Friday, October 31, 2014

FEATURE: The Return (and Unwritten Future) of All Messed Up

I catch up with All Messed Up founder Anthony Dean Schwader to find out why he's stepping down as the organizer of "Milwaukee's randomized musical experiment."

Read the full piece here.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

PLAYLIST: Mondo Radio (10/29/14)

Here's the playlist for this week's very special edition of Mondo Radio, which you can download or stream here. This episode: "Cemetery Secrets" - the 2014 Mondo Radio Halloween Horrorshow! If you dig these spooky sounds, remember to also follow the show on Facebook, Tumblr and Twitter!

Artist - Song - Album
Larry And The Blue Notes - Night Of The Phantom - Back From The Grave, Vol. 1
The Sonics - The Witch - Introducing The Sonics
Los Sleepers - Zombie - Mas Rock And Roll
Evans Carroll - The Monster - Horror Hop
Los Africanos - Monster Party - Dean Rudland Presents: Let's Boogaloo!, Vol. 6
Louie Ramirez - The Boogie Man - Long Live Boogaloo
John Zacherle "The Cool Ghoul" - Dinner With Drac - Dinner With Drac (Single)
Bert Weedon - Ghost Train - An Outbreak Of Twangin': Phantom Guitars, Vol. 2
The Mummies - The Thing From Venus - Never Been Caught
The Cramps - Goo Goo Muck (Single Mix) - Bad Music For Bad People
Dummy Club - Teenage Corpse (Live) - Lest We Forget - Our Night To Remember
Tense Experts - Cemetery Secrets - Tense Experts
Misfits - Halloween - Legacy Of Brutality
Comateens - The Munsters Theme - Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Halloween
Halloween - Monster On Campus - Halloween
The Creeping Ivies - Rock N Roll Ghost - Stay Wild
Harlem - Friendly Ghost - Hippies
Catholic Spray - The Ghost From My Grave - Fruits Of The Moon
Frankenstein And The All-Star Monster Band - Queen Of Halloween - Frankenstein And The All-Star Monster Band
Bad Brains - Fearless Vampire Killers - Bad Brains
Die Kreuzen - Halloween - Century Days
Soup Moat - Goblins & Trolls - We Rawish
Moira Scar - De/Monster/A-Tiff - Scarred For Life
Fantômas - Spider Baby - The Director's Cut
Manfred Hübler & Siegfried Schwab - Necronomania - 3 Films By Jess Franco
Chinstrap Music - Horrors Of Spider Island - Sounds To Come
Conan O'Brien - And They Call Me Mad? - And They Call Me Mad? (Single)
Russ Huddleston And Robert Smith Jr. - Sacrifice - Manos: The Soundtrack Of Fate
Philip Glass - Dracula Enters - Dracula
Goblin - L'Alba Dei Morti Viventi - Zombi
Kyoto - John Carpenter - 7" Split Vinyl
Dylan Palme - Intro To Horror - Zombies Ate My Neighbors
Mark Castle - Zombies! - Zombies! (Single)
Nitro2K01 - Hallo Weenie - Microhorror Compilation, Vol. 1: Part 1 - The Crypt
Ian Brown - Thriller - Thriller (Single)
Gorillaz - Ghost Train - G Sides
Ministry - Every Day (Is Halloween)(Original 12" Version) - Black Box - Wax Trax! Records: The First 13 Years
David Bowie - Scary Monsters - Vampires Of Human Flesh
The Fall - There's A Ghost In My House - The Frenz Experiment
Siouxsie And The Banshees - Halloween - Juju
Holger Czukay - Witches' Multiplication Table - On The Way To The Peak Of Normal
The Specials - Ghost Town - This Are Two Tone
Eddie Golden III - Halloween All The Time - Halloween All The Time

CONCERT REVIEW: Captured! By Robots, Go Go Slow & Liar's Trial (The Cactus Club, Milwaukee)

Just in time for the Halloween season, the Cactus Club once again plays host to bassist Jay Vance and his ever-evolving backing band of foul-mouthed, homicidal automatons.

Read my full review here.

CONCERT REVIEW: Tig Notaro & Kjell Bjorgen (Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee)

Much-lauded standup comedian Tig Notaro delivers a typically understated, and predictably hilarious, set to an appreciative audience at Turner Hall Ballroom.

Read my full review here.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

PLAYLIST: Mondo Radio (10/22/14)

Here's the playlist for this week's edition of Mondo Radio, which you can download or stream here. This episode: "Pressure Drop", featuring reggae and dub. If you enjoy it, remember to also follow the show on Facebook, Tumblr and Twitter!

Artist - Song - Album
Keith Blake - Musically - Joe Gibbs Scorchers From The Early Years 1967-73
Ken Parker & The Destroyers - Only Yesterday/Danger Zone - Joe Gibbs Scorchers From The Early Years 1967-73
Bob Marley And The Wailers - My Cup - Soul Rebels
Bob Marley And The Wailers - Rebel's Hop - Soul Rebels
Keith Hudson - Bad Harvest - Furnace
Keith Hudson - Furnace - Furnace
Horace Andy - Every Tongue Shall Tell - Skylarking
Horace Andy - Just Say Who - Skylarking
Toots & The Maytals - Pressure Drop - Funky Kingston
Toots & The Maytals - Funky Kingston - Funky Kingston
Desmond Dekker & The Aces - Israelites - Israelites (Single)
Jimmy Cliff - Time Will Tell - Reggae Spectacular
Jimmy Cliff - Come Into My Life - Reggae Spectacular
Desmond Dekker & The Aces - My Precious World - Israelites (Single)
Rubber Rodeo - Slippin' Away - Rubber Rodeo
Liberators - Why Can't It Be - Enemies Are Coming
Liberators - Grey Skies - Enemies Are Coming
Peter Tosh - Burial - Legalize It
Peter Tosh - Brand New Second Hand - Legalize It
U-Roy - Runaway Girl - Dread In A Babylon
U-Roy - Silver Bird - Dread In A Babylon
Wayne Wade - Doctor Bird - Evil Woman
Wayne Wade - Baby Don't Go - Evil Woman
The Congos - Can't Come In - Heart Of The Congos
The Congos - Ark Of Covenant - Heart Of The Congos
Herman Chin Loy - Heavy Duty - Aquarius Dub
Herman Chin Loy - Jungle Rock - Aquarius Dub
The Ethnic Fight Band - Out Of One Man Comes Many Dubs - Out Of One Man Comes Many Dubs
The Ethnic Fight Band - Portobello Road Dub - Out Of One Man Comes Many Dubs
King Tubby & Friends - Tubby Get Smart - Dub Like Dirt 1975-1977
King Tubby & Friends - Guidance Dub - Dub Like Dirt 1975-1977
Augustus Pablo - Jah Dread - Original Rockers
Augustus Pablo - Up Warrika Hill - Original Rockers
Lee Perry Presents The Mighty Upsetters - Hold Them Kung Fu - Heart Of The Dragon
Lee Perry Presents The Mighty Upsetters - Black Belt Jones - Heart Of The Dragon
Prince Far I - Big Fight - Under Heavy Manners
Prince Far I - You I Love And Not Another - Under Heavy Manners
African Head Charge - Family Doctoring - My Life In A Hole In The Ground
African Head Charge - Far Away Chant - My Life In A Hole In The Ground

CONCERT REVIEW: John Hodgman, Bill Corbett & Kevin Murphy (Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee)

One-of-a-kind comedian John Hodgman brings his revealing new tour to the Turner Hall Ballroom, joined by Bill Corbett and Kevin Murphy of MST3K and Rifftrax fame.


Monday, October 20, 2014

CONCERT REVIEW: King Tuff, Cassie Ramone & Whips (The Cactus Club, Milwaukee)


After breaking big nationally with his 2012 self-titled sophomore effort, an absurdly catchy set of songs that was widely, and deservedly, hailed as one of the year’s best, King Tuff, known offstage as singer-guitarist Kyle Thomas, has received an enormous amount of attention, even with stiff competition from their accomplished labelmates at Sub Pop and Burger Records. They’ve earned it obviously, but more scrutiny adds no small amount of pressure when you’re following up a near-perfect album, not that it’s marred the new Black Moon Spell, which, if anything, only cements his status as one the most entertaining artists in modern garage rock. When someone of his caliber comes to town, it’s always a big deal, but at this point in his career, it’s arguably too big a deal for the Cactus Club.

It’s nothing against the venue, Cactus is one of the best-sounding and most adventurously booked rooms in the city, but, being one big bottleneck, becomes a frustrating mess when it’s crowded, and tonight the place was already almost packed by the time hard-rocking local opener Whips took the stage.  Featuring members of Call Me Lightning and The Academy Is…, and fronted by wild-eyed singer Ashley Smith, their set was a bit on the long side, but made a convincing case for looking into their upcoming LP Turn It On. Next was former Vivian Girls frontwoman Cassie Ramone, who requested the audience sit on the floor for her short set of unpolished, but affective, acoustic pop, which provided an interesting vibe, but also created a minefield of tripping hazards that felled at least one victim.

After the sell-out crowd had time to mob the bar and bathrooms, Tuff, accompanied by drummer Old Gary and bassist Magic Jake, emerged to the strains of “The William Tell Overture”, humorously enjoying the pomp for a moment before ripping in to the new album’s stomping title track. The Black Moon Spell material continued, but there were throwbacks too, like “Freak When I’m Dead” from his 2008 debut Was Dead and a couple of King Tuff cuts, namely the dreamy “Anthem” and the night’s upbeat ending “Alone and Stoned”. It was a predictably fun show, but would have been even better with more room to enjoy it in; plenty of great acts have graduated from the Cactus Club to bigger spaces over the years, and it’s about time King Tuff was one of them.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

PLAYLIST: Mondo Radio (10/15/14)

Here's the playlist for this week's edition of Mondo Radio, which you can download or stream here. This episode: "Rhythm Going Round", featuring classic funk and more. If you dig it, remember to also follow the show on Facebook, Tumblr and Twitter!

Artist - Song - Album
James Brown - Make It Funky (Part 1) - The Singles, Vol. 7: 1970-1972
James Brown - Super Bad (Part 1 & Part 2)(Promo Version) - The Singles, Vol. 7: 1970-1972
Sly And The Family Stone - In Time - Fresh
Sly And The Family Stone - If You Want Me To Stay - Fresh
Black Heat - The Jungle - Black Heat
Black Heat - Chicken Heads - Black Heat
The Politicians Feat. McKinley Jackson - The World We Live In - Psycha-Soula-Funkadelic: The Hot Wax Sessions
The Politicians Feat. McKinley Jackson - Psycha-Soula-Funkadelic - Psycha-Soula-Funkadelic: The Hot Wax Sessions
Ann Peebles - 99 Pounds - Straight From The Heart
Ann Peebles - I Pity The Fool - Straight From The Heart
Satisfaction Unlimited - Spread Your Love Around - Think Of The Children
Satisfaction Unlimited - Somebody Else's Woman - Think Of The Children
Scott X - Space Traveler - Scott X
Norma Jean & Ray J. - Raising Hell - Raising Hell
Norma Jean & Ray J. - Right Place Wrong Time - Raising Hell
Mystic Minds - Can You Hear Me - Mind Over Matter
Mystic Minds - It's Real - Mind Over Matter
L.T.G. Exchange - Stone Broke - Susie Heartbreaker
L.T.G. Exchange - Money Mad - Susie Heartbreaker
Curtis Mayfield - Freddie's Dead - Mojo Presents: Heavy Soul
Aaron Neville - Hercules - Mojo Presents: Heavy Soul
Stevie Wonder - Have A Talk With God - Songs In The Key Of Life
Stevie Wonder - I Wish - Songs In The Key Of Life
Betty Davis - This Is It! - Nasty Gal
Betty Davis - Dedicated To The Press - Nasty Gal
The Isley Brothers - The Heat Is On (Part 1 & 2) - The Heat Is On
The Isley Brothers - Hope You Feel Better Love (Part 1 & 2) - The Heat Is On
Parliament - Handcuffs - Mothership Connection
Parliament - Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker) - Mothership Connection
Bootsy's Rubber Band - Ahh ... The Name Is Bootsy, Baby - Ahh ... The Name Is Bootsy, Baby!
Bootsy's Rubber Band - The Pinocchio Theory - Ahh ... The Name Is Bootsy, Baby!
Willie Hutch - And All Hell Broke Loose - All American Funkathon (Single)
Willie Hutch - All American Funkathon - All American Funkathon (Single)

CONCERT REVIEW: Big Freedia & Rio Turbo (Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee)

Big Freedia's exuberant Just Be Free tour takes over the Turner Hall Ballroom with a little help from an unlikely, but very appropriate, opener, Milwaukee's own Rio Turbo.

Read my full review here.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

ALBUM REVIEW: Film - Eclipse


While it still retains an air of futurism after all these years, there's nevertheless a strong element of nostalgia in electronic music, be it in the form of vintage synthesizer fetishism or retro styles that seem to get resuscitated every so often. There's nothing wrong with that really, there's room enough for throwbacks in such an eclectic genre, but it only has merit when it goes beyond mimicry and actually recontextualizes its inspirations for a new era, something Eclipse, the 80s-inflected new album from Greek trio Film, manages rather well.

Recalling the cinematic side of Giorgio Moroder or Vangelis, Eclipse, out now on the reliable Inner Ear Records (by way of Rough Trade Distribution), compresses those dramatic arpeggios and sweeping synth textures into concise doses of dark, bouncy pop. The Athens-based group, who've been largely inactive since 2009's well-received Persona, makes no bones about their fondness for the days of analog and generally approaches the whole project with a sense of fun, which adds extra charm to standout cuts such as the urgent "Produkt" or the dreamily wistful title track.

Film puts a sufficiently modern spin on things though, preventing Eclipse from feeling like little more than a collection of winking reference points, but, as enjoyable as the release is, the main flaw is that its soundtrack-esque aesthetic makes it a bit forgettable. Yet, while it doesn't leave much of an impact, Eclipse is a pleasant listen right on through to the delicate closer "Waltz (Telescope)" and is more than deserving of a few spins, even if it's not the most forward-thinking or original example of electronic music out there.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

PLAYLIST: Mondo Radio (10/08/14)

Here's the playlist for this week's edition of Mondo Radio, which you can download or stream here. This episode: "Ooh La La", featuring glitter and glam rock. If you dig it, remember to also follow the show on Facebook, Tumblr and Twitter!

Artist - Song - Album
David Bowie - Moonage Daydream - The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars
David Bowie - It Ain't Easy - The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars
Mick Ronson - Only After Dark - Slaughter On 10th Avenue
Mick Ronson - I'm The One - Slaughter On 10th Avenue
Mott - See You Again - Shouting & Pointing
Mott - Career (No Such Thing As Rock 'N' Roll) - Shouting & Pointing
Slade - Dapple Rose - Play It Loud
Slade - Pouk Hill - Play It Loud
Mud - Rocket - Mud Rock
Mud - Dyna-Mite/The Cat Crept In/Tiger Feet (Medley) - Mud Rock
Sweet - Ballroom Blitz - Desolation Boulevard
Sweet - The 6-Teens - Desolation Boulevard
Steve Coleman And Five Elements - Soul Melange - Sine Die
Hello - Machine Gun Hustle - New York Groove ... The Best Of Hello
Hello - New York Groove - New York Groove ... The Best Of Hello
Sweeney Todd - Sweeney Todd Folder - Sweeney Todd
Sweeney Todd - Roxy Roller - Sweeney Todd
Suzi Quatro - Shine My Machine - Suzi Quatro
Suzi Quatro - 48 Crash - Suzi Quatro
Wizzard - You Can Dance The Rock 'N' Roll - Wizzard Brew
Wizzard - Gotta Crush (About You) - Wizzard Brew
New York Dolls - Personality Crisis - New York Dolls
New York Dolls - Looking For A Kiss - New York Dolls
Jobriath - Ooh La La - Creatures Of The Street
Jobriath - Gone Tomorrow - Creatures Of The Street
Lou Reed - Vicious - Transformer
Lou Reed - I'm So Free - Transformer
T. Rex - Jeepster - Electric Warrior
T. Rex - Monolith - Electric Warrior
Roxy Music - Re-Make/Re-Model - Roxy Music
Roxy Music - If There Is Something - Roxy Music
Eno - Dead Finks Don't Talk - Here Come The Warm Jets
Eno - Needles In The Camel's Eye - Here Come The Warm Jets
Sparks - Thanks But No Thanks - Propaganda
Sparks - Bon Voyage - Propaganda
Kate Bush - Them Heavy People - The Kick Inside
Kate Bush - Oh To Be In Love - The Kick Inside

CONCERT REVIEW: Erasure (The Pabst Theatre, Milwaukee)

In addition to their expansive roster of past hits, venerable synthpop duo Erasure shows off songs from their brand new studio album, The Violet Flame, at the Pabst Theatre. 


Wednesday, October 1, 2014

PLAYLIST: Mondo Radio (10/01/14)

Here's the playlist for this week's edition of Mondo Radio, which you can download or stream here. This episode: "Blackout", featuring no wave and noisy post-punk. If you enjoy it, remember to also follow the show on Facebook, Tumblr and Twitter!

Artist - Song - Album
Contortions - I Can't Stand Myself - No New York
Teenage Jesus And The Jerks - The Closet - No New York
DNA - Blonde Red Head - A Taste Of DNA
DNA - New New - A Taste Of DNA
Theoretical Girls - Computer Dating (Second Version) - Theoretical Girls
Theoretical Girls - Chicita Bonita (Second Version) - Theoretical Girls
Mars - N.N.End - The Complete Studio Recordings NYC 1977-1978
Mars - 11,000 Volts - The Complete Studio Recordings NYC 1977-1978
Y Pants - Luego Fuego - Y Pants
Y Pants - Off The Hook - Y Pants
Ama-Dots - Hit Girls - History In 3 Chords: Milwaukee Alternative Bands 1973-1982
The Police - Miss Veg-O-Matic - History In 3 Chords: Milwaukee Alternative Bands 1973-1982
The Ex - Warning-Shot - Disturbing Domestic Peace
The Ex - Map - Disturbing Domestic Peace
Tak Shindo - No Place To Go - Brass And Bamboo
Pere Ubu - Laughing - The Modern Dance
Pere Ubu - Sentimental Journey - The Modern Dance
Screamers - The Beat Goes On (Live At The Whisky, 01/06/78) - In A Better World
Screamers - I Wanna Hurt (Live At The Whisky, 01/07/78) - In A Better World
Suicide - Rocket U.S.A. - Suicide
Suicide - Che - Suicide
Chrome - Blood On The Moon - Blood On The Moon
Chrome - Perfumed Metal - Blood On The Moon
Material - Metal Test - Memory Serves
Material - Conform To The Rhythm - Memory Serves
Flipper - In Life My Friends - Gone Fishin'
Flipper - The Light, The Sound - Gone Fishin'
Swans - Stay Here - Filth
Swans - Blackout - Filth
Sonic Youth - Death Valley '69 (Live) - Smart Bar - Chicago 1985
Sonic Youth - Expressway To Yr Skull (Live) - Smart Bar - Chicago 1985

CONCERT REVIEW: The Dandy Warhols & Bonfire Beach (Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee)

The Dandy Warhols happily revisit their undisputed career high point, 2000's Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia, for an equally nostalgic crowd at Turner Hall Ballroom.


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