Fever Marlene photo courtesy of fevermarlene.com
Wednesday night, two acts that don’t quite fit in either the rock or pop collars will bring their utterly unique yet well-received sounds to round out the evening’s events at the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse. The stage’s 10 p.m. headliner, MGMT, is an internationally renowned and virtually inescapable musical force. Preceding the main draw is Fever Marlene, which has been among Milwaukee’s most successful acts of the 2000s.
Founded in Connecticut almost a decade ago, indie rock-tinged synthpop project MGMT was hatched. While the act garnered some underground attention, it wasn’t until 2008’s enormous debut full-length, Oracular Spectacular, that the vowel-less acronym became a household name. The band’s massive, single-laden effort was both a commercial hit and a critical smash via huge songs, including “Kids,” “Time To Pretend” and “Electric Feel” – none of which, five years later, have even come close to their expiration in the public consciousness. MGMT’s follow-up, 2010’s Congratulations, bravely saw the band setting aside the synthesizer singles in favor of a more straight-forward, surf rock-inspired jaunt to mixed, often unflattering reviews. A self-titled album is slated for release in September.
Before MGMT takes the stage (8 p.m., to be exact), longstanding Milwaukee alt rock beacon Fever Marlene will set the tone for a raucous, fun night. Originally a duo formed by Kevin Dunphy (drummer) and Scott Starr (everything else), the two-piece won favor both in the area and well beyond with its ability to provide the sound of a full rock band, with a limited lineup – Starr accomplished this with a guitar and a series of effects pedals, synthesizers and bass pedals. However, last year, the fever spread, adding three new members (including Hot Coffin co-founder Christian Hansen) to fill out its ranks prior to putting out its latest, Medicated Friends, in an exceptionally rare Oriental Theater release show this spring.
A lucrative opening slot like this isn’t rare for Fever Marlene, as the band has shared the stage with such notables as Social Distortion and Flaming Lips and is a regular fixture at the annual Pablove benefit in town. If you’re planning to see MGMT, be sure to come early to snag a good seat and watch a talented, decade-old local point of pride in the process.
