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| Death Dream |
Tuesday, Nov. 30: Death Dream, The Tanks & Cyborg Fortress at Frank’s Power Plant, 9:30 p.m. ($6)
A Milwaukee noise rock super group of sorts, Death Dream is made up of former and current members of Mistreaters, IfIHadAHiFi, Freight and Invade Rome. The band has certainly benefited from the perks of being able to borrow from the fan bases and contact lists of their former bands. But its quick success is due more to the band’s undeniable chemistry and incredible live energy. (2800 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., frankspowerplant.net)
Also: Shinedown & Will Hoge at Riverside Theater, 8 p.m. ($29.50)
Singer-songwriter Will Hoge continues to make a name for himself as one of the most consistently talented artists on the roots rock circuit today. Not bad for a guy who just a year and a half ago was severely injured in a horrific motorcycle accident.
Shinedown, not so much. (116 W. Wisconsin Ave., pabsttheater.org)
Thursday, Dec. 2: Crappy Dracula, Deep Earth, Cartilage Party & Lucky Bone at Borg Ward, 7 p.m. ($5)
With a collection of songs that range in lyrical content from anti-architecture (“Song Against Architects”) to the plight of disgruntled textbook factory workers (“Secrets of the Powerful Textbook Lobby”), Crappy Dracula brings its maniacally quirky brand of garage punk to the maniacally quirky Borg Ward Collective. (823 W. National Ave., theborgward.org)
Also: Better Than Ezra at Northern Lights Theater at Potawatomi Bingo Casino, 8 p.m. ($25)
Spawned from the alternative bonanza of the mid-’90s, Better Than Ezra first hit it big with the single “Good.” Although nothing the band has released since has come close to the commercial success of those early days, the band has kept releasing albums and touring long enough to catch the current wave of ’90s alternative nostalgia. I bet they’ll even play “Good.” (1721 W. Canal St., paysbig.com)
Also: Jamey Johnson & Josh Thompson at The Riverside Theater, 8 p.m. ($32)
(116 W. Wisconsin Ave., pabsttheater.org)
Also: Unsane at Mad Planet, 8 p.m. ($15)
(533 E. Center St., mad-planet.net)
Also: The Batusis at Shank Hall, 9 p.m. ($15)
(1434 N. Farwell Ave., shankhall.com)
Also: TV Ghost, Dead Meat & Aluminum Knot Eye at Cactus Club, 9:30 p.m.
(2496 S. Wentworth Ave., cactusclubmilwaukee.com)
Friday, Dec. 3: Beatallica, Spinal Trance & Heroes Lie at Club Garibaldi, 9 p.m.
The art of the musical spoof is a fine line to walk. Good intentions can slip unexpectedly into Weird Al-esque obnoxiousness with little warning. But Milwaukee-based Beatallica has somehow managed to keep the concept of mashing together Beatles and Metallica songs creative and humorous for almost a decade, garnering legions of fans in the process. (2501 S. Superior St., myspace.com/clubgaribaldis)
Also: Murderdolls & Get Scared at The Rave, 7:30 p.m. ($15)
It’s the drummer from Slipknot’s side project. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., therave.com)
Friday, Dec. 3 & Saturday, Dec. 4: Borg Ward Benefit Show at Borg Ward, 7 p.m.
This two-day festival to raise money for a much-needed new PA system will feature a slew of bands (Busybodies, Northless, Impatience and Protestant to name a few) that epitomize the Borg Ward itself: loud, experimental and diverse. For as impressive as the survival of the Borg Ward to this point has been, this is truly a good cause that will only help improve the scene for local musicians. (823 W. National Ave., theborgward.org)
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| Juniper Tar. Photo by Kat Berger. |
MUSIC NOTES SHOW OF THE WEEK
Saturday, Dec. 4: Juniper Tar, The Friendly Lens, Salford Lads Club & Mark Waldoch at Turner Hall Ballroom, 8 p.m. ($12)
Juniper Tar’s beautifully haunting melodic roots rock is the ideal counterpart to an event that will surely be equal parts sad and uplifting. All proceeds from the show go to benefit Elise Krause, a 2-year-old Milwaukee girl battling a rare form of advanced cancer. (1032 N. Fourth St., pabsttheater.org)
Juniper Tar – “Black Pain Tea” from High Frequency Media on Vimeo.
Also: Loretta Lynn at Riverside Theater, 8 p.m. ($32, $42, $52)
One of the quintessential female voices in the history of country music, Loretta Lynn comes rolling into town to perform her greatest hits along with a collection of holiday classic. Be sure to sport your best Christmas turtleneck. You don’t want to look ridiculous. (116 W. Wisconsin Ave., pabsttheater.org)
