Holiday Sound Check

Underground Garage head Little Steven – he of Bruce Springsteen and Sopranos fame – has gathered 20 of his favorite fun holiday songs. Some

are brilliant variations on the traditional, such as The Chevelles joyous instrumental surf romp through “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” dubbed here

“Come All Ye Faithful Surfer Girls.” Some are great originals, such as The Kinks fabulous garage pop number “Father Christmas” and The

Ramones “Merry Christmas (I Didn’t Want to Fight Tonight),” with singer Joey relaying a familiar holiday conundrum. Some are iconic, such as Keith

Richards making like Chuck Berry on “Run Rudolph Run.” Tough to say, but Joe Pesci ( “If It Doesn’t Snow on Christmas”) and The Electric Prunes

(“Jingle Bells”) are a waste of space. But ex-Move man Roy Wood’s Wizzard, performing the British Yuletide classic, “I Wish It Could Be Christmas

Every Day,” more than makes up for any skipable moments.

Sixpence None The Richer “The Dawn of Grace” (Nettwerk)

Christmas brings people together. Usually. Four years since they split, Nashville-based pop outfit Sixpence None The Richer, the band responsible

for the hit 1997 hit “Kiss Me,” reunited to make a Christmas album. A decidedly odd reason for a pop reunion, one that could smack of quick money

were it not for the fact that, following a summer tour and some Christmas performances, a non-seasonal album is set to follow next year. Either

way, this is a delightful collection of mostly traditional Christmas songs. The two Sixpence originals -- “The Last Christmas” and “Christmas for

Two” – blend into the disc’s lovely ethereal atmosphere. Jars of Clay singer Dan Haseltine duets on a pretty version of “Silent Night.” But mostly,

the focus is Leigh Nash’s coy, sweet voice and guitarist Matt Slocum’s delicate instrumentation. A warm, welcome Christmas get-together.

Chrisian Music News Source

SIXPENCE NONE THE RICHER, The Dawn of Grace (Nettwerk)

This 10-song Christmas set is Sixpence's first new release since the Nashville Christian pop group re-formed late last year. With that in mind, the most intriguing tracks here are two new original tunes, "The Last Christmas" and "Christmas for Two," and they're both sweet, inspired successes, bundling up frontwoman Leigh Nash's vocals in cozy, wintry folk tones. Dreamy interpretations of reverent Christmas classics such as "Silent Night" and "Angels We Have Heard on High" are nothing to gloss over, either.
— DAVE PAULSON, STAFF WRITER

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Queen pledges to rock you in big-screen way

One of those one-time-only showings features Bad Company's Paul Rodgers lending his vocal support to Queen.

"Queen + Paul Rodgers: Let the Cosmos Rock" hits the big screen at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6. Among the American movie theaters scheduled to show the recorded concert film are ShowPlace 14 in Michigan City, ShowPlace 16 in Schererville and Portage 16 IMAX. Recently filmed in Ukraine, the show is loaded with Queen fare, including "We Will Rock You," and "Tie Your Mother Down," a blistering track that perhaps ranks as the band's most underrated song. There's also Paul Rodgers' stuff from his days in Bad Company and Free ("All Right Now").

Visit www.FathomEvents.com for information.

Sixpence scheduled

There's an intriguing holiday show coming to the Star Plaza Theatre. It's different, boasting both a Christian edge and a youth-friendly pop slant.

One of the acts is Sixpence None the Richer, which is responsible for two lilting tunes that made their marks during the past 10 years. You might remember "Kiss Me," which was used in the Freddie Prinze Jr. movie "She's All That," and on TV's "Dawson's Creek." The Grammy-nominated band from Texas likewise scored with its cover of the La's "There She Goes."

Also on the bill is Jars of Clay, a Grammy Award winner for 1997's "Much Afraid," a million-selling CD in the "Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album" category. The aforementioned groups will be joined by Leeland and Sara Groves at "Love Came Down -- A Christmas Pageant," set for 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at the Merrillville venue. Tickets, $30, go on sale noon Saturday.

Leisure Suits & lounge guru

Here's an interesting mix of shows at The Venue, Horseshoe Casino's new theater.

At 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, TV's "Nashville Star" trots out its four finalists from the most recent installment of the talent-search series.

I didn't think there was still much of a demand for Johnny and the Leisure Suits, but Chicago DJ legend Jonathon Brandmeier will be horsing around with his band at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22.

Then there's a guy who's perfect for the casino scene: Wayne Newton. The lounge leviathan croons at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5.

Visit www.thevenue-chicago.com for ticket information on the Hammond shows.

Get down at Duffy's

Howard and the White Boys are dishing punchy contemporary blues at 10 p.m. Saturday at Duffy's Place, 1154 Axe Ave., Valparaiso. There's no cover charge. Featuring guitarist Rocco Calipari of the Valpo area, the band has played Europe and opened for B.B. King.

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That's the Ticket

On sale 10 a.m. Friday

Bottle of Justus, Friday, Jan. 2 ($13-$15, 17+) at House of Blues.

Cradle of Filth, Satyricon, Septicflesh, Sunday, Jan. 25 ($23.50-$26, all ages) at House of Blues.

Reel Big Fish, Streetlight Manifesto, Monday, Jan. 12 ($20.50-$23, all ages) at House of Blues.

Sister Hazel, Pat McGee, Luke Mulholland, Saturday, Dec. 20 ($25-$26.50, 17+) at House of Blues.

Trippin' Billies, Saturday, Jan. 3 ($14-$16, 17+) at House of Blues.

Wu-Tang Clan, Sunday, Dec. 14 ($45-$48, 17+) at House of Blues.

On sale noon Friday

Gregory and the Hawk, Friday, Nov. 21 ($8-$10, all ages) at Schubas.

Haulin’ Boats, Mister Wolf, Friday, Oct. 31 ($6, 21+) at Schubas.

Chris Knight, Sunday, Dec. 14 ($15, 21+) at Schubas.

Angel Taylor, Wednesday, Dec. 10 ($10, 18+) at Schubas.

Rosie Thomas, Sunday, Dec. 7 ($12, 21+) at Schubas.

The Waco Brothers, Friday, Dec. 26, Saturday, Dec. 27 ($12-$14, 21+) at Schubas.

On sale 10 a.m. Saturday

Bottle Rockets, Wednesday, Dec. 31 ($25, 21+) at Beat Kitchen.

Egypt Central, Pop Evil, Tuesday, Nov. 18 ($10-$12, 17+) at Subterranean.

Lifehouse, Sarah McLachlan, Plain White T’s, Friday, Dec. 12 ($55-$75, all ages) at Chicago Theatre.

Owen, Monday, Nov. 24 ($12, all ages) at Beat Kitchen.

Denison Witmer, Sunday, Dec. 7 ($10-$12, all ages) at Beat Kitchen.

On sale 11 a.m. Saturday

John Legend, Raphael Saadiq, Friday, Nov. 21 ($46-$71, all ages) at Chicago Theatre.

Umphrey’s McGee, Monday, Dec. 29 ($30-$35, 18+), Tuesday, Dec. 30 ($30-$35, all ages), Wednesday, Dec. 31 ($65-$75, 18+) at Auditorium Theatre.

On sale noon Saturday

CSS, Ssion, Sunday, Dec. 14 ($18, all ages) at Metro.

D-Code, Jeekoos, Chris Widman, Phaded, Pinkushin, Thursday, Nov. 20 ($10, 21+) at Smart Bar.

Funeral For a Friend, The Sleeping, Friday, Jan. 30 ($14, all ages) at Metro.

Juliana Hatfield, Tuesday, Dec. 2 ($15, 21+) at Double Door.

Jars of Clay, Leeland, Sara Groves, Sixpence None the Richer, Sunday, Dec. 14 ($30, all ages) at Star Plaza Theatre, Merrillville, Ind.

New Colossus, Saturday, Nov. 8 ($5, 21+) at Double Door.

The New Fuse, Friday, Jan. 9 ($8, 21+) at Double Door.

Tapes ‘N Tapes, Saturday, March 7 ($16, 18+) at Metro.

On sale now

Canasta, Will Phalen and the Stereo Addicts, Thursday, Nov. 6 ($10, 21+) at Subterranean.

Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival: David Grisman Quintet, Avett Brothers, Ha Ha Tonka, others, Saturday, Nov. 22 ($31, all ages) at Congress Theater.

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