Now that the Thanksgiving leftovers are gone, get set for several more weeks of shows before the Christmas hiatus. Green Light Go, a newcomer this year, have turned the Yes, No, Maybe demo recorded in Peoria with Matt Beneventi at New York Street Recording into a self-titled, four-track EP due any day. Green Light Go also have a new Web design and headline tonight at Courtyard Cafe over Eleanors Fault, Call the Medic, Gas Can Pickup, and One Trick Arsenal. Show time is 8 p.m., and cover is $4 ($3 with a valid UIUC student ID).
The rock is harder later tonight at Cowboy Monkey, where Second Son, King Solomon’s Grave, and Dave Tamkin play at 10 p.m., and cover is $4. Alternatively, Thursday offers opportunities aplenty to check out local music at no obligatory cost (although tips are appreciated). Free shows include Rob Russell and Joanna Michal at Aroma at 8 p.m.; Kayla Brown at Boltini also at 8 p.m.; and Eclectic Theory at White Horse Inn at 10 p.m.; as well as a diversity of DJs about town.
Friday, Illinois Disciples Foundation presents an all-star anti-war benefit concert at Cowboy Monkey. Scheduled to perform are The Idle Hours, The Situation, JigGsaw, Cameron McGill and Shipwreck. Show time is 9 p.m. sharp, and cover is $5.
The Idle Hours not long ago said goodbye to drummer Dan McCabe, and at this show will debut new members, new songs and new stickers. Meanwhile, www.theidlesite.com features more free MP3s such as “Fashionable Dance Slut.” Cameron McGill last month concluded a tour with Tom McRae and Rachael Yamagata and will have a residency every Monday next February at Schubas in Chicago. Show time is 8 p.m., and cover is $6.
Saturday, Shipwreck resurfaces, twice. First is at Mike ‘n Molly’s to open for Drawl and Tractor Kings. Drawl is a Chicago rock band begun by Jordan McCormack and Ryan Hennessy in winter 2002. Show time is 10 p.m., and cover is $4. Second is at The Void for an unofficial release party for the album Invisibility by The Invisible. Invisibility was mastered last month with Jonathan Pines at Private Studios and will go on sale for only $5 at this show. Sound samples are available at the new Web site, www.theinvisible.biz. Show time is 11:45 p.m., no cover.
Also Saturday, Troubled Hubble headline a last-minute show at the Courtyard Cafe, very early at 7 p.m. And at Nargile at 10 p.m., Goldfronts and DJ Bozak provide entertainment for the hip-hop and old-school crowd at a Nargile one-year-anniversary party.
For anyone unaware, NOX is a dance night that specializes in goth and industrial music, every Tuesday at The Highdive. DJ ZoZo, aka Jason Pitzl-Waters, retires from NOX next week, and his last night looks to be big. Beside his recordings, two bands will play: local heroes i:scintilla and Die Warzau.
Die Warzau formed as a performance-art group in Chicago in 1988 and attained cult status in 1995 with Engine. Die Warzau recently established their own label, Pulseback, and officially issue their first studio album in eight years, Convenience, Dec. 11 at Club NEO in Chicago. Die Warzau bills the show Dec. 7 at The Highdive as “Bloody Prom Night.” The morbid merriment starts at 9:30 p.m., with live music at 11 p.m., and cover is $5.
