Tuesday, Jan. 3: Camper Van Beethoven with American Scarecrows at Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($20)
Before heading up the ’90s alternative roots rock band Cracker, David Lowery cut his teeth in the indie, eclectic post-punk outfit Camper Van Beethoven. After a solid run in the ’80s, CVB disbanded for a decade, allowing the members to go onto other projects (most successfully Cracker for Lowery and Counting Crows for David Immergluck). But they got the influential band back together in 1999 and have been recording and touring ever since. (1434 N. Farwell Ave., shankhall.com)
MUSIC NOTES SHOW OF THE WEEK
Friday, Jan. 6: Wu-Tang Clan with Rama at The Rave, 8 p.m. ($26.50)
There have been many influential hip hop groups throughout the years that could deliver the goods as a crew and others that the parts were greater than the whole. But few groups have done more to advance the art form both as a unit and individually than The Wu Tang Clan. The group’s 1993 debut Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers still stands as one of the most influential hip hop albums ever recorded, and every member (most notably GZA, Ghostface Killah and Method Man) has released well received solo efforts through the ensuing years.
The loss of eccentric-to-put-it-lightly (and downright brilliant) icon Ol’ Dirty Bastard to a drug overdose in 2004 was a blow to the Wu brotherhood. But with a highly anticipated new studio album set to drop this spring, the Clan seems poised to stay relevant well into its third decade. (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., therave.com)
Also: Hugh Bob & The Hustle with Hayward Williams and Tim Schweiger & The Middlemen at Cactus Club, 9 p.m.
The Wildbirds have a softer, twangier side, one which will be on full display at the Cactus Club this weekend. Hugh Bob & The Hustle is the alt-country alter-ego of the well-known local rock outfit. And though there is little recorded evidence of the band’s sound (check out the rough cut of the first single “Red, White & Blue Jeans” here), it seems pretty safe to assume that this will be a solid night at the Cactus, especially with solid opening acts Hayward Williams and Tim Schweiger & The Middlemen. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., cactusclubmilwaukee.com)
Also: The Air On Everest with Company Of Wolves at Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($10)
(1434 N. Farwell Ave., shankhall.com)
Also: Fahri with Mastro, Coelacanth, Spur and Wasted Islands at Borg Ward, 6:30 p.m. ($6) – (823 W. National Ave., theborgward.org)
Saturday, Jan. 7: Brief Candles with Crappy Dracula and The Fatty Acids at Cactus Club, 10 p.m.
Besides the potential of seeing our own Tyler get down on one knee and propose to his new love interest The Fatty Acids, there are many solid reasons to check out this show. The Fatty Acids are indeed a band to keep your eye on in 2012 with its unique but very accessible style and determined work ethic, and they are joined on this bill by two of the more enjoyable local bands going. Crappy Dracula provides the humor value and garage rock stylings and Brief Candles provides the moody shoegaze attitude. Put it all together, and you’ve got yourself a show, my friends! (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., cactusclubmilwaukee.com)
Also: Phantom Works with Red Stuff at Circle-A Cafe, 8 p.m.
(932 E. Chambers St., circle-a-cafe.org)
Also: The Black Saints with Lights Out at Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($10)
(1434 N. Farwell Ave., shankhall.com)
Wu-Tang Clan photo from the band’s MySpace page
