list.in.to.chicago this week: 11.22.2010

Okay, short week, so I'll keep this brief. Or die trying...

Pick of the week
I'm really intrigued by Daniel Lanois' Black Dub at Lincoln Hall on Tuesday, and I may go see if Bear Hands are as good as I remember them at Schubas on Friday.

list.in.to.COZ
I'm pretty sure Tony and I are playing the Curragh Pub in Edison Park on Saturday, but I haven't confirmed that 100%, and it's not on their website. If you think you might find yourself up on Northwest Highway, ping me and I'll let you know for sure. Other than that, definitely Wednesday and maybe Tuesday.

Recap
It's been a while since an unknown band kicked my ass, and that's exactly what happened on Thursday night with Eyes Around, this band from Alabama that shared the bill with us at Goose Island. Sonically, they reminded me a lot of Sparta and Chevelle, with pretty thunderous drumming that actually wasn't overpowering, balancing out a lead guitarist with fantastic tone and great control over his effects, all in the service of some well-crafted songs. Definitely worth keeping tabs on in the future. Our set was good, too, even if we didn't realize we were up against a Bears game.

11.22   monday
Grinderman with Armen Ra (Riviera Theatre)
Nick Cave returns with his somewhat badder seeds. I've been listening to the new record over the last couple of weeks, waiting for that "a-ha" moment that would have compelled me to go after having the band recommended by more than a couple of people, but I never quite got there.

11.23   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS?
Still in my post-car transition period, so I'm not sure if I'm in or not. You should still go, though.

Daniel Lanois' Black Dub with Rocco DeLuca (Lincoln Hall)
Yes, that Daniel Lanois, the one who produced U2 and, more recently, Neil Young, among many others. Lincoln Hall's website quotes him describing this project as "essentially a three-piece band with a high level of musicianship. We don’t operate on a technological grid. Nor are we tied to a page of fixed notes. Our songs are fluid. Often recorded live. One take. No overdubs. It’s a very old fashioned idea really." Sounds pretty darn cool, actually.

The Frames with Jake Clemons (The Vic)   SOLD OUT!
Some people may not know that Glen Hansard was doing pretty well with this band -- which plays out sort of like an endearing bar band with aspirations of being the next U2 -- before the movie Once made The Swell Season such a big deal. But enough people know to fill up The Vic, clearly.

Brandon Flowers with Fran Healy (Riviera Theatre)
The singer from Travis opens for the singer from The Killers. The invisible band(s), indeed.

11.24   wednesday
Sing Along With Coz (The Globe Pub)   COZ SINGS!
If you're not traveling for the holidays, and you're feeling left out of what everyone's talking about these days, I will pat you down. If you buy me a drink first. Also, songs and stuff.

This Must Be The Band with B1g T1me (Bottom Lounge)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
Tributes to Talking Heads and Tom Waits, respectively, although I've been picking up on Facebook that either B1g T1me is going away next year, or they're going to turn into something different.

11.25   thursday
Happy Thanksgiving!
Gobble gobble gobble. If anybody needs me, I'll be on the couch watching all the episodes of Boardwalk Empire that have been gathering on my TiVo.

11.26   friday
Bear Hands with Netherfriends, Team Band (Schubas)
The drummer stood out when I saw this band almost two years ago in this same room, as part of the Tomorrow Never Knows festival. So did the singer/guitarist, albeit for being somewhat hipsterrific, but it still worked out, on balance. I think Netherfriends played Pitchfork this summer, along with two other visits on either side of that gig.

Yakuza with Bloodyminded, The Che Arthur Three, Rabid Rabbit (Empty Bottle)
It's heavy metal with a saxophone -- which makes me think of some twisted John Zorn project that may not be far from the truth -- and they've been around Chicago for quite some time. Eventually, I'll even see them.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Allstate Arena, Rosemont)
I kind of think I need to experience this band one of these years, playing heavy metal Christmas music, or whatever it is they do. What would be awesome would be if they covered "Hocus Pocus" from Focus, that song they used in that Nike World Cup commercial from the summer. Which is to say, while the mashup of hard rock and classical may be pretty over-the-top, it's not really new.

Save The Clocktower with The Flashbulb, Abominable Twitch (Abbey Pub)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
I've been meaning to check these guys out since I learned they were a band, because one of the guys tended to make inspired choices when he'd play the Open Mic at The Globe. I'm curious to hear how he writes. Unfortunately, the Abbey has become slightly more problematic since my car got stolen. And then found. And subsequently declared a total loss by my insurance company. In case you were wondering how that story had ended.

11.27   saturday
Mavis Staples with Kelly Hogan (Park West)
This is the annual XRT Holiday Concert for the Kids, so you're asked to bring a toy or book. And you have to figure Jeff Tweedy will show up. It's probably too much to hope that Stephen Colbert returns the favor after Staples and Tweedy played both his show and the D.C. rally.

Bruno Mars (Bottom Lounge)   SOLD OUT!
His name has been coming up in my daily music news e-mails from Billboard, and I've been able to divine that he's got some sort of neo-soul, young upstart R&B vibe going on, and going on quite well.

11.28   sunday
Saskrotch with Derris-Kharlan, Environmental Sound Collapse, Bright Primate, Kkrusty, Nom Star (Beat Kitchen)
I'm clearly not stoned enough to think this name is funny.