Monday, May 23: Red Fang at Cactus Club, 9 p.m.
Drawing comparisons to Queens of the Stone Age and The Melvins is never a bad thing. Oregonian metal outfit Red Fang has been privy to a steadily growing fan base through its latest release Murder The Mountains. Burning Sons and Harbinger Of The Apocalypse play in support. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
MUSIC NOTES SHOW OF THE WEEK
Tuesday, May 24: Bruno Mars and Janelle Monae at The Rave, 7 p.m. ($37)
The last time indie pop songstress Janelle Monae blew through town, she upstaged then-Pabst Theater headliners Of Montreal by way of her soulful and revolutionary take on R&B. Top-billed Bruno Mars must be quaking in his boots at the thought of following Monae. Mayer Hawthorne & The Country open. (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Also: Sepultura at The Rave, 7 p.m. ($26.50) – (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Wednesday, May 25: Eisley at The Rave, 8 p.m. ($13)
It’s all relative for Tyler, TX quintet Eisley. For damn near 15 years, the four DuPree siblings and their cousin have been indie rock mainstays. Only three months removed from their last Milwaukee show, here’s to hoping Eisley makes a habit of coming back every 90 or so days. The Narrative and Christie DuPree start things off. (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Thursday, May 26: Tom Petty Tribute at Up & Under Pub
“I Won’t Back Down” from this mid-week recommendation. Since the real Tom Petty “Don’t Come Around Here No More”, this is the next best thing. You might scoff at the idea of seeing a cover band, but “Don’t Do Me Like That.” Just “Breakdown” and give this Up & Under treat a fair chance. Sometimes when I don’t know what to write about a show, I do this thing where I use the band’s song titles in context. People seem to enjoy it. (1216 E. Brady St., TheUpAndUnderPub.com)
Friday, May 27: Arctic Monkeys at The Rave, 8 p.m. ($26.50)
The music of British band Arctic Monkeys meanders the lines of garage rock and punk. Though the band’s rise via blog buzz was virtually overnight, Arctic Monkeys have managed to sustain, no, thrive as a band for nearly a decade at this point. They continually find themselves on “Best British ___” lists, which isn’t too shabby when you share a home country with The Beatles. (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Also: Castle Thunder, Revision Text, Animals in Human Attire at Cactus Cub, 10 p.m. – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Saturday, May 28: The Baseball Project at Turner Hall, 8 p.m. ($10)
Both baseball and rock ‘n’ roll are synonymous with America. They are affixed at the hip in The Baseball Project, which boasts R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills in its starting rotation. If they were serving apple pie to audience members from a Chevrolet parked behind Turner Hall, it’d be too much America for one night. They knew when to stop. (1032 N. Fourth St., PabstTheater.org)
Also: Mac Miller and Curren$y at The Rave, 7:30 p.m. ($20) – (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Sunday, May 29: Godsmack at The Rave, 8 p.m. ($32)
Wow! What a great week for shows at The Rave. Oh, God no, I’m not referring to this one. But those other shows; man, those other shows were almost good enough to justify booking Godsmack. (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Also: Living With Lions, Maiden, Breather at Frank’s Power Plant, 9:30 p.m. ($5) – (2800 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., FranksPowerPlant.com)
