Music - Nov. 3, 2009
Semi-Twang turns back the clock at Shank
When the talk turns to great Milwaukee bands, most people would agree that the Violent Femmes are the biggest thing ever to come out of this city. But close on their heels are the BoDeans, who are still together, and Semi-Twang, a band that had a big recording contract, incredible critical acclaim and a life that was far too short.
Tags: Semi-Twang, John Sieger, Mike Hoffmann, Bob Jennings, R&B Cadets, Jason Klagstad, Mike Sieger, Paul Cebar, Robin Pluer, E*I*E*I*O, Mitchell Froom

Music - Oct. 12, 2009
Gig roundup: E*I*E*I*O makes a rare appearance
Who knows? Maybe they've all got too much other stuff to do. Maybe they don't get along that well. Maybe they just understand the laws of supply and demand. Whatever the reason, Milwaukee's landmark proto-alt.country rockers E*I*E*I*O play only very infrequent gigs.
Tags: E*I*E*I*O, Carolinas, Mike Hoffmann, Shank Hall, Rodrigo y Gabriela, The Rave, The Pabst Theater, The Postmarks, Brookville, Andrew Bird, St. Vincent, Dosh, Boys Like Girls, The Maine, Mike Doughty, Porter Block

Music - Jan. 18, 2008
The Delta Routine paradox
The Delta Routine takes pieces of the past -- a bit of the Rolling Stones, a hint of The Who -- and transforms their inspiration into a more modern take on the rawness of the gritty genre.
Tags: the delta routine, up and under pub, nick amadeus, lewis gatford, kyle ciske, mike hoffmann, donna, violent femmes, the verve pipe, independent music awards

Music - June 18, 2007
Milwaukee cowpunks EIEIO unveil long-overdue third CD
Long before Wilco and Neko Case and even long before Uncle Tupelo and The Jayhawks, there were Rank & File and EIEIO. Dubbed cowpunks, EIEIO mixed country twang with punk edge to create high-energy Midwestern rock and roll.
Tags: EIEIO, cowpunk, alt.country, Frontier Records, Mike Hoffmann, Gorsuch

Music - June 11, 2007
The Pinwheels lay low but keep the music coming
You won’t see The Pinwheels listed among those playing gigs at local clubs and you won’t hear them on the radio much, but Roy Anderson and Michael Kloman can’t be described as hobbyists.
Tags: melaniejane, pinwheels, roy anderson, klober, mike hoffmann, alcohol preservation society