list.in.to.chicago this week: 06.01.2015

On top of Faith No More, which everyone pretty much knew about, I also was right in projecting Swervedriver in the Riot Fest lineup. Pretty stoked to relive 1989 funk-rock with both Living Colour and Fishbone on the bill.

Pick of the week
Friday has some nice options if you can move on those allegedly-still-available Wil Butler tickets at Lincoln Hall. Otherwise, Songhoy Blues at Thalia Hall the same night could be one of those revelatory experiences, given the mashup of musical styles. Of the sold out shows worth trying to get into, Michael Shannon and Friends at SPACE on Saturday will be pretty unique, and I'm a big fan of Steven Wilson (Thursday and Friday, Park West) even if he has taken on some of Robert Fripp's more annoying personality traits.

list.in.to.COZ
Just office hours at Vaughan's this week. This is another weird month for Diver combinations, but that's what makes it interesting.

Recap
The good news is that we could hack our way through "Chelsea Dagger" on Saturday after the Blackhawks advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals. The bad news was the sort of chorus-y bit and then the end bit, but now we've got another series to perfect those.

6.01   monday
San Fermin with So Percussion (Pritzker Pavilion)
This year's Downtown Sounds series is upon us, so if you brought a warm enough jacket, you can check out some free eclectic indie rock.

6.02   tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's)   COZ SINGS!
Last week is going to be tough to beat, in all its 90s glory. Just be careful around the bar late at night if you're alone and/or have been drinking. Still a little freaked out that somebody got shot up the street last week.

Ozric Tentacles with Mano (Reggie's Rock Club)
The new album from the nominally prog rock British band sounds like it might be aiming for the yoga studio demographic, but as far as ambient music goes, it's pretty good.

Thievery Corporation with Beats Antique (Aragon Ballroom)
I guess it would be a weird coincidence if Thievery Corporation went full-on prog rock.

6.03   wednesday
Tributosaurus (Martyrs')   FRIENDS OF COZ!
This month as...Huey Lewis and the News? They do love those horn section bands.

Royal Blood with Mini Mansions (Metro)   SOLD OUT!
Honestly not sure if I've heard of this band AND they're playing at Metro, or I've heard of this band BECAUSE they're playing at Metro.

6.04   thursday
Steven Wilson (Park West)   SOLD OUT!
I knew the Porcupine Tree frontman had a cult following, but I didn't think it was big enough to sell out two nights in Lincoln Park. His records don't really differentiate themselves from those from his band to my ears, but that's not a bad thing at all.

Wil Butler with Jo Firestone (Lincoln Hall)   SOLD OUT!
Since the Friday set is billed as acoustic, I'm assuming this set from the "other" Butler in Arcade Fire is with a full band.

Jake E. Lee's Red Dragon Cartel with Dark Trilogy, Thunder Driver (Reggie's Rock Club)
It takes a certain type of classic rock dude to follow one of Ozzy's other guitarists to his solo career. I expect few sleeves to be worn at this one, except of the tattooed variety.

6.05   friday
Songhoy Blues with DJ Warp (Thalia Hall)
It dawns on me that this list would be much more informative if I would just watch Jools Holland on Palladia more often. Managed to catch this band on his show, and it's really interesting how they meld traditional African melodies and harmonies with American blues underneath.

Terrible Spaceship with Bumpus (Emporium Arcade Bar)
As far as free shows from local bands at hipster arcades go, this is actually a pretty good one.

Jerry Joseph & the Jackmormons with Kory Quinn (Schubas)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
One of these days, I need to ask Kory how this absolutely relentless schedule is working for him. It's easier for a solo artist than for a band, obviously, but I've always lived closer to the "don't burn out your audience" side of the argument, for better or worse.

Wil Butler with Jo Firestone (Lincoln Hall)
See Thursday's listing, but acoustic, and with tickets available as of press time. Depending on when "press time" turns out to be.

Steven Wilson (Park West)   SOLD OUT!
See Thursday's listing.

6.06   saturday
DIVER (Fado Irish Pub)   FRIENDS OF COZ!
I'm actually off this week, so it'll be either The Ripleys or The Ripleys Plus One holding down the fort.

Michael Shannon and Friends (SPACE, Evanston)   SOLD OUT!
The man who brought us Agent Nelson Van Alden and General Zod (the role, not the local prog-fusion band) has been popping up musically every once in a while, and here he'll be performing The Queen Is Dead from The Smiths, along with other songs from that band.

Ben Folds with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra (Chicago Theatre)
The wry singer/songwriter/pianist/talent judge has had a bit of a career renaissance since adding that last slash to his repertoire, and I suspect he's okay with being known more for being on TV than for "Brick," which he feared would be the defining element of his career back when it came out.

The Script with Mary Lambert, Colton Avery (Riviera Theatre)   SOLD OUT!
Anto wanted to add these guys to the mix with Diver for a while, but then he moved to Florida, and that was the end of that.

Raw Power with Death Wish, Modern Day Rippers, Vortis (Red Line Tap)
It's been a while, so I don't know if local music writer Jim DeRogatis is still playing drums in Vortis. I couldn't ever tell if it was nominally "his band" or just a band he was in.

6.07   sunday
Soul Asylum with Meat Puppets, AM Taxi (House of Blues)
This is a pretty stealthily stacked bill down in River North, although Soul Asylum and Meat Puppets are arguably both pretty far past their expiration dates. I still have a soft spot for Soul Asylum after being in total control of their outdoor concert at the University of Chicago back in, um, spring of 1991.

Steve Smith and Vital Information (Martyrs')
This is the "New York City" edition of the former Journey drummer's jazz band. As opposed to the New Orleans version, I think. Or maybe the West Coast version. Or both.

Shonen Knife with CJ Ramone (Bottom Lounge)
One of the very few punk rock bands you've heard of from Japan is also one of the most long-running.

Larry Coryell Power Trio with Fred Simon (SPACE, Evanston)
I think I've maybe seen Coryell play with Paul Wertico and Larry Gray somewhere other than the Jazz Showcase in the past, but it still seems kinda weird.