Home >  A & E

On the poppy side

Friday, May 17, 2002

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

OK, so we didn't get Elvis Costello on tour in support of his strongest album since the Reagan years.

And Paul McCartney passed us by.

And The Who.

But there are things to do this summer. Really. Good things, even.

Asked to pick five shows as Hot Picks, I found myself regretting that I couldn't make it 10.

	Hot Picks Ben Folds His last time here, two days before his awe-inspiring debut as a post-Five solo artist hit the streets, Ben Folds played all but two songs from an album almost no one in the crowd had heard. And that was it. No "Brick." No "Underground." No song from any Ben Folds Five release -- until the encore, anyway. And this time, he's taking an even more extreme approach to going solo, arriving at M June 1 without a band. Expect this show to be among the more inspired concerts of the year, if not the decade. Musiq From the smooth side of the soul revival, Musiq hit the streets last week with "Juslisen," an album on which the man behind the shades revives his share of classic soul traditions, from the la-la that can only mean I love you on the first cut to his sweet seduction of a Beatles classic. George Harrison's "Something" may, in fact, have had more soul on "Abbey Road," but Musiq makes the song his own here, soaring into Al Green territory toward the tail end of the bridge. He'll be showcasing songs from the album June 1 at Club Laga with Cee-Lo and Aries. Green Day This Post-Gazette Pavilion show is actually a co-headlining bill with Blink-182, but it'll take more than a flaming f-word sign for Blink-182 to match the showmanship -- not to mention the hits -- you almost take for granted at a Green Day show. But Green Day may feel threatened by the younger band's appeal. And that can be only a good thing. Mogwai Helmed by texture king Dave Fridmann, who, in recent years, has helped uncork the magic in both Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev, this Glasgow band's "Rock Action" is a work of haunting beauty sculpted from a wall of noise while channeling the atmospheric majesty of vintage Floyd like a quieter cousin of My Bloody Valentine. But can they re-create that extra texture live? We'll see when Mogwai takes the stage May 23 at Club Laga. Makers Like the Who, Seattle's Makers got a lot of mileage early on as live performers, then went all high-concept on us. In the Makers' case, there were no Pinball Wizards and/or Wicked Uncle Ernies, only rock stars dealing with the trials and tribulations of their own rock stardom. Not that they spoke from experience. Last week, the band released the long-awaited follow-up to "Rock Star God," an album called "Strangest Parade." Next month, it falls back on its reputation as a live act with a show at Rosebud. --Ed Masley Post-Gazette Pop Music Critic

MAY

YOLANDA ADAMS: Amphitheatre at Station Square, 7 p.m. May 17. $28-$33. 412-323-1919.

X-FEST: Featuring Rob Zombie, Puddle of Mudd, Hoobastank, Static-X, Unwritten Law, Custom, Course of Nature. Post-Gazette Pavilion, Burgettstown, 2 p.m. May 17. $35. 412-323-1919.

ED HARCOURT: Rosebud, Strip, 7:30 p.m. May 17. $10. 412-323-1919.

DICK DALE: Rosebud, 8:30 p.m. May 18. $17. 412-323-1919.

MONSTER MAGNET: Club Laga, Oakland, 7 p.m. May 18. Also: Adharma & Dragpipe. $16 advance; $18 at door. 412-323-1919.

DAMO SUZUKI (of Can)/CUL DE SAC Backward on Forward, Squirrel Hill, May 18. 412-421-4117.

DEAD KENNEDYS: Club Laga, 7 p.m. May 21. Also: The Generators, Submachine. $21 advance; $23 at door. 412-323-1919.

MIKE WATT: 31st Street Pub, Strip, 9 p.m. May 21. $10. Also: Grandma's Ghost. 412-323-1919.

BILL BRUFORD EARTHWORK: Rosebud, 8 p.m. May 22. $16. 412-323-1919.

RORY BLOCK/DAYNA KURTZ: Club Cafe, South Side, 8 p.m. May 22. $15 advance; $17 at door. 412-323-1919.

CONVOY: Club Cafe, 10 p.m. May 22. Also: Soda Jerk. $8 advance; $10 at door. 412-323-1919.

BAHA MEN: M, Strip, 8 p.m. May 23. All ages. $15. 412-323-1919.

HARRY CONNICK & HIS BIG BAND: Benedum, Downtown, 8 p.m. May 23. $29.50-$62.50. 412-456-6666.

CALLIOPE FUND-RAISING CONCERT: Carnegie Music Hall, Oakland, 7:30 p.m. May 23. Featuring David Grisman, Peter Rowan, Vassar Clements, Herb Pedersen and Bryn Bright. $35-$100. 412-432-0333.

BOTTOM: 31st Street Pub, Strip, 10 p.m. May 23. Also: Killing the Messenger/Grand.

MOGWAI: Club Laga, 7 p.m. May 23. Also: Mighty Flashlight. $10 advance; $12 at door. 412-323-1919.

LOST GOAT: 31st Street Pub, 10 p.m. May 24. Also: Super Highway, Car Fire, Hacksaw. 412-391-8334.

BLINK-182/GREEN DAY: Post-Gazette Pavilion, 7 p.m. May 25. Also: Saves the Day. $32.50 advance; $34.50 at door. 412-323-1919.

DEASY, PAHANISH & HYL-BERT: Club Cafe, 7 p.m. May 25. $10 advance, $12 at door. 412-323-1919.

CHRIS WHITLEY: Rosebud, 8 p.m. May 26. $12 advance; $14 at door. 412-323-1919.

YUME BITSU Backward on Forward, May 26. 412-421-4117.

CIRCUITS OF STEEL SHOWCASE Shadow Lounge, East Liberty, May 28. 412-363-8277.

SUGARCULT: Club Laga, 7 p.m. May 28. Also: The Reunion Show, The Exit & Transition. $8 advance, $10 at door. 412-323-1919.

THE BROTHERS CREEGAN: Club Cafe, May 29. $10 advance, $12 at door. 412-323-1919.

SHADOWS FALL: Club Laga, 7 p.m. May 30. Also: Lamb of God, Unearth and Scissorfight. $10 advance, $12 at door. 412-323-1919.

ONEIDA: Backward on Forward, May 30. 412-421-4117.

HALF-SEAS-OVER: Backward on Forward, May 31. 412-421-4117.

PAUL REVERE & THE RAIDERS: Mountaineer Race Track, Chester, W.Va., 7:30 p.m. May 31. $15-$25. 412-323-1919.

COWSLINGERS: 31st Street Pub, 10 p.m. May 31. Also: Highway 13, Mighty Underdogs.

JUNE

BEN FOLDS: M, 7:30 p.m. June 1. $20.50. 412-323-1919.

MUSIQ: Club Laga, 7 p.m. June 1. Also: Cee-Lo and Aries. $21 advance; $23 at door. 412-323-1919.

PAT McGEE BAND Nick's Fat City, South Side, 8:30 p.m. June 3. Also: New Invisible Joy. $11.50 advance; $13.50 at door.

PETE YORN: Club Laga, 8 p.m. June 4. $15 advance, $17 at door. 412-323-1919.

THE BARNACLED Backward on Forward, June 5. 412-421-4117.

SOUTH Rosebud, 8:30 p.m. June 5. Also: $10.50 in advance; $12.50.

KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND: Mountaineer Race Track, Chester, W.Va., 7:30 p.m. June 6. $10-$45. 412-323-1919.

PETER CASE: Club Cafe, 8 p.m. June 6. $10 advance; $12 at door. 412-323-1919.

ANDYOUWILLKNOWUSBYTHETRAILOFTHEDEAD: Club Laga, 7 p.m. June 6. $12. 412-323-1919.

GIRL HARBOR 31st Street Pub, 10 p.m. June 6. Also: Choke City.

PINK: Amphitheatre at Station Square, 7:30 p.m. June 7. $25. 412-323-1919.

RAZZELS: 31st Street Pub, 10 p.m. June 7. Also: No Goods.

THE NAYSAYER Backward on Forward, June 7. 412-421-4117.

DAVE EDMUNDS: Club Cafe, 8 p.m. June 11. $20 advance, $22 at door. 412-323-1919.

TREY ANASTASIO: Amphitheater at Station Square, 7 p.m. June 11. $32.50. 412-323-1919.

WILL HAVEN: The Upstage, 7 p.m. June 11. $8 advance, $10 at door. 412-323-1919.

STRUNG OUT: Club Laga, 7 p.m. June 12. Also: Poison the Well, Rise Against, Rufio. $12. 412-323-1919.

ANODYNE: Mr. Roboto Project, June 12. 412-247-9639.

SOVIET: The Upstage, June 13 412-682-2050.

MARTIN CARTHY: Club Cafe, 8 p.m. June 13. $12. 412-323-1919.

INCUBUS: Mellon Arena, 7:30 p.m. June 13. $26.25. 412-323-1919.

JOHN SCOFIELD BAND: Rosebud, 8:30 p.m. June 13. $16. 412-323-1919.

NASHVILLE PUSSY: Club Laga, 8 p.m. June 13. Also: Nebula. $5 advance, $12 at door. 412-323-1919.

SUPERJOINT RITUAL: (featuring Philip Anselmo of Pantera) M, 8:30 p.m. June 13. Also: Skinlab, Speed Dealer. $18.50 in advance; $20.50.

CHERRY VALANCE: 31st Street Pub, 10 p.m. June 14. Also: Science Fiction Idols.

JOHN REUBEN: Club Laga, 7 p.m. June 14. Also: Sorry for Something, Morning is Coming. $10 advance, $12 at door. 412-323-1919.

SINBAD: Harv Arena, Mountaineer Race Track, 7:30 p.m. June 14. $10-$45. 412-323-1919.

SNOOP DOGG: M, 9 p.m. June 14. Also: Strict Flow. $30 in advance; $35 at door.

DEEP PURPLE/SCORPIONS/DIO: Post-Gazette Pavilion, 6 p.m. June 15. 412-323-1919.

CHARGER STREET GANG/CYNICS: 31st Street Pub, 10 p.m. June 15.

HOT COUNTRY JAM: Featuring Brad Paisley, Mark Wills and Lee Greenwood. Post-Gazette Pavilion, 5:30 p.m. June 16. $35.-$10. 412-323-1919.

INSANE CLOWN POSSE Rex Theater, 8 p.m. June 17. Also: Big Money Hustlas. $10.

KOTTONMOUTH KINGS: Club Laga, 7:30 p.m. June 18. Also: Phunk Junkeez, Mix Mob. $15. 412-323-1919.

PLEASURE FOREVER/YOUR ENEMY'S FRIENDS Mr. Roboto Project, June 18. 412-247-9639.

SIX FEET UNDER: Club Laga, 7 p.m. June 19. Also: Skinless and Sworn Enemy. $15 advance, $18 at door. 412-323-1919.

SICK OF IT ALL: Club Laga, 7 p.m. June 20. Also: Reach the Sky, Hope Conspiracy. $10 advance; $12 at door.

DISENGAGE: 31st Street Pub, 10 p.m. June 20.

MARTIN SHORT: With the Pittsburgh Symphony, Heinz Hall, 8 p.m. June 21. $30-$120. 412-392-4900.

THE CLARKS/O.A.R: Amphitheatre at Station Square, 6:30 p.m. June 21 and 22. Also: New Invisible Joy. $23 advance, $40 both shows. 412-323-1919.

440s: 31st Street Pub, 10 p.m. June 22. Also: Cretin 66, Killing the Messenger.

CLASSICAL MYSTERY TOUR: Beatles tribute with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Heinz Hall, 8 p.m. June 22. $29.50-$80. 412-392-4900.

USHER: Post-Gazette Pavilion, 7 p.m. June 23. Also: Faith Evans, NAS, Mister Cheeks. $22.50-$49. 412-323-1919.

THE MAKERS: Rosebud, 8 p.m. June 23. Also: The Bangs. $10.

DOOBIE BROTHERS: Harv Arena, 7:30 p.m. June 23. $15-$50. 412-323-1919.

KMFDM: M, 7:30 p.m. June 23. All ages. $17. 412-323-1919.

KORN/PUDDLE OF MUDD: Mellon Arena, June 29. 412-323-1919.

JEWEL: Amphitheatre at Station Square, 7:30 p.m. June 29. Also: M2M. $38.50, $28.50, $10. 412-323-1919.

POISON/CINDERELLA: Post-Gazette Pavilion, 7:30 p.m. June 29. Also: Wagner, Faster Pussycat. $11-$35. 412-323-1919.

TEMPLARS: 31st Street Pub, 10 p.m. June 29. Also: Iron Cross, Weekend Warriors, Traditionals.

NICKELBACK: Amphitheatre at Station Square, 7:30 p.m. June 30. Also: Jerry Cantrell. $27. 412-323-1919.

JULY

DIVIT: Mr. Roboto Project, July 1. 412-247-9639.

BEACH BOYS: With the Pittsburgh Symphony, Heinz Hall, 7:30 p.m. July 2. $29-$120. 412-392-4900.

JOHN MELLENCAMP: Post-Gazette Pavilion, 8 p.m. July 3. $20-$65.00. 412-323-1919.

moe: Amphitheatre at Station Square, July 3. Also: Les Claypool's Frog Brigade. $20 in advance; $22 at door.

A LIFE ONCE LOST/CIRCLE OF DEAD CHILDREN: The Upstage, July 3. 412-682-2050.

GOOD RIDDANCE: Club Laga, 7 p.m. July 4. Also: Bane, Strike Anywhere. $10 advance; $12 at door.

CHER: Mellon Arena, 7:30 p.m. July 5. Also: Cyndi Lauper. $79.75, $59.75, $34.75.

'70s SOUL JAM: Amphitheatre at Station Square, 7:30 p.m. July 6. Featuring: The Stylistics, Chi-Lites, Delfonics, Cuba Gooding, Sr. & Main Ingredient, Harold Melvin's Blue Notes. $37.50, $32.50, $28.50, $20.

OZZFEST 2002: Post-Gazette Pavilion, 10 a.m. July 7. Featuring Ozzy Osbourne, System of a Down, Rob Zombie, P.O.D., Drowning Pool, Adema, Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society. $125.50, $60.50, $35.50. 412-323-1919.

PHIL LESH AND FRIENDS: Amphitheatre at Station Square, 7:30 p.m. July 8. Also: Soullive. $29.50. 412-323-1919.

THREE DOG NIGHT: With the Pittsburgh Symphony, Heinz Hall, 7:30 p.m. July 10. 412-392-4900.

HYPNOTIC CLAMBAKE: Club Laga, 9 p.m. July 10. Also: Big Leg Emma & Mr. Nimbus $13. 412-323-1919.

THE FOUR TOPS: Harv Arena, 7:30 p.m. July 12. $15-$45. 412-323-1919.

JOHNNY MATHIS: With the Pittsburgh Symphony, Heinz Hall, 8 p.m. July 12-13. $35-$90. 412-392-4900.

DOLLAR BANK JAMBOREE: Point State Park, noon, July 13. Featuring Clint Black, Corbin-Hanner Band. Free. 800-345 DOLLAR.

GREAT BIG SEA: M, July 14. Also: Young Dubliners, Seven Nations. $18.

THE LOCUST/ARAB ON RADAR/LIGHTNING BOLT/FLYING LUTTENBACHERS: The Upstage, July 15. 412-682-2050.

FOG/KARL HENDRICKS TRIO The Upstage, July 19. 412-682-2050.

CHICAGO: Amphitheatre at Station Square, 7:30 p.m. July 19. $20.25-$37.75. 412-323-1919.

JOHN MAYER: Amphitheatre at Station Square, 7:30 p.m. July 25. Also: Guster. $28 in advance; $30 at the door. 412-323-1919.

BROOKS & DUNN NEON CIRCUS AND WILD WEST SHOW: Post-Gazette Pavilion, July 26. Also: Dwight Yoakam, Gary Allen, Chris Cagle, Trick Pony, Cledus T. Judd. $45, $35, $25, $20. 412-323-1919.

ROLLING ROCK TOWN FAIR: With Outkast, Godsmack, Nickelback, P.O.D., Alien Ant Farm, Sevendust, Injected and Default, Westmoreland Fairgrounds, 10 a.m. July 27. $48. 412-323-1919.

AUGUST

BILLY RAY CYRUS: M, 8 p.m. Aug. 1. $31.

DAVE MATTHEWS BAND: Post-Gazette Pavilion, 7 p.m. Aug. 2-3. $46.50 reserved, $31.50 lawn. 412-323-1919.

BRAIN SURGEONS: 31st Street Pub, 10 p.m. Aug. 3

JAMGRASS: Amphitheatre at Station Square, 1 p.m. Aug. 4. Featuring Dark Star Orchestra, John Cowan Band, Yonder Mountain String Band, Peter Rowan & Tony Rice, Sam Bush Band, David Grisman Quintet. $25. 412-323-1919.

RUSH: Post-Gazette Pavilion, 8 p.m. Aug. 6. $25-$65. 412-323-1919.

TWISTIN' TARANTULAS: 31st Street Pub, 10 p.m. Aug. 9

DAR WILLIAMS: Rosebud, 8:30 p.m. Aug. 10. $30.

MARTINA MCBRIDE: Harv Arena, 7 p.m. Aug. 14. Also: Keith Urban. $20-$55. 412-323-1919.

ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND: Post-Gazette Pavilion, 7 p.m. Aug. 16. Also: Galactic. $35, $19, $15.

DARYL HALL & JOHN OATES: Amphitheatre at Station Square, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 19. $ 20-$50. Also Todd Rundgren. 412-323-1919.

JIMMY BUFFETT & THE CORAL REEFER BAND: Post-Gazette Pavilion, 8 p.m. Aug. 20.sold out. 412-323-1919.

ALAN JACKSON: Post-Gazette Pavilion, 8 p.m. Aug. 23. 412-323-1919.

SEPTEMBER

TOBY KEITH: Post-Gazette Pavilion, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20. Price TBA. 412-323-1919.

Back to main story.