By Tyler Casey   Published Jul 07, 2006 at 5:03 AM
One of Milwaukee's favorite bands is back home for the first time in a long time. The Big Bang Theory takes the stage at The Up & Under Pub for two shows this weekend. Frontman Billy Staff, guitarist Chuck Cicirello, and bass player Damian Valentine bring their unique talents together one last time for Brew City (until next year, maybe).

Joining the band onstage are several other artists with local ties. George DeJong, who has played keyboard with the band since its early Milwaukee days and has toured worldwide with Herman's Hermits, is one of them. Also adding to the lineup is John Calarco on drums, with Dave Aguirre -- who is also opening with DJ Johnny Love -- on guitar, and brothers Brian and Larry Borth, who played with the band during their first recording, on horns.

For Staff, these last two shows are more a cause for celebration than anything else.

"We've been playing together for so many years, and we always enjoy seeing people from the old days come out."

Since the band split for sunny Los Angeles, they've kept busy. Valentine's side project, Bolt Upright, released the album "Red Carpet Sindrome" on Sony Records and has played the Vans Warped Tour. He has also produced music for the HBO shows "Entourage" and "Sex In The City," films "XXX" and "National Security" and video games like "Enter The Matrix" and "LA Rush." Staff is writing songs and performing as "rockabilly superstar" Liam Ford, who is also opening for BBT at both shows. Cicirello has taken to doing behind-the-scenes work as an audio technician for TV shows, including NBC's "Deal Or No Deal."

After this weekend, Cicirello and Valentine head back out west, while Staff is planning on staying in Milwaukee for good and getting Liam Ford off the ground.

While Staff said the band may do a future Summerfest show -- they played this year's Big Gig on July 4 -- this is your last chance for the forseeable future to see one of Milwaukee's best exports since Blatz. But the guys on stage are just looking forward to playing some classics.

"It's fun to play songs I haven't done in six or seven years," DeJong says.

The Big Bang Theory will be at the Up & Under both Friday, July 7 and Saturday, July 8. Both shows start at 10 p.m.