This week, local rockers the Tennis Lesson release a CD, School of Rock-Ballwin presents a free student showcase and plenty of touring acts stop into town. Read about Chicago Afrobeat Project, Kishi Bashi, Shai Hulud and more in this week's show recommendations, and as always, stay tuned till Friday for more picks for the weekend.
Kishi Bashi Tuesday, May 27, 8 p.m w/ Busman's Holiday, Née @ The Ready Room - $15-$17 By Christian Schaeffer It wasn't too many years ago that violinist K. Ishibashi was doing time with his Athens, Georgia city mates Of Montreal, adding layers of loops to that band's psychedelic circus. Now, as a solo performer going by the handle Kishi Bashi, the singer/instrumentalist has released his second album of kaleidoscopic pop. Lighght (pronounced "light") kicks off with his signature violin runs, looped and manipulated into a flurry of notes, but as the disc progresses, Kishi Bashi corrals squishy synths for dance-pop bangers alongside effervescent etudes.
Shau Hulud Wednesday, May 28, 8 p.m. w/ One Year Later, Better Days, Lamentors @ Fubar - $12-$14 By Rick Giordano Shai Hulud's roots are in hardcore, but the band has more in common musically with a progressive-metal band like Cynic or even Propagandhi than the likes of Agnostic Front. Instead of a chest-puffing tough-guy routine, listeners will find intricate guitar melodies alongside colorful chords and scales, with the occasional chugging slam selection thrown in to let the audience know that in addition to being extremely heartfelt, this band is also still really fucking pissed.
Black Panties Thursday, May 29, 7 p.m. w/ Destruction Unit, Institute, Breakout, Pool Party, Nos Bos @ Plush - $7 By Joseph Hess From this 2013 profile: Meet Black Panties, the snot-nosed rock & roll brat of south city. Luc Michalski, an otherwise mild-mannered fella, dons a leather jacket and transforms into a foul-mouthed, politically incorrect caricature of adolescent angst. To put it simple, he spits what some are truly thinking, but are too afraid to say. For better and worse, Black Panties draws from Michalski's throat, coughing up real trashy and guttural punk rock from the chest.
