Well, to say this was a tough week is an understatement of large proportions. I’m sure I speak for the friends and family of John Brillhart in thanking everyone for condolences, music, stories and all that goes with processing grief. So now we are on to remember the passed ones and respect what they did and who they were. What better way than by enjoying the wide variety of cool music happening all over town this week?

Let’s start with Thursday, since that’s where it starts in the Pub Crawl – and that just makes sense. Barry Cloyd returns to us from his Peoria home base with a special blues show at the Alamo (6-9 p.m.) by the versatile singer-songwriter and multiinstrumentalist, storyteller and entertainer for the James Armstrong Presents music series. Lowder and Manning take their acoustic show of compelling songs and instrumental prowess to Pease’s at Bunn Gourmet (6-8:30 p.m.). The Trading Post Saloon on Durkin Drive is bringing on the early evening live acoustic music several times a week, featuring Blair Steffens this Thursday.

Friday gives us the incomparable Captain Geech & the Shrimp Shack Shooters at the Curve Inn (6-10 p.m.). CG & TSSS have won the Best of Springfield cover band category so many times they would be inducted into our BoS Hall of Fame if we had one. These guys will go down in local history as one of the most popular bands of our time, but don’t go see them for that reason alone. Go to experience the energy and effort expelled by the group that doesn’t quit. Seriously, the shows are like nonstop party happenings that’ll keep you going until the end when you realize you just might be worn out and happy about it all.

South, on past the Curve Inn, is that bar in a cute little house-like building that you’ve driven by a thousand times and wondered what it was called and what was going on inside. That, my friends, is the Sunset Inn, and this Friday they host the dynamic duo of Jones & Chase, Kit and Jim, respectively. Check out the joint and get a grip on the happening vibe inside, especially with live music coming from these two players, doing songs you know and like but rarely hear anyone else attempt. Also on Friday, flip on out to the north side and spend some time with Jeff, Joe and Jason of the Smokin’ J’s at the Koo Koo’s Nest for a night of cool classic rock tunes and rockin’ blues you won’t want to miss or dismiss.

Saturday is a hodgepodge of crazy good stuff from Black Queen, who debut their new guitarist, Carl Akers, at Bar None with support from Bethany Victoria and Mista Smith, to the Black Sheep Cafe Band Lotto show, where musicians who were picked randomly after they submitted their names form a band for one night and then have at it. Los Injectors tears up George Rank’s with some qualified help from the Chris Sorenson Project, leaving no stone unturned in their journey to rock out completely. The mysterious Radon Lounge hosts an extra eclectic lineup of Peaches & Bacon, Shiny, Shiny Black, Dietrich Jon and me, while Loud Clouds beautifully float into the friendly confines of the Butternut Hut.

Sunday is a real Funday with so much going on, but I would be amiss to not mention that Livin Thing, “Springfield’s very own hardcore reggae rock ‘n’ roll band,” is hosting a release party for their 7” record with a show at Black Sheep that starts at 7 p.m. and also includes the bands Substance, Undone and Spellbreaker.

That’s all I got, but there’s plenty more where that came from in our Pub Crawl.

Contact Tom Irwin at [email protected]