International Espionage
Resolve to enjoy more live music in 2010 and get a solid start this first work week of the year with shows by David Landau, The Barley Brothers, the Clyde Stubblefield Band, Crooked Barn with Flame Shark, Frank James & the Gang, Fermata with Despite the Chaos, Mike Massey and Francie Phelps, International Espionage, and Kikeh Mato.
Monday 1.4
NOTEWORTHY: California congresswoman Nancy Pelosi becomes first woman elected Speaker of the House, 2007.
BIRTHDAYS: R.E.M. vocalist Michael Stipe, 1960; actress Julia Ormond, 1965.
Talula, 5:30 pm
You may know Landau as the singer and guitarist with local bluegrassers the Cork 'n' Bottle String Band. But he's also a children's entertainment force, with a couple albums' worth of material under his belt. He lends his goofy voice to tunes like "She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain" and "Icky Sticky Bubble Gum."
Malt House, 7:30 pm
Ragtime, country blues and old-time string-band classics are just a few of the tricks up the Barley Brothers' sleeves. See what else they've got cooking as you sample topnotch brews from around the world.
Frequency, 9:30 pm
Stubblefield isn't just Madison's funky drummer. He's the original Funky Drummer that backed up James Brown, and his weekly gig at the Frequency is always a class act. With O Trem Dos Tres.
Tuesday 1.5
NOTEWORTHY: Madison's high temperature of -14 ties the 1912 city record for coldest January high, 1924.
BIRTHDAYS: Oscar-winning actress Diane Keaton, 1946; shock-rocker Marilyn Manson, 1969.
Wednesday 1.6
NOTEWORTHY: A 58-degree high temperature establishes a January record for Madison, 1880.
BIRTHDAYS: English actor/comedian Rowan Atkinson, 1955; filmmaker John Singleton, 1968.
High Noon Saloon, 9 pm
Crooked Barn explores the underbelly of Rust Belt culture with alt-country and a bit of the blues, while Chicago-via-Madison-via-Louisiana band Flame Shark blends swampy blues and lots of Americana via lots of keys (Fender Rhodes and Hammond M3 organs, a Nord Electro and some good old-fashioned piano) and Justin Jahnke's sticky, soulful vocals. Also playing: A Minute Jack Forum.
Thursday 1.7
NOTEWORTHY: Akihito becomes emperor of Japan, 1989.
BIRTHDAYS: Perky CBS news anchor Katherine Anne Couric, 1957; actor Nicolas Cage, 1964.
Frank James & the Gang
Tricia's Country Corners, McFarland, 8 pm
The winner of numerous local music awards and a former writer for TNN's Fandago game show in Nashville, Frank James has been playing country music for more than 35 years. Watch and reminisce as he and his left-handed guitar bring the atmosphere of an old-fashioned honky-tonk to McFarland.
High Noon Saloon, 9 pm
Fermata's dark chamber-pop seems tailor-made for teen vampire shows and the next Twilight film, and Milwaukee's Despite the Chaos twist their dark melodies into punk, metal and Evanescence-style rock. With Sophia's Revenge.
Mike Massey and Francie Phelps
Ivory Room, 9 pm
Massey and Phelps are both veterans of Mad Cabaret, the act that used to bring sensory overload and frequent Elton John covers to the old Slipper Club. Expect a more subdued affair at the Ivory Room, set to the tune of Massey's delicate piano work and Phelps' accomplished singing.
Frequency, 10 pm
The Minneapolis trio makes catchy, '80s-style New Wave that immortalizes '60s spies, from James Bond to the tennis-loving secret agents of I Spy. With Fishhooks.
Argus Bar, 10 pm
Local singer and djembe player Kikeh Mato fronts this group of music makers. Dancing to their West African sound is good for the circulation. With Chafo.
