Monday, May 9: Lake at Cactus Club, 9:30 p.m. ($7)
In many ways, Washington band Lake is your typical indie rock band with its low-fi and easygoing tunes padded by guy and gal harmonies. But people seem to like it. If you fall into this category of people, by all means, check out Lake. Agesandages and Greatest Lakes open. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Tuesday, May 10: Snowbirds at Cactus Club, 9 p.m.
The brainchild of former Promise Ring and current Dashboard Confessional bassist Scott Schoenbeck, Snowbirds is a pretty formidable side project. Playing in support of its sturdy debut album Snowbirds, the band of seasoned musicians from all corners of Wisconsin converge at Cactus for what’s to be a Milwaukee release show of sorts. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Also: Brooke Fraser at Turner Hall, 8 p.m. ($15) – (1032 N. Fourth St., PabstTheater.org)
Wednesday, May 11: Xavier Rudd at Turner Hall, 8 p.m. ($20)
“Aboriginal funk” musician Xavier Rudd uses a unique menagerie of instruments to create a style of music all his own. It’s no wonder the singer-songwriter appeals to such a wide range of fans … though, admittedly, most are hippies. (1032 N. Fourth St., PabstTheater.org)
Thursday, May 12: Tim Schweiger and the Middle Men at Riverwest Public House, 7:30 p.m. ($5)
Though one of Milwaukee’s newest bars, the city’s first cooperate pub has wasted little time in establishing itself as one of the area’s preeminent places to see local bands. Fox Valley-turned-Milwaukee rocker Tim Schweiger will help break in the stage with a hearty smattering of original songs, including many from his days with Yesterday’s Kids and The Obsoletes. Little Master and Rich People open. (815 E. Locust St., RiverwestPublicHouse.wordpress.com)
Also: Soup at Mad Planet, 8 p.m. – (533 E. Center St, Mad-Planet.net)
And: Appalachians at Up & Under Pub – (1216 E. Brady St., TheUpAndUnderPub.com)
Friday, May 13: Whiskeybelles at Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($10)
And now for something a little different. We occupy a lot of our allotted space here at Music Notes covering rock bands, usually entirely comprised of dudes. But it’s about time the skilled ladies in country trio Whiskeybelles got their due. The WAMI-winners and their accumulation of harmony-laden originals, with a few time-tested covers, provide a great change of pace in a male-dominated and rock-heavy Milwaukee music scape. Whitney Mann opens. (1434 N. Farwell Ave., ShankHall.com)
Also: Fahri, Absolutely and No Future at Riverwest Public House – (815 E. Locust St., RiverwestPublicHouse.wordpress.com)
And: Death Dream and Cyborg Fortress at Cactus Club, 10 p.m. – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Saturday, May 14: Seether at The Rave, 8 p.m. ($30)
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| Seether. Photo by Thomas Collins, courtesy of Seether.com |
Remember Seether? South Africa’s version of The Beatles is one of the last remaining holdovers of the ironically outdated Nu Metal genre. Knowing now the ramifications of musical expression made possible by his decades of brave political protest, you have to wonder whether Nelson Mandella ever second-guesses spending all that time behind bars. Escape The Fate precedes the $30 swindling. (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Also: Asia at the Pabst Theater, 8 p.m. ($35) – (144 E. Wells St., PabstTheater.org)
And: Devil Makes Three and .357 String Band, 9:30 p.m. ($12) – (1001 E. Locust St., Linnemans.com)
MUSIC NOTES SHOW OF THE WEEK
Sunday, May 15: Young Widows at Cactus Club, 9 p.m. ($8)
If nothing else, Louisville, KY-based rock band Young Widows is loud. The three-piece is known to shake foundations; rattle windows and sock brave onlookers in their chests with a violent onslaught of decibels. I’ll be there, so if you have anything to tell me in person, you better let me know before the show. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
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Also: Raul Malo and Seth Walker at Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($20) – (1434 N. Farwell Ave., ShankHall.com)
And: Holly Golightly & The Brakeoffs at Mad Planet, 8 p.m. ($12) – (533 E. Center St, Mad-Planet.net)
