list.in.to.chicago this week: 12.05.2011

Or, the most important list.in.to.chicago ever, since I didn't start writing it until well after the URT CD release party. Heck, I didn't start writing it until after URT. You're coming to Metro on Thursday, right?

Pick of the week
I'm getting really, um, jazzed about that Roy Haynes show on Friday night at Symphony Center, and if I didn't have a gig on Saturday, I'd be all over Fishbone at Bottom Lounge.

list.in.to.COZ
So, this is it. A CD release party at Metro on Thursday from Andrew Fraker & Sons. I know a lot of this list is just a sort of ambient awareness about what I've been doing musically for the last twelve years, but this is one where I could really use some support. If you buy tickets in advance from the Metro website, enter "sons" as your promo code to save some cash. We'll also be next door at Trace both before and after the show.

Recap
So, I'm not sure what part of Saturday's Savvy show surprised me more -- the two guys dressed as testicles for an early song, the lead singer getting his head shaved on stage, the St. Vincent cover, or that none of those things bothered me as overly pretentious because I like the tunes so much. The influence of art rock concepts pieces like The Wall, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway and Joe's Garage was pretty clear. Openers Genome reminded me of the local acid jazz scene of ten or twelve years ago, with some modern updates and maybe a little less polish at times.

12.05   monday
Avey Tare with Eric Copeland (Schubas)   SOLD OUT!
A sold out Monday night Schubas show generally means I need to find out why. This is Dave Portner from Animal Collective, and the description of the music isn't so different from his main gig to make me interested in it.

Scott Weiland (Double Door)
The former Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver frontman has a Christmas album out. Really. I have no idea if that means this show is going to be all holiday music. If not, how would that even work? And why isn't the show even listed on the Double Door's own website?

12.06   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
I couldn't find my lyrics for the Grinch last week, but managed to remember most of the words. Just not in the right order. And a friend informed me during the week that the original was sung by the same guy who did the voice of Tony the Tiger.

The National with Local Natives, Wye Oak (Aragon Ballroom)   SOLD OUT!
Yet another XRT holiday show. At this point, you should just bring an unwrapped toy or canned food to every show you go to, just in case.

12.07   wednesday
Sing Along With Coz (The Globe Pub)   COZ SINGS!
Might have to see if Oakley or Mark can pinch-hit, as we might have one last rehearsal before the big show on Thursday.

Tributosaurus (Martyrs')   FRIENDS OF COZ!
This month, they become Journey, which might have been worth inquiring about a guest role, as Steve Smith was an early drumming influence of mine. I liked the way he brought his jazz influences to bear in a rock band, and did it in ways that some of you might not have even noticed.

12.08   thursday
Andrew Fraker and Sons with Jeffrey David, Vintage Blue, DBP (Metro)   SEE COZ LIVE!
We had been sitting on an album's worth or recordings for quite a while now, so when we were offered this date about a month ago, we decided that a headlining slot at Metro would be worthy of a CD release party. So we shifted into high gear to make it happen, and the CDs should arrive via UPS today. Our bass player's second child could also arrive today, which is keeping things interesting.

Save The Clocktower with Windbreakers, Vapor Eyes (Empty Bottle)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
They've taken over the headlining slot after Blondes had to cancel. They also do a really good job promoting the band online.

The String Cheese Incident (Aragon Ballroom)
Three dates from the jam band in Uptown, which means either we can keep the hippies at bay for our show, or if they want to come to Metro, they can go to one of the other nights.

Tributosaurus (Martyrs')   FRIENDS OF COZ!
See Wednesday's listing. And Wednesday's show, because your presence is required elsewhere tonight.

12.09   friday
Roy Haynes and the Fountain of Youth Band with Reginald Robinson (Symphony Center)
One of the last drummers of the bebop era, playing with a band that features one of best young trumpeters in jazz in Roy Hargrove. This could be fantastic.

Bon Iver with Lianne La Havas (UIC Pavilion)
Until I saw the band on Colbert, I had been pronouncing it Bon Eye-ver. The music is a little lightweight for my tastes, but not bad, although I wonder how it will translate in even a small arena setting.

Rego with Wheeler Brothers, Go For Broke (Abbey Pub)
We played with Rebecca Rego at that Get Off The Couch gig a month or two ago, and I liked her songs quite a bit. Not sure if the headlining slot implies a full band, but I would guess so.

Dwele with Pennjamin Bannekar, Sir Criss, Cavalier Kidd (Double Door)
He's apparently produced everyone from Earth Wind and Fire to Kanye West, which gives him a lot of R&B cred across the spectrum. I feel like Double Door has been doing more hip-hop and R&B since Lincoln Hall has muscled in on the indie rock bands.

Makeshift Prodigy (Beat Kitchen)
Now, I know I've seen this band before, but I honestly can't remember where or when. And I'm conflating them with another band in my head. And there's no opener listed from two different sources, which seems odd for Beat Kitchen.

Chuchito Valdes Afro-Cuban Ensemble (Green Mill)
Some good latin jazz for two nights in Uptown.

The String Cheese Incident (Aragon Ballroom)
See Thursday's listing.

12.10   saturday
The Trollops (Temple Bar)   SEE COZ LIVE!
Fresh off what will hopefully be a triumph at Metro, it's the band that's three-quarters of Andrew Fraker & Sons, half of Diver, and yet only a trio, playing acoustic covers.

Fishbone with Roots of Creation, E3PO (Bottom Lounge)
Two weeks ago, The Roots played "Lyin' Ass Bitch" from Fishbone as the walk-on music for GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann when she was on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and a mini-controversey ensued. Two things: First, the band does this kind of thing often enough that you don't get to be outraged by it. It's like Ricky Gervais at the Golden Globes -- this is the gig you signed up for. Second, I'm suddenly suspicious of the timing with Fishbone (or whatever's left of Fishbone) out on tour.

Tori Amos with Thomas Dybdahl (Chicago Theatre)   SOLD OUT!
I have to wonder where people hear or hear about new music from Tori Amos, or if she's just been able to instill loyalty in all the fans she picked up early, when there were still radio stations that played her stuff, and when MTV showed videos. It's not a knock on the music, at all, it's just the delivery and discovery mechanisms seem a lot more challenging for her kind of stuff.

Chuchito Valdes Afro-Cuban Ensemble (Green Mill)
See Friday's listing.

The String Cheese Incident (Aragon Ballroom)
See Thursday's listing.

12.11   sunday
Ryan Adams with Jessica Lee Mayfield (Cadillac Palace Theatre)
I think he's probaly released about ten new albums since I saw him open for Oasis a couple of years ago. Seriously, the guy's a machine.