Dusty Medical Records and The Get Drunk have a pair of shows on tap this week at the Cactus Club featuring Seattle bands on (or related to) the Sub Pop label, which now has a Milwaukee connection thanks to our own Jaill. Another later in the month brings a power pop veteran to town.
On Friday, Aug. 20 at 10 p.m., you can see A Frames, Oakland's Bare Wires, Chicago's Headache City and Milwaukee's The Get Drunk DJs for a mere $8.
A Frames, whose Sub Pop debut disc (and third record overall), "Black Forest," is already five years old by now, features former members of Butthole Surfers, Cows and Scratch Acid. The band's razor sharp low-fi sound is jagged and angular.
On Tuesday, Aug. 24, Seattle's Unnatural Helpers (which records for Sub Pop subsidiary Hardly Art) top a bill that also includes New Jersey's Sarin McHugh and the Everymen, Milwaukee's Fairweather Friends (with former members of The Goodnight Loving and Mystery Girls) and a return of The Get Drunk DJs. Show time is 9:30.
Looking a little further ahead, the same booking squad has lined up Paul Collins' Beat, The Obsoletes and Ian Olvera & the Sleepwalkers, Saturday, Aug. 28 at Club Garibaldi, at 10 p.m.
Some may remember Collins from his days with The Nerves, but more will likely recall his late ‘70s power pop outfit The Beat, which released two LPs full of driving, melodic pop on Columbia Records in the heart of the new wave era.
Collins has remained active all these years, releasing a long string of records, mostly on European labels. Catch up with him when he returns to Brew City later this month. -- Bobby Tanzilo
I had never heard of Julie Oehme until I got a nice e-mail inviting me to her headlining gig Saturday night at Shank Hall, 1434 N. Farwell Ave. I checked out a YouTube video of a recent performance at Cactus Club and Oehme, who has been playing keyboards since age 5, displayed some catchy hooks and soulful singing. For $12, you can see her with Ricky Ganiere. --Drew Olson
When you think of big bands, The Glenn Miller Orchestra springs instantly to mind. In one incarnation or another, the group has been performing since the 1930s. If you’re in the mood to hear "In the Mood," get to The Pabst Theater on Saturday night. Tickets are $19.50 and $29.50. --D.O.
