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The SUBMARINE RACES, a local trio featuring ex-Ponys member Ian Adams, Steve Denekas (the Countdown), and Paul John Higgins (Red Eyed Legends), got some buzz this summer with its self-titled debut on In the Red Records, and they followed it up with a seven-inch on local label Shit Sandwich (including a cover of the Minutemen’s “Party With Me Punker”) that proved there was more good stuff where that came from. There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles here–just solid, twitchy, clangy, and infectious guitar pop.
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ANITA BAKER In 2004 the reigning queen of the quiet storm returned from a decade-long absence with My Everything (Blue Note), a record that delivered pretty much exactly what you’d expect: unremittingly smooth soul. She’s been hitting the road somewhat regularly since last summer; on this current swing she’s drawing mainly from her classics and songs off her 2005 holiday album, Christmas Fantasy. a 8 PM, Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State, 312-462-6363 or 312-902-1500, $75-$90. A –Jessica Hopper
Psychic Ills headline, Indian Jewelry plays second, Grimble Grumble opens, and the Plastic Crimewave DJs spin throughout the night. a 10 PM, Schubas, 3159 N. Southport, 773-525-2508, $10, $8 in advance.
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cMAJA RATKJE & POING I wouldn’t have thought it possible for a world-class new-music ensemble to use only saxophone, accordion, and double bass, but that’s exactly what Poing does. Since forming in 1999 this Norwegian trio–saxophonist Rolf-Erik Nystrom, accordionist Frode Haltli, and bassist Hakon Thelin–has played more than 40 premieres of works by some of the planet’s most progressive composers, particularly from Scandinavia, China, and Japan. Poing’s flexibility makes it attractive to young writers: the players have conservatory-honed chops and a fluency with the sort of extended technique you’d expect from improvising musicians. Two of the five pieces on the group’s second album, this year’s Planet Poing (Jazzaway), were written by fellow Norwegian Maja Ratkje, a dazzling vocalist and noise artist who performs in Fe-mail and Spunk. Her compositions demand that the musicians keep an open mind: “Rondo Bastard Overture Explosion,” for example, twists the rondo form to integrate solo practice recordings made on Dictaphones into the live performance, a process that greatly enhances the texture and dynamics of the piece. Ratkje and Poing will perform together at this show, part of a brief U.S. tour. a 8 PM, Bond Chapel, University of Chicago, 1050 E. 59th, 773-702-8670. F A –Peter Margasak
