Illustration by Erik Rose

December 2009 Wisconsin Music News

 

The Last Crack reunion at Scatz on Saturday, November 14 was quite the flashback. To see all five original band members on stage cranking out their first album, Sinister Funkhouse #17, was an amazing experience. The first time I saw the band live was at Bunky’s, a nightclub on the corner of Park and Regent, in March of 1988. I knew in the first few minutes of seeing Last Crack live, that they were destined for greatness. Right after their performance that night, I contacted the band and asked if I could help them on their quest to get a record deal. Typing a dozen letters to all the major labels, the band ended up signing a deal with Roadrunner Records through the recommendation of Jake Wisely, who had launched his own record label, Red Decibel. Watching them go onto record two albums, appear on MTV and tour all over the world was a huge triumph that was shared by all their fans here in Madison. Judging from the crowd of over 700 the other night who came out to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of their first album, Last Crack still has it. Now all I want to know is, when’s the next gig?

Speaking of greatness, don’t miss Madison’s first ever Chick Singer Night to be held at the Brink Lounge on Thursday, December 10. Local singer/songwriter, Beth Kille, formerly of Clear Blue Betty, will be hosting this event which will feature veteran singer/songwriter, Laura Day, Madison newcomers, Devan Brugger and Amber Dawn, and two Chick Singer alumni from Milwaukee, Jayme Dawicki and Jeanna Salzer.   Each singer will perform three tunes with an all-star house-band comprised of Bob Boyd on drums, Tom Broeski on bass, Dan Kennedy on guitar and Jay Barbeau on keyboards. The show starts at 8pm, with an $8 admission.  If you are interested in auditioning for future Chick Singer Nights, please contact Beth Kille at bethkille@hotmail.com or go to http://www.chicksingernight.com.

Electronica/metal/rock band Cynergy 67, www.cynergy67.com, has an awesome new album out called Project: Assimilation. As their bio states, “Gas masks, black lights, cables and wires: all the requisites for a cybernetic visual presentation for an up and coming industrial rock band. So what makes Cynergy 67′s approach so different? You’d have to experience it for the answer.” Cynergy 67 will be appearing live at the Frequency here in Madison on Friday, January 1.

Milwaukee’s Beatallica has also just released a new album, Winter Plunderband, available at www.beatalllica.org, which is their first featuring original tunes by the band. They are now celebrating the fact that they have the #1 speechtone, (ringtone) on their label, Oglio Entertainment. Check out the “Something Else Matters” tone, plus many more at http://www.beatallica.org/buystuff.html.  Find all sorts of fun stuff here related to Masterful Mystery Tour, Sgt. Hetfield’s, All You Need is Blood, and more crazy voice imitations. Also watch for Jaymz’ comments on his favorite albums on the Japanese website We Rock City at www.werockcity.com.

Good luck deciding what to do on New Years Eve! This year you will have the choice of rocking to Cherry Pie at the Dry Bean, Lube at Scatz, SuperTuesday at Pooley’s, the Blue Olives at the Hody in Middleton and Mighty Short Bus at the Great Dane in Hilldale. If anyone is going to rent a limo for a pub crawl, don’t forget to call me! Happy Holidays to everyone and here’s wishing you all a safe, healthy and prosperous 2010!

For those of you who were about to rock to AC/DC, www.acdc.com, at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee on Wednesday, October 14, unfortunately you will have to wait a little longer. On September 25, the band announced that vocalist Brian Johnson will be undergoing a minor medical procedure and has been ordered to rest for a couple of weeks. Which means six confirmed dates, including Milwaukee, has been postponed. AC/DC launched their Black Ice tour in November 2008, and have not yet stopped in Wisconsin, making the news that much harder for their diehard fans. The tour will resume on October 16 in Washington, D.C. and continue through the spring of next year. Johnson has been quoted as saying that he plans on retiring after they wrap up this tour, which has prompted a flurry of questions asking if he was sincere. In my opinion, he could very well intend on retiring at the end of this tour, but I do know that Malcolm is already planning some outdoor festival dates for next summer. So it remains to be seen how soon AC/DC’s rock and roll train will truly come to a complete stop. Until then, we can look forward to a rescheduled date here in Wisconsin. And if you haven’t already bought tickets, don’t miss your chance to see one of the best rock and roll bands in the world! I can guarantee you; their show is worth every penny.

Lube will be celebrating their tenth anniversary at the Dry Bean on Saturday, October 3. Buzz, Nick, Bartho, Jeff and Steve will be welcoming performances by former members drummer Al Lopez, drummer Todd Schroeder and guitarist Jeff Hermans. Music starts at 9:30, and for more details, just go to www.luberocks.com. If you can’t make the Bean, Lube will also at the Badger Bowl on Halloween. Judging from some of their past pictures, you won’t want to miss their costumes.

Schlock, www.myspace.com/schlock1992,  will be playing Jeffro’s Jam fundraiser in Thresherman’s Park in Edgerton on Saturday, October 3, to benefit Jeff Russell, co-owner of the Park Place Bar in Janesville, who was injured in a motorcycle accident last spring. The fundraiser will feature live music, raffles, a bike-kini wash, mud wrestling and free overnight camping. Music starts at 2 pm. $5 donation at the gates.

Just back of a tour down south, Aaron Williams and the Hoodoo, www.aaronwilliamsandthehoodoo.com  has been gearing up for an assault on the Midwest including two nights at the Brink Lounge on October 7 and 21. They will also be out in Stoughton at Stella and Pug’s on Saturday, October 17. I just had the pleasure of seeing them at the Brink a couple of weeks ago, and they were smokin’ hot!

Madison County, www.madcounty.com, will be bringing their kick-ass country moves to the Missouri Tavern in Middleton on Saturday, October 10 and Scatz on Saturday, October 17. Show them some support by requesting 106.3, The New Q, to play their song “Breathless.” Just tell afternoon host Sara Freeman that I sent you!

The Lucas Cates Band, www.lucascates.com, winner of six 2009 Madison Area Music Awards, will be playing the Coliseum Bar on Thursday, October 15 and a pre-Halloween bash at the Brink Lounge on Friday, October 30. Halloween night they will be in Verona at Grays Tied House. If you haven’t had the pleasure, once you see them you’ll understand why they literally swept the MAMAs last May.

August 2009

I just got back from a trip to Nashville, to do research for my new book, Family Tradition-Three Generations of Hank Williams. My adventure included seeing Hank’s grandson, Hank III, perform live in Knoxville, Tennessee. Hank III’s band plays three sets, including country and “hellbilly” sets with his Damn Band. Closing his show with a change of drummers, and metal set with his band, Assjack. They put on an amazing performance that lasted almost four hours! Now I know why they call Hank III “Full Throttle!” You can pick up a copy of his latest CDs, Damn Right-Rebel Proud and Assjack, at www.hank3.com. If you have any Hank Williams stories that would include Hank Sr., Hank Jr. and/or Hank III, feel free to email me. Family Tradition is due to be released by Hal Leonard/Backbeat Books later next year.

Congratulations to Holly Lutz and Donny Bakken on the arrival of their daughter, Arabella Bakken, on July 12. Mother and daughter are doing well, and dad has been showing Bella’s picture to anyone who will look! You can give him your regards when he reunites with the original members of Last Crack for the 20^th anniversary of the release of their album, Sinister Funkhouse #17. Paul Schluter, Donny Bakken, Todd Winger, Phil Buerstatte and Buddo will be appearing at Scatz, Saturday, November 14. It will also be a birthday bash for Rokker, promoter and publisher of Maximum Ink, www.maximumink.com, bassist “Reno” and Trevor Reed. Rokker will announce all the details of when tickets go on sale in the Last Crack Group on Facebook.

Rokker did tell me that they will be filming a video of the event, including fans sharing their Last Crack stories. Mine is seeing them play for the first time in March of 1988 at Bunky’s, and knowing that they were going to be signed. I worked for them that summer, where I helped shop the band to the major record labels. Despite all the typing, they found their own deal with Roadracer/Roadrunner Records through Jake Wisely, who started Red Decibel Records, and recommended them to Roadrunner. The rest is history, or should I say, Last Crack lore. I knew the band would be successful, and after two albums, several tours and videos airing on MTV, the band went their separate ways. It will be a real treat for their fans to see them play together again. To ensure a safe and fun evening, book a room at the Marriott Courtyard, (right next door), and get a discount for mentioning Scatz. I understand Rokker wants to fill the hotel with Last Crack fans, so let’s help him make that wish come true.

Rapscallion

Another band that worked with Red Decibel Records back in the day was Rapscallion. Along with Last Crack, they were one of the most successful bands from the Madison area in the late eighties-early nineties. Original Rapscallion members, singer Tod Schwenn and guitarist Jayme Poster joined forces with Last Crack bassist Todd Winger, and drummer Chris (Ski) Havey, to form Faces for Radio, www.myspace.com/trafficandbosses. They have become one of Madison’s favorite bands and ripped it up at the Atwood Summerfest at the end of July. You can catch them at the 2^nd Annual Pawling Street Block Party (700 block of Pawling St.) on Saturday, August 15 at 9pm. Music starts at noon with featured bands Barbara Drive, Madtown, Sexy Ester, Roots Collective, Club Bud, Rivalry, and Faces for Radio, who will go on at 9pm.

Kill Junior

Agent Zero will be appearing at the Annex on Saturday, August 8 with Kill Junior. Agent Zero has won many music awards including the Rockford Area Music Industry Award for best hard rock/metal band in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005. They were inducted into the RAMI “Hall of Fame” in 2006. Kill Junior, a force to be reckoned with in their own right, has a new CD, Confusiotomy, available at www.myspace.com/killjuniorband. Doors open at 9pm, music starts at 10pm. 

Sincere condolences to Aaron Williams, guitarist/singer for Aaron Williams and the Hoo Doo, whose father, Cadillac Joe Andersen just passed away after a battle with cancer. Cadillac Joe, who was also a great keyboardist, earned the reputation of being the most sought after Hammond B3 player in the Midwest. Over the years, he played with the Blind Wolf  Blues Band, the Cadillac Joe Band, and the Joe Andersen Jazz Organ Group. Joe, who gave Aaron his start on stage, was out to support his son at the Crystal Corner Bar a few months ago, when Aaron’s band released their latest CD, It Ain’t Easy. Cadillac Joe will certainly be missed. Condolences also go out to his family, friends and fans.

If you want to catch some of the finest talent around, just stop by the Brink Lounge on East Washington Avenue. Madison Magazine just named the Brink Lounge the 2009 Silver winner in Best Live Music category. One of my favorite bands, Aaron Williams and the Hoo Doo will be performing there in the Main Lounge on Thursday, June 11 at 8pm.

Aaron Williams and the Hoodoo

If you’re not already a fan of Aaron Williams and the Hoo Doo, and you like funky blues rock, then don’t hesitate a minute longer…check them out! They just released a new CD called, It Ain’t Easy, which showcases that they are a blues force to be reckoned with.

 

 

 

 

Cobzweb

Catch a rare appearance by Cobzweb, who will be performing at Scatz from 9:30-11:30 pm Friday, June 12. DJ Double-A will keep the dance floor bumpin’ from 11:30-2 am. Cobzweb will be giving out t-shirts, CDs, JJO Band Camp tickets and a $100 Scatz gift card. The band will be playing mostly original songs from their first two CDs, and Dave Cobb will be on Johnny & Greg’s Morning Show on 94.1 WJJO this Friday, June 12 between 6-10 am.

Don’t miss the Big Event in Middleton on Saturday, June 13. For $5, you can catch 20 bands in venues playing all around Middleton. Some of the featured performers will be Joel Pingitore & The Playground of Sound at the Capital Brewery, Dale Watson and God’s Outlaw at the Club Tavern, and Knee Deep, Johnny Rocker and The High Rollers at Quaker Steak & Lube.  Local favorites Muzzy Luctin will be playing at Puchucco’s outside in the parking lot from 6-8:30 pm.

Brota and Sam Sarah are presenting D’Artique: Dark & Erotic Arts Festival at the Annex on Saturday, June 13. Displaying artists will be Brota, (The Annex and Comic-Con 2006), Kael Lampe, (Studio Shakti), Joe Price, (Singer from Helliphant), Dave Ortiz, (singer from Malice In Wonderland), Rich Staley, (Watercolorist), Joe Reedy, (drummer from the Wake), and Character Designer for Human Head Studios. The showing will be from 6-9pm, 18+ with no cover. At 9pm live music will be provided by Glass Ghosts, Bella Koshka, The Mighty Joe White with Jade on Fire and Bollywood Belly Dance: Kael Lampe. Cover is $7 or $5 with postcard.

 

9mm Solution

9mm Solution‘s second album, The Dream Is Dead, has just been released by Rock Ridge Music, and the band will be hitting the road this summer with Pychostick. Their CD-release party will be an all-ages show at Liquor Sweets in Milwaukee on June 9 at 7pm. You can catch them here in Madison at the Annex on Sunday, June 28 at 8pm. I am so proud of 9mm Solution. These guys have been working very hard for many years, and they deserve all the success in the world! ’s,

 

It’s almost time for Rhythm & Booms, which will be held at Warner Park on Saturday, June 27. Billed as the Midwest’s largest fireworks display, beginning at 2pm, there will be live music provided by Universal Sound, The Nines with 100% Natural, Little Vito & The Torpedoes, and the John Masino Band. 

The World’s Largest Music Festival, Summerfest, will run from Thursday, June 25 through Sunday, July 5. Some of Wisconsin’s hottest acts will be performing there, including Lucas Cates and Rivalry on June 25, Natty Nation on June 30, and guitarist extraordinaire, Lyden Moon on July 5. So many bands, so little time…

 

Thanks to everyone who bought a copy of my latest book, Let There Be Rock-The Story  of AC/DC, which has now been printed in eight languages. I am very proud to announce that the book has been re-released with a new chapter, new photographs and an audio CD of an interview I did with all five original band members from their first American tour in 1977. The best part is that you can find the updated version for sale on AC/DC’s official website at www.acdc.com!

 

Got music news? If you would like to have it included in the WI Music News, just email it to rokcentral@aol.com.

OX – The Day Before Tomorrow

(2006   Self-Release)

As Madison continues to define its singular take on hip-hop, the ideals of positivity, spirituality and political consciousness have consumed much of the focus.  From dumate and Rob Dz to the Crest and Adem Tesfaye, the voice of local hip-hop has maintained a slick tone and clean, intellectual persona.  But then OX shows up with gravel in his throat, pure fury in his words and honesty in his delivery, and his presence in the local sound is made dramatically clear.  The Day Before Tomorrow is as much a statement about one man’s story, his trials and weaknesses, as it a strong musical statement, with diverse flavors infecting virtually every track.  Without a clear political slant, without taming his strong personality for an instant, and without a single moment of retreat from his pride, OX pushes violently and steadily through this album of creative sounds and deep flow.

 This man delves into his issues with anger and alcohol, arrogance and anguish.  He shows it all, from standing up to an asshole bouncer and making a scene (“Rowdy”) to struggles with drinking (“Talk of the Town” and “Gonna Be Okay”) to rage and its ramifications (“Get Thru My Day”), this is a man dealing with his vices in public, confronting his pain with poetry.   This record expounds on the themes of fatherhood (“Be a Father to Your Child”) and the pain of loss (“Payin’ Homage”) while revealing a fresher and more mature outlook than on his previous release, Syllabus.  However, this record also develops the thuggish, street-strong voice that is often absent from local hip-hop’s focus on positive ideology.  

With help from some of the finest talent in local hip-hop, the tracks are tight and soulful.  Produced with help from A-Waxx, Joey Vitale, DLO, DJ Curfew and Problem Child, with the voice of Jesse Lester and the turntable skills of Newsense, The Day Before Tomorrow delivers its grooves with a polished finesse and solid performances.  When OX lays his gritty tone over the mix, the result is a satisfying synergy between tone and content: the sound reflects the message and the message drives the groove. 

A-Waxx produced the majority of the disc and his sound reflects a broad sense of what drives the beat.  The Eastern string flavors of “OX is My Name” are somehow classic while remaining totally fresh.  The soulful blues and funk of “Payin’ Homage” is somehow utterly different from the rest while remaining totally OX.  And in “Beef,” the groove is mashed-up around a sped-up soul sample and a tight progression that develops a thick drive.  The ability of A-Waxx to generate grooves that mutate the theme while developing a characteristic sound at the same time is an absolute strength of this record. 

OX’s last album Syllabus was good enough to put some real pressure on this unique voice to live up to the hype and hit this shit hard a second time.  He did it.  OX can be both proud and humble, both cold-hearted and a warm, caring friend and son.  This is a man who delves deep and delivers a solid collection of solid tracks that represent a step forward.  He might be more aggressive than what this town is used to, but this is a new dimension to local hip-hop and it adds an edge that has been missing from this scene.