Bad luck, eerie phobias, strange phenomena. Yes, it’s Friday the 13th, a day that breeds superstition. Try though they may, musicians aren’t immune to believing in the power of odd rituals and other related quirks. Just take the word of the following artists who play Chicago this week and don’t lack for opinions on all things Friday the 13th — including the resurrected film series.
Dead Man bassist Joakim Dimberg
Performance superstitions: “None, but [vocalist] Kristoffer Sjodahl was born on Friday the 13th, so he thinks it’s a good day.”
Friday the 13th significance: “It’s like Christmas. We all celebrate.”
Favorite “Friday the 13th” movie: “My favorite is the one [Part V] when a guy screams ‘damn enchiladas’ and runs to the toilet then gets killed.”
8 p.m. Friday at Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St. $10-$13 (21+); 866-468-3401.
Damian Abraham, singer for a hard-core punk band whose name contains a swear word embraced by former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich
Performance superstitions: “After a bad show I normally try to find any magic reason to explain why it went so bad. I will try to not do certain things or play certain songs that I feel may have caused the jinx. But as far as rituals, nothing yet.”
Friday the 13th significance: “I don’t really think of that day as being very special one way or the other. It is a Friday after all — a great day by pretty much everyone’s standards. The most powerful/evil day in our calendar is Aug. 8. For real — look it up.”
Favorite “Friday the 13th” movie: “Many people will say the first one, but the fact is Jason is barely in [it]. He doesn’t even don the hockey mask until the third one, which is little more than a 3-D gimmick. The only good answer is Part IV, a.k.a., ‘The Final Chapter.’ By [then] the key elements are all in place, and with an all-star cast featuring Corey Feldman and Crispin Glover. How can you go wrong?”
7 p.m. Saturday at High Concepts Laboratories, 1401 W. Wabansia Ave. $10. 866-468-3401.
Monotonix guitarist Yonatan Gat
Performance superstitions: “[Vocalist] Ami Shalev bangs on the bass drum pedal and spits on his right shoe before every show. [Drummer] Haggai Fershtman knocks on wood and doesn’t talk about exciting [things] that are about to happen out of fear they won’t happen if he does.”
Friday the 13th significance: “Friday the 13th is a day before Valentine’s Day this year. A night for the kiss of death.”
Favorite “Friday the 13th” movie: “‘You’ve Got Mail’ with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.”
9 p.m. Sunday at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave. $10-$12 (21+). 866-468-3401.
Singer/guitarist Alela Diane
Performance superstitions: “I wouldn’t say that I have any superstitious activities that I do before or after stage for luck. But I do happen upon haunted hotels every so often and I absolutely believe in ghosts. Deja vus are pretty regular too.”
Friday the 13th significance: “Nothing terrible has happened to me on Friday the 13th yet!”
Favorite “Friday the 13th” movie: “Yikes. I haven’t seen any of those. But I like that terribly scary movie with the old hotel and blood pouring everywhere. What’s it called? [‘The Shining.’] I have a terrible memory.”
7 and 10 p.m. Thursday at The Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave. Sold out. 866-468-3401.
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