MUSIC NOTES SHOW OF THE WEEK
Thursday, Dec. 22: Braid at Turner Hall, 7 p.m. ($14)
Remember the ‘90s? Oh, the hyper-color shirts, the garish hairstyles and popularity of the TV show Coach… what were we thinking?!? But one ‘90s sensation that still holds up is the newly re-united – well, re-re-united – Braid. The Midwestern band was a seminal entity in emo’s second wave. Before splintering off to form Hey Mercedes and The Firebird Band, Braid came together on Frame and Canvas, which is still cited as an essential album within its genre. After a brief tour in 2004, the band announced a (subsequently, poorly received) new album on the way and a select few shows. This particular show will mark Braid’s 600th show. Sure, it took over 18 years to get there, but it’s a milestone nonetheless. Smoking Popes opens. (1032 N. Fourth St., pabsttheater.org)
Also: The Thrifttones at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, 9 p.m. ($5)
(1001 E. Locust St., linnemans.com)
Friday, Dec. 23: Call Me Lightning at Cactus Club, 10 p.m.
Christmas comes to Milwaukee a couple days early as some of the city’s most respected rock bands are gift wrapped on this alluring local bill that, no doubt, has many non-native Milwaukeeans delaying their return home for the holidays. Bolstering this show are the likes of John The Savage and Absolutely. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., cactusclubmilwaukee.com)
Also: The Squeezettes at Riverwest Public House, 9 p.m.
(815 E. Locust St., riverwestpublichouse.wordpress.com)
Sunday, Dec. 25: Danny Price And The Loose Change at Circle-A Café, 10 p.m.
If you want to see live music in Milwaukee on Christmas night, here it is. (932 E. Chambers St., circle-a-cafe.org)
Monday, Dec. 26: Sleeping In The Aviary at Frank’s Power Plant, 9:30 p.m.
Sleeping In The Aviary specializes in chunky power pop reminiscent of Koufax with the smidge of Hot Hot Heat tossed in for flavor. It’s latest You And Me, Ghost features a dozen frenzied songs, almost none of which so much as flirt with the notion of hitting the four-minute mark. If that description doesn’t sway you, check out this nine-minute infomercial the band made. Mike Krol opens. (2800 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., frankspowerplant.angelfire.com)
Thursday, Dec. 29: The Danglers at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, 9 p.m. ($5)
(1001 E. Locust St., linnemans.com)
Also: LTP and Monarch Box at Club Garibaldi, 9 p.m.
(2501 S. Superior St., clubgaribaldis.com)
Friday, Dec. 30: Pat McCurdy at Shank Hall, 9 p.m.
This is usually the part in which either Kevin or myself would make a cheap Pat McCurdy joke, but let’s be honest. It’s been a long year, and the fact that McCurdy is still able to purchase food and shelter through currency supplied by songs like “Sex and Beer” makes every backhanded remark a little less funny to type. I don’t care who opens. (1434 N. Farwell Ave., shankhall.com)
Also: The Mistreaters, Catholic Boys, Guilty Pleasures at Cactus Club, 10 p.m.
(2496 S. Wentworth Ave., cactusclubmilwaukee.com)
Saturday, Dec. 31: DUDE X 2 at Cactus Club, 10 p.m.
There is no shortage of New Years Eve festivities in around town to end the year on a high note. However, few (if any) of those entertainment options match the appeal of raunchy joke-rap duo DUDE X 2. The likes of Bad Dad and Rapscallion spare no hilariously graphic detail in the group’s brash live show, which comes complete with costume changes, pizza and ample crowd participation. Rio Turbo starts things off. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., cactusclubmilwaukee.com)
Also: Surgeons In Heat, The Fatty Acids, and Coo Woo at Tonic Tavern, 10 p.m. ($5)
(2335 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., tonictavern.com)
And: The Wildbirds and The Delta Routine at Yield, 9 p.m.
(1932 E. Kenilworth Pl.)
And: Skrillex at The Rave, 8 p.m. ($65)
(2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., therave.com)
DUDE X 2 pic courtesy of the band’s Facebook page
