list.in.to.chicago this week: 07.05.2010

Two Rush shows and two shows from a Zappa tribute band this week. Area mothers are going to be worried that their unmarried 40-year old sons who live in the basement have run away or something. And before you point that back at me, I don't live in my mom's basement. So there.

Speaking of marriage, congrats to Trish and John. Wish I could have been there. And to Sommar and John, but a different John. Michigan is an easier trip than Scotland...

Pick of the week
Seeing as how they were my first concert ever, I have to go with Rush at Charter One Pavilion on Monday and Wednesday. Tonight will be my seventh Rush show, I think. Maybe eighth. My record-keeping is spotty.

list.in.to.COZ
Come see Diver at Fado on Friday. Please? Regular office hours on Wednesday, and maybe Tuesday.

Recap
No shows last week, but I was at the same bar as some world-famous Dutch DJ watching the World Cup over the weekend. That's gotta count for something.

7.05   monday
Rush (Charter One Pavilion)
The legendary Canadian power trio will be the second band this year to play their classic Moving Pictures album in its entirety here in Chicago. I'm sure their version will be good, too.

The Thermals with Disappears (Pritzker Pavilion)
The Portland band made a fair number of year-end lists back in 2006 with The Body, the Blood, the Machine, but I vaguely remember not getting into it too much. They've released one new album since then, and have another on the way this year. Disappears are from Chicago, and apparently really enjoy reverb-soaked guitars.

7.06   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
I may need a night off, but Tony will be there, and Anto might as well, along with some subset of the usual suspects.

Smoosh with Sleepy Kitty, The Break (Schubas)
They first broke on the scene as a pair of precocious singer/songwriter tween sisters. That wasn't too long ago, so I think they're still not old enough to drink. Fortunately for them, this one is all-ages.

7.07   wednesday
Sing Along With Coz (The Globe Pub)   COZ SINGS!
I'm starting to feel like I need to subtitle this "audience not included." Although we had a couple of new participants last week. Seriously, come on out. It'll be fun, as you can tell by how enthusiastically I'm talking about the turnout. So it'll be as fun as you make it!

Tributosaurus (Martyrs')   FRIENDS OF COZ!
This month, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

Wonder Girls with 2PM (House of Blues)
The Korean girl group played a sold out show at the same venue just a month ago. Maybe they forgot something in the dressing room.

Rush (Charter One Pavilion)
See Monday's listing.

7.08   thursday
Maybenauts with Your 33 Black Angels, The Powwows, The Hoa Hoas (Martyrs')   FRIENDS OF COZ!
This bill has one band I'm friends with in the Powwows (with Tony from Diver and the Fraker band on guitar) and another I dug when I saw them for the first time a while back in the Maybenauts. And it's around the corner from my house. Normally, that would be a no-brainer, but I've got some soccer commitments I may need to bail on for that to happen.

The Ladies and Gentlemen with The Clergymen, Audrio, The Kickback (Double Door)
I'm definitely noticing an uptick in appearances from this band, so maybe they went through some sort of hiatus (or recording, or touring outside of Chicago) and have just gotten going around town again.

7.09   friday
Diver (Fado)   SEE COZ LIVE!
Featuring songs from Oasis, U2, Travis, The Stones and others. Also, play that classic party game, "when do the vocals come in?"

Makeshift Prodigy with A Friend Called Fire, Riot Inside (Lincoln Hall)
I called these guys out a couple of weeks ago, but then learned I had a gig that night and couldn't go. Can't make it this time, either. Also, it's a record release party for A Friend Called Fire.

Fareed Haque's Flat Earth Ensemble (Green Mill)
The fusion guitar virtuoso brings one of his many projects back to his former hometown. At least I think he moved. Not entirely sure. Still, multi-culti jazz fusion!

O.A.R. with Citizen Cope (Charter One Pavilion)
The friend of mine who yells at me whenever I talk about this band's insipid frat-rock happens to be getting married on Saturday. So while you would think I might take it easy on them out of deference, I prefer to see it as an opportunity to make fun of them while she's probably got other things to do than read my newsletter.

7.10   saturday
World's Largest Block Party (Madison & Des Plaines)
I've heard some call this festival the "world's largest meat market," but with Spoon and White Rabbits on the second night's bill, they've got some slightly more adventurous music this year as well. I saw both bands indoors in the spring, so even if I were in town, I wouldn't have to subject myself to the social awkwardness of seeing other people trying to hook up all night while I'm not-so-obliviously trying to enjoy the music. Okay, I think I just went from "endearingly self-deprecating" to "sad and pathetic."

Kuma's Corner Block Party (Kuma's Corner)
The heavy metal burger bar is getting into the summer festival scene. With Earthride, Red Fang, Atlas Moth, Lord Mantis, Swan King, and others. I'm guessing it's going to be a pretty cool vibe. And very metal.

Ugly Radio Rebellion with Ormen Lange, Addict (Reggie's Rock Club)
These guys, along with Project/Object, are the two primary "unauthorized" Frank Zappa tribute bands that come through town regularly, and Zappa alum Ike Willis performs with both.

Chandeliers with Golden Birthday, Prince Rama (Hideout)
Finally, a headlining gig for this band, who have opened in town for the likes of Yeasayer and Indian Jewelry already this year.

Fareed Haque's Flat Earth Ensemble (Green Mill)
See Friday's listing.

O.A.R. with Citizen Cope (Charter One Pavilion)
Two shows? Really?

7.11   sunday
Modern English (Double Door)
I like "(I'll Stop The World and) Melt With You" as much as the next guy, but if they were Modern English back in the 80s, can they be "modern" 30 years later? Aren't they really "Post-Modern English?"

Ugly Radio Rebellion with Crawl, Stealin' the Farm (Reggie's Rock Club)
See Saturday's listing.