Friday 19
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GIL MANTERA’S PARTY DREAM On disc these two “brothers” sound like your worst electroclash nightmare, flaunting the kind of stiff, dinky beats and maudlin electronic flutters you’d expect to hear in a crappy eastern European discotheque. Onstage, though, their genuine post-gay nastiness saves the day. Maybe you’ve already seen a shitty male keyboardist in a gold lame G-string and silky gloves–but how about one who lights his pubes on fire, sticks a beer bottle up his ass, and then drinks from it? I didn’t think so. Singer Donny sounds like a cross between a typical R & B crooner and that dude from Matchbox 20, except half the time he ditches the lyrics and just fills space with whatever asinine syllables come out of his mouth. Opening for the Rapture last year, he told the audience, “I got more problems than words.” Mahjongg headlines and Spires That in the Sunset Rise open. 8 PM, Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie, 773-252-6179, $8 in advance, $10 at the door. All ages. –Liz Armstrong
QUASAR WUT-WUT When I wrote glowingly about this local act back in 2000, it wasn’t entirely without reservation: it seemed all too likely that Quasar Wut-Wut’s inspired, free-for-all loopiness could easily turn into tiresome self-indulgence. Once again, I’m glad to be wrong. This show is a release party for its third full-length album, Taro Sound (Glorious Noise), and the band’s not only lasted but matured. As much as you’d want it to, anyway: its springy, crunchy art pop has depth and texture now, and a wide-angle sensibility reminiscent of Camper Van Beethoven. Devin Davis and Darren Hanlon open. 10 PM, Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, 773-227-4433, $8 suggested donation. –Monica Kendrick
Sunday 21
SPARTA On the new Porcelain (Geffen), this California band polishes the emo-is-the-new-AOR formula until it shines like Bono’s shades. The band’s straining for sincerity over the whole album, and Alternative Press magazine, for what it’s worth, loves it. But Sparta’s jagged songs have such a refined and coldly accurate edge that only the music’s precision registers. Further Seems Forever, Copeland, and Sunshine open. 6 PM, Metro, 3730 N. Clark, 773-549-0203 or 312-559-1212, $15. All ages. –Monica Kendrick
