"Rebel Stage Spotlight" is an OnMilwaukee-exclusive series of interviews with bands that will perform on The Rebel Stage during Summerfest. The Rebel Stage – located along the lakefront, directly to the east of the Harley-Davidson Roadhouse stage – is a completely independent venue that hosts more than 90 bands during the Big Gig and is staffed entirely by volunteers. Rebel Stage manager, Eoin McCarthy, hand picked the line-up from more than 2,000 submissions.
Depending on who you ask, the band Donoma can be described as rock and roll with an edge and a conscience, aggressive melodic rock, eclectic gypsy rock, glam and punk and cabaret or whoo hoo.
Guess it's one of those "you'll just have to listen to them to get it"-type bands and, luckily for all of us, a chance to listen we shall get when Donoma performs on the Rebel Stage at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 9.
Donoma members (who use first names only) include Stephanie on lead vocals, electric guitar, keyboards, mandolin; Michelle on bass; Israel on drums and percussion; Tim on lead guitar and Nick on the violin.
Recently, we chatted up the band’s road manager Paddy Fineran about, well, the band.
OnMilwaukee: How long has the band been together?
Paddy Fineran: Stephanie, Michelle and Israel formed a version of the band in 2009, and it has evolved to the current lineup being by far the strongest version of the band.
Which bands are you most looking forward to seeing at Summerfest or have been your favorite so far?
Michelle is pumped about Elle King and Cam. Israel is interested in Humphrey’s McGee and Matisyahu, and Nick is up for some Violent Femmes and Johnny Sparrow on his Weber Grill drum kit. We all heard that Dianne Coffee was amazing.
Mainly, though, we are looking forward to supporting the other independent bands at the Rebel Stage. We’ve performed there a few times now, and it’s a great community. Our hats are off to Eoin of Whiskey of the Damned and his crew there. All of us also like to just wander and listen to stuff that we haven’t heard before, especially the smaller stages. It’s great to "discover" a band.
Where else is your band playing in the near future?
We have a show in our hometown of Kenosha July 23 called Punx on Deck with a lot of bands. We’re at the Double Door in Chicago Aug. 18. We are also waiting for exact dates for mini tours in Bloomington and Louisville and points around. Of course, we’d also love to play Milwaukee more. Also, other dates for Chicago, Madison and Bloomington are in the works. Check out donomatribe.com for details.
What's your favorite thing to eat or drink at Summerfest?
We are all fans of beer. We hear that there is a great Lakefront Brewery building right next to the Rebel Stage, hint hint. Iz says he may stick to Lakefront IPA and tacos because it’s in his nature. Nick is into the fried eggplant sticks and the ethnic foods. Support whatever is local. If you have some food and beer, bring it to us; we will probably take a bite and a gulp.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
