Monday, July 9: Mentally Ill, Liquor Store, and Static Eyes at Quarter’s Rock & Roll Palace, 9 p.m. – (900 E. Center St.)
Tuesday, July 10: R. Ring and Night Animals at Cactus Club, 9 p.m.
Featuring Mike Montgomery and Kelley Deal (Breeder, sister of Kim Deal of The Pixies), R. Ring has a pretty impressive pedigree for a band lacking a proper release. Tuesday’s performance marks the midway point of the band’s abbreviated July tour. Plus, they’ll already be warmed up, as R. Ring is slated to do a Daytrotter set earlier that day. Night Animals opens. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Also: Uncanny Valley, Terrior Bute, Rio Turbo and Jammin’ Dianes at Quarter’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Palace, 9 p.m. – (900 E. Center St.)
MUSIC NOTES SHOW OF THE WEEK
Wednesday, July 11: Chris Isaak at Potawatomi’s Northern Lights Theater, 8 p.m. ($60-$75)
About 11 months ago, crooner Chris Isaak came to the Northern Lights Theater, to which Kevin previewed by saying, “From what I can tell, Chris Isaak has made a career based on one wildly successful song, one set of devilishly handsome good looks and countless cameos in everything from The Silence of the Lambs to Friends. And then there’s that video for “Wicked Game.” Ahhh… “ Really, what more is there to say than that? Isaak is back for another casino stage stint to trot out all his (one) hits. (1721 W. Canal St., PaysBig.com)
Friday, July 13: Northless, The Gorge, Drumlins and War Brides at Cactus Club, 9:30 p.m.
Face it, Neil Diamond, Big Time Rush, Death Cab For Cutie and all the other eclectic and wussy Summerfest bookings are long gone. It’s high time you return your attention to Northless, Milwaukee’s own sludge metal outfit. The band is abrasive and long-form in all the right places, with a surprising level of depth for a band capable of sonically caving in your chest. The Gorge, Drumlins and War Brides open. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Saturday, July 14: The Haymarket Squares at Frank’s Power Plant, 9:30 p.m.
Phoenix band The Haymarket Squares calls themselves “Arizona’s premier purveyors of punkgrass.” We aren’t about to argue with that assertion. First off, we don’t know of any other punkgrass bands from Arizona, and even if we did, we’re inclined to think that Haymarket Squares would own them. For the rare type of person who enjoys both The Clash and music heavy in banjo, slide guitar, harmonica – even kazoo! – this blip on an otherwise absent Saturday night in the Milwaukee music scene poses a great opportunity to see a lesser-known touring act do its thing. (2800 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., FranksPowerPlant.Angelfire.com)
Also: The Coathangers, The Psychic Paramount, and Heavy Cream at Cactus Club, 9 p.m. – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Sunday, July 15: Canopies, Night Moves and Faux Fir at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, 9 p.m. ($5)
With the exception of one Chris Isaak, every notable touring act has fled town this traditionally quiet post-Summerfest week. Fortunately, Milwaukee is blessed with a generous supply of great local talent to hold us over. Few bands these days can prove that statement better than Canopies, who has built quite a buzz since ambling onto the scene little over a year ago via its tight and energetic live show, a regular opening slot for Reptar when the Vagrant Records band comes to Milwaukee, and synth. Lots of synth. Delightfully poppy local Faux Fir helps bookend this promising local event. (1001 E. Locust St., Linnemans.com)
