list.in.to.chicago this week: 12.06.2010

Only 36 listings on Metromix.com for Friday night, and 37 on Saturday. Usually, there are over 50. It's definitely winter.

Pick of the week
It's a good week if you're a Frank Zappa fan, with Ugly Radio Rebellion (Thursday at Reggie's Music Joint) and the big kahuna, Zappa Plays Zappa (Saturday at the Congress Theatre). Metal fans are also in good shape, with Rob Halford (Thursday at House of Blues) and The Sword (Sunday at Metro) both paying a visit.

list.in.to.COZ
While I've still got some open mic and percussion gigs this month, Saturday is your last opportunity to see me play drums, with Diver at Fado. I'll also be holding regular open mic office hours on Tuesday (Vaughan's) and Wednesday (The Globe). I've been known to wear festive hats while playing Mr. Grinch.

Recap
Couldn't quite justify the lousy seats for The Roots, and then Broken Bells sold out and I went to the Hawks game instead. If you saw any good live music, though, feel free to say so in the online comments.

12.06   monday
Patricia Barber Quartet (Green Mill)
Robbie Fulks (Hideout)
I know that Fulks' residency was long-term, but if it was a year-long thing, it might actually be coming to a close. Patricia Barber, on the other hand, is probably going to play Monday nights at the Green Mill until long after I stop writing this newsletter, whenever that may be.

12.07   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
Okay, I need to show up and sing "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch," otherwise Monica is going to kill me.

12.08   wednesday
Sing Along With Coz (The Globe Pub)   COZ SINGS!
Okay, YOU need to show up and sing something -- or just listen -- or I'm going to actually become the Grinch.

Linfinity with Adam Arcuragi, Matthew and the Arrogant Sea (Schubas)
If this band doesn't feature WXRT morning DJ Lin Brehmer, it totally should.

12.09   thursday
Ravi Coltrane Quartet (Jazz Showcase)
I remember seeing the son of jazz legend John Coltrane a long time ago at the Chicago Jazz Fest, probably with Roy Haynes' band, and he definitely brings more to the table than just his parentage.

Glittermouse with Dastardly, Chaperone, Jared Bartman (Schubas)
You should see this band just because of the bullshit they had to put up with at that Enclave gig we played with them earlier this year. Probably the closest I've seen in town to an Arcade Fire-esque, or maybe Broken Social Scene-esque vibe.

Rob Halford (House of Blues)
It's hard to believe the Judas Priest frontman is almost 60 years old, and still rocks harder than most kids half his age. This is right about the age when David Bowie stopped touring, so if you've got Halford on your live show bucket list, you might want to take note.

Todd Rundgren's Johnson (Park West)
If Rundgren wasn't already on Stephen Colbert's "On Notice" board for replacing Ric Ocasek on that last Cars tour, this stupid, adolescent band name gag would put him there. But I guess his last tour -- when he played A Wizard, A True Star from front to back -- was more high-minded, and we all know the universe craves balance.

Ugly Radio Rebellion (Reggie's Music Joint)
While I do try to see a lot of Frank Zappa-related acts, I still haven't made it out to see this tribute band.

12.10   friday
Badly Drawn Boy with Justin Jones (Lincoln Hall)   SOLD OUT!
I feel like English singer/songwriter Damon Gough was one of the first of that recent batch of solo artists -- particularly singer-songwriter types -- who don't record or tour under their own name, like Conor Oberst/Bright Eyes. I'm sure there's another example, but you get my point.

Rick Springfield (Joe's Bar)
I expect all of you that request "Jessie's Girl" at various bars around town to put your money where your mouth is and go to this show, thus making it safe for us professional and semi-professional musicians to make it through the night without someone asking us to play that song.

Ravi Coltrane Quartet (Jazz Showcase)
See Thursday's listing.

12.11   saturday
DIVER (Fado Irish Pub)   SEE COZ LIVE!
If you made a New Year's resolution to either see Diver or to see me play drums, then this is your last chance to check that one off your list. Unless they have a holiday party cancel at the last minute and need us to fill in later this month, but I don't think that's likely.

Zappa Plays Zappa (Congress Theatre)
You can bet this is where I'd be if I didn't have a gig. In fact, with a 7pm start time, I might actually be able to catch most of the show if I put my mind to it. It won't be the same if I don't win a guitar and get to play on stage again, though.

Ravi Coltrane Quartet (Jazz Showcase)
See Thursday's listing.

12.12   sunday
The Sword with Karma to Burn, Mount Carmel (Metro)
While I had heard of this metal band for a while, I don't think I had actually heard them until last night in the car on the way to the Blackhawks game. Not quite as intense as, say, Mastodon, but for modern metal, it was quite good.

Ravi Coltrane Quartet (Jazz Showcase)
See Thursday's listing.