Tuesday, August 23: Blink-182 with My Chemical Romance @ Marcus Ampitheater, 7 p.m. ($20-$80.75)
There is no shortage of entertainers who have established solid careers on the basis of little more than dick and farts jokes (think the South Park boys, Judd Apatow and Music Notes’ own Tyler Maas). Still it comes as somewhat of a surprise that southern California purveyors of potty puns, Blink-182, could still be alive and kicking. But like all of these success stories, it has been the band’s ability to mature and create halfway decent art that has been at the heart of the unlikely longevity. (100 N. Harbor Drive, marcusamp.com)
MUSIC NOTES SHOW OF THE WEEK
Wednesday, August 24: The Hold Steady with The Donkeys @ Turner Hall, 8 p.m. ($20)
Indie rock legends The Hold Steady have made a career of tiptoeing the fine line between underground credibility and mainstream success. And while the band’s lyrical subject matter continues to chronicle the lives and antics of its underground brethren, the ever-growing crowds showing up at its concerts suggest that the line is growing thinner all the time. (1032 N. Fourth St., PabstTheater.org)
Also: Amon Amarth @ The Rave, 8:30 p.m. ($20)
(2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Thursday, August 25: Colbie Caillat with Andy Grammer @ Pabst Theater, 8 p.m. ($25)
(144 E. Wells St., PabstTheater.org)
Friday, August 26: Toxic Holocaust with Holy Grail, Krum Buns and Burning Sons @ Cactus Club, 9:30 p.m.
Despite the clearly family-friendly band names involved, you may want to leave the kids at home for this one. I could go into detail about how Toxic Holocaust is equal parts black speed metal and retro-thrash, but with album titles like Evil Never Dies and An Overdose of Death…, you should already have a pretty good idea of what’s in store for you. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Saturday, August 27: Worrier with Canopies and Peshtigo @ Cactus Club, 10 p.m.
You wouldn’t know that Worrier was a Milwaukee band by looking at its tour schedule. Since signing on with Japan-based Parabolica Records and Ireland-based Richter Collective, the band has spent the past two years traveling the globe and bringing its rhythmically infectious dance rock to the shores of Japan and Europe. Take this opportunity to see the band from your own backyard that the rest of the world already knows about. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Also: The War on Drugs with Caveman and Surgeons In Heat @ Club Garibaldi, 9 p.m.
(2501 S. Superior St., myspace.com/clubgaribaldis)
Also: Catacombz with Skoal Kodiak and Larry Wish & His Guys @ The Uptowner, 9 p.m.
(1001 E. Locust St., Linnemans.com)
Also: Steely Dan @ Riverside Theater, 8 p.m. ($50-$95)
(116 W. Wisconsin Ave., pabsttheater.org)
Sunday, August 28: Diamond Head with Burning Sons @ Shank Hall, 7 p.m. ($20)
(1434 N. Farwell Ave., ShankHall.com)
Also: Steely Dan @ Riverside Theater, 8 p.m. ($50-$95)
(116 W. Wisconsin Ave., pabsttheater.org)
The Hold Steady photo by Kris Drake.
