Schubas: best bets for shows in February & March 2008
January 27, 2008
I’ve often felt lucky to be living so close to Schubas (72 feet according to google maps). I’ve had some of my favorite concert experiences there. It’s the perfect size (holds maybe 200), has good acoustics, is rarely deafening, has a decent beer selection and serves delicious food. And, did I mention that it’s close?
Whenever a band I know (and enjoy) stops by, I try to see the show. I’ve dragged a few friends over from time to time, and it just happens that there are a wealth of good opportunities in the upcoming months. I encourage my Chicago friends to check out a few of the following concerts:
2/15/08 – Howie Day (sold out, else I’d provide the Schubas link) I was pleasantly surprised to find out that he’s playing at Schubas, considering the success of his single, collide.
2/29/08 – Pela Since I have to work on the extra day of the year, (isn’t February 29th the biggest crock ever for those of us that have salaried jobs? Ugh.) I feel fortunate to be able to check out what is sure to be an excellent show. I wrote about the first time I saw them at Schubas. I’m looking forward to the second experience.
3/1/08 – Griffin House- Alex introduced me to Griffen last year at a benefit concert at the Hard Rock Cafe. Griffin’s music is that of a happy, romantic, country-tinged, acoustical songwriter. Check out “the guy that says goodbye” and “better than love”.
3/4/08 – Phosphorescent- Phosphorescent was both one of my most fortunate and unfortunate Schubas experiences. A few years ago I went to see Boxtrot at Schubas and had the great good fortune to hear Phosphorescent opening for them. Matthew Houck’s beautiful, haunting voice matches up well with his ghostly songwriting (“wolves” is one of his best – and reminds me of something out of McCarthy’s The Road). A few months later, after dinner on a first date, I brought a girl to Schubas to see Phosphorescent again (this time headlining the night). I don’t know what happened, but this time Matthew was up there all alone (last time there were six or more members pumping out a raucous sound), with only a rather creepy porcelain doll (the kind whose eyes open and close – but this one only had a lazy eye *shudder*), and an electronic sound producing machine that pumped out sounds reminiscent to those of the original Super Mario Brothers soundtrack. Needless to say, it wasn’t the best show, ‘though it does make for an amusing story. I’m hoping this show is closer to my first Phosphorescent experience.
3/19/08 – Bell X1 – Besides having a really cool name, they are deservedly popular in Ireland (just ask Fiona) which is the only reason I know who they are. Evidently they used to be in a band with Damien Rice. I can believe it. They sound like an Irish pop/rock band should, but are a little sadder than I’d like them to be. They don’t approach Damien’s level, but could use a little cheering up. They do produce beautiful music nonetheless (check out “rocky took a lover”).
3/20-21 – Spinto Band-This is one of Ryan’s emusic discoveries from last year. They play infectious pop music. Check out “oh mandy” or “direct to helmet”. I highly recommend their music. It’s all kinds of fun.
Oh! Spinto Band. Nice.
(Also, I think having to work an extra day every four years doesn’t make salary jobs crappy. After all, you still get paid if you finish early and go home, unlike us hourly folk. Grrrrr.)
I didn’t say Feb 29th makes salaried jobs crappy – just that it is a crock! More work, same pay? Ugh. I feel like a woman. (Zing!)
Seriously ‘though, (and the above is just a joke – studies are starting to show that women, especially prior to motherhood, do get paid equally in this era) how many salaried people do you know who finish up early? I’m sure I put in more than my allotted hours. Either way has it’s pluses and minuses. Feb 29th happens to be one of my minuses.
I’m on a salary, but if I don’t work my 40 hours every week, I get docked. But then, when I do work weekends, I get paid a “bonus” for each file I finish, so it makes up for not getting paid overtime. So even though I’m technically on a salary, I’m still pretty much kind of hourly. It all works out in the end. Since I’m not really hourly, I get to fill out the easy time sheet. No more pulling out of the hair at the end of the month, trying to make sure I got every day just perfect. Those HR people suck…
And I meant to ask if that Google maps thing is accurate…because they only have half of my subdivision. So friends try to look up directions to our house and they get lost, then more lost because of all the detours.