Thursday 2.22
ttBROKE
ttYou’ve heard the sob story. Now hear the music that first attracted Maverick A&R reps to a little band out of Utah County. Broke’s recent label woes might serve as a cautionary tale to local groups who bypass independent representation for corporate promises of fast fame and easy money. It’s nice to see the alt-rock quartet back on Salt Lake City’s private-club circuit, half-unplugged and everything'catch them before they blow up all over again. Piper Down, 1492 S. State, 9 p.m. Info: 468-1492.
ECID
ttEmcee/producer Ecid has right place/right time credentials at his fingertips. The Minneapolis native honed his skills at Fifth Element open-mic nights under the watchful eye of Rhymesayers Entertainment, home to Atmosphere, Brother Ali, Eyedea & Abilities, The Coup, Psalm One and P.O.S. And while success isn’t necessarily predicated on ZIP codes, it certainly can’t hurt to watch your neighbors achieve hard-earned critical acclaim. Ecid, who started as one half of dynamic hip-hop duo Living Stereo, delivers deeply personal, self-assured rhymes over unique samples that he hopes might take him higher: “You shouldn’t be ashamed of living off of your talent'I’ll go sell CDs outside of a mall if I have to.” Monk’s, 19 E. 200 South, 10 p.m. Info: 363-1523.
- Also Thursday: Gin Palace Jesters (Burt’s Tiki Lounge); Pete Yorn, Aqualung (Suede, Park City)
Friday 2.23
ttDEAD PREZ
ttSpin contributer Kyle Anderson recently opined against the misappropriation of Rage Against the Machine’s music by marching bands and professional baseball teams. How did songs protesting hyper-masculine warmongers become anthems for hyper-masculine sporting events? Someone heard a sweet guitar riff and ignored the underlying message. Now, you might hear Dead Prez’s newest album, RBG: Revolutionary but Gangsta and just bob your head to the smooth beats, samples and guest emcees like Krazy Bone throwing done something about something. But hold up, what is that something he’s saying? Listen closely to the lyrics at tonight’s show and/or attend emcee M-1’s lecture on the Black Panther Party at the University of Utah on Feb. 22. Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, 10 p.m. Tickets: 24Tix.com
DRAG THE RIVER
ttIf you missed Drag the River’s last Salt Lake City performance, don’t make the same mistake twice. Fort Collins, Colo.’s alt-country group play a mean mournful pedal steel and write down-to-earth lyrics for anyone who’s been drunk on love, hungover from whiskey, tired of life and grateful to be alive. What started as a side project for members of punk outfits All, Armchair Martian and Nobodys is clearly not an afterthought. In fact, it’s clear these guys are having so much fun, one Drag the River tour might end with a Dear John letter to their original bands. Burt’s Tiki Lounge, 726 S. State, 10 p.m. Tickets: SmithsTix.com.
- Also Friday: Chanticleer (Nobrow Coffee & Tea'see Music, p. 46); Drown Out the Stars (Club Vegas); Glacial (Broken Record); Natural Roots (Monk’s); Gomez (Suede, Park City); Disco Ball 2007 (Harry O’s, Park City); Caroline’s Spine CD Release (Liquid Joe’s)
Saturday 2.24
ttt- Laserfang, Cub Country, Subrosa (Slowtrain); Christopher Lawrence (In the Venue); Burnt Orange (Kilby Court); Joseph Israel (Urban Lounge); Caroline’s Spine (Suede, Park City)
Monday 2.26
ttGEORGE CLINTON & PARLIAMENT FUNK
ttEver wondered what it means to wave your freak flag? Look no further than George Clinton, a man who deserves the Nobel Prize for helping ordinary Joes and Janes channel their inner mojo'if only for the duration of One Nation Under a Groove. From socially conscious functions to hippie fests and frat parties, the legendary funk master blows minds and shakes booties in a single, intergalactic bound. Confused? Check out the Funkcylopedia, a detailed lowdown on essential vocabulary including “aquaboogie” and “ego munchies.” Or just come to the show and bounce to this! Suede, 1612 Ute Blvd. (Kimball Junction), Park City, 9 p.m. Tickets: SmithsTix.com.
- Also Monday: Taste of Chaos Tour (E Center); Winger (Club Vegas'see Music, p. 45)
Tuesday 2.27
ttRICKIE LEE JONES
ttYou might know her as Tom Waits’ one-time girlfriend, but Rickie Lee Jones is much more than some cool cat’s kitty. She’s the chillest, the illest, a true bohemian and the queen of original beat-poet scats. The former runaway turned waitress turned musician hit it big with 1979’s “Chuck E’s in Love,” a tune that made me forget all about my Paula Abdul obsession as an impressionable kid. Even her covers of standards are wholly unique, transformed by that sexy be-bop coo-and-slur. Jones’ latest release, Sermon on Exposition Boulevard plays down the heavy jazz base, incorporating a more solid, folk-rock sound beneath her trademark vocals. Reinvention is sweet. Still, wouldn’t mind hearing a little “doyt, doyt” tonight. The Depot, 400 W. South Temple, 8 p.m. Tickets: DepotSLC.com
Also Tuesday: Jonathan Clay, Aston League (Monk’s); Olympia (Urban Lounge)
Wednesday 2.28
tt- Barcelona (Kilby Court); Saturday Looks Good to Me (Urban Lounge) English Beat (Suede, Park City)
COMING UP
ttSnow Patrol (Great Saltair, March 5). Todd Snider (Suede, March 5). Take Action Tour (In the Venue, March 6). My Chemical Romance (E Center, March 6). Jars of Clay (Kingsbury Hall, March 6). Hella (Kilby Court, March 8). Kittie (Country Club, March 12). Plain White Ts (In the Venue, March 13). The Sword (Burt’s Tiki Lunge, March 18). Badly Drawn Boy (Urban Lounge, March 19). TV on the Radio (Urban Lounge, March 21). Dirty on Purpose (Kilby Court, March 25). Page France (Kilby Court, March 29). Isis (In the Venue, March 30). De La Soul (Harry O’s, March 30). Panda & Angel (Urban Lounge, April 1).
