Severing Heads With Audio Force

protoseven photography

Milwaukee’s industrial hardcore pros, Decapitado, [Andy Skeels: guitar, Dan Kubinski: bass, vox, Mike Olson: drums] first unleashed their intense sound with 2003′s Blacked. The heaviness of the group’s music fast-endeared them to metal, hardcore and stoner rock fans, alike. Decapitado’s unique and fascinating combination of tuneful guitar fury and rhythmic complexity has sucked  listeners in who love intensity, but are still melody-freaks.

In recent years, Decapitado’s terms of endearment have been fewer and further in between with a two-year break,  but now the band is ready to dish out some 7″s to those in waiting, in anticipation of another official full-length, scheduled for next year. Three EP’s to be precise. The first 7″ EP release is scheduled for tonight.

“Autowriter” B/W “Muzzle” will be released as the first in the series of three as the band plays alongside noise manipulators Boy Dirt Car, Chicago’s Arriver and Madison’s Siv. Catch the show and an EP at the Monkey Bar: 1619 S. 1st Street. 10 p.m. 21+

Legendary Love

Image courtesy of Damian Strigens

 Words by Erin Wolf

To honor a legend in Milwaukee music, Atomic Records, a slew of legendary Milwaukee bands are joining in the reminiscence and honoring of an establishment that has brought together not only fans of wax, liner notes and signed posters, but of music community, of friendly faces and a place where bands found a haven to conspire and make things happen. Fan-belt talks to former Atomic Records employee and Milwaukee musician (The Frogs, The Lovelies, Testa Rosa, Knit Delicate) Damian Strigens about the event he helped organize  to show one record store a whole lotta love for the past twenty four years.

TGIT: Our Weekend Picks!

Image of The Invaders courtesy of MySpace

Friday, February 13th

Lonely Hearts Valentine’s Show with The Invaders and The Socialites @ Club Garibaldi’s (2501 S. Superior), 10 p.m.

When Valentine’s Day falls on a weekend, it almost works in the favor of the sweetheart-less. The weekend means more shows and more opportunities to divert one’s attentions. Milwaukee’s Invaders are taking part in the celebratory rather than the sulking mood of the holiday by performing their instant-party starter ska and rock steady antics at Club Garibaldi’s. Also joining the Invaders for the “Lonely Hearts Valentine’s Show” are Madison’s Socialites.

 

Image courtesy of MySpace

Saturday, February 14th

Farms in Trouble + Trash Crack (split cassette release), Possible Fathers, Charles De Gaulle @ the Cactus Club (2496 S. Wentworth), 10 p.m.

With more bells and whistles, loops and layered bits packed into the smallest of songs, Farms in Trouble provides a dizzying audio array that is enjoyably chaotic. Pop song pros Zack Pieper (Trusty Knife) and Riles Walsh (Trusty Knife, the Candliers) along with several other Milwaukee musician notables, will perform a rare live set of songs from their recent Gas Station Soundtrack and EP releases. Also in the works for the evening is a split cassette release with show-mates, Trash Crack. Also playing: Possible Fathers and Charles De Gaulle.

 

Photo of Diamonds courtesy of MySpace

Diamonds + OCD Automatic, Double Drop @ Stonefly (735 E. Center), 10 p.m. 

Nobody knows how to get a Valentine’s Day dance-party started quite like Diamonds. We’re talking about the DJ — not the glittering jewels, but very well may be, for the man behind the turntables churns out some of the most sparkling concoctions to hit Milwaukee’s dance floors. This time around he brings his spit and polished skills to Stonefly. With OCD Automatic and Double Drop.

 

Photo of Sometime Sweet Susan courtesy of MySpace

Atomic Valentine: Benefit and Tribute to Atomic Records: Liquid Pink + Boy Dirt Car, The Lovelies, The Etiquette, Sometime Sweet Susan, The Blowtorch, Cherry Cake, The Mighty Deerlick, Mark Waldoch and His Good Grief @ The Miramar Theater (2844 N. Oakland Avenue), 6:30 p.m.

Atomic Records has been fueling the Milwaukee music community for over twenty-four years, and will be missed tremendously. Honor the local legend before the doors officially close on an era by attending a benefit and tribute show featuring some of Milwaukee’s long-gone and great acts (as well as a couple current ones) — a fitting salute to the irreplaceable space on the corner of Locust and Oakland. 

 Read more on the Atomic Valentine show on Fan-belt, tomorrow…