The leader of the nation's first collegiate blues ensemble at Columbia College, Fernando Jones leads this instructional course in bridging public school achievement gaps with the blues. Targeting everyone from parents to school council members, Jones shows how literacy, attendance, discipline and overall academic success can increase ten-fold via harmonica workshops and musical-theory courses. In other words – keep cool in school with the blues, kids. (Gavin Paul)
Long past his days as a Kingston Mines staple in the '80s - when he would draw crowds with long, fuzzy Les Paul solos that would end only after his eyes rolled fully back into his head, eyelids twitching - Payton's an underground legend of the severely unrecorded sort. He had just one single cut in '87 on an Alligator Records comp called "All Your Affection Is Gone," so he uses rare occasions like this to tease the glory days. (Gavin Paul)
In addition to indulging his "geeky fascination" with miniature military models, the Sun-Times' lead pop-music critic, Jim DeRogatis, spends his off-time indulging his punk youth as the drummer for Vortis, a Black Flag-esque salute to a short-lived British avant-guerre movement called vorticism, which called for "primitive mercenaries in the modern world." Consider it a chance to skewer the city's most infamous skewerer. Opening curtain belongs to a fellow local riot grrrl punk set listing Joan Jett as the leader of its "girl rock revolution." (Gavin Paul)
Friday, February 12 at 10pm Venue: Hideout Tickets: $8
Over the course of six records, guitarist/vocalist Byther Smith has built a passionate niche based on his genuine rasp and post-war hops. His music is shrouded in dark remembrances of his troubled youth, as he lost both his parents before he was six months of age. Resident slide-guitar heroine Joanna Connor hits heavy on the Mississippi brood as well.
Friday, February 12 at 7pm Venue: Kingston Mines Tickets: $15
When asked what inspired their protein-friendly name, Meat Number 5 (Ricky Ropesack and Big Once) responded, "it's a vision of a genetically engineered meat which continually feeds and grows off of itself and ingests its own excrement. Perpetually growing bigger and bigger; eventually providing delicious meat for everyone for all times." Disgusting imagery to say the least, but one that makes total sense as you watch one of the duo's performances unfold live. Ricky is an intense drummer who slowly builds the rhythm into ear-pounding breaks, and just as his momentum hits its crescendo, Big Once slivers in with his catalogue of groovy samples and meat-inspired dialogue. So far they have one self-titled full-length and one EP (The Oblivion EP) to their credit, and their style has quickly evolved past the initial DJ Shadow and Opus comparisons. This year will likely see the release of their next fulllength, which means this show will be a prime opportunity to gorge yourself on some fresh, newly engineered beats. (J. Min)
Yes, we know what you're thinking. And no, there is absolutely no way to predict if the real Doom will show up (trust us, the promoters aren't involved in this charade). What is known is that regardless of who the headliner is, the rest of the artists on this bill are more than capable of carrying a show on their own. Qwel and Maker are stalwarts and are savvy enough to tame a restless crowd; Mike Relm's mastery of the turntables has impressed on an international scale; and Mos Def, well, if his appearance on Austin City Limits this past week (he and K'Naan were the first hip-hop artists ever to perform on the show) is any indication of what's to come, you're in for something special. Package them all together and what you have is one damn good insurance plan if Doom decides not to show up. DJ's Rude One, Trew, Demchuk and RTC will spin throughout. (J. Min)
Saturday, February 13 at 7pm Venue: Congress Theater Tickets: $26.50
The last time this journalist had the privilege of witnessing the rage of hardcore Toronto punksters Fucked Up, a dude named Pink Eyes (vocals) squalled a riot one-liner – "You ruined life for us, now we'll ruin life for you" – that instigated the shaking of the pedestrian bridge they stood on, followed by the jumping off of said bridge. If that's not punk, I'm in the wrong business. Kurt Vile, on the other hand, is a folk technic of the lo-fi set drenching Philly-based aggression in bleeps of electronic sunshine. Zola Jesus slings some lo-fi tricks, as well, supplemented with burying layers of reverb and a gothic howl not too far off from what Fever Ray dropped this year, if filtered through a tape recorder. Boystown offers textbook start-up Chicago punk, indiscernible lyrics and all, plucked straight from a garage. (Gavin Paul)
Saturday, February 13 at 10pm Venue: Empty Bottle Tickets: $12
Blues virtuoso R.L. Burnside's son, Cedric, and his juke-joint cohort, Lightnin' Malcolm, both switch-hit on drums and guitar, creating a twosome so pick-up-heavy fierce you might think you're hearing The Black Keys. They're still touring behind 2008's 2 Man Record Crew (Delta Groove), which features odes to poppa Burnside and some playful affairs with funk. (Gavin Paul)
Saturday, February 13 at 8pm Venue: Morseland Tickets: $15-$28
"Psycho Killer," "Once in a Lifetime"...you may tell yourself this is not David Byrne and co., but this Evanston Talking Heads cover band sweats the nuances with supreme respect to the big suit that started it all, controlling the dance floor like puppet masters with three, sometimes four-hour sets. (Gavin Paul)
Saturday, February 13 at 8pm Venue: SPACE Tickets: $12-$22
Nigerian hip-hop/soul artist Nneka has figured out something important: if you're going to try to make political music, you're likely to reach more people if you wrap your messages in catchy packages. For proof, check out "Heartbeat," the hit single (in Germany, at least) that had some comparing her to Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill. For even more proof, check her out at this Valentine's Day show. It'll be easy as, we're giving away a few pairs of tickets on Facebook.
Sunday, February 14 at 9pm Venue: Double Door Tickets: $12-$15
If you're looking for an inexpensive way to close out your Valentine's Day, mark your calendars because this show might be it. Headlining the special holiday event (sponsored by GL Media) will be Golden Era-inspired artists 1773, who are in the midst of promoting their forthcoming album Greenlight Go. The show will double as a release party for their new single, "That One" (produced by Tall Black Guy and available for free). Wes Restless of The Jordan Years will cap off the night with a special a capella performance. The event is free, and it beats a trip to Walgreens in search of last-second gifts. (J. Min)
Sunday, February 14 at 9pm Venue: Lokal Tickets: $0
FREE
Snoop's done it all, from hit records and movie roles to reality TV and porn (as a host, that is). But what's been most impressive throughout Snoop's 18-plus year career has been his uncompromising stance on how he chooses to express himself, which has made him one of the most emulated artists in recent history. Who else can go from smoked-out street cat to leisure suit-wearing pimp without losing an ounce of credibility? Snoop is a true original, and anytime he makes his way to town it should be a top priority to watch him hold court. (J. Min)
Tuesday, February 16 at 9pm Venue: Metro Tickets: $35
