list.in.to.chicago this week: 05.06.2013

So, regarding that existential crisis. I got one vote for going back to the daily listings, and somewhere around 81 votes for not noticing that there's only been one list in the last four weeks. But then a bunch of shows snuck up on me last week, which reminded me that a big part of why I do this is so I know what's going on. I just figured you might want to come along for the ride.

Pick of the week
You've got Patti Smith tonight at the Vic, although Evil Beaver at Double Door would be fun, too. Then there's Charles Bradley at Metro on Thurdsay, which will be a good time if you like classic soul. And who doesn't? Saturday is my current favorite local band, Grood, who are releasing an EP at Martyrs'.

list.in.to.COZ
Vaughan's tonight.

Recap
What I think I liked most about Johnny Marr at Metro a couple of weeks back is the vibe that he's just making music, because that's what he does. And while some of it might have meaning, he's not trying to make a point. It helps that it's really good music. As for the obvious comprison of this more laid-back attitude, I also preferred his version of "How Soon Is Now?" to that of his former bandmate Morrissey.

5.07   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
It's a double-edged sword, because if it's a slow night, we do weirder stuff. But it's slow, which is bad.

Patti Smith and her band (The Vic)
I've heard a lot more about Smith's recent memoir than her most recent album, but for an artist with as long a history as she has, that's neither surprising nor a deterrent, really. Still some tickets left for the second show, I think.

Evil Beaver with Cut-Outs (Double Door)
One of the reasons I don't cotton to guitar/drum duos these days is that very few of them are even on the same plane of existence as former Chicagoans Evil Beaver. White Mystery, I'm looking at you. Haven't heard much from them since they moved to L.A., so it's nice to see them back in town.

Youngblood Hawke with Colourist, Future Feats (Lincoln Hall)
This band seems to be following in the footsteps of Foster the People and fun., which is to say working a sort of indie/party vibe. That can be hit or miss for me.

Black Pus with Oozing Wound, Mounds (Empty Bottle)
So, right, Oozing Wound opens for Black Pus. Otherwise it wouldn't be oozing.

5.08   wednesday
Little Boots with Avan Lava, Feathers (Lincoln Hall)
There seems to be a boomlet of female electronica artists, which I define as "one more than I can keep track of." Still trying to figure out what I think about Grimes. Not to be confused with "Kinky Boots" which is the Cyndi Lauper musical.

Him with Set To Kill (House of Blues)
I think it's safe to say that you don't get bigger Swedish goth acts than this.

5.09   thursday
Charles Bradley & the Extraordinaires with Paul & the Tall Trees (Metro)
If you haven't gotten around to seeing either Charles Bradley or Sharon Jones, then what the heck are you waiting for? The Daptone Records backing bands of 20-something hipster musicologists can be a bit off-putting at first, until you realize that they've done their homework.

Paramore with Kitten (Chicago Theatre)
I have to admit, I really like the single from this band's new album. I think I lasted exactly half a song past that, though. The rest is pretty bad.

Save the Clocktower with My My My, Love & Radiation (Martyrs')   FRIENDS OF COZ!
Electronic and a bit laconic, and I'm still listing them as friends even though I think they unfollowed me on Twitter.

Lisa Loeb with Cameron McGill (City Winery)
Okay, I put this in here just so you would get that one Lisa Loeb song stuck in your head.

5.10   friday
Boris with Young Widows (Lincoln Hall)
I love how Wikipedia describes this Japanese band as combining "drone metal, sludge metal [...] and pop." Also, not the band you would peg as Japanese experimental music on this week's docket, at least based just on the name.

Lisa Loeb with Jonny Polonsky (City Winery)
Been legitimately wondering about Jonny Polonsky lately, particularly if his career might take a hit because he bears a bit of a resemblance to accused Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokar Tsarnaev.

Cracker with Camper Van Beethoven, Jaik Willis (Cubby Bear Wrigleyville)
In which David Lowery doesn't get to take a break.

5.11   saturday
Grood with Lamp, Jamie Lono (Martyrs')
It dawns on me that a lot of Chicago bands I've been fond of have had to change their name at one time or another. Bombpop became EXO, Swimmer became MVP (and then a bunch of stuff afterwards), and Savvy became Grood.

Black Moth Super Rainbow with the Hood Internet, Oscillator Bug (Metro)
This band gets compared to The Flaming Lips quite a bit, but with the lackluster reviews of that band's latest, they may be able to seize an opportunity to fill in a gap. And they're the ones you would pick as being from Japan based on their name, but they're not.

Boris with Pallbearer (Lincoln Hall)
See Friday's listing, with a different opener.

5.12   sunday
Metz with TV Ghost (Lincoln Hall)
Trying to remember why this band was on my radar. Canadian trio who seem to hearken back to the days before grunge, and have a pretty hilarious bio on the Sub Pop site about how weird it is to be a Canadian band that isn't a "collective" with upwards of ten people.

Ike Reilly Assassination (Schubas)
I'm starting to think Reilly looked at Robbie Fulks' long-running residency on Monday nights at Hideout and got jealous.