Sometime Sweet Susan: Re-lit Fuse

 

Words by Erin Wolf

Milwaukee has returned to its rock roots more vehemently in the past year with the rejoining of seminal acts such as Die Kreuzen, Boy Dirt Car and Cherry Cake: 90s rockers Sometime Sweet Susan are also joining the ranks of bands Milwaukee’s old-schoolers have been longing to see live, once again, and making it happen. Compound Red’s recent reunion show at Todd Wehr (2006) was a good reminder that the Milwaukee rock scene from the 90s definitely has not been forgotten, and is perhaps being resuscitated under the pure vitality of today’s scene, where current punkers and rockers, alike, are throwing their  energies into putting together stellar shows on both the weekends and ‘sleepier’ weekdays. Fan-belt talks to James Warchol, front man of Sometime Sweet Susan, to get his thoughts on ‘then’ versus ‘now’ before the band makes an appearance tonight at the Turner Hall Ballroom.

Sometime Sweet Susan, “Blanket Kiss”

The Dim Suns

photo by Mark Dawursk

Words by Erin Wolf

Now, hitting the thirties and forties means a gravitation towards the practice space for musicians who once thrashed it up in damp basements, sweaty, smoky clubs long-gone, and on road trips, documented with only a few dog-eared photos. More and more scene veterans are becoming less nostalgic and making it more official. Start a band and play a show: that’s the way it goes.

For the Dim Suns, comprised of Milwaukee 80s/90s rock vets Jon Lyman, Franz Buchholtz, Mike Allen and Andy Reis (namely of Compound Red and Sometime Sweet Susan fame) it’s something that fell into place with minimal effort. Fan-belt talks to Reis about the magnetization towards practice space, new material and the stage as the four musicians prepare for their show together as the Dim Suns at the Cactus Club this Saturday.

The Dim Suns, “Selby Ligres”

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…