Even had it not been Perry Farrell, we would've been hard pressed not to attend the quick, free concert this afternoon in the Beans & Barley parking lot.
Fortunately it was the former Jane's Addiction and Porno For Pyros front man performing a quick set a mere 50 yards from our office. And short but energized set, the lanky Farrell didn't disappoint.
The show is a teaser of Farrell's Thursday night concert with his new band Satellite Party at The Pabst Theater. The 8 p.m. concert also featured the New York-based Aussie band Mink, who jumped onstage after Farrell.
About 200 or so partook the affair, which had a vibe not-so-often seen in Milwaukee. It was set for 1 p.m., but actually started around 1:30.
Farrell was handed a beer by someone in the crowd. He sipped it, voiced his approval and set it down atop an amplifier alongside a steaming cup of coffee. He said, "This is year one of bringing music to the street where it belongs. ... We're not gonna walk around like zombies anymore."
Farrell and Satellite Party played four songs before giving way to the American/Australian band Mink. He wrapped with a version of his biggest hit, "Been Caught Stealing," which sounded a bit clunky, eventually morphing into a little scat.
And of course, it wouldn't be Perry Farrell without something a little weird thrown in. Women from the entourage carried signs that said "Beautify the planet," "Be playful make a difference create an uproar" and "Become a solutionist and make a difference."
Still, you can't argue with a post-lunch set from a pioneer of '90s alt rock. Not a bad way to spend a Thursday afternoon.
- Bobby Tanzilo contributed to this report.
Andy is the president, publisher and founder of OnMilwaukee. He returned to Milwaukee in 1996 after living on the East Coast for nine years, where he wrote for The Dallas Morning News Washington Bureau and worked in the White House Office of Communications. He was also Associate Editor of The GW Hatchet, his college newspaper at The George Washington University.
Before launching OnMilwaukee.com in 1998 at age 23, he worked in public relations for two Milwaukee firms, most of the time daydreaming about starting his own publication.
Hobbies include running when he finds the time, fixing the rust on his '75 MGB, mowing the lawn at his cottage in the Northwoods, and making an annual pilgrimage to Phoenix for Brewers Spring Training.
