It's one of those nights that was set aside to be very productive. I chose to stay in on a Saturday night, surrounded by nothing but my computer, puppy, and a stack of papers to grade (yes, I educate American's future).I was making progress until I heard Sunday But Summer's "My Way Out" streaming through my itunes from Ichannelonline, and it was all downhill from there. I decided to take a break and create my 'St. L Shows of the Week' blog because Kane loves them so much (or he loves me. I'll take either :) So, if you're looking for a show to attend this week, I have some options for you to chose from, and I have to say, Friday's looking to be a tough night to chose from the 4 shows that are definetly worthy of the coveted end of the week...but more on that later...

Sunday, Nov 8
If you check this in time, I would suggest checking out the SKA IS DEAD TOUR 4 at OFF BROADWAY. Not only is this the RiverFront Times' Critics Pick but the night features some of today's up and coming ska acts such as The Toasters, Mustard Plug, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Deal's Gone Bad, and BAMF! (who hails from St. Charles, and has been heard on ichannelonline). The name of the tour is a jab at the fact that ska is, unforunately, dying, but lovers of the horns infused rock refuse to let it rest in peace, and for good reason. Back before the days of emo and song titles that were so long they took up multiple lines on the back of the cd, ska was the choice for music lovers who were a little 'different.' Ska is in and of itself very unique but is also reminscent to times gone by in which bands were filled with not only guitars, basses, drums, and key but also included a horns section, woodwinds, and more. I remember being in 7th grade (back in '98--'99, to date myself for the readers) and playing trumpet (yes, this girl once could play a mean horn), and listening to such bands as Less Than Jake, Goldfinger, and Catch 22 while being taught how to "skank" (a dance that I will do upon request...or at my student' school dances, in which cause I change the name to "the skat") and being awe of the genre. A friend of mine and I relived those days last fall at a BAMF! show and I about lost it at WARPED Tour when I saw Less Than Jake for the first time this summer...so to end my trip down memory lane...if you hold a special place in your heart for ska and still find yourself "skanking" to 'Keasby Nights,' pull out your bowling shirt and dust off your black and white wing tipped shoes and head over to Off Broadway

Tuesday, Nov 10
THE PAGEANT has American Idol winner DAVID COOK. Now, there are three reasons I am promoting this: 1. He is from Kansas City and has played shows with bands such as Troubadour Dali and the Abracadabras 2. Do you remember his version of 'Eleanor Rigby' while on Idol? No one else that night was worthy to sing the same words that Paul McCartney orginially sang 3. An amazing band called GREEN RIVER ORDINANCE is opening along with The Script (they were an itunes free download earlier this year).

Wednesday, Nov 11
THE BLACK CROWES will be filling THE PAGEANT with their wonderful sounds, and then afterwards (if you're 21+) head into HALO BAR where LOGOS will be keeping your night going after the show....and if you're hungry, there's this amazing hot dog stand outside Halo Bar... Sarah and I love the guy who works there and he sells the best hot dogs ever...

Thursday, Nov 12
If you're in Columbia, Missouri, and looking for something to do on Wednesday (like it's hard to find something to do in Como?...that's supposed to have a hint of sarcasmism to it) why not head to the BLUE NOTE? The Zeta Tau Alpha chapter at Mizzou is putting on a breast cancer benefit (And no, I am not affilated with the chapter) in which SUNDAY BUT SUMMER will be playing! A surpirse cover song has been promised so all you Columbians take a break from studying/pretending to study but actually spending time on fb/ sleeping/pregaming/whatever else you may be doing, and go and support an important cause while rocking out to SUNDAY BUT SUMMER

If you're not in the Como area, I would suggest going down to the Delmar Loop and spending the evening at Cicero's. AUTOVEIN will be playing which is never a let down as well as WILD TIGER (formerly the Marquette Weekend), and The Flight Station, and Minutes to Midnight

One other suggestion for Thursday would be to check out FUBAR where KATE VOEGELE  is playing. If you're a GREEN RIVER ORDINANCE fan and will miss them with David Cook, check them out on Thursday when they open for KATE VOEGELE.

Friday, Nov 13
I prewarned you at the beginning of this post...Friday will be a difficult one to decide on...unless you attend more than one show which I may be doing. On Friday you could chose to support some acts local to St.L or some that are more mainstream but just as great. Over at OFF BROADWAY, the band who started with members who attended my high school, also known as SO MANY DYNAMOS will be making their return to St. L in support of their album, The Loud Wars. Chistopher Walla of Death Cab for Cutie loves them,which maybe reason enough to check them out, as well as the recent addition of the band in the form of Nathan Bernaix of Target Market. Other bands playing include The Bear Scout, and The Lake.

Another home town favorite is playing not far away at CICERO'S. If you haven't had the pleasure of checking out THOM DONOVAN, tonight's a good time to do so. Formerly the lead singer of Lapush, Thom is joined by his backing band that contains Andy Dwiggnins (Greenwheel/GoVanGogh/Wyld Stayllns), Kevin Bachmann (formerly of Lapush, currently with the Incurables, and when you're lucky Troubadour Dali) and their drummer is a part of The Urge. If you think you have never heard of Thom, think again. Songs he has written are played on The Hills, were played on Laguana Beach, 16 and Pregenant, Moonlight, and the T.O Show. Basically, reality tv loves this guy. 

In the more mainstream front, right down the street at THE PAGEANT a night with a great line up is planned. VERSAEMERGE (featuring a rocking front woman) and A ROCKET TO THE MOON with his pop-piano-rock will (probably) be starting off the night along with THE MAINE (who I am, for lack of better words, obsessed with in a teeny-bopper way). COBRASTARSHIP will take the stage, and I promise you, they have much much more material than the ONE song that pop radio has claimed for themselves, and the night will finish up with BOYS LIKE GIRLS.

About 15 minutes away at the FIREBIRD, the reincarnation of some gems can be found. PERSON L featuring Kenny from the recently disbanded The Starting Line will be playing as will as JOHN NOLAN who was of Straylight Run. Rounding out the mx for the night will be Brian Bonz and Leaking Africa

Saturday, Nov 14
If you're not recovering from the week, I would say I would finish things up at CICERO'S. THE LIVERS, THE BLIND EYES, KENTUCKY KNIFE FIGHT, and THE HUMANOIDS will be performing, and if memory serves me right, most of these bands were nominated for RFT's best of ST.L award over the summer and performed in the RFT's showcase.

There's the week all planned out for ya! Let me know what you did, where you went, and what I missed! Last week, I took in Paramore at the Pageant. Paper Route opened for them and I would suggest people check them out. I also saw Makeshift Gentlemen, Building Rome, Good Time Engineers, and Kane (he's worth a mention) at Harrah's Voodoo Lounge!

Peace,

Britt