list.in.to.chicago this week: 11.16.2009

Hello Ohio!

Pick of the week
That Brendan Benson show on Friday would be a good intro to Lincoln Hall if I didn't already have plans. And I still listen to The Fixx, so I'd be curious to check out Cy Curnin on Saturday night at The Abbey if I didn't have a gig.

list.in.to.COZ
Did I mention I have a gig on Saturday? It's Diver at -- you guessed it -- Fado Irish Pub at Grand and Clark. It's one of the least River North-y places in that area, too, for whatever that's worth.

Recap
So, I was sick last week, and Dirty Projectors sold out anyway, so nothing to report.

11.16   monday
Devendra Banhart with Tim Kinsella (The Vic)
I think I have one track from an iTunes Lollapalooza sampler from Banhart, and it's largely inoffensive indie-folk singer-songwriter stuff, with hipster tendencies.

11.17   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
The debut album from Them Crooked Vultures comes out today, so I'm encouraging folks to come in with songs from the component parts of the supergroup, those being Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters and Led Zeppelin. Sarah Palin's book comes out, too, but I'll let you come up with your own way to mark that occasion.

Jeff Buckley Tribute (Uncommon Ground)   SOLD OUT!
I've maybe heard of one of the artists listed for this year's tribute, but that's probably appropriate, since I had no idea who Jeff Buckley was when he played his now-legendary show at this Wrigleyville coffeeshop. With Todd Kessler, Rachele Eve, Anomie Belle, Mieka Pauley, Carey Head, Catherine Harrison, Michael Chorvat, Katherine Zwick and Alain de Courtenay.

11.18   wednesday
311 with Kottonmouth Kings (Aragon Ballroom)
I know a lot of people who really don't like these 90s radio heavyweights, but I'll always appreciate that the Omaha, NE band was one of the first to really use the Internet for promotion and direct interaction with fans, even if it was mostly one of the band members' moms posting to alt.music.alternative back before Napster was even a twinkle in Shawn Fanning's eye. And some of the tunes are pretty catchy.

The Graduate with The Morning Of, Linde, PM Today (Beat Kitchen)
Nope, still haven't had a chance to see these guys after being impressed with their side stage set at Lollapalooza three years ago.

Jeff Buckley Tribute (Uncommon Ground)   SOLD OUT!
See Tuesday's listing. I'm guessing all those artists are spread out over the whole event.

11.19   thursday
Pixies with Bad Lieutenant (Aragon Ballroom)
It seems that more and more reunion shows and reunion tours are leading to bands getting back together again on a more regular basis. Either they realize they broke up for silly reasons, really miss playing the music, or realize they can make an easy buck. Then again, there's no reason it can't be all three. Album-focused tours are all the rage, too, and the Pixies are revisiting Doolittle in its entirety for three nights running in Uptown. This is the only of those three nights that isn't sold out as of press time.

Helicopters with Glittermouse, Boho Paisley, Weber Band (Metro)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
This may be the biggest stage I've seen my former co-worker Dave and his electro-pop band play on. Not that they really need all the room, seeing as how they don't have a drummer. And yes, I'd recommend them in spite of that glaring oversight.

The Wanton Looks with Mickey, Ratattack, Reptoids (Empty Bottle)
This all-girl punk-pop outfit has been on the radar for a while now, but I still haven't managed to get out and see them.

11.20   friday
Brendan Benson with Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons (Lincoln Hall)
Not quite as big a draw when he's not with Jack White and the Raconteurs, but Benson's solo record has a lot of the tunefulness of that band, in a context that hits me as being a bit more in a power-pop vein.

Poi Dog Pondering with Mistress Stephanie and Her Melodic Cat (The Vic)
No idea who Frank Orrall has playing with him these days, but you can be pretty sure that you'll be able to dance to it. And I love the opening act's name.

Pixies with No Age (Aragon Ballroom)   SOLD OUT!
See Thursday's listing.

11.21   saturday
DIVER (Fado Irish Pub)   SEE COZ LIVE!
I think we're still close enough for you to come out and wish Tony a happy birthday if you haven't already. Even if you have wished him a happy birthday, you should come out anyway. Or if you've never even met Tony. Just show up, okay?

Cy Curnin with Nick Harper (Abbey Pub)
Hopefully the former frontman of The Fixx will reclaim "Saved By Zero" from last year's omnipresent Toyota commercial. At least I assume "former frontman," as I haven't seen any activity from the 80s band in a while, and once you take that into consideration, well, one thing leads to another...

Paul Wertico's Mid-East/Mid-West Alliance (SPACE, Evanston)
I know nothing about this other than the name and Paul Wertico's reputation as a really, really great drummer. That's enough for me.

Medeski, Martin & Wood (House of Blues)
No opener listed, so I'm guessing the jam-jazz trio will be at it for quite a while.

Poi Dog Pondering with Mistress Stephanie and Her Melodic Cat (The Vic)
See Friday's listing.

Pixies with Jay Reatard (Aragon Ballroom)   SOLD OUT!
See Thursday's listing.

11.22   sunday
Rob Zombie with Nekromantix, Captain Clegg and The Night Creatures (Aragon Ballroom)
Now that he's been making movies, I have to wonder if Zombie's stage show will be even more theatrical, or if Hollywood scratches that itch enough that he focuses more on the music. I'm guessing the former.

Madina Lake with Inept, Comasoft, A Hero Named Hope (Metro)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
I had no idea Matthew and Nathan were still at it, but the audience for there active rock/emo band is one that I have very little contact with, that being mostly suburban teens.