Monday, April 27: No shows
Tuesday, April 28: No shows
Wednesday, April 29: MKE Punk Record Spin at Cactus Club, 9 p.m. (FREE)
The week starts slowly for local music, so why not just take it easy and listen to old punk records while drinking some beer from Cactus Clubs solid tap selection? DJing the night are the fine folks at MKE Punk, a website that hosts an impressive amount of old Milwaukee records to stream or download. Listening to their set on Wednesday is going to be like a history lesson. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Also: Million Minds for Millions of Moms featuring Zed Kenzo, Metasota, *hitmayng, WebsterX and Crashprez at Jazz Gallery, 7 p.m. ($10)
This benefit show will raise funds for an upcoming march in Washington D.C. by Mothers For Justice United, an organization started by Dontre Hamilton’s mother. Wednesday marks the day before the one year anniversary of Hamilton’s death.
Thursday, April 30: Stacian with Hide and Two from the Eye at Cactus Club, 9 p.m.
The ethereal electronic solo project of Milwaukee’s Stacian makes sounds that feel shrouded in mystery and fear, like sheets of fog obscuring a slow, methodical, encroaching murderer. The final product is certainly eerie but most of all arresting. She plays Cactus Club on Thursday night with Chicago’s Hide, who was last seen opening for Marilyn Manson at the Rave, and Two from the Eye. Be sure to look over your shoulder on the way to your car after the show. (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Also: Mortgage Freeman with Tigernite and Haleakala at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, 9 p.m. ($5) – (1001 E. Locust St., Linnemans.com)
Friday, May 1: Surgeons in Heat (album release) with The Fatty Acids, Canopies and Sat. Nite Duets at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, 9 p.m. ($10)
Surgeons in Heat celebrates the release of its first proper full-length Disaster (2012’s self-titled debut merely compiled its two EPs) this Friday at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn with an absolutely stacked line-up featuring The Fatty Acids, Canopies and Sat. Nite Duets. The new record eschews the band’s past soul affectations for a looser, more contemporary feel. It’s a breezy, summer album that sounds great with a nice fresh cocktail. (1001 E. Locust St., Linnemans.com)
Also: Caroline Smith with Shane Leonard at Shank Hall, 8 p.m. ($12 advance; $14 door) – (1434 N. Farwell Ave., ShankHall.com)
And: Migos with OG Maco and Rich The Kid at The Rave, 8 p.m. ($26.50-$31.50) – (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
And: Horseshoes and Hand Grenades with The Lowest Pair and Last Revel at The Pabst Theater, 8 p.m. ($10) – (144 E. Wells St., PabstTheater.org)
Saturday, May 2: The Replacements with The Midnight Reruns at The Rave, 8 p.m. (SOLD OUT)
The stories about the Replacements are stuff of legend. The band would often get so drunk before shows that it’d be amazing that anyone could even still stand let alone play their instruments. They’d be willfully difficult to audiences—exclusively playing their country tunes to punk crowds at CBGB and searing through their punk songs to country fans in Nashville. But they probably wouldn’t be heralded like they are today if they didn’t write excellent songs. While the band tore at the seams during the early ‘90s, the five album run of Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash, Hootenanny, Let It Be, Tim and Pleased To Meet Me was unparalleled by any ‘80s rock band. The rowdy, drunken stage shenanigans are certainly behind the recently reconvened middle-aged rock legends, but it’s probably for the best since that surly attitude always tended to obscure the band’s infectious power pop melodies anyway. (2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., TheRave.com)
Also: Terror Pigeon with Dream Attics at Mad Planet, 9 p.m. ($8) – (533 E. Center St, Mad-Planet.net)
And: Turbo Fruits with Eternal Summers and Body Futures at Cactus Club, 9:30 p.m. ($10) – (2496 S. Wentworth Ave., CactusClubMilwaukee.com)
Sunday, May 3: Crosby, Stills and Nash at The Riverside Theater, 8 p.m. ($49.50-$95)
Considered one of the first rock supergroups, the classic soft-rock collection of David Crosby (of the Byrds), Stephen Stills (of Buffalo Springfield), Graham Nash (of the Hollies) and sometimes Neil Young experienced a hugely successful career during the ‘70s, penning such hits as “Southern Cross,” “Woodstock,” “Just a Song Before I Go,” and the Kent State-shooting protest song “Ohio.” (116 W. Wisconsin Ave., PabstTheater.org)
Also: Willy Porter, Greg Koch and Sam Llanas with Dave Adler, Ethan Bender, John Calarco, Michael Henszey, Carmen Nickerson and the Wisconsin Conservatory Batterman Jazz Ensemble at Turner Hall Ballroom, 7 p.m. ($20 advance; $25 door) – (1032 N. 4th St., PabstTheater.org)
