Concert Preview: May '08

Yesterday, when I glanced up at my calendar I noticed that every day had already been crossed out, meaning it was obviously time to flip the page to May.

Wait a second! Where did April go? Hello? Where are you?

No worries, I guess. Lucky for us, not only does May bring bountiful spring flowers, it also provides plenty of concerts. Now, I'm completely ready to move on to May and welcome some great shows and, of course, warmer weather to Milwaukee's scene.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Friday, May 2 at Turner Hall Ballroom

If you know anything about Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (BRMC), you know that one, they got their name from the Marlon Brando-led biker gang from The Wild One; and two, that the band built a reputation by producing crunchy garage-band, feedback-laden rock 'n' roll.

Recently it has become increasingly difficult to categorize their Stone Roses, My Bloody Valentine-inspired Brit pop/soulful Americana, though. This is primarily because these guys know how to skillfully dapple in multiple music genres and also compile the best types into one fantastic show.

From acoustic guitars, bluesy riffs and harmonicas, to fast-paced, menacingly distorted, effect-driven sounds, BRMC offers a unique pace change throughout their performance, which crisply bridges the gap between the old and new BRMC.

Aside from their varying styles, the trio still emits the same driving fervor as ever. Clad in black and exuding an effortless cool, the band’s dynamic presence exceedingly fills the stage and answers the question, “Whatever Happened to My Rock n’ Roll?” It’s right here, in every way possible.

$20 General Admission

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Tegan & Sara
Wednesday, May 7 at the Pabst

Tegan and Sara have made a significant impact in alternative music with their catchy folk-electro-pop sounds composed of heart-wrenching, dark, emotional and often obsessive lyrics. It also helps that their latest album The Con was released on Neil Young’s Vapor Records and was produced by Death Cab’s Chris Walla.

What’s truly unique about Tegan and Sara is the honest portrayal of their music and relationship when on stage. The duo’s rapport reveals an open, critically constructive and, at times, impatient relationship bounded by the law of sibling love. It’s actually quite amusing to watch their sisterly banter, especially if you have a sister of your own.

While their antics may seem silly or petty to those who can’t relate to the nagging love they show, you’ll appreciate the magnificent and inimitable contrast it gives to the beautiful harmonies they sing in unison. Perhaps this is why they’ve gained massive amounts of critical praise and fan appeal, because they are real.

$25 Reserved Seating

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The Hives
Sunday, May 18 at the Rave

The Hives had trouble breaking through the retro/punk scene partially due to their counterparts The White Stripes and The Strokes’ strong presence in the limelight. However, they finally got one of their biggest breaks when their single “Hate to Say I Told You So” landed a coveted slot on the Spiderman soundtrack, and then in no time it was streaming non-stop around the globe.

While the Swedish band’s choppy, rapid and zealous songs aren’t ground breaking – their genre has been heard many times before by influential bands like the Sex Pistols, Iggy and the Stooges and New York Dolls – much of The Hives appeal lies in their unassuming but completely aware performance. The cocksure poses are aplenty, self-praise incessant, and the stage banter is comedic, tongue in cheek and sometimes true.

The songs themselves range between retread and tired to slightly above average, but when experienced live they are untouchable. Each note played is presented with a different facial expression as singer Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist struts around the stage like Mick Jagger on speed and offers the crowd an awkwardly enjoyable show full of vigor and amusement.

$21.50 General Admission

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Rilo Kiley
Friday, May 23 at the Pabst

Making their Milwaukee Debut, Rilo Kiley’s endearing melodies, haunting vocals and striking lyrics have been receiving promising attention from Entertainment Weekly and Rolling Stone.

The acknowledgment hasn’t completely affected the band though; it’s noticeable that they still possess a splendid mix of L.A. cool and Midwestern heart. What’s more impressive is that Rilo Kiley has been able to hone in on the ability to portray beaten down messages of prevailing hope through a blend of lush power pop, soulful synthesis and weepy country ballads, which can’t easily be done when crossing genres. In fact, Elvis Costello compliments Rilo Kiley’s music by labeling it as "the best lyric writing" he had ever heard. And their live show doesn’t fall short either.

Rilo Kiley's blistering live shows match lead singer/songwriter Jenny Lewis’ astonishing charisma and beautiful voice with singer/guitarist Blake Jennett’s shimmering guitar. Then, when you throw in the exemplary drum and bass partnership of Jason Boesel and Pierre de Reeder, the outcome of this collaboration is not only a great show packed with plenty of sparkle and sheen, but music bursting with solid substance and skillfulness.

$24.50 General Admission

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Panic! At the Disco
Sunday, May 25 at the Eagles Ballroom

Don’t Judge. Seriously. I have valid reasons for placing Panic! At the Disco on my Concert Preview.

You see, when I first heard Panic! At the Disco’s debut album, I was taken back by how similar their sound was to Fall Out Boy. The pop-punk sound that makes teenage girls squeal and paw at any pubescent boy holding a gleaming guitar was abound in Panic’s first album. But, the band’s one saving grace – for those of us who’ve been sick of the pop-punk genre long before the turn of the century – is that Panic! takes their music a bit further than their counterparts.

Evidently, their progressions are just a little more complicated, the lyrics are a little more perceptive and their style is impeccably wittier, even though they still have anthem-like hooks, which deliberately emphasize their pop influences.

Additionally, when I first saw Panic! in concert at Lollapalooza two years ago, I found myself really enjoying what I was hearing and I recall being thoroughly entertained by their theatrical stage presence. No joke. But what puts these guys on a higher plane than, say, Fall Out Boy and Blink 182 is that their live shows exude liveliness and theatrics in a Vegas-style, creepy circus explosion bursting with backup dancers and elaborate costumes and makeup to match. So, maybe Panic! At the Disco lacks non-teenage appeal, but trust me, their live show is worth the pain of hearing “I Write Sins, Not Tragedies” one more time.

$30 General Admission

There are many more shows coming to Milwaukee this month. Some honorable mentions that didn’t fit onto my Concert Preview are: Presidents of the United States of America on Monday, May 5, Tiger Army on Saturday, May 24, and The Spill Canvas on Wednesday, May 28.

For other concert information, take a look at the Rave, the Pabst, Riverside and Turner Hall, or any of the venues listed to the left under “Rock Out.”

Comments

[Krista]

I have tickets for Panic at the Disco. CAN'T WAIT. And Motion City Soundtrack opens for them, which is fantastic!

[wfbdoglover]

Can you add June 19th to your calendar? My brother in law is playing at the Vnuk in Cuday. They are on their first US Tour.

http://www.myspace.com/milliondollarreload

[Karen]

Krista, you'll have a great time! Just try to avoid the squealing teenyboppers :)

[alba]

Two great shows this week at the Riverside - The Swell Season (Thursday) and Flight of the Conchords (Sunday).

[Todd]

I'm not sure why but I can't stand panic at the disco. It might just be the name. This is wrong, but I'm still amused by this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YHLPjEQL0A

[Karen]

Todd, you are in the majority, I think.

By the way, that's a horrible video! Hilarious but horrible, that is.

I've witnessed many morons chucking things on stage, but I've never seen someone actually beam a band member, especially right in the head! That's funny.

[Erin]

We're going to Rilo Kiley for Dave's birthday. :)