WHAT: Chris Strand, Andy McDowell, Bob Watson
WHERE: The Clark Bar (free)
WHEN: Tuesday, June 12th at 7 p.m.
Chris Strand of The Curses has a busy week of music ahead of him, as he’s partaking in the Champaign Singer-Songwriter series that’s been consistent throughout the year. Andy McDowell and Bob Watson round this one out in one of the first (if not the first?) three-act bills I’ve seen in the series so far.
WHAT: That’s No Moon, Big Science
WHERE: Mike ‘N Molly’s ($5)
WHEN: Wednesday, June 13th at 10 p.m.
That’s No Moon has been hard at work on their next record, a follow-up to their solid self-titled debut from the tail end of last year. Meanwhile, the band joining them, Chicago’s Big Science, just put out their newest record Difficulty last week. All sorts of stuff going on with these two.
WHAT: The Curses, Neoga Blacksmith, Overman
WHERE: Mike ‘N Molly’s ($5)
WHEN: Thursday, June 14th at 9 p.m.
As mentioned earlier, Chris Strand will be playing at the Clark Bar on Tuesday and the full band will take the stage with local chums Neoga Blacksmith and Overman at Mike ‘N Molly’s. If you’re looking for some rock ‘n roll in your diet before the weekend hits, this is probably the one for you.
WHAT: Thundertruck, Poundcake, Terminus Victor 
WHERE: Mike ‘N Molly’s ($5)
WHEN: Friday, June 15th at 10 p.m.
Pure rawk going down at this one on Friday, as Thundertruck is picking up speed after getting a few shows under their belts. Poundcake joins from Manteno, and it’s always nice to see Terminus Victor on any bill, so that is happening as well. Interested to see what else is going to come out of Thundertruck camp in the near future. Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s going to be loud.
EDITOR’S PICK: ELSINORE, COMMON LOON, THE DIRTY FEATHERS,
NEW RUINS, EVIL TENTS, GRANDKIDS
POST-PARTY (AT JOE’S BREWERY): SANTAH, MIDSTRESS, THAT’S NO MOON
Campustown (free) — Saturday, June 16th at 6:00 p.m.
Any event at which you can drink booze on the street is probably worth going to. I mean, the students are typically filling the streets, having consumed most of what they could get their hands on any particular night of the week, but this time they are not around, so that’s where everyone else comes in. But enough about booze, there are bands playing here, a lot of them, and a lot of good ones. They want you to hear them.
Champaign Center Partnership, Smile Politely Show Series, and 88.7 WPCD are presenting this lineup of acts this year as a part of the Center City Summer Stage show on Saturday, and there’s no shortage of great acts to see throughout the evening. The music is free, but it’s definitely worth more than nothing. You can check out the schedule over at the Facebook event (linked in the title) to check out when the bands play and in what order. No matter when you want to show up, the odds are you’re going to see something you’re going to enjoy.
WHAT: The Palace Flophouse, An Evening With Your Mother, Megan Johns Band, Tricia Scully, Carl Hauck
WHERE: The Highdive ($10 suggested donation)
WHEN: Saturday, June 16th at 7 p.m.
Young Survival Coalition of Champaign-Urbana is hosting some local musicians to honor young women affected by breast cancer in Central Illinois. Beneath the Skin features a pretty solid billing lineup, and all of the ticket purchases will go directly to supporting resources in central Illinois for young women affected by the disease. Definitely a feel good show to head out to this weekend.
WHAT: Miss Haze, Hey Casey, Miss Amphetamine, DJ Belly, Ideal DJs, Harsh Pro
WHERE: The Highdive
WHEN: Saturday, June 16th at 11 p.m.
Miss Haze hails from San Francisco and joins the bill of a variety of other DJs for this show at the Highdive Saturday night. Harsh Pro is hosting another show and providing visuals which have been impressive at other shows, so don’t expect that to stop here. Prepare for some wompin’ in your ears if you’re headed out to this one Saturday night.