Night of a Thousand Shows POSTED:: March 5, 2010
FILED UNDER::
Concerts
FILED UNDER:: Concerts
Weekends in Milwaukee seem to be musically busier than they’ve ever been — with several different shows to pick from each night, who has time for karoke or bowling? This particular Friday night, every venue in Milwaukee will be playing host to every genre imaginable. Throw in LP releases, reunion shows, art + music shows and musical competitions, and it’s not even about simply going to see a three-band show with the set-up, tear-down, set-up formula. Recently, Brief Candles guitarist Kevin Dixon mentioned to me incredulously that “there are at least ten decent shows going on, on Friday!”, and he’s not lying. Dixon, himself, is taking part in a night of music and photography put together by local photographerJoe Kirschling (who photogaphed Brief Candles, above) at the Borg Ward (823 W. National) , which also features performances by Collections of Colonies of Beesand Innocent Civilians with local music being spun in between sets. Here’s what else this night in Milwaukee holds:
Gauge Reunion Show at the Bay View Brewhaus (2535 S. Kinnickinnic)
Gauge (Scott Conway, Kevin J. Frank, Neil Sandler, Ryan Rapsys), best-known for their involvement in the suburban post-hardcore scene in northwest Chicago, had a solid part in the then-revolutionary sounds of Fugazi, Jawbox, Sunny Day Real Estate and Hoover. Gauge played countless shows with bands such as Braid and Cap’n Jazz, their energized compositions focused on melodic guitars, math-centric percussion, raspy vocals and emphasized loud/soft dynamics, inspiring and playing an integral role in hardcore, punk and rock circles in the early-mid 1990s. Their Milwaukee show on Friday, March 5th 2010, will be their first in over fifteen years. Also playing, Chicago’s Mt. St. Helens and Milwaukee’s Dim Suns and Absolutely. 8 p.m. 21+
Miltown Beat Down Miltown Beat Down Hip-Hop Olympics @ The Wherehouse (818 S. Water)
Going for year five tonight, DJ Madhatter plays host to Milwaukee’s hip-hop competition the Miltown Beat Down with a preliminary round featuring local producers Reason, Noah Styles, MagicFingaz and Lex Luther. According to the crew behind the competition, “These producers will also be joined on stage by some of Milwaukee’s best rap talents to keep the party kickin in between battles. We’ll have live performances from: Milwaukee’s hometown hero Kid Millions, Milwaukee native and San Fransisco Frite Nite recording artist Epcot, and just announced…a homecoming performance from MKE hip-hop renaissance man,Haz Solo! Doors open at 9 p.m., with Kid Cut Up on the ones and twos. 21+
Animal Magnets + The Sugar Stems at Linnemans (1001 E. Locust)
Milwauke’s Animal Magnets are back again for another reunion show, this time teaming up with sweet power-popsters, the Sugar Stems, for a show at Linneman’s. Not familiar? Here’s the lowdown of the storied Milwaukee band in their own words, “.. All hailing from Milwaukee, the Animal Magnets boys come together from an assortment of rock, punk and powerpop bands that over the years have rocked the masses in over 14 countries. The Animal Magnets sound is a loud, sexy, dirty scene-equal parts pumping R&B soul and sheer punk fury; one that carries the torch originally set alight by the likes of Iggy and The Stooges, the MC5, the Rolling Stones and The Who, then passed along to The Ramones, the Pistols and the ‘better parts’ of hard new wave. Let’s get to reading you the riot act… ROB MCCUEN – A veteran frontman, even when he’s behind a drumkit, McCuen has accomplished more on stages than many muthas twice his age. He’s penned dozens of classic songs like “I’m A.J. Foyt”, “Life Imitates Art”, “Jennifer”, “Drive By Shooting”, “My Friend Jim”, “Torch Song” and the classic “White Trash” and performed in bands that have been staples on the scene such as Dog Style Dandies, Trash Queens, RPM’s, Red Ball Jets, The Carolinas, White Hot Tizzies, Rob McCuen and the Ruins, Liquid Pink and the legendary Plasticland.” Catch the legends tonight at Linnemans at 10 p.m. 21+
Lookbook Vinyl Release Party + Def Harmonic @ the Cactus Club (2496 S. Wentworth)
Minneapolis’ Lookbook is choosing to officially unleash their new tunes in Brewtown. What gives? They’re not Milwaukeeans, right? Good reason is, is that the band is releasing their new vinyl on new local label, Listening Party Records, recently started up by members of Milwaukee’s Decibully. Decibully’s recent release on their own label, World Travels Fast, is busting out into audio-land like stormtroopers, and pretty soon, Milwaukee’s own Def Harmonic will be joining in on the busting-out on Listening Party, along with Decibully and Lookbook, as they’ve just announced their signing with the label. Join Lookbook and Def Harmonic at the Cactus tonight as they do a little celebration dance. 10 p.m. 21+
Pattern is Movement + Via Audio, Juniper Tar @ Club Garibaldi (2491 S. Superior)
“With a sound spanning the sonic gaps between artists like Questlove and Radiohead,” is how Absolutepunk described Philadelphia’s Pattern is Movement. Intricate percussion cuts through complex compositions filled with the inventive falsetto vocalizations of Andrew Thiboldeaux. Joined by New York/Boston’s Via Audio, who are hot on the heels of their just-released Animalore, this evening at Garibaldi’s will prove to be one of pure indie pop that is anything but vanilla. Also playing is Milwaukee’s Juniper Tar, whose recently-released Howl Street EP is a WMSE Local Luncbox favorite. 10 p.m. 21+