Music notes: Soul Asylum coming to town
Alt-rock veterans
Soul Asylum came from the legendary underground music scene that thrived in Minneapolis during the 1980s, the scene that produced bands like the Replacements and Husker Du. Soul Asylum's music bristled with punk energy and classic pop songcraft. Its most powerful weapon, though, was frontman Dave Pirner's witty lyrics and powerful singing; his voice moved easily from a sarcastic snarl to a tender croon. The band's 2012 album, “Delayed Reaction,” has received positive reviews, with some saying that it ranks with Soul Asylum's monster hit from the early 1990s, “Grave Dancers Union.”
8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, at the Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee, Chicago. Tickets start at $22. Go to doubledoor.com.
Local singer returns
Chicago singer-songwriter Michael McDermott returns to Rosemont this weekend for a special “all request” show at the Montrose Room. McDermott emerged on the local music scene in the 1990s, when his debut album “620 W. Surf” produced the hit, “A Wall I Must Climb.” He's made literate, personal music ever since; his most recent album, “Hit Me Back,” came out last year.
8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Montrose Room, located inside the InterContinental Chicago O'Hare hotel, 5300 N. River Road, Rosemont. Tickets start at $15. Go to montroseroom.com.
Winter Jam
Some of the top names in Christian music, including Downers Grove native Matthew West, will perform in the suburbs this weekend as part of Winter Jam 2013.
6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $10. Go to searscentre.com.