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Quinn Scharber and the... release "Being Nice Won't Save Milwaukee" on Saturday, July 19 at the Cactus Club. |
 | By Julie Lawrence   OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer E-mail author | Author bio More articles by Julie Lawrence |
| Published July 15, 2008 at 5:26 a.m. |
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When Quinn Scharber and the... take the stage, you never know what you're going to get. Will it be Quinn Scharber and the Temple of Doom? Perhaps this time you'll bear witness to the one and only Quinn Scharber and the Combustible Huxtables?
Confusingly, these revolving monikers always refer to the same set of musicians -- Scharber out in front with the microphone, Thom Geibel beside him on the bass, Josh Gjellestad shaking something and Joe Kirschling behind them banging the drums -- which is why the band most commonly bills itself using the ellipses suffix.
Less confusing is the music it makes, most notably the eight polished tracks making up "Being Nice Won't Save Milwaukee," released this Saturday, July 19 on Milwaukee's Bus Stop Label.
If you're a Replacements fan, you'll instantly hear and appreciate the influence, which might contribute to the palpable Midwestern feel to the album as a whole. Scharber's honest, good-hearted voice shares weathered tales of booze, girls and the blues over catchy power pop hooks. The result feels instantly classic.
"I think one of the other things that produces the 'Midwest sound' is the fact that the winters are so damn long here," says Scharber. "So people spend a lot of time indoors, usually in bars. And when you're taking part in that sort of anti-activity you tend to get introspective and isolated. And, I think that's where you get that sort of heart-on-your-sleeve style of song writing."
We caught up with the frontman to chat about the new record, Saturday's release show with Tim Schweiger and the Middlemen and Hayward Williams, and Milwaukee's "stifling level of apathy."
OnMilwaukee.com: "Being Nice Won't Save Milwaukee" comes out on Saturday. You guys have been serenading us with live shows for a while now, but is this the official introduction to Quinn Scharber and the...?
Quinn Scharber: I'm really not sure. I suppose it will be for some people, but we've had the same crowd at our shows since the beginning. But, it seems we are gaining some momentum. More people are coming out and I'm really happy about that. It's been a steady ride that, to me, keeps getting more successful, little by little.
OMC: Your bio and album title touch on Milwaukee's fickle market -- that audiences can be devout or completely disinterested, usually within the same venue. But do you think that's a uniquely Milwaukee quality? You've toured around -- aren't music scenes generally similar everywhere? Or, does Milwaukee really need saving, as the title suggests?
QS: It's hard to say because the only other city I've lived in is Boston. When we travel, though, we seem to go over well and people are grateful that we came to play for them. We are a sort of what-you-see-is-what-you-get type of band. And I realize that some people just want to be entertained with matching outfits and 8,000 instruments onstage.
But, I think the thing about Milwaukee is that there seems to be some kind of inferiority complex. As if we are waiting for approval from a bigger city saying "this is good" or "this is not good." Joe pointed out something interesting when we were talking about this album title. It was concerning the art museum addition. It seemed the people of Milwaukee were kind of apathetic about it until an article ran in The New York Times about the quality of architecture, etc. And at that time it was all of sudden "Wow, this is great, huh?" To me, the album title is a comment on the stifling level of apathy in this city.
OMC: The record has a very Milwaukee feel, and I don't mean that in a "you sound like a local band" way. Perhaps it's because all the members have been involved in the music scene here for so long, but there is something distinct about your brand of pop that says "Midwest" -- and that's a good thing.
QS: I think there's a Midwest sound, too. At least I hope there is. I think it involves a lot of things. I think one of the factors is that people here can spot bullsh*t when they see it. For instance, if I was playing in some math-rock / art-rock band none of my friends would let me get away with it because they know that I don't even have a college degree and I think that genre of music lends itself to people who are more technically minded and frankly, much smarter than me.
I think one of the other things that produces the "Midwest sound" is the fact that the winters are so damn long here. So people spend a lot of time indoors, usually in bars. And when you're taking part in that sort of anti-activity you tend to get introspective and isolated. And, I think that's where you get that sort of heart-on-your-sleeve style of song writing.
OMC: I know that the second part of your band name changes frequently. Can you tell me a few of your favorites?
QS: The name change thing was a beer-induced idea that one of us had and has stuck somehow. Some of my favorites have been: Quinn Scharber and the Temple of Doom, Quinn Scharber and Here Comes Treble (which we stole) and, most recently, Quinn Scharber and the Combustible Huxtables.
OMC: Your record release show is set for July 19 at the Cactus Club. What can you tell your fans and listeners to expect from the evening?
QS: They can expect to hear a lot of songs off the record, lots of new songs and some special guests on stage with us. And possibly Thom wearing something ridiculous. Should be good times.
2496 S. Wentworth Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53207
(414) 897-0663
http://www.cactusclubmilwaukee.com
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9 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review. |
Recent Talkbacks ...
Posted by nippy_jones on July 16, 2008 at 9:25 p.m. (report)
Quinn or perhaps Julie, While the Replacements reference is apt, I wonder if Quinn & Co. are familiar with the Milwaukee bands Wobble Test, Soda or Maki? I discovered your album through eMusic - and would not have found it were it not for that wonderful album title - and was instantly grabbed because the voice and hooks remind me of Tim Buckley (who also played in the Blow Pops) and several other singers from those bands. I live out of state now, but here in your bands something similar in the bands mentioned above (and Madison's equally wonderful Coolhand Band). Just wondering if you were aware of them or if you just have that inherent Milwaukee sound. Dunno if I will ever see you live, but I'll be spinning your tunes in Colorado. Thanks for the fun album!
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Posted by sandstorm on July 16, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. (report)
GiveMeaBreak, buy my new record "Being Crabby Won't Sink Milwaukee".
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Posted by qsmusic on July 16, 2008 at 1:27 a.m. (report)
Hi, this is Quinn. It's a little unfortunate that there is so much debate over the title of a rock album. However, if anyone wants to talk about it with me, you know where to find me on Saturday. Don't want to see us? There's two great artists before us. Wanna support this city? Go see some music.
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Posted by j03 on July 16, 2008 at 12:49 a.m. (report)
GiveMeABreak: You're reading more into this article than is there. No one is suggesting "civic pride" is a bad thing.. or that "no-one could possibly appreciate the MAM except one person." Those are ridiculous statments. I have nothing but love for Milwaukee. This article is an opinion informed by ones specific experience. No one is saying your experience is invalid. And neither is the experience of the Quinn Scharber band. You seem believe there is no apathy in Milwaukee and no inferiority complex, the mere suggestion of it sends you into a tizzy. I'm glad your enlightened friends have no inferiority complex about Milwaukee. That's certainly wonderful news and you are certainly entitled to your opinion. But you need to remember that that's all it is... an entirely subjective feeling of how things are. There are no FACTS in play here. Furthermore, I'm insulted by your suggestion that I'm a complainer and not a doer when all I do and have done is support music and arts and culture in this city. I have two art showings at the upcoming gallery night, I play and record in two bands, and I just had a film shown as part of DanceWorks ScreenDance program. I also take photographs for the Brew City Bruisers roller derby league. Previously I started a co-op record label for the express purpose of promoting local music in Milwaukee. You can read all about me on OnMilwaukee: http://www.onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/searches/articles?phrase=Kirschling&sortby=relevance Nevermind that I do all this while working full time. Facts aside, I feel I've earned a right to my opinion and my views. I've paid my dues, how 'bout you?
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Posted by GiveMeABreak on July 15, 2008 at 6:28 p.m. (report)
In response to js03: You miss the point. There is nothing wrong with having a sense of civic pride in your community. There was no overreaction on my part. I didn't "fly off the handle" or anything like that. I was merely stating that I disagreed with the garbage statement of this guy to take it upon himself to make it sound as if no one, but him, in Milwaukee could possibly understand the value of the art museum or that we don't appreciate good music until the big boys say it's good. THAT is your misinformed overreaction from him. He wasn't pointing to a real problem or a legitimate issue with the city, but rather his own feeling with his friends that he projected onto the city with regard to the art museum and local music. What if the supposed big-city sheep that he says live in Milwaukee weren't to blame for his band's less-than-stellar crowds at venues? Maybe we don't like their music because they're just not very good. With regard to my supposed blinders when it comes to the bad in Milwaukee. DO NOT put words in my mouth. I understand, I'm guessing probably more than you, the real economic, political, and social challenges that Milwaukee faces as both a city and region. As I said, we're not perfect and I acknowledged a few important areas for improvement. You cannot speak only of the negatives, nor I only of the positives. However, to in some way suggest that by responding to the negatives in an article on OnMilwaukee.com promoting the positive cultural or entertainment development in Milwaukee is somehow feeding into an inferiority complex is ridiculous and an unfortunate mistake on your part. As I stated in my previous post, the idea of a Milwaukee inferiority complex is overblown and overstated and it's sad that so many here seem so eager to look for it, especially where it doesn't exist. Equating civic pride with feelings of inferiority with regard to other cities is an idiotic and sorry decision that I hope you'll reconsider. Just as a response to your last phrase and the title of this album: how is defending the city in which you live the "nice" thing to do? It's the appropriate thing to do if you care for the place you call home. Stand up and work to save this city. Don't just point out the flaws or brand some album, waiting for others to make the difference, while claiming every defense of the city as another example of a supposed inferiority complex. Think about the examples I stated and their impact, not on other cities, but Milwaukee. Build a new stadium or risk losing the Brewers. Check, done, built, economic benefit to the region. Keep Summerfest an affordable music festival while renovating the grounds. Check. Build an art museum expansion to get people to come downtown and to the art museum. Check. Discovery World moving to the lake to promote the Great Lakes and technology. Check, done. Ethnic festivals, music festivals, and State Fair promote tourism. These are all positive examples of the city, region, or a philanthropist seeing a problem and doing something about it. Got that? See a problem, do something about it.
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