The Week In Shows

Here is our weekly list of recommended shows to catch in, and around, the city. We do not take our recommendations lightly, so you can put all of these down as money well spent on great live bands.

Friday - 3/2
The Twilight Sad @ Empty Bottle
$12 - 10pm - Opening: Young Prisms, Michah P Hinson

Late notice, but the Scottish band's sparse, moody new album is sure to sound fantastic here. As much as we love Empty Bottle, this is a band that should definitely be playing on a larger stage. The dramatic, brooding "Sick" and rumbling "Another Bed" are sure to set the room on fire.

Dia Frampton @ Subterranean
$15 - 8pm - Opening: Andrew Allen

If you are looking for something slightly cheerier to do tonight, last year's runner-up from The Voice is playing a set at Subterranean. Chad is a sucker for reality singing competitions, and Frampton (formerly of indie duo Meg & Dia) has a unique voice that should suit the venue nicely.

Saturday - 3/3
Pet Lions @ Subterranean
$10 - 9pm - Opening: Brighton, MA, Briar Rabbit, Ben Keeler

One of our favorite accidental discoveries over the last several years was stumbling across Pet Lions' "Roman History" on Pandora, only to realize that they are a Chicago band. A few shows and a great debut album later, we are fans. One of Chicago's indie outfits just waiting for the world to notice how great they are, you should definitely catch them while they are still playing the city's more quaint venues like this.

Thursday - 3/8
Yellow Ostrich @ Empty Bottle
$8 - 9:30pm - Opening: 1, 2, 3, Tin Tin Can

With a sophomore album, strange land, releasing earlier in the week, we are not quite sure how the Alex Schaaf project is playing at the smallish venue. The band's debut, The Mistress was a mind-blowing solo bedroom recording from Schaaf, achieved with loops of brilliantly layered sound and vocals. if you have somehow missed out, give it a spin - or better yet, trust us that this is a show not to be missed and catch them at Empty Bottle. It is a matter of time for the Barsuk-signed band to be playing to much larger crowds.

Friday - 3/9
Company Of Thieves @ Metro
$15 - 7pm - Opening: Bailiff, Sidewalk Chalk

Anyone that used to listen to our old podcast will not be shocked that we are recommending a Company Of Thieves show. They are easily one of the best live bands going, and it is great to see them playing a larger room. Catch them at Metro before more people figure out how damn great they are and they end up playing even bigger venues.

Maritime @ Empty Bottle
$10 - 10pm - Opening: Panoramic & True, The Minor Leagues

With two openers and Metro's notorious policy of shoving you out the door as quickly as possible once a show ends, you might have a shot to catch both Company Of Thieves and Maritime on Friday night. The Milwaukee band's latest album, Human Hearts was one of our favorite albums of last year. We can only imagine how fantastic the jogging jabs of "Paraphernalia" and raggedly strummed "Annihilation Eyes" will sound at the great venue.

Alabama Shakes @ Lincoln Hall
SOLD OUT - 10pm - Opening: Canasta, Jennifer Castle

Chicago's stellar indie pop outfit, Canasta is what would draw us to this show... if it were not sold out. Keep your eyes peeled here for future shots to catch Canasta's genius live.

Coming Soon
Saturday - 3/10
Adam Krier (AM Taxi) @ Beat Kitchen $10 10pm Opening: swizzlesteve, Kevin Andrew Prchal

Saturday - 3/17
Live Band Karaoke @ Schubas $5 5pm

Monday - 3/19
Fiona Apple @ Lincoln Hall SOLD OUT 8pm

Wednesday - 3/21
A Place To Bury Strangers @ Empty Bottle $12 9:30pm Opening: Apteka, The Big Sleep, DJ bradiy

Thursday - 3/22
Literary Rock & Roll: American Dreamers @ Metro FREE 6:30pm Readings of stories with Canasta providing music

Friday - 3/23
We Were Promised Jetpacks @ Bottom Lounge $15 9pm Opening: Bad Veins, New Cassettes
Delta Spirit @ Metro $17 9pm Opening: Waters (former Port O'Brien)
Rachael Yamagata @ Schubas $15 10pm Opening: Madi Diaz
The Temper Trap @ Lincoln Hall SOLD OUT 10pm

Saturday - 3/24
The Temper Trap @ Lincoln Hall $25 10pm
Rachael Yamagata @ Schubas $15 10pm Opening: Madi Diaz

Sunday - 3/25
Cursive @ Lincoln Hall $18 8pm Opening: Cymbals Eat Guitars, Conduits
Rosie Thomas @ Schubas $13 8pm Opening: Bhi Bhiman

Thursday - 3/29
The Pretty Reckless @ Bottom Lounge $15 6:30pm Opening: The Parlor Mob, The Hollywood Kills

Friday - 3/30
Miniature Tigers @ Schubas $15 8pm Opening: The Chain Gang Of 1974, Geographer, SPEAK

Saturday - 3/31
Ben Kweller @ Lincoln Hall $18 Opening: Sleeper Agent, The Dig

Ours' Jimmy Gnecco To Release Solo Debut, Tour Dates

Ours frontman, Jimmy Gnecco is set to release his solo debut, The Heart, on July 20th on Bright Antenna Records. Gnecco is prepping for the release with a string of May and June tour dates with California singer-songwriter Greg Laswell. You can get a listen yourself at Empty Bottle on May 15th.

The Heart Track List:
Rest Your Soul
Light on the Grave
Mystery
The Heart
Bring You Home
These Are My Hands
Gravity
I Heard Your Singing
Take a Chance
Darling
Patiently Waiting
It’s Only Love
Talk to Me

May
6 Portland, OR - Mississippi Studios
7 Eugene, OR - WOW Hall
8 Seattle, WA - The Tractor
11 Denver, CO - Walnut Room
12 McPherson, KS - McPherson Opera House
14 Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry
15 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
17 Toronto, ONT - The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern
19 Ann Arbor, MI - Blind Pig
20 Cleveland, OH - Cambridge Room at House of Blues
21 Columbus, OH - Rumba Café
22 Philadelphia, PA - Tin Angel
24 Washington, DC - The Rock and Roll Hotel
25 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
26 Philadelphia, PA - Tin Angel
27 Boston, MA- Paradise Rock Club
30 Charlotte, NC - The Evening Muse
June
1 Atlanta, GA - Vinyl
2 Birmingham, AL - Work Play Theatre
4 Dallas, TX - The Prophet Bar
5 Austin, TX - Stubb’s Bar-B-Q (Indoors)
8 Phoenix, AZ - Rhythm Room
9 San Diego, CA - Anthology
10 San Francisco, CA - Cafe Du Nord

Upcoming Shows - Week ending March 28th

This week plays out as a nicely stretched out list of awesome, beginning with a FREE show tonight at Empty Bottle with, up-and-coming indie pop stars, Pet Lions!


Monday, March 22nd – Empty Bottle – 9:30pm - FREE
Headliner: Pet Lions
Openers: This Is Versailles, Radar Eyes

Pet Lions + Empty Bottle + free show = Awesomeness! We have been harping on how great Pet Lions are for a while now. Between their recent trip to SXSW should expand and the eventual release of their debut, seeing these guys in smaller venues will be a thing of the past before you know it.


Tuesday, March 23rd – Metro – 6:30pm - $15
Headliner: Manchester Orchestra
Openers: The Features, Biffy Clyro, O'Brother

This is one of those rare shows where we would be just as happy if the main opener and headliner were reversed. Atlanta based rockers, Manchester Orchestra's sophomore album, Mean Everything To Nothing, was a definite high point in 2009 releases; more blowing the doors off their sound than just expanding it. We completely understand getting excited to hear it live (we sure are), but make sure not to miss The Features. The Tennessee band has been around for years, but last year signed to Kings Of Leon's imprint label to release their second LP, Some Kind Of Salvation. Their raw, passionate sound is definitely worth getting to the show early!


Thursday, March 25th – Schubas – 9pm - $8
Headliner: Roman Candle
Openers: Locksley, Rachele Eve

North Carolina roots-rockers, Roman Candle make a Chicago appearance at Schubas Thursday night. If the term 'alt-country' makes your ears perk up, this is the show for you this week. Skip Matheny's earnest, soulful vocals fit the story-telling songwriting wonderfully, and the band's sturdy rock backing, with a healthy dose of southern accents, sound fantastic.


Thursday, March 25th – Metro – 8pm - $22.50
Headliner: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Openers: Band Of Skulls, J Roddy Watson And The Business

If you are more in the mood for gritty blues Thursday night, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club will scratch that itch with a hard-charging, bluesy sound that recalls classic rock greats like The Rolling Stones. Their latest, Beat The Devil's Tattoo, is a sweaty, distortion-tinged effort that should translate beautifully to the Metro stage.


Friday, March 26th – The Aragon – 8pm - $32.75
Headliner: Tegan And Sara
Openers: Steel Train, Holly Miranda

Though the Quin sisters have steadily changed their sound from one album to the next since they burst onto the scene with the brilliantly poppy So Jealous in 2004. Whether that candied gem, or the hauntingly itchy, Chris Walla-produced The Con, or their most recent foray into more straightforward rock Sainthood, Tegan And Sara have proved to be among the most talented, interesting artists around.


Saturday, March 27th – The Riv – 7:30 - $58.50
Headliner: Stone Temple Pilots

With a new album just announced, and a new single ("Between The Lines") hitting the web today, Stone Temple Pilots appear primed to reclaim their rightful place as one of the world's greatest rock bands. The album hits May 25th, but you can get an early listen Saturday at The Riv. They played four tracks at SXSW last week, and early buzz behind the album is strong.

Upcoming Shows - Week ending March 7th

Another week, another batch of quality shows to check out. At least this week, there is just one night with a choice to make.
Tuesday, March 2nd – Schubas – 8pm - $10
Headliner: The new York Songwriting Circle: Chicago Showcase

The Sandhill Crane, Ty Maxon, and Ryan Suzuka might not ring a bell yet, but either did Company Of Thieves when they won this competition with "Oscar Wilde" in 2007. If you are a bit more adventurous with your concertgoing, we think you are very likely to stumble upon at least one or two of the six artists here that will make you glad you gave the showcase a shot.

Thursday, March 4th – The Vic – 7:30pm - $26.50
Headliner: Gomez
Opener: One eskimO

Britpop indie outfit, Gomez returns to the states with their multi-lead singer setup for an all-too rare stop at The Vic. Be sure to get there on time to catch up-and-coming opening act, One eskimO; whose brand of atmospheric acoustic rock is sure to win you over.

Friday, March 5th – Lincoln Hall – 10pm – SOLD OUT
Headliner: Black Joe Lewis And The Honeybears
Openers: Hacienda, DJRC

If you ever wished you were born a few decades earlier to catch the likes of James Brown live in his prime, this is your (more modern) chance. Black Joe Lewis and his band bring the funk, soul, and blues like no other; full of blaring horns, soulful backing vocals, and guttural vocals from their amazing front man.

Friday, March 5th – Empty Bottle – 10pm - $10
Headliner: Foreign Born
Openers: Free Energy, Clovers, DJ Hugsen Kissus

If you did not heed our warning and grab your tickets to Black Joe Lewis early, Free Energy's opening set at Empty Bottle on Friday night is a fine substitute. With a sound that lovingly recalls the party rock of the late seventies, Free Energy is a new band worth keeping tabs on.

Saturday, March 6th – Lincoln Hall – 10pm - $14
Headliner: Fruit Bats
Openers: Blue Giant (ex Viva Voce), The Singleman Affair

Fruit Bats are great, but the real draw here has to be Blue Giant. The husband and wife team that were the ragged rock duo Viva Voce have jumped ship to create Blue Giant, a full band. The expanded lineup expands their sound, and gives them a more southern-blues sound. Does four members equal twice the awesomeness of Viva Voce? Vanguard Records, the label that recently scooped them up, sure thinks so. Find out why on Saturday.

Free Energy Announce Tour Dates, Album Release Date

You don't know them yet, but consider this your warning to get familiar with Philly-based Free Energy. The quartet is set to release their debut LP, Stuck On Nothing, on March 9th digitally and May 4th in retail, for those who need the feel of plastic in their hand. It takes a special band to pull of a song with the same name as their band without sounding like a douche. It took Wilco seven albums to have the balls to pull off, but Free Energy kick their debut with cowbell-infused classic rocker "Free Energy". If you have ever come close to picking up the phone and ordering one of those 'Party Rock' sets from a commercial, Free Energy is your new favorite band. We feel compelled to kick off Spring with their March 5th appearance at Empty Bottle, and suggest you do the same.

02/22: Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo
02/23: Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland
02/24: San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Shop *
02/25: San Francisco, CA @ Popscene
02/26: Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios *
02/28: Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey *
03/03: Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry *
03/04: Madison, WI @ The Frequency *
03/05: Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle *
03/06: Bloomington, IN @ Video Saloon *
03/08: Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern *
03/09: Toronto, ON @ El Mocambo *
03/10: Buffalo, NY @ Big Orbit’s Soundlab *
03/11: New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge *
03/12: Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory *
03/13: Philadelphia, PA @ Marathon Lounge *
03/14: Washington, DC @ DC9 *

*With Foriegn Born

Upcoming Shows - Week ending December 6th

Until we get the podcast up and running, we'll try to keep you updated with at least weekly posts regarding upcoming shows you should have on your radar.  Two shows caught our attention this week, including one tonight. 

Tuesday, December 1st - Empty Bottle - All Creatures Of The Sea, Conductive Alliance, Winter Gloves - 9:30pm - $3 advance, $8 at door

Never heard the openers, but for $3, how can you resist the antsy electro-pop of Canada's Winter Gloves?  Their debut, About A Girl, is one of the best surprises of 2009.  Give the hazy synth a chance to win you over on the twitchy "Invisible". 

Saturday, December 5th - Beat Kitchen - Canasta, Sleep Out, Field Music - 9pm - $12

We learned of this one from Chicago's own Canasta, who serves up the opening sonic bliss.  Having discovered them at a dive bar opening for 2 AM Radio a few years ago, they are a constant reminder to never be late for a show.  For every horrible opening band that sends you packing to the bar to get out of earshot, there is a band like Canasta that you will be glad you stood around early for.  The little we've heard of Field Music sounds as if they are a good match for Canasta's killer brand of orchestral indie pop.  If you have not yet heard "Slow Down Chicago", stop reading now and go find it!