Catching good waves at Metro

BY TIM SHELLBERG
Times Correspondent | Wednesday, March 08, 2006

In 1996, it was easy to dismiss New Yawk rockers Nada Surf as Weezer Lite with their Top 20 hit "Popular" and their full-length debut, "high/low." Both album and single were produced by former Car-turned master knobsman Ric Ocasek, who also served as Rivers Cuomo and Co's man behind the boards for their big-selling self-titled debut.

But a great thing happened to the Surfers on their way to what was expected to be a one-way trip to "Where Are They Now"-land and after the expected slump that was '98's "Proximity Effect" they evolved into a top-notch modern rock band. Their 2002 set, "Let Go," was a pleasant surprise, effortlessly alternating between Radiohead-esque workouts like "La Pour Ca" to near-grand anthems such as "Fruit Fly." Their winning streak continued last year, with the more indie-minded "The Weight Is a Gift." They had the last laugh, and good for us for that.

Opening for Nada Surf Sunday are California indie rockers Rogue Wave and Inar George, whose late father, Little Feat mastermind Lowell George, is considered worthy of a shrine here at T&T.

Nada Surf, Rogue Wave, Inara George | 8 p.m. Sunday, Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago, $15 (18-and-over show)

FYI: (219) 549-0203 or www.metrochicago.com

Black 47 | 8 tonight, 115 Bourbon St., 3359 W. 115th St., Merrionette Park, $25 (21-and-over show)

With Fat Tuesday only three days behind and this year's South Side Irish St. Patrick's Day Parade scheduled for March 12, one would think that the denizens of Beverly would have some time to give their innards a wee bit of a break. But with Big Apple-based Celtic punks Black 47 performing today at South Suburban Merrionette Park's 115 Bourbon Street -- a mere eight blocks away from the South Side Irish Parade -- the festivities can just roll on. 47 leader Danny Kirwan's oftentimes brilliant compositions will make for musical manna for this barrio prior to the following week's festivities. Advice to the hardcore South Side revelers from a former old pro: Vitamin B-12.

FYI: (708) 388-8881 or www.115bourbonstreet.com

On sale now

For more information, contact the venues or Ticketmaster at (312) 559-1212 or www.ticketmaster.com. All shows are all ages unless indicated.

* Al Green, April 1, House of Blues (21-and-over show)

* Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, April 28 and 29, Allstate Arena

* Fall Out Boy, May 15, UIC Pavilion

* Josh Rouse, April 13, Park West (18-and-over show)

* Johnny Winter, May 26, House of Blues (21-and-over show)

* R. Kelly, April 26 and 27, Chicago Theatre

* Rhett Miller, April 20, Park West (18-and-over show)

* Taking Back Sunday, April 16, House of Blues 

* Kathy Valentine, May 6, Schubas (21-and-over show)

* Freddy Jones Band, May 19, House of Blues (18-and-over show)

* Melissa Ferrick, April 23, Park West

* Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, April 6, House of Blues (21-and-over show)

* Stellatar*, April 16, Metro (18-and-over show)

* Sia, April 12, Martyrs (21-and-over show)

* Atmosphere, May 12, Vic Theatre

 

FYI

Alkaline Trio's May 2 and 4 shows at Metro and Black Eyed Peas' May 6 performance at Aragon Ballroom are sold out.

 

The opinions expressed solely are those of the writer. He can be reached at T.shellberg@comcast.net.