list.in.to.chicago this week: 02.11.2011

Don't you dare give up seeing live music for Lent.

Pick of the week
Strong local bill on Friday at Martyrs' with Leslie Hunt and Steakhouse Mints topping the bill.

list.in.to.COZ
Apparently folks still show up at The Globe on Wednesdays looking for me. Sorry about that. Come to Vaughan's on Tuesdays instead!

Recap
Missed the first half of Magic Box doing Beck's Song Reader on account of forgetting to check when the show started, but enjoyed the second. While I go to see bands whose songs I'm not familiar with all the time, this felt qualitatively different, which I assume is the point. And I really enjoyed the stranger bits of it.

2.11   monday
Gojira with Devin Townsend Project, The Atlas Moth (House of Blues)
Did you know the French have their own death metal bands? Me neither. Also, I think "atlas" is the new ubiquitous band name word, supplanting "deer," which had a great run.

2.12   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
It's Fat Tuesday already? Alrighty then. Should be fun. More fun if you join us and sing some songs, of course. Exponentially more fun if you bring paczki.

Trixie Whitley with Dumpster Hunter (Schubas)
As per a friend of mine who saw her last time she came through, please refrain from requesting songs from Black Dub or from her late father, Chris Whitley.

Of Mice & Men with Woe is Me, Texas in July, Volumes, Capture the Crown (Bottom Lounge)
NOT to be confused with Of Monsters & Men. This is about a million times darker and heavier.

2.13   wednesday
Joe Robinson with Aryk Crowder (SPACE, Evanston)
Crowder was on the bill with us back at Subterranean, and had a bit of a throwback soul vibe going that I liked. I also think he used to be a trainer at my fitness club.

Lady Gaga with Madeon, Lady Starlight (United Center)
Was Lady Gaga at the Grammys last night? I only ask because I assume the whole "dress code" memo was aimed at her. Especially that bit about "no meat dresses," which I thought was oddly specific.

2.14   thursday
White Mystery with Absolutely Not, Twin Peaks, Post Honeymoon (Schubas)
I'm officially over guitar and drums duos, and White Mystery may have been the last straw. It seems to have played out into this caveman-like (or, in this case, cavewoman-like) show of naked, visceral aggression. Just not how I get my kicks. All that said, this is a worthy benefit show dedicated to the memory of Chris Saathoff, a local musician who was killed by a drunk driver in 2004. Plus, you may not agree with me.

Lady Gaga with Madeon, Lady Starlight (United Center)
See Wednesday's listing.

2.15   friday
Leslie Hunt with Steakhouse Mints, Paper Thick Walls, Diana & the Dishes (Martyrs')   FRIENDS OF COZ!
After seeing Matt Walker on drums with three different bands in less than a month, now it's Steve Gillis' turn, holding down the fort here with Steakhouse Mints for the band's CD release. I've heard good things about Paper Thick Walls, and I think Chris Siebold plays with Leslie Hunt, so good night all around.

Emilie Autumn (Metro)
Monica Kendrick describes Emilie Autumn as "quasi-industrial steampunk cabaret," which sounds pretty close. I was leaning towards "neo-victorian goth," but at that point, we're splitting hairs. I do regret not paying more attention when I first met her, out of character, before we played a show together in River North many, many years ago.

Marbin (Andy's)
This is probably the first time I've seen these guys playing the traditional jazz scene, rather than college bars or opening slots at Martyrs'.

Residents (Schubas)   SOLD OUT!
Surprising only in execution and not in intent, the iconic, experimental pop band has released a box set for the bargain price of $100,000 that comes in a full-size refrigerator. Sales figures were not available at press time.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo (Old Town School of Folk Music)
Forever known as the South African vocal ensemble on Paul Simon's Graceland, but that's a strong enough association that I figure they can live with it.

Ed Kowalczyk with Red Light Saints (City Winery)
I had mentioned the folk and country aesthetic last week, but left out the solo artist from the previously well-known rock band element, seen here with the former frontman of Live.

2.16   saturday
Benjamin Francis Leftwich with Zapruder Point, Ty Maxon (Schubas)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
Steve Frisbie lends his guitar and vocal talents to Zapruder Point, which is all I know about them right now.

DeVotchKa (Park West)
I know I've said it before, but it works. Devotchka is like Gogol Bordello's nice, well-adjusted cousin.

Residents (Lincoln Hall)
See Friday's listing, but in a slightly bigger room. And not yet sold out, according to the Lincoln Hall website.

Marbin (Andy's)
See Friday's listing.

2.17   sunday
Martin Sexton (SPACE, Evanston)
Not to be confused with Charlie Sexton. Despite that disclaimer, I still confuse them. And I've even seen Martin Sexton. I think. Might have been Charlie.