Wednesday, Dec. 14: Mushroomhead with One-Eyed Doll, Human Factors Lab and Tenafly Viper at The Rave, 7 p.m. ($17.50)
In the past few months, The Rave has seen more than its share of masked metal bands come through the doors from GWAR to (hed) p.e. to Hollywood Undead. The trend continues here with Cleveland-based “nu-metal” band Mushroomhead making its third appearance at The Rave in the past year in spite of our scathingly negative previews. (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., therave.com)
Thursday, Dec. 15: FM 102/1 Big Snow Show 6 featuring Cage The Elephant, The Joy Formidable and Sleeper Agent at The Rave ($22.50)
Though the bill for 102/1’s annual winter bash is arguably not as strong as it has been in previous years (past performers have included Death Cab For Cutie, Jack’s Mannequin and 30 Seconds To Mars), there is plenty here to fill you with holiday joy. Cage The Elephant is obviously the big name on this bill, powered by the band’s breakout hits “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” and “In One Ear,” but the act to see here may be Welsh power trio The Joy Formidable. Edgy, huge-sounding and catchy as all hell, the band seems destined to be headlining shows like this in the not-too-distant future.
(2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., therave.com)
MUSIC NOTES SHOW OF THE WEEK
Friday, Dec. 16: Riverwest Fest 2 at Multiple Venues
Last year’s Riverwest Fest set out to raise money to save the burgeoning multimedia arts space Jackpot Gallery (and its basement venue the Eagle’s Nest) from being shut down due to code violations. And apparently so much fun was had by all that the festival (which features more than 50 local bands performing in eight Riverwest venues over two nights) has been given another go. This time around all proceeds go to another good cause: the performing bands.
Rather than going into too much depth here, we will offer our opinion on which shows not to miss and direct you to the festival website for the details. Shows by venue:
Jackpot Gallery, 3 to 6 p.m. (all ages)
Adam Helwin
DW & Co.
Cat Ries
Joz Z
The Uptowner, 5 to 7 p.m. (21+)
Brief Candles
Heavy Hand
Bedouins
Cream City Collectives, 6 to 8 p.m. (all ages)
Get Rad
Burning Sons
Midnight Reruns
This one’s for the rager in you. Open to older hipsters looking to relive their teenage angst years and actual teenagers with current angst alike, the all-ages atmosphere should be fitting for the lo-fi, high volume craziness that will ensue.
Ground Zero, 7 to 10 p.m. (all ages)
Sugar Stems
Landlord (IN)
Uh Oh
Rich People
Club Timbuktu, 8 to 10 p.m. (all ages)
The Fatty Acids
John The Savage
Catacombz
Quarter’s, 9 p.m. (21+)
Architects of the Aftermath
Shortwalk
Iron Cages
Riverwest Public House, 9 p.m. (21+)
Group of the Altos
Moon Curse
Centipedes
Hot Coffin
A brilliant (or possibly disastrous, but either way intriguing) mix of bands here. From the orchestral strains of Group of the Altos to the doom rock of Moon Curse to the melodic intensity of Centipedes, this promises to be a festival highlight. Also of interest, the debut of Hot Coffin featuring former members of Red Knife Lottery and Death Dream.
Stonefly Brewpub, 10 p.m. (21+)
Kane Place Record Club
Mark Waldoch of Celebrated Workingman
Flojo
Big Falls
Also: Fair To Midland with Dead Letter Circus, Aficionado and The Exoskeleton at The Rave, 8 p.m. ($13.50)
(2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., therave.com)
Also: Worrier with Sleepcomesdown, Haunted Heads and Disguised As Birds at Cactus Club, 10 p.m.
(2496 S. Wentworth Ave., cactusclubmilwaukee.com)
Also: Chord with Jon Mueller and Bruce Lamont at Frank’s Power Plant, 9:30 p.m. ($5)
(2800 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., frankspowerplant.net)
Saturday, Dec. 17: Riverwest Fest 2 at Multiple Venues
Jackpot Gallery, 3 to 6 p.m. (all ages)
Gnarrenschiff
House Noises
Alta
Quarter’s, 4 to 9 p.m. (21+)
Stock Options
Fuckhoney
Magnetic Minds
The Customary Silence
Ahab’s Ghost
Dudley
Truly Spoken Cycles, 6 to 8 p.m. (all ages)
Flux Bikes
TBA
Club Timbuktu, 8 to 10 p.m. (all ages)
Fresh Cut Collective
B*right
Cyborg Fortress
Rio Turbo
Riverwest Public House, 9 p.m. (21+)
Slow Walker (Tape Release Show)
Absolutely
Busybodies
Space Collector
The Uptowner, 10 p.m. (21+)
Fahri
Trent Fox and the Tenants
Duke of Bilgewater
Stonefly Brewpub, 10 p.m. (21+)
Undercover Organism
Myles Coyne & the Rusty Nickels
Also: Maritime with El Oso and Liar’s Trial at Cactus Club, 10 p.m.
Maritime doesn’t really hit the clubs quite as often as it used to, so seeing the band rock the Cactus Club should be a special treat, especially fresh off the news of two Promise Ring reunion shows and a rarities album in early 2012. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., cactusclubmilwaukee.com)
Also: Herman Astro CD Release Party with The Right Now at Mad Planet, 9 p.m. ($5/$8)
(533 E. Center St., mad-planet.net)
Also: Mac Miller with Hot Chelle Rae and Kreayshawn at The Rave, 7 p.m. ($25)
(2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., therave.com)
Sunday, Dec. 18: WMSE Kickstarter Christmas @ Tonic Tavern, 8 p.m. ($5)
We have been doing all we can to spread the word about the Keep Live Music on WMSE Kickstarter campaign, and with good reason. The station is desperately in need of an equipment upgrade in order to keep live, local music on the air. This Christmas benefit (all door proceeds as well as a portion of the day’s sales go toward this incredibly worthy cause) will feature 15 Milwaukee musicians playing their take on various Holiday Classics as well as a bunch of original material. The lineup includes members of Conrad Plymouth, Juniper Tar, The Wildbirds and Testa Rosa among many others. (2335 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., tonictavern.com)
Also: I’m Not A Pilot with Plume Giant, Myles Coyne and The Rusty Nickel Band at Mad Planet, 9 p.m.
Mad Planet caps off a busy Riverwest weekend with RadioMilwaukee and Shepherd Express’s band of the year I’m Not A Pilot. The 4-piece subtle rockers craft beautifully meaningful and solid rock tunes with the seemingly non-rock cello at their foundation.
(533 E. Center St., mad-planet.net)
Group of the Altos photo by CJ Foeckler.
