Decent Days and Nights

By Scott Smith in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 2, 2006 1:10PM

We hope you’ve been saving your money, because the shows we’re looking at this week are a bit pricey. We’ll be scanning Craigslist for someone looking to offload their tix cheap. Why, oh why, isn’t there a Hot Tix for shows?

Now removed from the avalanche of hype that surrounded their last shows here, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah returns to town for a pair of shows at The Vic. Expect fewer people who “heard this band is awesome” and more folks there to try and pick up a limited-edition tour-only CD featuring CYHSY and openers Architecture in Helsinki and Takka Takka. Tonight and Tuesday, The Vic, 6:30 p.m. $21. 21+.

Sascha Konietzko of industrial metal pioneer KMFDM confused us a few years back by touring as MDFMK. But he re-formed the band in 2003, released an album of remixes and unreleased material earlier this year and is overseeing the remastering of three of the band’s early Wax Trax! records. If you’re still sad because Medusa’s isn’t around anymore then maybe their show at House of Blues will be a small consolation. Tuesday, House of Blues, 9 p.m. $23.50 - $25. 18+.

After we heard Mark Kozelek’s AC/DC covers album "What’s Next to the Moon," we lost our shit a little and spent a good six weeks trying to convince people of the deeper meaning of “Big Balls.” We failed. But Kozelek’s moody records -– whether solo or under the aegis of Red House Painters or Sun Kil Moon -- have attracted a small, but loyal, following. He’s under the covers again for his latest, Tiny Cities, a collection of Modest Mouse covers. Thursday, The Black Orchid (in Piper’s Alley), 8 p.m. $20. 21+.

Those who made the mistake of not hitting up the Biz3 tent at Pitchfork Music Festival this summer have been kicking themselves all fall. One of the highlights of that stage, Cansei de ser sexy (or CSS), returns for a show here at --- with Ladytron. The only downside to hitting this show on Friday is that their Brazilian dance grooves will mean the rest of the weekend is all downhill. Friday, The Vic. $24. 21+.

We didn’t know how much we wanted a gayer version of Elton John until we heard the Scissor Sisters debut in 2004. On their new album, "Ta-Da," they spread an even thicker layer of disco beats over the proceedings. Buy it now before Jake Shears complains about having to pay too much for an iPod and Steve Jobs yanks them off of iTunes. Sunday, Riviera, 7 p.m. $30. 21+.

Also playing out this week: Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins at the Vic on Wednesday, Tributosaus doing Dire Straits at Martyrs’ on Wednesday, and Yo La Tengo at the Vic on Thursday.

Decent Days and Nights is an ever-so-brief look at shows in the week ahead that we think are worth noting, for one reason or another. It will run each Monday (or Tuesday when it's a lazy holiday weekend). Feel free to note your own plans in comments.