Monday, April 18: Parts and Labor with Call Me Lightning at Cactus Club, 9 p.m.
What a way to kick off a week. Parts and Labor is one of the more impressive bands to come out of the Brooklyn noise rock scene. Combining the signature frenetic drums, overdriven guitars and squealing keyboards with surprisingly melodic hooks, this trio finds a perfect complement in Milwaukee’s own noise rock kings Call Me Lightning. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Also: Jill Sobule with John Doe at Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($20)
(1434 N. Farwell Ave., ShankHall.com)
Tuesday, April 19: Breathe Owl Breathe with Photographers at Cactus Club, 8 p.m.
Ann Arbor-based Breathe Owl Breathe offers up a moody brand of folk pop that patiently alters between upbeat precociousness and dark, brooding sentimentality. The remarkable thing is how adept the band is at bridging these two very different worlds, and how beautiful the results can be. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Also: 500 Miles To Memphis at Up and Under Pub, 9 p.m.
(1216 E. Brady St., TheUpAndUnderPub.com)
Wednesday, April 20: Bare Wires with Ramma Lamma and Midnight Reruns at Cactus Club, 9:30 p.m.
(2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Thursday, April 21: Talib Kweli at The Rave, 8 p.m. ($23.50-$28.50)
Though much of the modern rap scene is still inexplicably dominated by the Lil Waynes and Lupe Fiascos of the world, it is heartening to know that there are still lyrical maestros like Talib Kweli in the game. The indie rapper who has had a very solid—if somewhat underrated—career, brings his witty, intelligent rhymes to the Rave. (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Also: The Black Angels with Suuns at Turner Hall, 8 p.m. ($12/$14)
(1032 N. Fourth St., PabstTheater.org)
Also: The Boxer Rebellion with We Are Augustines at The Rave, 8 p.m. ($11)
(2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Friday, April 22: Trampled By Turtles with Caroline Smith and The Goodnight Sleeps at Turner Hall, 9 p.m. ($15)
Hailing from the speed bluegrass hotbed of Duluth, Minnesota, Trampled By Turtles shake up the old ideas of what the genre can be. With out-of-this-world instrumentation and a progressive songwriting style, this crew of solidly bearded gents is sure to blow some minds. (1032 N. Fourth St., PabstTheater.org)
Also: Fever Marlene with Faux Fir at Cactus Club, 10 p.m.
(2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Also: All-Time Low with Yellowcard, Hey Monday and The Summer Set at The Rave, 7 p.m. ($22)
(2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
MUSIC NOTES SHOW OF THE WEEK
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| Sunday Flood. Photo by Myke Leopold. |
Saturday, April 23: Sunday Flood with Absolutely, Control and Stock Options at Cactus Club, 9:30 p.m.
It’s a tough decision on the show of the week with three very worthy candidates on one night. Do you go with a band that helped inspire the ’90s alternative movement (Pixies)? Do you go with the singer of one of the most influential bands of the ’90s alternative movement (Chris Cornell)? Or do you go outside of the box and check out a collection of incredibly talented Wisconsin bands that have roots leading back as far as the ’90s? Although you really can’t lose with any choice, we decided to go with the latter.
Hometown rockers Absolutely are currently riding the success of their debut album Learns To Love Mistakes, a fast-paced, bang-your-head thrill ride (available for download here: http://absolutely.bandcamp.com/). But the main reason to check this show out is Appleton-based Sunday Flood. For more than a decade and a half, this crew of alternative metal legends has been creating some of the most authentic, influential music to come out of the Fox Valley. Expect an intense live set from a band that will truly get the most out of the Cactus Club sound system. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Also: Pixies with Imaginary Cities at The Rave, 8 p.m. ($35)
(2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Also: Chris Cornell with William Elliott Whitmore at The Pabst Theater, 9 p.m. ($35)
(144 E. Wells St., PabstTheater.org)
Sunday, April 24: Jonathan Coulton with Paul and the Storm at Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($20)
(1434 N. Farwell Ave., ShankHall.com)
