Monday, March 28: Mount Carmel at Cactus Club, 9 p.m.
Making their first Milwaukee appearance, Ohio-based trio Mount Carmel bring its blues-tinged catalog to Bay View for an odd-but-welcomed Monday night pairing with hometown “metallic jazz” outfit We Are Your Father. It’s Monday in March; if you want to leave the house, it’s either this or an arena football game. Hint: Pick this one. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
MUSIC NOTES SHOW OF THE WEEK
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| The Greenhornes. Photo courtesy Greenhornes.SquareSpace.com. |
Tuesday, March 29: The Greenhornes at Cactus Club, 9 p.m.
If you haven’t heard of The Greenhornes, maybe you’ve heard of some of the other acts directly connected to this well established three-pack of garage rockers. Of them: The Raconteurs, The Dead Weather, The Dirtbombs, Brendan Benson and even Loretta Lynn. That’s pretty impressive stuff, right? Oh yeah, and The Greenhornes aren’t so shabby themselves. Hacienda and Fairweather Friends open. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Also: Drowning Pool at The Rave, 8 p.m. ($19.50) – (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
And: Hanson at The Rave, 6 p.m. (Win tickets at 99.1 The Mix) – (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Wednesday, March 30: Everest at Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($10)
L.A. rockers Everest only formed in 2007, but the band has made the most of its time, already opening for the likes of Wilco, My Morning Jacket and some dude named Neil Young. Preceding the Warner Bros recording artist is inventive local rock duo Fever Marlene, who stole the show at last year’s Pablove Benefit. (1434 N. Farwell Ave., ShankHall.com)
Thursday, March 31: Will Hoge at Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($16)
For being someone you’ve probably never heard of, singer/songwriter Will Hoge has managed to do quite a lot. He’s recorded nearly 20 albums as well as the theme for the bland CBS sitcom “Still Standing” (you know, the one with the oafish fat guy with the attractive wife, three perfect kids and self-inflicted issues that can be solved within 30 minutes). In between albums and television theme songs, the Nashville crooner tours with an array of acts that range from ZZ Top all the way to Lisa Loeb. Wait, Lisa Loeb? I wonder if he can put in a good word. (1434 N. Farwell Ave., ShankHall.com)
Friday, April 1: Battle of the Bands (Week 2) at The Up & Under Pub
Every year, Brady Street music beacon Up & Under Pub becomes a battlefield. There, bands vie for a highly sought after spot on a Summerfest side stage. Friday brings about round 2 of the musical melee. Bands engaging in “BzAttle” include Avedis, Hypnopot and Jake Paul. (1216 E. Brady St., TheUpAndUnderPub.com)
Also: English Beat with Invaders at Turner Hall, 8 p.m. ($25) – (1032 N. Fourth St., PabstTheater.org)
And: Dennis DeYoung at Pabst Theater, 8:30 p.m. ($39.50) – (144 E. Wells St., PabstTheater.org)
Saturday, April 2: Decibully at Cactus Club, 10 p.m.
In recent years, Decibully carried the torch for Milwaukee music. They released well-liked albums on Polyvinyl Records, toured the U.S. and Europe with some regularity, and – when home – delighted locals with an array of performances. And though all of that has changed through age and personal growth, the band seems happy with its present position. Still as incredible as always, Saturday brings about a rare performance by the city’s most accomplished and beloved folk-rock-alt-country-electro grass pop outfit. Opening act Joe Crockett of the Championship — subject of this incredible video produced by out friends at Mindpool Live — only makes this show into more of a must-see. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Also: Cameron McGill and What Army at Mad Planet, 9 p.m. ($8) – (533 E. Center St, Mad-Planet.net)
Sunday, April 3: Bright Eyes at The Riverside Theater, 8 p.m. ($25)
Personally, I think Bright Eyes might be the worst thing I’ve ever heard. But somehow, despite frontman Conor Oberst’s wavering and off-key goat impersonations (sometimes this is generously called “singing”), the Omaha-based indie outfit has cultivated a steadily growing group of devoted followers (not unlike a cult) and some mainstream attention. Like him or not, you have to respect Oberst’s musicianship and his perseverance that got him to where he, and Bright Eyes, is today. Titus Andronicus opens. (116 W. Wisconsin Ave., PabstTheater.org)
