Show of the Week: Sleigh Bells at Turner Hall
Monday, Oct. 22: Scorpion Child and TBA at Club Garibaldi, 9 p.m. (2501 S. Superior St., ClubGaribaldis.com)
Tuesday, Oct. 23: Mountain Goats with Matthew E. White at The Pabst, 7 p.m. (144 E. Wells St., PabstTheater.org)
Over the course of their nearly two-decade existence, few bands have been as consistently outstanding as the Mountain Goats. Without missing a beat, the Goats transitioned from boombox recordings to full-band offerings in the early 2000s, thanks mostly to mastermind John Darnielle’s unflinching lyrical grasp of his characters and their worlds. This year’s release, Transcendental Youth, is a dark tour of Darnielle country and its familiar constituency of young outcasts and addicts. As heavy as his subject matter can be, Darnielle is an extremely funny and engaging performer, sure to be a hit in the intimate confines of the Pabst. With Matthew E. White.
Also: John Spencer Blues Explosion with Bloodshot Bill at Turner Hall, 7 p.m. (1032 N. 4th St., PabstTheater.org)
And: The Blind Shake, Digital Leather and Destruction Unit at Cactus Club, 9 p.m. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
MUSIC NOTES SHOW OF THE WEEK
Wednesday, Oct. 24: Sleigh Bells with Araab Muzik at Turner Hall, 7:30 p.m. (1032 N. 4th St., PabstTheater.org)
Sleigh Bells dropped a nuke on “indie rock” with its debut album Treats, a charred hunk of explosive party anthems that blew an equal share of minds and speakers when it was released in 2010. The duo of Derek E. Miller and Alexis Krauss gets its kicks from chunky riffs and sugar-coated vocals, coming off like a snotty Beach House for bad kids. 2012’s Reign of Terror finds them embracing a more “songwriterly” ethic without abandoning any of the jagged, arena-sized pop sensibility that makes them so much fun. Araab Muzik opens.
Also: The Delta Routine, with Mutts and Calliope at Stonefly Brewing Co., 9 p.m. (735 E. Center Street, http://www.stoneflybrewery.com)
Thursday, Oct. 25: Sea Wolf with Hey Marseilles at Club Garibaldis, 9 p.m. (2501 S. Superior St., ClubGaribaldis.com)
Sea Wolf, an indie folk project created by Alexander Brown Church, excels at the kind of haunting, sensitive acoustic ballads that fit perfectly in the middle of the “Fall Mixes” exchanged by high school lovebirds this time of year. That said, Church’s songwriting ability is anything but juvenile. The arrangement on new single “Old Friend” – which includes a deftly placed shaker, breathy atmospherics and an unexpectedly groovy rhythm section – reveals an acute musical mind at the controls. “Old Friend,” which has had some success on Milwaukee airwaves, comes from Sea Wolf’s new album, Old World Romance. The album is a pristinely recorded collection of rich folk pop that should appeal to fans of mid-00s indie like The Shins and Death Cab For Cutie. Hey Marseilles opens.
Also: Ahab’s Ghost with Nightosaur at Riverwest Public House, 9 p.m. (815 E. Locust St., RiverwestPublicHouse.WordPress.com)
And: Moe. at the Pabst, 6:30 p.m. (1032 N. 4th St., PabstTheater.org)
Friday, Oct. 26: Whiz Khalifa with Juicy J, Chevy Woods, Lola Monroe, Berner and Tuki Carter at The Rave, 8 p.m. (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Rising hip-hop star Whiz Khalifa took over the airwaves in 2010 with “Black & Yellow,” a catchy paean to his hometown of Pittsburgh that spawned a rainbow of spin-offs, including Lil’ Wayne’s hilarious Packers-themed version, “Green & Yellow.” It came from his major-label debut, Rolling Papers, which marries Khalifa’s straightforward, melodic style with synth-heavy production and soaring choruses for an easy-to-swallow collection about success, partying and weed. Khalifa struck radio gold again this year with the peppy “Work Hard, Play Hard,” the first single from upcoming album O.N.I.F.C. He’ll be joined by Juicy J, Chevy Woods, Loa Monroe, Berner, and Tuki Carter.
Also: Umphrey’s McGee with This Must Be The Band at The Riverside, 7 p.m. (116 W. Wisconsin Ave., PabstTheater.org)
And: Stacian with The Trusty Knife at Linneman’s, 9:30 p.m. (1001 E. Locust St., Linnemans.com)
Saturday, Oct. 27: Insane Clown Posse with Zug Izland at The Rave, 8 p.m. (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Horrorcore nobility Insane Clown Posse annex the Rave Saturday for the third date of their “2012 Hallowicked Tour.” Billed as “a Halloween you’ll never forget,” Juggalo CEOs “Violent J” and “Shaggy 2 Dope” promise to “bring the treats,” offering a “chance to get in on the rotten goodness.” On top of all that, these guys can really sing. Also playing: Zug Izland.
Also: Police Teeth with Elusive Parallelograms, ifihadahifi, and Like Like The The The Death at Quarter’s Rock ‘N Roll Palace, 9 p.m. (900 E. Center St.)
And: Radio Milwaukee/Made in Milwaukee Halloween Party featuring The Fatty Acids at Turner Hall, 7 p.m. (1032 N. 4th St., PabstTheater.org)
Sunday, Oct. 28: Electronic Music and Voice Concert: Music by John Cage at Woodland Pattern Book Center (720 E. Locust St., http://www.woodlandpattern.org)
