list.in.to.chicago this week: 12.26.2011

We seem to have gotten hip to the idea of having acts play both the 30th and 31st, in case you've got more social and less musical plans to ring in the new year, but still want to see some of these shows.

Pick of the week
The weeklong stand from Roy Hargrove at the Showcase looks solid, as does the pair of shows on Wednesday and Thursday at Schubas from the Waco Brothers.

list.in.to.COZ
Nothing this week, but things should start revving up for the new year pretty quick, with a pair of Diver shows on the immediate horizon.

Recap
I got a USB turntable and the complete recordings of Led Zeppelin under the tree, and Christmas dinner was really good. Oh, you wanted music? Check back later.

12.26   monday
Booty Movement Coalition (Martyrs')   FRIENDS OF COZ!
As you're undoubtedly aware by now, the majority of this set is improvised, including the vocals. Which means there's a good chance you might hear some impromptu reference to egg nog at some point.

12.27   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
This will still be going on, although I'll still be in Virgnia with the family. Tony will hold down the fort for the last Open Jam of the year, capping off a year when he's held down said fort more often than not.

Roy Hargrove Quintet (Jazz Showcase)
I don't remember if trumpeter Hargrove has local ties, but I get a sense he may have just stayed in town after his turn with Roy Haynes' group a few weeks ago.

12.28   wednesday
Sing Along With Coz (The Globe Pub)   MAYBE!
So I either need to make good time on the road (I'm driving back with some furniture from my parents' house) or I need to find a sub. Or this might not be happening, so if you're thinking about going this week, call first.

Mustard Plug with Flatfoot 56, The Crombies, We Are The Union, The Downtown Struts (Metro)
It's the ska band's 20th anniversary tour. If that makes you feel old, well, welcome to the club.

Katastrofist with Grant Hart, Shalini (Martyrs')
If you thought maybe I was listing this because former Husker Du drummer Grant Hart's presence lent some credibility to a band I've never heard of, congratulations, you get a cookie! Price and participation may vary.

Waco Brothers with Semi-Twang (Schubas)
The nice thing about having all these English expats in town is that they stay in town over the holidays. And I had never heard the very, very elegant, robust description of "part Cash, Part Clash" until now.

Roy Hargrove Quintet (Jazz Showcase)
See Tuesday's listing.

12.29   thursday
The Hooks with Martha Berner, Xoe Wise, Holding Mercury, Jin & Tonic (Lincoln Hall)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
I say "friends of Coz," but I don't feel like I've been bombarded with promotional email and Facebook messages from Holding Mercury about this one, so maybe we're not friends anymore. I'm kidding of course. When we last left the band, it struck me that the best comparison might be The Killers, and I mean that in a good way. This is an acoustic set, so if that's going to hold up, it'll be more "Sam's Town" than "Hot Fuss."

Waco Brothers with Yellowhammers, Sanctified Grumblers (Schubas)
See Wednesday's listing.

Roy Hargrove Quintet (Jazz Showcase)
See Tuesday's listing.

12.30   friday
Tributosaurus (Martyrs')   SOLD OUT!
The musical chameleons will be Prince for New Year's Eve, but they'll be doing a pair of shows on Friday as well for those not willing to commit their New Year's plans.

Rusko with Switch, Sinden (Congress Theater)
I don't know what dubstep is, or sounds like. You can't make me care what dubstep is, or sounds like.

Roy Hargrove Quintet (Jazz Showcase)
See Tuesday's listing.

12.31   saturday
Cage The Elephant with Sleeper Agent, Morning Teleportation, Company of Thieves (Aragon Ballroom)
To be honest, I don't get all the fuss about Cage the Elephant -- particularly since that one current hit just sounds like Days of the New from ten years ago -- but this bill also features Chicago's own Company of Thieves, who stand a good chance of dominating the bill.

Big Head Todd and the Monsters with Cracker, Camper van Beethoven (House of Blues)
Celebrate New Year's Eve...1994.

Disappears with Bare Mutants, Outer Minds (Empty Bottle)
I wonder if the drummer from Sonic Youth realized what he had got himself into when he hooked up with these guys last year, because they seem to be playing an awful lot. Saw them at Lollapalooza, and can't say I was moved strongly one way or the other. At least I can't say without going back an seeing if I took any notes.

Local H with Monkey Paw (Bottom Lounge)
I went to pretty much this exact show two or three years ago for New Year's, and was miserable, but I don't think it was the band's fault. There was just one guy who decided there should be a mosh pit and it sorta devolved from there.

Rusko with Switch, Sinden (Congress Theater)
See Friday's listing.

Tributosaurus (Martyrs')
See Friday's listing.

Roy Hargrove Quintet (Jazz Showcase)
See Tuesday's listing.

1.01   sunday
Nicholas Barron (Temple Bar)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
Call first, as I don't know what's up with this because of the holidays. But it would be a pretty great way to start of the year, musically.

Roy Hargrove Quintet (Jazz Showcase)
See Tuesday's listing.