Barrel o' Monkey 

Dirty little secret time. I Hate — capital “H” — compiling music listings every week. Hate it. It is pure tedium and an utterly thankless task. Oh, sure, make the occasional goof and I’ll have three emails, a voicemail and a brick through my window about it by Thursday morning. But does anyone ever write in to say, “Hey, really enjoyed that open mic listing at Radio Bean this week”? Not even once. In three years. Sigh…

Where was I?

Ah, yes. Bitching.

The thing is, music listings are a necessary evil. In fact, it’s the most important part of my job as “that guy from Seven Days.” Music listings pretty much form the foundation for my entire section of 7D. By compiling them, I get a comprehensive overview of what is happening every week in a way most people don’t. I then distill that information into easily digestible pieces, to spare you the soul-crushing boredom of combing through each and every freakin’ listing looking for something cool, until your eyeballs glaze and you brain explodes and…

Where was I?

Oh, right. Distilling.

Typically, I try and spread the love around as best I can and cherry-pick bits from various venues around the state. It doesn’t always work out that way. But that’s the goal. Except this week.

This week, I’m suggesting you be one place and one place only, all week: The Monkey House. [Note to other advertising venues: Just kidding!] Every night they have the coolest show going. Period. Don’t believe me? Check it out, in pandering USA Today snippet style (for brevity’s sake … mostly):

Thursday

MSR Presents The Tallest Man on Earth, Nurses.

Why It’s Cool: See the spotlight click here. Also, MSR Presents rules.

Recommended If You Like: The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, Akron/Family, Ikea.

Friday

MSR Presents The Morning Benders, Miniature Tigers

WIC: MB’s sun-drenched new album Big Echo is a personal favorite and will be a staple on the summer playlists of beach going pop snobs everywhere. Also, MSR Presents rules.

RIYL: Dr. Dog, Delta Spirit, Surfer Blood, a warm sense of hipsterly superiority.

Saturday

Township, Brave the Vertigo, Brothers Through Glass, Kairos

WIC: Township rocks wikkid hahd. They also have strong Burlington ties, which should help them get along with all the local openers.

RIYL: Sabbath, Skynard, IROC-Zs with nekkid chick mudflaps.

Sunday

The Midnight Society

WIC: Features psuedo-local pop favorites Syd and Zac Clarke, who are based in Somerville, Mass. And what is the best breakfast joint in Somerville called? Sound Bites. No kidding.

RIYL: Joe Jackson, early Elvis Costello, really good songs about girls.

Monday

Angioplasty Media presents Thao with The Get Down Stay Down, Whales and Wolves

WIC: Thao Nguyen is the best songwriter you’ve never heard. Really. Also, Angioplasty Media rules, too.

RIYL: Cat Power, The Shins, Cat Power, Sufjan Stevens, Cat Power

Tuesday

MSR Presents Heavy Trash, Barbacoa

WIC: Jon Spencer’s dirty-ass rockabilly explosion. Also, MSR Presents rules.

RIYL: Holly Golightly, Chuck Berry, Dick Dale, chicken wire.

Wednesday

Familiar Strangers

WIC: Local blues(ish) supergroup features members of Bearquarium, Wagan, Greyspoke, Bad Suit and Flavor Trio.

RIYL: Things that happen every Wednesday.

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