Alright. It’s after 3 p.m. on the eve of New Year’s, and either you’ve settled in for a quality evening with the Star Wars trilogy, are preparing party snacks or are sitting on the proverbial fence of where to spend your last moments of 2009 that will be memorable, fun, slightly sane and won’t leave you with an ‘uh-oh’ empty wallet. Here are a few options for the final evening of the year that will offer all these things if you don’t have a house party to call home or a place to crash out and wait until it’s all over; because, after all, it’s just another night like any other, right?
After the recent release of a new EP, local psych rockers Father Phoenix are calling it quits with singer/vocalist Kris Maedke-Russell heading out to Georgia, leaving behind not only one band, but two, (Maedke-Russell is also bassist for Call Me Lightning).
Maedke-Russell will be replaced in the latter group, but the disbandment of Father Phoenix is a solid, and unfortunately so. Fan-belt was pretty stoked to hear their new material last summer (read *here*) after featuring them in our ‘Localized’ segment earlier in the year, and is hoping that despite the distance, they’ll manage a reunion here and there as most local disbanded bands eventually do.
Since it’s not goodbye quite yet, catch them one, last time at Cactus Club (2496 S. Wentworth) at 10 p.m. tonight as they open for Call Me Lightning.
The Classical sets Lindsey up for a debilitating finishing move
When last they invaded Milwaukee, Minneapolis’ STNNNG (it’s pronounced “The Stunning,” rubes) were seen causing consternation and chasing people out of Circle A in Riverwest with their enthrallingly distinctive, spastic skronk-rock. Vocalist Chris “The Classical” Besinger climbed onto a table in the booth nearest the door, prompting the bevy of un-hip ladies at said booth to remark “fuck this” and bail. Then came my personal favorite moment of the night, documented in the photograph accompanying this piece. Chris climbs onto my friend Lindsey’s recent-car-crash-injured body while her then-boyfriend Tea looks on with a hint of “i’m watching you, pal” in his eyes. Meanwhile, the rest of the band pummelled the Circle A earholes with driving, stomping, brainy noise-rock. Exhilarating stuff for a room that holds maybe 30 people safely.
Fans of Milwaukee’s emerging crop of abrasive noisemakers will not want to miss STNNNG as they lay waste to Club Garibaldi’s on Sunday with locals Wereworm, Flaum Adger, and the Dim Suns. The band arrives in advance of a new full-length due out in the Spring on Modern Radio. The Club G band room is about 6 times larger than Circle A, so there’s knowing what (or who) The Classical will mount. Will the Club G disco ball finally meet a heinous and tragic end? Show up and find out!
Decibully CD release with Invade Rome, Fable & the World Flat @ Bay View Brewhaus (2535 S. Kinnickinnic), 8 p.m.
For Decibully fans, it’s been worth the wait for World Travels Fast to not only have an album in their hands, but also to see the veteran Milwaukee band release it on their own (and brand-new) Listening Party Records. For their official CD send-off, they’ve invited Milwaukee’s Invade Rome and Fable & the World Flat to share the stage.
photo from MySpace
Saturday, December 19th
Lab Partners (featuring Phantom Channel and LMNtlyst) CD release with Pezzettino and Chalice in the Palace @ Mad Planet (533 E. Center), 10 p.m.
Two local hip hop geniuses have gotten together to cook up a new, experimentalized version of hip hop, funk, avant garde and alternative in the new duo of Lab Partners. Phantom Channel of the Rusty P’s and LMNtlyst, local beat maker, get to set to release their debut CD on Saturday at Mad Planet. Also joining in the release celebration are reggae spinners, Chalice in the Palace and local accordionist/pianist Pezzettino.
photo from MySpace
Dutchess & the Duke, Greg Ashley, Jaill, Sisters of Your Sunshine Vapor @ Club Garibaldi’s (2501 S. Superior), 9 p.m.
Seattle’s Dutchess & the Duke’s sophomore release Sunset/Sunrise is still a ringer for a classic Kinks/Stones sound, but retains its own modern grittiness. Greg Ashley of the Gris Gris recorded the album in his California studio and travels this particular leg of their tour alongside the duo of Kimberly Morrison and Jesse Lortz. Also playing are Jaill, one of Milwaukee’s best and brightest long-time pop groups, showing up to the stage with an extra ‘l’ in tow and a new record deal with Sub Pop.
photo from MySpace
Sunday, December 20th
Abaddon (final show) with Contagium, Dawn, Brainwreck @ Riverhorse (701 E. Center), 7 p.m.
One of Milwaukee’s best and most intense hardcore/metal bands (Abaddon) calls it quits at a venue familiar and dear to their hearts — Riverhorse. Pay your respects in the the close and caustic space befitting a band that has played countless solid shows there to their fans.
Behold the latest video clip from local hip-hopsters KingHellBastard, “Danger.” It’s a breezy, fun account of carefree youth and outdoor childhood fun…or not. Nope, “Summertime” this ain’t–it’s a sobering account of a playful morning gone wrong, effectively shot by local video whiz Darren Cole (who’s also behind Pezzettino’s “You Never Know”) and pals Stan Perry & Marian Oliver of Alphabang Productions. It’s directed by Michael Danahey. So check it out already!
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