10 WED • MUSIC: Les Savy Fav — Let the eye-rolling begin. They met at art school, they moved to Brooklyn, they’ve conjured the “post-” prefix out of armchair music journalists from Trenton to Tulsa while adhering to every little clause of the indie-rock handbook known to man (or at least the 98 percent Anglo, 17-to-25-year-old, humanities-studying man). But somehow, given all the predictable fluff that accompanies this cookie-cutter pedigree, Les Savy Fav has emerged as one of the most exciting, well-informed quartets in the prefix-ridden wasteland of independent rock. The group sings clever lyrics over lasting hooks, is stylistically solid (with influences that include Wire, J. Robbins and Gang of Four) and puts on a great live show. Les Savy Fav will perform at the Lager House, 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit. Call 313-961-4668 for details.
11 THU • MUSIC: Wayne Shorter — During Wayne Shorter’s highly celebrated 35-year career he has constantly fused popular and progressive ideas as both a composer and saxophonist. As a student of Coltrane, a band mate of Miles and an influence on generations, Shorter’s has earned legendary status as a tenor player. Possessing highly lyrical sensibilities and an inimitable tone on the soprano have placed him in a league all his own. Many of his carefully penned, ambling, long-winding, distinctive melodies have become standards, making him a national treasure. He will perform at the Michigan Theater (603 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor). Call 734-668-8480 for more information.
12 FRI • MUSIC: Clem Snide — As the definitive critical darling, its hard not to indulge in exaggeration when it comes to Eef Barzelay, singer and mastermind behind Clem Snide. His impeccable taste and bewitching craft as lyricist and pop arranger have propelled Clem Snide into walk-on-water status, placing the band’s latest spinART release, The Ghost of Fashion, atop the most discerning best-of-2001 lists. The key to Barzelay’s genius lies in his penchant for a poetic sleight of hand which can, in an instant, transform the mundane into the devastatingly romantic and strangely beautiful. It’s music at the crossroads of country-infused folk and NYC indie pop, built on a brilliant understanding of pop culture, pure joyfulness and straight-faced heartache. Clem Snide will take the stage at the Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward, Detroit. Call 313-833-9700 for more information.
12 FRI • MUSIC: Donald Harrison — Alto saxophonist Donald Harrison is sly but never just slick, cool as he wants to be but unafraid to bust a sweat. And then there’s his predilection for his custom-crafted grooves that manage to update the meaning of swing with echoes of New Orleans’ second-line and Kingston’s reggae. After wowing the Ford-Detroit Jazz Fest a couple years ago, you can hear him in the intimacy of CPOP Friday and Saturday. Shows at 8 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. each night at 4160 Woodward; call 313-833-9901.
13 SAT • MUSIC: Detroit Cobras — If Jack White is Detroit’s king of the music world, then let Rachel Nagy be queen. She leads the Detroit Cobras through a rant of soul that deserves every bit of the idolized worship that it is finally receiving. The Detroit Cobras will shake down the Magic Stick, 4120 Woodward, Detroit. Call 313-833-9700.
13 SAT • DANCE: Dub Supreme — There is no better place for the sublimely sweat-drenched late-night grind than at detroit contemporary (5141 Rosa Parks Blvd., Detroit), a top-shelf contemporary art gallery that boasts some of the best after-hours dance parties in the city. On the second Saturday of each month the gallery hosts an exploration of dub, reggae and dancehall titled Dub Supreme. Hosted by Thomas Crown and Ranking GIMP, the evening probes deep into the heart of the dancehall experience with a throbbing sound system, a pitch-black room and a crowd of night-owl, deep-groove enthusiasts. Call 313-898-4ART for more information.
14 SUN • FUN FOR ALL: Lyle, Lyle Crocodile — Little Lyle is a crocodile who has worn many hats over the years. He debuted in the colorful children’s book, Lyle, Lyle Crocodile, had an animated cartoon with the same name and now finds himself staring in a musical stage review. Through the years Lyle’s quest has been the same: to find his long-lost mother and have some zany adventures along the way. And how. Hopefully, he will find her at the Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty, Ann Arbor. Call 734-668-837.
16 TUE • MUSIC: Blue Dog — Judging by its unassuming exterior, Urban Break might not initially come across as a haven of experimental and nü-jazz projects. Among the burgeoning stars of this scene is Blue Dog, a bunch of players that seem to be caught in the unlikely territory directly between Ornette Coleman and Led Zeppelin. The band’s first record, What is Anything, was released by the illustrious Knitting Factory label and is nothing short of a free-for-all wild ride though avant-improvisation and skilled punk jazz. Urban Break is at 10020 Joseph Campau, Hamtramck. Call 313-872-1210 for all the juicy details.
