago, but I know other people disagreed with me, so if you think people who disagree with me are right, then this is the show for you. Or something.