Smile Politely

The Overture: July 29–Aug. 4

Patrick Singer

WHAT: Mack House, Boots Fulton, Mark Laughlin

WHERE: The Clark Bar (free)

WHEN: Tuesday, July 30th at 7 p.m.

Champaign-Urbana Singer-Songwriter series at the Clark Bar continues this week. A trio of singer-songwriters are lined up, led by Mack House. Boots Fulton and Mark Laughlin round things out.

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WHAT: Calculator, Enta, Yusuke, Cassius, Panel Van

WHERE: The Math Lab ($5)
 
WHEN: Tuesday, July 30th at 8 p.m.
 
A solid show rounded up for this unknown destination for a Tuesday night show. California’s punk crew Calculator leads the way with a handful of locals, including the reunited Panel Van. We’ll take a look at this reunion tomorrow when we talk with the band prior to their show.
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WHAT: You’ll Live, Ice Hockey, Mother Leopard, Gadzooks the Boy

WHERE: Error Records ($5)
 
WHEN: Wednesday, July 31st at 8 p.m.
 
Another great show lined up at Error Records mid-week, led by scream punkers You’ll Live out of Florida. They’re making their way around the states now after visiting Europe and our neighbors to the north, Canada. They’re joined by a few bands from around the state, and new C-U project Gazooks the Boy. Interesting.
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EDITOR’S PICK: GOGOL BORDELLO
The Canopy Club ($25) — Wednesday, July 31st at 9 p.m.
 
With the release of their newest record into the world, Gogol Bordello is on a mission to take over. They’ve already done so in many, many areas spanning the globe, and the band continues to infuse their brand of “gypsy punk” into the lives of the audiences they entertain so well. They’re stopping through these parts on Wednesday, which is a terrific treat, even though the price point is a bit steep. Can’t complain here, though. When an act of this crew’s caliber comes through, it’s worth the price of admission to see, regardless of musical taste.
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WHAT: Withershins, Poney, Doomsayer, Poundcake

WHERE: Thee Deathtower ($5)
 
WHEN: Wednesday, July 31st at 9 p.m.
 
Giving some more love to a house venue here this week because of the quality of the bill lined up. Withershins headline this show with some other terrific locals and non-locals spread across the lineup. A newer act, Doomsayer, is the fellow local paired up here with Withershins, and Poney and Poundcake accompany them.
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WHERE: Houlihan’s
 
WHEN: Thursday, August 1st at 7 p.m.
 
Megan Johns will have a couple of hours of performing time all to herself at an interesting venue in Houlihan’s later this week. Not to worry — she’s got plenty of material to fill up the time over there without any issues. She’ll be performing on the patio, so cross your fingers for good weather for this one.
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WHAT: The Chemicals, No Bails, Bookmobile!
 
WHERE: Mike ‘N Molly’s ($5)
 
WHEN: Thursday, August 1st at 8 p.m.
 
The Chemicals have been quiet as of late, but they’re showing some life and performing at Mike ‘N Molly’s on Thursday night. Kalamazoo’s No Bails joins as the touring act, plus garage punk local outfit Bookmobile! brings up the rear. Bookmobile! isn’t so new anymore, as they’ve got a handful of shows under their belt at this point in time.
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WHAT: Henhouse Prowlers, Western Bandit Volunteers

WHERE: Allerton Park ($5 suggested donation/$10 per family)

WHEN: Friday, August 2nd at 6 p.m.

The C-U Folk and Roots Festival is throwing down this show over at Allerton Park as a part of a concert series they’re hosting at the park now. Henhouse Prowlers are no strangers to C-U, having played here many times now, but perhaps not as familiar performing at this park. Could be interesting, folks.

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WHAT: The Fights, Everything’s Alright, Lonely Trailer

WHERE: Mike ‘N Molly’s ($7)
 
WHEN: Friday, August 2nd at 8 p.m.
 
Another solid show lined up at Mike ‘N Molly’s headlined by the awesome alt-country band The Fights on Friday night. They’re joined by ex-Dr. Manhattan crew Everything’s Alright and locals Lonely Trailer. We’ll take a closer look at this show later in the week to prepare.
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WHAT: Duke of Uke and His Novelty Orchestra

WHERE: The Iron Post ($6)

WHEN: Saturday, August 3rd at 6 p.m.

Duke of Uke and His Novelty Orchestra have a few shows on the horizon before going on a hiatus for a handful of months. This show is going down at the Iron Post, where the band has a couple of hours of music lined up for their set on Saturday night.

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WHERE: Error Records ($5)
 
WHEN: Saturday, August 3rd at 7:30 p.m.
 
Texas crew Major Major Major (yep, three times around, y’all) hit the midwest at Error Records this week with a handful of others. Bike Cops are releasing a record, and they’re out of Chicago, so they’re not far from home. 
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WHAT: Missing the Point

WHERE: Cowboy Monkey ($5)
 
WHEN: Saturday, August 3rd at 10 p.m.
 
Local alt-rock crew Missing the Point get ready to perform at Cowboy later this weekend. Not a lot of shows to choose from this weekend, but this isn’t a bad option if you’re wanting some live, local music on Saturday.

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