Monday, July 18: Yuck at Turner Hall, 8 p.m. ($10)
In many ways, Yuck is your typical over hyped indie rock band. The British band incorporates the same old-is-new-again brand of lo-fi compositions played by a rag-tag group of eclectic men and women that many of the band’s contemporaries also employ. However, Yuck’s self-titled 2011 debut full-length indicates the band may differ from the majority of its blog band brethren where it really counts – having staying power and offering something worthwhile with its music. For just $10 it’s well worth seeing whether the Yuck is worth all the underground attention it’s been receiving. Unknown Mortal Orchestra opens. (1032 N. Fourth St., PabstTheater.org)
Tuesday, July 19: The Blind Shake at Sugar Maple, 9 p.m.
Not only does Bay View bar Sugar Maple boast one of Milwaukee’s most formidable beer selections, it also plays host to the occasional performer. Tuesday brings about one such performance by the likes of Minneapolis garage rock outfit The Blind Shake. Put down a few obscure 12 percent ABV brews and take in some tunes while taking a load off in one of the city’s more underrated watering holes. Wereworm opens. (441 E. Lincoln Ave., MySugarMaple.com)
Wednesday, July 20: Five For Fighting at Pabst Theater, 8 p.m. ($22.50)
Five For Fighting is the band responsible for the long-standing sentimental radio mainstay “100 Years.” It seems like that song is about 200 years old about now, doesn’t it? FFF brainchild John Ondrasik rides the timeless wave of piano ballads to town for a set thick in falsetto-laden hymns of heartbreak. Goran from The Gufs is a special guest opener. (144 E. Wells St., PabstTheater.org)
Also: Tyga, Lil Twist, Mindless Behavior, Diggy Simmons, Jawan Harris and Trevante at The Rave, 7:30 p.m. ($20.50) – (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Thursday, July 21: Michael Tolcher at Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($12)
Georgia (the state, not the country) singer-songwriter Michael Torcher has been musically active since age five. He’s performed at the Olympics, opened for Maroon 5 and Dave Matthews Band and other notables, performed internationally and selling his songs for inclusion in movies and television programs. It’s a wonder I had no idea who this dude was until three minutes before I wrote this. (1434 N. Farwell Ave., ShankHall.com)
Friday, July 22: Rx Bandits at Turner Hall, 7:30 p.m. ($14)
Originally considered a (poor) Sublime knockoff, Seal Beach, Calif.’s own Rx Bandits has developed, evolved and changed considerably since its 1995 outset. Not only have the Bandits set down the brass instruments and ska overtones in favor of tongue-in-cheek, politically- and socially-charged renderings, they also only have two remaining original members. Friday marks the 16-year-old band’s final show in Milwaukee, as it pays the city one last visit to play a farewell tour show. (1032 N. Fourth St., PabstTheater.org)
Also: Bon Iver at Riverside Theater, 7 p.m. (Sold Out) – Words. (116 W. Wisconsin Ave., PabstTheater.org)
And: The Championship (reunion show) and Chris DeMay at Cactus Club, 10 p.m. – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
MUSIC NOTES SHOW OF THE WEEK
Saturday, July 23: Bon Iver at Riverside Theater, 8 p.m. (Sold Out)
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| Photo courtesy of Jagjaguwar Records. |
Eau Claire, Wis. crooner Justin Vernon, better known as the cabin dwelling mastermind behind Bon Iver, first gained notoriety from the debut effort he fashioned in self-imposed exile in the Wisconsin wilderness, 2008’s For Emma, Forever Ago. Following the subsequent half-baked Blood Bank EP, Vernon took his time developing a worthy follow-up to the album that quickly put him on the map of up-and-coming indie acts. Bon Iver, released June 21, has shown that Vernon is here to stay. Now at the cusp of superstardom, Bon Iver takes the stage Saturday to play the second night of two sold out Riverside shows (not bad for a guy who was recently critical of Milwaukee!). If you’re fortunate enough to attend, savor every high-pitched note of downtrodden beauty as Vernon and co. ply their trade. (116 W. Wisconsin Ave., PabstTheater.org)
Also: Death Dream (last show), Architects of the Aftermath, Animal Lover, Les Deux Magots at Cactus Club, 10 p.m. – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
And: Grahm Czach at Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($10) – (1434 N. Farwell Ave., ShankHall.com)
Sunday, July 24: Steve Earle & The Dukes at Pabst Theater, 8 p.m. ($32.50)
Icon of the murky country-meets-rock-meets-folk genre, Steve Earle, has led quite an interesting life. The high school dropout has worked as a songwriter, received 14 Grammy nominations for his own music, overcome heroin addiction, served jail time and has appeared in movies. It’s been quite a life, and at 56, it seems as if Earle is just getting started. (1032 N. Fourth St., PabstTheater.org)
