FLAME-EATING FUN: First Jonathan Richman, then Jon(athan) Spencer, now Jonathan Fire*Eater. Coincidence or design? What could it mean? Probably nothing; but interestingly enough, Jonathan Fire*Eater, yet another-up-and-coming band from the Big Apple to play the Club Congress, just happens to be named after Jonathan Richman, one of the band's favorite artist influences. A five-piece band comprised of Stewart Lupton's Jagger-meets-Richard Hell-vocals, Walter Martin's macabre, funhouse organ which recalls the Cramps and certain B-52's, drummer Matthew Barrick, bassist Thomas Frank, and the sharp, serrated reverb guitar work of Paul Maroon, Jonathan Fire*Eater is touring to support the release of their second EP, Tremble Under Boom Lights, on the Medicine label. Other releases by the band include a self-titled indie album and their first EP, Public Hanging of a Movie Star. In the U.S. the band was recently signed to David Geffen's Dreamworks label--also home to the Eels--for a rumored $1 million, as well as cutting a deal with the UK label Deceptive. Fresh-faced young men (the median age of the band hovers around 21) with hip haircuts, fitted mod thrift-store suits, and privileged private school backgrounds, Jonathan Fire*Eater is a unique blend of maudlin, poetic lyrics, somewhat reminiscent of Nick Cave ("Honey, you sure look good dead"), coupled with catchy, minimalist garage-rock. New Yorkers by way of Washington, D.C., the band relocated in 1995 after realizing the D.C. scene was not the most advantageous place for their particular rock vision. In various incarnations, from a Sex Pistols punk outfit to a ska band, they've been playing together since junior high. Two years of starvation and hard work in New York seems to have paid off. Jonathan Fire*Eater is on their way, and will be appearing with the very cool and under-appreciated Porktorta and Beyond Seven at Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St., at 9:30 p.m. Sunday, December 1. Tickets are $3. For more information, call 622-8848. HOT PICKS: Chick Cashman and the Countrypolitans play their blowout Extravaganza at Club Congress, Wednesday, November 27. This evening will be like none other in recent memory. In addition to Chick and the Countrypolitans, the line-up includes 10 acts, featuring an encore performance by the outrageous Prettiest Star herself, Angela Bowie, a fashion show boasting 20 models sponsored by Mr. Lulu, Porktorta, Serge and many other fabulous and eclectic entertainers. Audience participation is encouraged, so glamorize, accessorize and get down to the Club Congress early. The show is an unbelievable $3 and will probably get started around 9:30 p.m. Break out the patouli and other reggae rituals of welcome--Jamaican legends the Itals, with special guest Andrew Bees, bring their message of peace and unity to The Rock, 136 N. Park Ave., on Friday, November 29. The Itals are the combination of Keith Porter's lead vocals harmonized by David Isaacs, and have been a mainstay of the Jamaican reggae scene for 20 years. The show is sponsored by The Reggae Connection and KFMA and starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance, and are available at Twelve Tribes Reggae Shop, University Postal and Loco Records. They'll cost a few bucks more at the door, so pick 'em up in advance. For more information, call 629-9211. LAST NOTES: If you missed their debut opening for Lifter, fear not, the Swedish lads strike again. Sludge Nation rock the Congress with Jimmy Eat World and Helldriver at 9:30 p.m. Friday, November 29. Tickets are $4. Jazz phenomenon and former student of Joe Satriani, Charlie Hunter, brings his self-styled eight-string guitar/bass to the Congress on Wednesday, December 4. He plays the top two bass stings out of one amp, and the lower six guitar strings out of a second amp. Tickets for the Charlie Hunter Trio are $5 in advance, $7 d.o.s. And finally, those eager to get a jump on the holiday season are invited to the Soundings of the Planet courtyard, where Hungarian-born pianist and composer Tom Barabas plays a free instrumental holiday program. He'll be joined by label founder Dean Everson on Native American and silver flutes, and local Latin, jazz and folk rockers, Milkseed. You'll find Soundings at 3054 N. First Ave., with the "Magic In December" concert underway from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, December 1. Call 792-9888 for more information. --Lisa Weeks

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