Live music picks for TUESDAY JULY 3 through SATURDAY JULY 8, 2012.

TUESDAY JULY 3 / GYPSOPHILIA / HUGH'S ROOM / 2261 DUNDAS W / $14 - $16 / ALL AGES

You can always count on Hugh's Room to score some of the most eclectic acts, and this one is no exception. Gypsophilia is a jazz band out of Halifax, and while I can't attest to being very knowledgeable about the genre, I can tell you that these guys are five kinds of awesome. Much of their music is upbeat, frantic, swinging dance music that will force you out of your chair, helpless to not move along to the beat. I reckon that Hugh's Room is going to be pretty wild during this one.

WEDNESDAY JULY 4 / FUTUREBIRDS / HORSESHOE TAVERN / 368 QUEEN W / $9 - $10 / 19+

Say what you want to about country-infused rock, but for my money, there's no other genre of music that better translates into a live show. And the Horseshoe Tavern is the ideal venue for such a show - if you need proof, I suggest you check out the Futurebirds when they play there on Wednesday. The band is well-known for their high-energy live shows and the range of instruments they incorporate into their music, including banjos, mandolins, and a pedal steel guitar. White Violet and Evelyn will open.

THURSDAY JULY 5 / TENACIOUS D / ECHO BEACH / 909 LAKESHORE W / $60 / ALL AGES

Chalk me up as one of those people who's never been able to "get" the allure of Tenacious D. That being said, the comedy-rock duo of Jack Black and Kyle Gass has an almost rabid cult following, so they must be doing something right. Credit has to be given to their lyrics, if not their musical compositions - the lyrics are often quite funny and clever. The Protomen, who are apparently inspired by the Mega Man franchise, will offer support.

FRIDAY JULY 6 / OSAKA MONAURAIL / THE GREAT HALL / 1087 QUEEN W / $13.27 / 19+

This is one of coolest, wackiest acts that I've come across in a long time. Osaka Monaurail, out of Osaka, Japan (naturally), are a nine-piece funk band, complete with trombones, saxophones, and every other funky instrument you can imagine. Negative nancies have often accused the group of being a mockery of the great funk groups of the '70s, but when you watch them perform, you can see that it's not in jest - this is a true labour of love from a group of guys who respect the genre. The Souljazz Orchestra will open.

SATURDAY JULY 7 / !!! (CHK CHK CHK) / LEE'S PALACE / 529 BLOOR W / $16.50 / 19+

Aside from having what is arguably one of the most unusual and original band names of all time, !!! (CHK CHK CHK) are know for the type of music they play - something called "dance punk." It has an almost funky, electronic sound to it, and it's not as derivative as you might think. As an aside, the CHK CHK CHK aspect of their name is supposed to signify the sound that the three exclamation points make. But semantics aren't important here, and all you need to know is that this show should be unique, if nothing else.

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Photo courtesy of Osaka Monaurail