Monday, May 14: Ikarus Down, Cowboy Indian Bear, and Sam Rodewald at Frank’s Power Plant, 9:30 p.m. – (2800 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., FranksPowerPlant.Angelfire.com)
Tuesday, May 15: The Polyphonic Spree at Turner Hall, 7 p.m. ($20)
In many ways, The Polyphonic Spree is just your run of the mill 21-member symphonic pop project. But since literally no other 21-member symphonic pop project exists on Earth, TPS is a unique spectacle for both the eyes and ears. Bandleader Tim DeLaughter and company haven’t put out a proper full-length since 2007, which ups the likelihood of the band playing a set of choral crowd pleasers, such as “Light And Day/Reach For The Sun” and the like. (1032 N. 4th St., PabstTheater.org)
Also: California Wives at Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($10) – (1434 N. Farwell Ave., ShankHall.com)
MUSIC NOTES SHOW OF THE WEEK
Wednesday, May 16: The Black Keys at the Bradley Center, 7:30 p.m.
You might know The Black Keys from that whole being the biggest thing in rock ‘n’ roll thing the band is doing right now. Following a decade spent building to a boil, the Akron, Ohio two-piece became a household name and a mainstay on the movie trailer/montage scene with 2010’s Brothers. The album launched the Keys into the public eye, the result of Saturday Night Live appearances and a Grammy. Back in town for the first time since last year’s Summerfest, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney are back to tour behind The Black Keys’ latest single-laden masterpiece El Camino. Special guest Arctic Monkeys open. (1001 N. 4th St., BradleyCenter.com)
Also: P.O.D., Red, Love And Death, Icon For Hire at The Rave at 8 p.m. – (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
And: Savageland Fundraiser with John The Savage, The Fatty Acids, Mortgage Freeman at Hotel Foster, 9 p.m. – (2028 E. North Ave., TheHotelFoster.com)
Thursday, May 17: Rick Springfield at Potawatomi Casino’s Northern Lights Theater, 8 p.m. ($50-65)
A true renaissance man, Rick Springfield played the dreamy Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital, wrote “Jessie’s Girl,” one of the most helplessly catchy songs in human history, and, of course, made one of the most inspired cameos ever by playing his sexually gifted self in Californication. Now he can finally add “play three consecutive sweaty, sleeveless nights at Potawatomi Bingo Casino” to his resume. (1721 W. Canal St., PaysBig.com)
Also: Sat. Nite Duets, YLLA, and John Muther Adventure Music at Riverwest Public House, 9 p.m. ($5) – (815 E. Locust St., RiverwestPublicHouse.WordPress.com)
And: Hurt at The Rave, 7:30 p.m. ($15) – (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Friday, May 18: Tim Schweiger & The Middlemen at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, 9:30 p.m. ($5)
Though there are other musical options (including another Rick Springfield concert!), we’re choosing to keep it local Friday. Tim Schweiger and The Middlemen namesake cut his teeth in Fox Cities projects like Screwballs, Yesterday’s Kids, The Obsoletes and Blueheels before ultimately calling Milwaukee home and setting out with his new projects. Fans of Yesterday’s Kids and The Obsoletes may be fortunate enough to hear a few covers thrown in the batch of raucous Middlemen originals. Midwest Charm and Ikarus Down open. (1001 E. Locust St., Linnemans.com)
Also: Rick Springfield at Potawatomi Casino’s Northern Lights Theater, 8 p.m. ($50-65) – (1721 W. Canal St., PaysBig.com)
And: Esh And The Locals at Club Garibaldi, 9 p.m. – (2501 S. Superior St., ClubGaribaldis.com)
Saturday, May 19: Marilyn Manson at The Rave, 8 p.m. ($37-47)
Shock rocker Marilyn Manson wears many hats (along with fishnet stockings, plastic breasts and Hitler youth-inspired costumes). Included among the hats the controversial musician dons are: Innovator, scapegoat, advocate, social lightning rod, rock ‘n’ roll icon, and the grown up version of “Paul” from popular 1990s sitcom Wonder Years. Though the last one is just an inaccurate rumor, the rest are hard to deny. Love him, hate him or avoid thinking about him altogether, it’s difficult to dispute Mr. Manson’s taboo-based longevity. Oh yeah, he’s also something of a musician. The Pretty Reckless opens. (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Also: King’s Horses, Centipedes, and Heavy Hand at Cactus Club, 10 p.m. – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
And: Boy Dirt Car, F/I, and Eric Lunde at Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($10) – (1434 N. Farwell Ave., ShankHall.com)
