WHAT: Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s, A Lull, Grandkids
WHERE: Courtyard Cafe ($8 students/$13 public)
WHEN: Tuesday, December 7th at 8:00 p.m.
Here’s something you don’t see everyday: a show at the Courtyard. Margot and the Nukes are obviously the main draw here, but we’re betting that Chicago experimentalists A Lull will give them a good run for their money, performance-wise. And don’t forget about Grandkids, who are more than dserving of the exposure this show will garner them.
WHAT: Horrible Things, The Leadership, Great Life
WHERE: Canopy Club ($7)
WHEN: Thursday, December 9th at 10:00 p.m.
The Leadership, a new band featuring Jon Childers and members of World’s First Flying Machine and Tall Tale, will release their first (and currently untitled) album. Great Life are even more brand-new, and this will be something like their third show. Also on the bill are Horrible Things, who have the draw to easily pack a Thursday night in the Void.
WHAT: The Henhouse Prowlers, Corn Desert Ramblers
WHERE: Channing-Murray Foundation Chapel ($8)
WHEN: Friday, December 10th at 9:00 p.m.
Chicago’s Henhouse Prowlers bill themselves as “traditional bluegrass”. That means you probably won’t be dealing with much jammy noodling or extended solos. As Time Out Chicago put it, “this bluegrass band has the right formula: heavenly harmonies on top of furious fingerpicking.”
WHAT: The Curses, Jill Andrews, Mike Ingram
WHERE: Cowboy Monkey ($5)
WHEN: Friday, December 10th at 10:00 p.m.
You may recall an article from back from April discussing Jill Andrews. When Roger Ebert managed to get the show severely postponed by taking over the venue (seriously), plans were made for Jill to return to Champaign in the near future, and thus here we are. Mike Ingram and the Curses support.
WHAT: Minus the Bear, Tim Kasher, New Idea Society
WHERE: Canopy Club ($17 advance)
WHEN: Saturday, December 11th at 8:30 p.m.
Expect loop pedals. Lots and lots of them. It will be, technically speaking, ridiculously cool. Even if you aren’t a Minus the Bear fan, this is worth going to for the absolute fucking clinic that guitarist Dave Knudson puts on live. Cursive frontman Tim Kasher and Brooklyn-based New Idea Society support.
WHAT: The Dirty Feathers, Santah, Mr. Gnome, Grandkids
WHERE: Cowboy Monkey ($7)
WHEN: Saturday, December 11th at 9:30 p.m.
Combine a rock-solid local lineup, a regional touring act which is steadily gaining momentum, and the best room in Champaign-Urbana and you get a damn good show. This is likely going to be your last chance to catch Grandkids before they go into winter-break hibernation as well.