Empty Out Your Wallet

By Julene McCoy in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 2, 2007 1:45PM

Did the groundhog see his shadow this morning? What does that mean again? We'll just jump forward to spring and get us some tickets to shows where we can don a jacket instead of a parka.

My Brightest Diamond will be opening for The Decemberists on a pair of evenings at the Riviera. If anyone has the perfect pedigree to open for the lit-rockers it would have to be Shara Worden. She's the granddaughter of a televangelist and daughter of both a National Accordian Champion and a church organist who has studied every kind of music, and she has been following her music where it takes her.
Apr. 18 & 19, Riviera Theatre, $26, all ages, on sale Saturday 10:00 a.m.

The most pop of Mike Patton's incarnations since the demise of Faith No More, Peeping Tom combine genres from rap to metal. At Lollapalooza Peeping Tom's show was one of our favorites and not just because we got to be near his sweaty body.
Apr. 15, Park West, $20, all ages, on sale Saturday 10:00 a.m.

We had the pleasure of listening to Son Volt's more jangly guitar sound at ACL, and even though it's not the alt-country sound from the past, it's not that different. In fact, it's a refreshing, yet reassuring sound.
Apr. 10, Vic Theatre, $21, 18+, on sale Saturday 10:00 a.m.

Two bands that garnered much word of mouth and critical acclaim over the last year are coming together for a gig at Subterranean. This little venue sure does seem to be getting some good shows recently. Decide for yourselves who has the better live show — Cold War Kids or Tokyo Police Club?
Mar. 9, Subterranean, $12, 21+, on sale Friday noon.

We were going to try and describe each band's sound as a Bears player, but that would have only shown how painfully unaware we are of any of the players (except the ones who may be going to jail or have cute nicknames). With that confession out there, we say Da Bears win it by 3!