Music - Sept. 23, 2009
Milwaukee Talks: Gordon Gano, 2009
If, in 2009, if you need me to tell you who Gordon Gano is, you need to retake Milwaukee 101 before advancing. While the Femmes are likely permanently kaput due to an ongoing lawsuit, Gano is collaborating with The Ryans and the first result of that is "Under the Sun," a sassy, smart punk / pop record that is the best thing he's done in years.
Tags: Gordon Gano, The Ryans, Under the Sun, Violent Femmes, Mercy Seat, Brian Ritchie, Victor DeLorenzo

Music - Sept. 15, 2009
Talkin' Hell with Gordon Gano
Last week I interviewed former Violent Femmes frontman -- and erstwhile Milwaukeean -- Gordon Gano for an upcoming Milwaukee Talks centered on his latest project, a collaboration with The Ryans. Before we talked about the Mets, we talked about Richard Hell.
Tags: Gordon Gano, Tom Verlaine, Richard Hell, Mick Jagger, Violent Femmes, Richard Lloyd, Shank Hall

Arts & Entertainment - April 28, 2009
New book is a fitting tribute to "witch" Mary Nohl and her art
Witch or not, eccentric and quirky or not, Mary Nohl was perhaps the most interesting artist working in and around Milwaukee in the second half of the 20th century. "Mary Nohl Inside &Outside" -- the proceeds from which benefit the Mary Nohl Collection at JMKAC -- is not only an interesting look at Nohl's legacy, but a fitting tribute to the artist herself.
Tags: Mary Nohl, Fox Point, JMKAC, Kohler Arts Center, Barbara Manger, Mary Nohl Inside & Outside, Janine Smith, Violent Femmes, Hallowed Ground, Witch's House

Music - March 11, 2009
Vote for Wisconsin's official rock and roll song!
Last week, Oklahoma's State Legislature voted to name "Do You Realize??" by The Flaming Lips as "The Official Oklahoma State Rock and Roll Song." So, what song oughta be Wisconsin's state rock jam? Vote here and we'll petition our state representatives to get busy making the winner the official rock and roll song of the Badger State.
Tags: state rock and roll song, oklahoma, flaming lips, les paul, bon iver, bodeans, violent femmes, gufs

Music - Oct. 27, 2008
Danglers host a Stooge of a saxman
When Milwaukee's The Danglers light up the back room at Bay View's Club Garibaldi on Nov. 14, fans will get more than the band's engaging musical exploration. It will also witness legendary saxman Steve Mackay, who is best known among rock audiences as the guest saxophonist on The Stooges' classic "Raw Power."
Tags: Danglers, Violent Femmes, Steve Mackay, Club Garibaldi, Stooges, Fun House, John Sparrow, Sikara, Radon Ensemble, Brian Ritchie