Yeah, I have no idea if I'll be able to keep this thing going at this point, but after a few weeks off, I'll inevitably miss a show that's in town and realize I have to do something just to keep myself up to date, at which point, I want to bring you all along for the ride.
So this week it's mostly one write-up per day and a few other listings, all presented as an alternative to Lollapalooza and its associated club shows. Because nobody needs a list of eight to ten shows every night that have been sold out for months.
Pick of the week
If there are tickets left, I'm really intrigued by Reeves Gabrels on Tuesday night at this Chop Shop place on North Avenue in Bucktown. Plus, you've got solid local bands with Grood at the Navy Pier Beer Garden on Friday and Tomorrow The Moon at Martyrs' on Saturday.
list.in.to.COZ
A Very Special Open Jam at Vaughan's on Tuesday. That's it for this week.
Recap
So, yeah, saw some stuff. Got a few eras of quality power pop in with Smithereens at Roscoe Village Burger Fest and then Matthew Sweet in Millennium Park. Ended up catching the original lineup of Veruca Salt at Wicker Park Fest last week, who I think I saw back in 1994 at South by Southwest. Energy was great, but I felt both Louise Post and Nina Gordon got a bit pitchy when they'd try to outsing their guitars.
7.28 tuesday
Open Jam (Vaughan's) COZ SINGS!
This week features a reunion of at least three, and possibly four, original members of Diver!
Reeves Gabrels and his Imaginary Friends with Virginia Gentlemen, Jackson Mud (Chop Shop)
If you've seen The Cure recently, Reeves Gabrels is playing lead guitar alongside Robert Smith, after previous work with David Bowie back in the 90s. This was originally supposed to be at Fizz up by my house, but must have gotten moved at some point.
Screaming Females with Vacation, Drilling For Blasting (Empty Bottle)
X with Dead Rock West (City Winery)
7.29 wednesday
Shania Twain (Allstate Arena)
The former Mrs. Mutt Lange was there when country music just sorta changed over to pop music that happened to come from Nashville.
Screaming Females with Vacation, Al Scorch (Subterranean)
Laura Marling with Johnny Flynn, Marika Hackman (Lincoln Hall) SOLD OUT!
7.30 thursday
Buddy Guy (Buddy Guy's Legends)
I don't actually know if Guy is playing, but it's a birthday celebration and CD release, and he does love to play.
7.31 friday
David Duchovny (Joe's)
The actor released a record a month or two ago. Yeah, I don't know what to make of that, either. Expect many audience members who don't know how to behave at a concert.
Grood with Genome (Navy Pier Beer Garden)
Fareed Haque, Tony Monaco & Tony Dicke (Andy's Jazz Club)
8.01 saturday
DIVER (Fado Irish Pub) FRIENDS OF COZ!
It's one of those weeks where the role of Diver will be played by The Ripleys, as I'll either be in Grant Park or recovering from having been in Grant Park for at least most of the day. Not really dying to see Metallica or Sam Smith, is what I'm saying.
Tomorrow The Moon with Razorhouse, The Red Plastic Buddha (Martyrs') FRIENDS OF COZ!
There are not a lot of bands in Chicago playing space rock these days, let along playing it as well as Tomorrow The Moon are. This is a record release party.
Marshall Crenshaw (SPACE, Evanston)
Fareed Haque, Tony Monaco & Tony Dicke (Andy's Jazz Club)
Lyle Lovett & his Large Band (Chicago Theatre)
Ike Reilly Assassination with Top Shelf Lickers (Abbey Pub)
8.02 sunday
The Kills with Baby In Vain (Metro)
Okay, so I let one official Lolla aftershow slip through the cracks, but The Kills aren't actually playing the festival. I guess the non-Lolla band aftershow has become a tradition going back at least as far as Them Crooked Vultures.