Monday, Feb. 21: Cradle of Filth with Nachtmystium, Turisas and Daniel Lioneye at The Rave, 8 p.m. ($20.50)
Deacons of gothic metal, Cradle of Filth have a complex relationship with the metal community. Many scorn the band for its cheesy thematic antics and the commercializing (well, as commercial as gothic metal gets, I guess) of its sound over the years. Yet the band continues to tour and sell albums nearly 20 years after its inception. The band brings its metal-clad, eyeliner-caked shenanigans to the Rave, with a few bands that I can’t pronounce opening.
(2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Tuesday, Feb. 22: Pamela Means at Linneman’s, 9 p.m. ($6)
Fusing intricate jazz-infused acoustic guitar licks with heavy, often-intense lyrics, New Jersey-based songstress Pamela Means business. That is called word play. (1001 E. Locust St., linnemans.com)
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| Lucinda Williams. Photo courtesy lucindawilliams.com. |
Wednesday, Feb. 23: Lucinda Williams with Dylan LeBlanc at Turner Hall, 8 p.m. ($35)
Lucinda Williams is known for a lot of things. She is the daughter of famous poet Miller Williams, a multiple Grammy winner, and TIME magazine’s choice as “America’s Best Songwriter” in 2002. Impressive credentials to be sure, but Williams should be best known for her uncompromisingly honest, lucid songwriting skills. (1032 N. Fourth St., PabstTheater.org)
Also: The Forms with Animals In Human Attire at Mad Planet, 8 p.m.
(533 E. Center St., Mad-Planet.net)
Thursday, Feb. 24: Pressboard with He Can Jog, The Demix, Speakerdust and Autumn Anyday at Club Garibaldi, 9 p.m. ($6)
The Collections of Colonies of Bees family tree of bands is impressive to say the least. Jim Schoenecker’s Pressboard is cut from the same fabric as other COCB side projects such as All Tiny Creatures and Volcano Choir, creating atmospheric soundscapes that push the envelope of Milwaukee music. (2501 S. Superior St., MySpace.com/ClubGaribaldis)
Also: Joshua Radin with Cary Brothers and Laura Jansen at The Pabst Theater, 8 p.m. ($17.50)
Remember the days when hearing your favorite band’s song played on a television show signaled the selling of their musical soul and let you know that it was time to find a new favorite band? Those days are long gone, as music placement in television shows has become standard industry practice. And if selling your music to TV is an artform, Joshua Radin is Pablo Picasso, with his music featured on “Scrubs,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “One Tree Hill” and “90210” to name a few. (144 E. Wells St., pabsttheater.org)
Also: The Blasters with James Intveld at Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($20)
(1434 N. Farwell Ave., shankhall.com)
Friday, Feb. 25: Juniper Tar with The Deep Dark Woods at Cactus Club, 9 p.m.
Juniper Tar is busy laying down tracks at Shane Hochstetler’s Bay View studio, Howl Street Recordings, for an upcoming album. But the folk rock outfit responsible for one of the most enjoyable local albums of last year is taking a little time out to show off its surprisingly rocking live chops. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Also: Pete Yorn with Ben Kweller at The Pabst Theater, 8:30 p.m. ($25)
It has been a bit of a struggle for singer/songwriter Pete Yorn to live up to the hype and critical acclaim of his 2001 debut Musicforthemorningafter. A string of less-than-groundbreaking albums took some of the luster off the promising musician’s early career, but Yorn has undergone a turnaround as of late. Ben Kweller went through a bit of the same, having to overcome the legacy of his much-ballyhooed alternative heirs to the throne, Radish. (144 E. Wells St., pabsttheater.org)
Also: Kings Go Forth with The Soul Trio and Herman Astro at Turner Hall, 8 p.m. ($10)
(1032 N. Fourth St., pabsttheater.org)
MUSIC NOTES SHOW OF THE WEEK
Saturday, Feb. 26: Fresh Cut Collective with Revision Text and Nick Miller & The Neighbors at Cactus Club, 10 p.m.
One of Milwaukee’s most innovative hip-hop groups, Fresh Cut Collective disbands with the programmed samples and loops, opting instead for an impressive ensemble of live musicians playing (drum roll please…) real instruments. And the results are as enjoyable as they are refreshing. The Collective is joined on this bill by Revision Text, one of the city’s most underrated bands and a fitting stylistic departure for a group with such eclectic style.
(2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Also: Cheap Trick at Northern Lights Theater at Potawatomi Bingo Casino, 8 p.m. ($65-$85)
Awe, the last night of this already? What am I going to do with my weekends? (1721 W. Canal St., paysbig.com)
Also: AUTOMatic with DJ JDL at Stonefly Brewing Company, 8 p.m.
(735 E. Center St., stoneflybrewery.com)
