I like Radiohead, but except for a brief period when "The Bends" came out, I've never loved the Oxford band. Still, I've never lost interest in the band and certainly have never lost respect for it.
But after "The Bends," I never really got around to buying the records. My niece gave me a copy of "OK Computer" and the others I've listened to in the office on the network iTunes. So, I know the music, but I've never "possessed" it.
So, when I had a gift card burning a hole in my pocket this holiday season, I got caught up fast by picking up the Radiohead album box set, which has everything from "Pablo Honey" to "Hail to the Thief" in digipak sleeves. Also included is the "I Might Be Wrong" live EP, which based on the packaging I expected to be a live CD exclusive to the box set. I was a little disappointed.
But the packaging is lovely and having them all handsomely arranged makes me want to delve into them again. I started with my favorite, "The Bends" and "OK Computer," of which I've always adored half ("Lucky," "No Surprises," "Karma Police," "Let Down," etc.).
This morning, I stocked up the car with "Kid A," "Insomniac" and "Hail to the Thief," so I can spend some time with them again, too. I guess rediscovering Radiohead is something of a new year's resolution for me, even if a pretty insignificant one.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
