list.in.to.chicago this week: 08.06.2012

Needed an extra day to recover from the weekend in Grant Park.

Pick of the week
Well, tonight's Garbage show at Metro is sold out, but if you're the scalping sort, get on up to Wrigleyville. You can also support local electropopsters Save the Clocktower as they release a new record on Friday at Double Door, and Saturday night at Lincoln Hall is DugFest 2012, supporting a good cause and remembering a great person.

list.in.to.COZ
Probably just the Diver show on Saturday night this week, plus a possible cameo tonight at Vaughan's.

Recap
So, Lollapalooza. Most of the bands I was most excited about -- Afghan Whigs, Delta Spirit, Franz Ferdinand, White Rabbits, At The Drive-in -- totally delivered. Ozzy was exactly the train wreck we all pretty much expected, which didn't really diminish from the fact that it was BLACK SABBATH. And I liked what I heard from thenewno2 (led by son-of-a-Beatle Dhani Harrison), Michael Kiwanuka, JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound, The War on Drugs and the Gaslight Anthem.

Jack White brought his typical energy and intensity to his solo material, with a couple of White Stripes and Raconteurs tunes thrown in for good measure. There seemed to be a Led Zeppelin vibe under a lot of the performance, from the part of the Zeppelin catalog that hits the blues and other traditional forms.

Gary Clark Jr. fell a bit short of my expectations, which may have been unrealistically high. Santigold was interesting. The Shins were okay. Oh, and it rained.

8.07   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
My involvement depends on how late the Garbage show gets out.

Garbage with White Mystery (Metro)   SOLD OUT!
Every eight or nine years, like clockwork, Shirley Manson, Butch Vig, and the rest of the Garbage crew play at Metro. And for the third time, I will be there to witness it.

Yes with Procul Harum (Akoo Theatre, Rosemont)
I'm not sure if I could bring myself to see the prog rock legends without Jon Anderson. I think they're on their second "plucked from a tribute band" singer now.

Coldplay with Marina & the Diamonds, Emeli Sande (United Center)
Almost a year to the day since they played Lollapalooza just ahead of the release of Mylo Xyloto, Chris Martin and company return to Chicago.

8.08   wednesday
Revivalists with Definitely Not Savvy, Nick & the Ovorols (Martyrs')
I can't say for sure, but I think that any time Martyrs' lists "Definitely Not Savvy," it's actually Savvy.

Rufus Wainwright with Adam Cohen (The Vic)
The Wainwright clan has to be one of the most active modern musical families this side of the Escovedos. Or the Jacksons. Rufus is Martha's brother, and they're both Loudon Wainwright III's kids.

Coldplay with Marina & the Diamonds, Emeli Sande (United Center)
See Tuesday's listing.

8.09   thursday
Toadies with Helmet, Ume (House of Blues)
This band never quite broke through for me back in the day, but lots and lots of people were really excited when they played Lolla a few years ago. I'd be more interested to see Page Hamiliton and whoever he's got backing him up in Helmet.

Tributosaurus becomes the Who (Martyrs')
Not sure why this is on a Thursday this month, when Wednesday's bill seems relatively normal. Also not sure who's playing drums, as I think I saw on Facebook that Dan is touring Japan with Million Dollar Quartet. Although maybe that's actually next month.

8.10   friday
Save the Clocktower with Ode, Paper Thick Walls, Twinray (Double Door)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
This is a CD release party for Save the Clocktower, who are making me consistently jealous with their uncanny ability to get people talking about them and their music during the run-up to the new record. I may go to this just to pick their brains about marketing and promotion.

Mighty Mighty Bosstones with We Are the Union (Metro)
Between the Toadies on Thursday and this show at Metro from one of the more mainstream, veteran bands from the ska punk world, the late 90s/early 00s seem to be back this week with a vengeance.

Taj Mahal Trio (Old Town School of Folk Music)
Blues legend. Small venue. Can't beat it.

Brothers & Sisters with Digeometric, Britt Dignan (Abbey Pub)
Okay, for a second, I thought this was actually Scotlands Sons & Daughters, and I was going to get very excited. But it's not.

8.11   saturday
DIVER (Fado Irish Pub)   SEE COZ LIVE!
It's not 80s night again, but it's back to the future for the band, as our good friend (and fellow son of Fraker) Brian Cohen returns to the bass position. Should be fun.

Greenhouse with Pamphleteers, Regal Standard (Lincoln Hall)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
More importantly, friends of Doug Meis, as this is the seventh annual fundraiser for the scholarship created in memory of the local drummer who was killed along with two friends (also local musicians) back in 2005. This year, my former bandmate Larry Schroeder and Regal Standard are reuniting as part of the bill.

56 Hope Road with Vintage Blue, Micah Walk Band (Abbey Pub)
I saw this band several years ago, and they seemed to be tapping into a bit of a country/bluegrass vibe, but coming firmly from a rock and roll mindset. Think Grateful Dead without all the noodling.

Guided By Voices with Radar Eyes (Metro)
Since reuniting last year, the "classic" lineup of the prolific Ohio indie band has already released two albums.

Train with Mat Kearney, Andy Grammer (Ravinia Festival, Highland Park)
See, it's funny because to get to Ravinia, many people take the Metra.

8.12   sunday
Train with Mat Kearney, Andy Grammer (Ravinia Festival, Highland Park)
Okay, maybe it's not funny. Whatever. You try writing this thing for a handful of readers every(ish) week for ten years.

George Thorogood & the Destroyers with Tom Hambridge (House of Blues)
I have to be honest, I'm a little afraid of how George Thorogood may have aged.