Concert Preview: October '07

It’s a really fantastic month for concerts in Milwaukee. In fact, I had to whittle my recommendations down significantly.

Without further ado, here’s what’s coming in October…

Bad Religion
Sunday, October 7 at The Rave

Bad Religion is one of my favorite punk rock bands today. Although I was only a baby when they were fueling punk's popularity, Bad Religion is still going strong after 25 years in the music industry - even in an era when punk has evolved into a subcategory of pop music (unfortunately).

While critics claim that Bad Religion has softened up, their concerts demonstrate the same surging guitars and pummeling drums that were able to shake the foundation of people's thoughts in the late 80s. Still, their music has its hopeful moments, when the lyrics get especially articulate about not just problems but solutions; at the same time, no one would ever mistake Bad Religion for a band of dewy-eyed optimists rather than one inspiring a revolution.

$23 General Admission

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Regina Spektor
Monday, October 8 at The Rave

This year’s Lollapalooza was the first time I had the opportunity to see Regina Spektor. While I felt awkward for this newcomer, she clearly didn’t need any sympathy. Spektor is becoming known for her quirky, artfully orchestrated music with a fusion of influences from blues and jazz artists like Billie Holiday, hip-hop rhythms, inspired pop melodies and the passion of punk rock.

With her classical piano training she pounds out a highly eclectic but always personal and adventurous collection of songs. Spektor’s appealingly mellow, rambling vibe shines on her breakthrough hit “Fidelity.” From surreal, heady tracks to lovely confessionals, she mesmerizes with unexpected lyrics and a truly unique yet unpretentious style.

$23 General Admission

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Spoon
Monday, October 8 at The Pabst

I finally witnessed the oohs and aahs of Spoon live in concert at Lollapalooza '07 (I also was supposed to see them at Summerfest). Spoon has been together for over a decade, with one of the most unusual trajectories of any band in recent memory – and one of the most unique songwriters in the world.

While their songs tend to acquire urgency when played during an electric and hyped live performance, particularly the bass-driven thumper of “I Turn My Camera On” (a tightly coiled ball of scratchy funk that is sure to carry the loudest response of the night), their familiar minimal rhythmic piano/guitar vamp popularized on earlier Spoon hits like "The Way We Get By" is what makes a lasting impression.

$18 General Admission

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Grizzly Bear
Tuesday, October 9 at The Pabst

Ending up on many of the "Best of 2006" lists including Pitchfork Media and Refinery 29, Grizzly Bear can expertly paint the pasty skin of any emo kid with an array of colors and textures while bringing the whole audience into their world of subtleties and ambiance.

The band’s haunting melodies and layered musical landscapes are as expansive and grandiose as they are dark and intimate. By conjuring up wonderful sounds from an array of gadgets and instruments, their songs somehow become more about the aura they create rather than the notes and words they produce.

$10 General Admission

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Wilco
Tuesday, October 9 at The Rave

Wilco is arguably the tightest band in show biz – simply because they play like a well-oiled machine and consistently land sold-out gigs. With Jeff Tweedy at the helm, not only will he be an elusive asset to the band’s potential longevity, but Tweedy’s voice will fashion him into an American icon in the future, if not already.

At the same time, their music is what takes listeners back to a time when life was a little more carefree – especially when you catch them on a summer night because that’s when this alt-country band melds seamlessly into the darkness as naturally as the brief swarming of fireflies.

$23 General Admission

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Blue October
Friday, October 12 at The Rave

Blue October is best known for their singles “Hate Me” and “Into the Ocean” off their album Foiled. The indie rock group offers a diverse mix of catchy alternative rock and passionately-delivered grunge. At times hesitantly hopeful and at others bitter and even vengeful, their lyrics dwell angrily or thoughtfully on everything from youth to suicide to scorned love with an appealing, anguished sincerity.

$23 General Admission

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Pinback
Tuesday, October 16 at The Pabst

Pinback puts on a show to raise the dead. The band’s intricate rock is characterized by sinuous, weaving melodies, harmonies, and obscure yet oddly catchy lyrics. The music of Pinback is buoyant and lively at times, melancholy and dark at others, and always resonates with an underlying intensity – this complexity and brilliance sounds great on a record, but is even more captivating live!

$12 advance General Admission and $14 day of

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Queens of the Stone Age
Wednesday, October 24 at The Rave

You could ask just about any rock junkie and they’d probably confess that Queens of the Stone Age is one of the best rock ‘n’ roll bands to witness live today. But after seeing an uninspiring performance at Milwaukee’s Lollapalooza in 2003, I was convinced they'd never measure up to their hype.

Despite my disappointment I gave them another shot at Lollapalooza in 2006 where a mercilessly tight and precise Queens of the Stone Age proved that rock ‘n’ roll survives with as much menace and muscle as ever and I was forced to put my foot in my mouth.

$23 General Admission
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Halloween MSO Plays Hitchcock
Wednesday, October 31 at The Riverside

This Halloween Milwaukeeans have the opportunity to spend the night listening to the haunting music of Alfred Hitchcock's masterpieces – Psycho, The Birds, Vertigo and many more – complete with a cinema-sized screen projecting the classic films as the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra performs their spine-tingling scores.

If you aren’t into haunted houses, pumpkin carving or costume parties, this will be all you need for last-minute Halloween thrills.

$30, $20 or $10 Reserved Seating

Like I mentioned, there are a lot more shows coming up in October. Check out the Rave and Pabst or Riverside for more information.

Comments

[ben]

I used to watch Alfred Hitchcock Presents when I was young. I had no idea MSO was playing a show on Halloween completely dedicated to Hitchcock's work. Now that I know, I'll probably get tickets.

[Scott]

Not that anyone needs any additional reasons to see Wilco, as they are amazing on their own, but Andrew Bird is the opener for the show.

[Karen]

Wow! I must have been living under a rock.

In fact, I was just talking about how I've missed every chance to see Andrew Bird...

[Elizabeth Brzeski]

Slightly unrelated, but Mat Kearney will be at Carroll College on Oct. 10. Tickets are $10.

[Melanie]

Oh Ragina Spektor...If you are thinking about going to see her show I recommend wearing ear plugs between sets and wearing a blindfold (I am not saying she is ugly just that she has strange Mannerisms. Other then that the show would be great. I do actually like her music. I would most certainly like to go to see Spoon. They do play a mean show.

[Karen]

Hey Elizabeth- I hope Mat Kearney’s show was good (assuming you went last night). I believe one of his songs (I don’t remember the name) was featured in the season premiere of Grey's Anatomy just a few weeks ago...

Also, thanks for sharing the info!