By Julie Lawrence Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published Nov 13, 2007 at 7:26 AM

It's a week of album release shows in Milwaukee, so wear your party pants and make your way to the merch tables.

The time has come for Seventeensongs to release its new album, "Modern Living." The CD release party goes down at Stonefly Brewing Co. on Friday. Nov. 16 and White, Wrench, Conservatory and Spransy & Kolb are also in on the festivities.

If you just can't wait for the weekend to get out and have fun, show up at Stonefly on Thursday night for a double album release party from both Milwaukee's Father Phoenix and Milwaukee/Chicago/Iowa City/Minneapolis's ft(The Shadow Government.) Who else? The Red Knife Lottery with a new guitar player as well as a set by Novel.

If you're into Neil Young and his causes, head over to Linneman's on Friday night for Kneel to Neil, a Neil Young tribute session from several Milwaukee bands. Bands from across the country contributed to "More Barn," an album of Young covers that benefits The Bridge School. Juniper Tar does a beautiful cover of "Thrasher," which you can hear on this podcast.

You can revel in nostalgia on Thursday night at Shank Hall, as Plasticland starts off the evening as the opener for San Fran psychedelic band Blue Cheer. Plasticland amazingly formed in 1980, but are still going strong, so go dig out your copy of "Color Appreciation" and get ready to dance.

 

Julie Lawrence Special to OnMilwaukee.com

OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.

As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”