Also this issue: Ghost in the Machine Japanese psychedelia invades brains, raises spirits. -A.D. Amorosi Family Fugue Orchestra 2001 puts the Crumbs back together. -Peter Burwasser Originators of the Species The progenitors of progressive house sprout legs, go on tour. -Sean O’Neal The Gig Jello Biafra -Patrick Rapa Ryan Adams -A.D. Amorosi The Blind Boys of Alabama/ The Dirty Dozen Brass Band -Sam Adams The Chameleons -Sam Adams

October 3- 9, 2002

musicpicks

Jon Langford

For 25 years, singer-guitarist Jon Langford has been the guiding force behind country-punks The Mekons, and more recently The Pine Valley Cosmonauts, The Three Johns and The Waco Brothers as well. The Wales native's immigration to Chicago nearly a decade ago has made him something of a father figure to Chicago musicians looking for direction and reassurance in this vicious music biz. Reputedly as nice as he is prolific, Langford's playing and/or production skills have graced the albums of Old 97's, Kelly Hogan, Sally Timms and Alejandro Escovedo, among others. Unlike Wales (still a principality of Great Britain), Langford's gone solo. Though The Mekons recently released a new album and are touring, he's coming to Philly all by his lonesome to entertain and inform the masses. You've witnessed him punk-out, you've seen him Dixie-fried. This time around, he's playing effulgent, efficacious, electromagnetic rock 'n' roll.

Sat., Oct. 5, 10 p.m., $10, with Rico Bell, The Johnsons Big Band, The North Star, 27th and Poplar sts., 215-684-0808.

—Paul Burress