A lot of good music comes out of Chicago. Every once in a while, that good music escapes Chicago and rampages across the United States (world? [universe?]). Tonight, such an event will be witnessed first-hand at Kalamazoo’s The Strutt, and it will be epic as all get-the-hell-out.

Tonight’s show will open with one of my personal favorite local bands: Grand Rapids-based 2-piece math-rockers Charles the Osprey. Super-technical guitar parts, super-technical drum parts, rockin’ groves, killer tone, and an astounding control of aural space combine to give this band a huge sound. in a word, they rock. In eleven words, they are one of the best bands of their kind. Period. I personally would make it a point to see this show even if CtO was the only band, but it only gets better.

From Kansas City – the birthplace of bebop jazz – comes something entirely different. The Life and Times are a rock-outfit that is absolutely epic. The way the instruments move around each-other and together at the same time is fantastic and fluid to a staggering degree, giving their music a smooth seam between it’s hard edges. Add in intriguing vocals and a little bit of flanger, and you have a winner.

Of course, the big reason to come out tonight is Russian Circles. Remember what I said about good music from Chicago? This is what I’m talking about.

Tix are 12 bucks, but that’s absolutely a good deal for the quality of music that you will witness. If you still can’t bring yourself to spend the scratch, then just consider it an investment. Trust me.