Concert Preview: November '07

With winter upon us, there’s no better way to spend a cold winter night than curled up in front of a fire. On the other hand, a hot, sweaty concert hall has nearly the same appeal… at least to me.

Even though the warm weather has passed and the summer concert season has ended, the Milwaukee music scene won't be hibernating this winter. Actually, as you’ll notice, there are a bunch of great shows coming to town in the next couple of months that will wrap you up in their warm blanket of rock ‘n’ roll rhythms, hot bass lines and heavy drum thumps.

Here’s a short list of my recommendations for November…

They Might Be Giants
Friday, November 9 at Turner Hall Ballroom

Gracing the newest venue in the Pabst Theater clan, Turner Hall, is the five piece band They Might Be Giants. Since their debut in 1982 as a duo, TMBG has developed a reputation as a “must see” live show. The band delivers a night of completely unadulterated fun as their short, odd songs engulf music venues with glorious melodies and quirky charm. Their nonsense syllables and silly ideas from their vast repertoire of catchy and witty songs will ensure you leave the show with bizarre childish anthems ringing in your ears and a warm, fuzzy feeling of child-like bliss.

SOLD OUT (sorry guys)
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Modest Mouse
Sunday, November 11 at The Rave/Eagles Ballroom

I was fortunate to see Modest Mouse in the heat of summer at Lollapalooza where they put on a flawless performance that blistered with energy. These guys won’t glass over their unflinching commitment to forge a unique and recognizable sound by way of throaty, lisping vocals and rolling, fluid bass lines and rigid, muscular drumming. Their melancholy mood and deep melodic maturity provides the perfect end-of-the-weekend show.

$32 General Admission
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Dropkick Murphys
Monday, November 12 at The Rave

"We know that we're just a buncha schmucks that can't play for shit and sure as hell can't sing, but for some reason, you guys show up and make this work." That's Ken "Reverend" Casey's tear jerking speech to the crowd midway through the Dropkick Murphys' new live album. And that's the Murphys in a nutshell. They are patriotic, fierce, drunk and loud, but to this band, the audience is always central to the music. Tireless gigging bagpipes, big gulps of Guinness and principled anthem-writing have turned the Dropkick Murphys into a voice of solidarity and opposition that unites rather than divides, and always fills venues.

$21.50 General Admission
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The Life and Times
Friday, November 16 at Hattrix (in Kenosha)

Composed of members from the former 90s band Shiner, Ring Cicada and Stella Link, these guys have seen fads and styles fade at about the same rate as cheap jeans. Together as The Life and Times however, they ignite a blend of scratchy, ragged bass lines, electric synthesized chords, and multi-layered guitars, which are consumed by pounding drum beats and produce a streamlined style that’s also constantly but effortlessly evolving. At one moment you think you’re in the mid-90s listening to sluggish alt-rock and the next you’re morphed into an indie-punk dance party circa 2003. And on top of that, Roger Waters inspired bass lines and Floydian tendencies keep you guessing what the band has in store for the rest of your musical journey.

$7 General Admission

As said, there are a lot more shows coming to Milwaukee in the next couple of months that will help you forget about the bitter cold outside. Check out the Rave or Pabst, Riverside and Turner Hall for more information.

Comments

[Scott]

I am very excited about the They Might Be Giants show this Friday! Not only because I have never seen them, but I am also excited to see what they have done to Turner Hall. Also there this month are Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings(who I sadly will miss because I am out of town), and Nellie McKay who I am looking forward to seeing a headlining show from.

And on top of that The Life and Times!!! It's like Christmas in November.

[Rogee]

Thanks for mentioning The Life and Times show, I didn't know about it. I saw them at Summerfest, and they were great. Never been to Hattrix before, is it any good?

[Karen]

Rogee, I'm glad you enjoyed The Life and Times. Unfortunately, I missed them at Summerfest. They're a great band though.

As far as Hattrix goes, I found it on MySpace (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=11853125), but it doesn't really explain much about it. I honestly don't know anything about the place, but I figured I'd see it for myself on the 16.

[KBC]

Dropkick Murphy's put on a great show. We had a blast last time they were at the Rave. The crowd really gets into it. I'd love to go again, but aargh on a Monday Night? I'm getting old....