Wednesday, June 1: Eric Andersen with The Novelists @ Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($10)
Sorry folks, this is not ‘60s folk troubadour Eric Andersen of “Thirsty Boots” fame. Instead, this Reno-based rocker brings a Billy Joel-esque piano-based vibe to the stage. Take that how you will. (1434 N. Farwell Ave., shankhall.com)
Thursday, June 2: “Weird Al” Yankovic @ Northern Lights Theater in Potawatomi Casino, 8 p.m. ($30-40)
Who would have thought that a long, curly-haired man with little more than an accordion and a dream to make musical parodies for a living would have been able to carve out a niche in American pop culture? But here we are 35 years, 12 million albums and thousands of Amish and fat jokes later, and the king of novelty satire is still kicking it white and nerdy. (1721 W. Canal St., paysbig.com)
Also: The Hussy with Peach Kelli Pop (memb. Of White Wire), Prisoners and Trent Fox & The Tenants @ Cactus Club, 9 p.m.
(2496 S. Wentworth Ave., cactusclubmilwaukee.com)
MUSIC NOTES SHOW OF THE WEEK
Friday, June 3: The Wildbirds with The Fatty Acids, Charlie Faye and Dwellephant @ Club Garibaldi, 9 p.m.
Along with Maritime at the Cactus Club, this show is part of Made in Milwaukee’s inaugural Bay View Gallery Night. From 5 to 9 p.m., local businesses and galleries will be showcasing the work of local artists. Then from 10 to 2 a.m., the showcase turns over to BayView’s premier artistic talent: its music. The Wildbirds will also be releasing the vinyl of When I’m With My Friends. (2501 S. Superior St., myspace.com/clubgaribaldis)
Also: Maritime with Celebrated Workingman and Sons of Alcoholics @ Cactus Club, 10 p.m.
Coming off the release of the band’s latest (and intensely enjoyable) album Human Hearts, Milwaukee’s alternative elder statesmen are playing a few sporadic shows throughout the Midwest with this being the only hometown show in June. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., cactusclubmilwaukee.com)
Also: Rob Reid with Asumaya, Lady Cannon, Pedro Meadows, and V @ Bremen Café, 9 p.m.
(901 E. Clarke St., bremencafe.com)
Also: James Murphy’s Vedic Eden with Psich, Melissa Czarnick and Eric Mire @ Shank Hall, 9:30 p.m. ($10)
(1434 N. Farwell Ave., shankhall.com)
Saturday, June 4: Brett Dennen with The Submarines @ Turner Hall, 8:30 p.m. ($20)
Brett Dennen’s wordy, acoustic-guitar laden pop certainly doesn’t stray far from the Jack Johnson/Jason Mraz mold, which has earned the northern California singer-songwriter’s music the obligatory appearances on Grey’s Anatomy and Scrubs. But there’s something just a bit less annoying about the crunchy, barefooted red head than his overly sensitive brethren. (1032 N. Fourth St., PabstTheater.org)
Also: Drugs Dragons (EP Release) with Moon Curse, Cyborg Fortress and White Faces @ Cactus Club, 10 p.m.
(2496 S. Wentworth Ave., cactusclubmilwaukee.com)
Also: The Aimless Blades @ Circle-A Café, 8 p.m.
(932 E. Chambers St., circle-a-cafe.org)
Sunday, June 5: CAVE with Catacombz and Squidbotz @ Cactus Club, 9 p.m.
Two of my favorite underrated bands in the region on one bill. Chicago’s CAVE brings a psychedelic, groove-charged ambient style that should mix intriguingly well with the frantic dance metal of Catacombz. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., cactusclubmilwaukee.com)
Also: The Dodos with Gauntlet Hair @ Turner Hall, 8 p.m. ($10)
(1032 N. Fourth St., PabstTheater.org)
Also: The Maine with Augustana and Austin Gibbs @ The Rave, 7 p.m. ($20)
(2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Also: Martial Canterel with Stacian and Cages @ Stonefly Brewing Company, 10 p.m. ($7)
(735 E. Center St., StoneflyBrewery.com)
