By Maureen Post Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published Jan 21, 2009 at 10:10 AM

If by some impossible measure you aren't a fan of any of the almost a dozen bands playing this weekend at Club Garibaldi, it's pretty much a guarantee you'll still have a good time.

Speed Freaks, originally formed in the mid-1980s, is back together and playing a two-night extravaganza after over 15 years of silence, to release its new album, "Survivor."

With most of the original set up still playing, Stephan Trembly, Dan Duchaine and Carl Steinhagen, plus new bassist Chris Ortiz, throw you back to the old-school sounds of punk metal thrash.

Add in several other bands, including El Gordo, Hammered, Powers, Test Site and Cry Coyote, plus tasty in-house wings, and Club Garibaldi is calling your name.

Recently OnMilwaukee.com caught up with band drummer and Rush-Mor Records co-owner, Dan Duchaine, to get the low down on this high energy weekend.

OnMilwaukee.com: Where did the idea for the new album come from?

Dan Duchaine: When we were younger, our documentation was so bad. No one recorded anything or filmed anything and so it made sense for us to do it now and also kind of create a social event. It's not about succeeding for any gain other than creating a reason to pull a party together.

OMC: How does the new album "Survive" compare to your first?

DD: It's totally a kick back from that time frame but obviously the technology is so much better and the knowledge we have makes it just so much easier to record now. I wouldn't say it's a dated sound but people transcend to that old-school vibe. Everyone remembers the Reagan period when they hear it; it's just as appropriate today as it was then.

OMC: How do you think things have changed musically since the 1980s punk scene?

DD: Everything is cross-pollinated and everyone can get along. You don't want to sound neo-romantic but back then there was just so much stress violence at shows. Everything was so regimented into a genre and everyone was pitted against one another. Now we play shows with hip-hop groups and more extreme heavy metal groups. It's cool to be a part of that and be able to mix it up.

OMC: Do you think you could classify your sound into a specific genre?

DD: Never. We used to try and be profound and say we're a spiritual band preaching the word of unity. Bottom line is it is rock and roll with a mix of everything we grew up listening to.  We were really into tape trading and contacting people from all over the world, so it's a conglomerate.

OMC: Any reason for choosing Club Garibaldi?

DD: They're really proactive in the community and really supportive. We've had tons of scheduling conflicts and so once we got the chance, we wanted to do a double whammy with two nights.

OMC: Any recommendations on the other bands playing with you this weekend?

DD: Friday night is definitely the harsher, thrasher night. But then Saturday, we have El Gordo with hip-hop, Cry Coyote is kind of Country fueled 80s kick back and now Powers has been added to the bill with hardcore punk rock. Every one of them is a band we've both played with before and loved or have wanted to play with and really respect.

The Speed Freaks play Club Garibaldi Friday at 10 p.m. and Saturday at 9 p.m.

Maureen Post Special to OnMilwaukee.com

OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Maureen Post grew up in Wauwatosa. A lover of international and urban culture, Maureen received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

After living on the east side of Madison for several years, Maureen returned to Milwaukee in 2006.

After a brief stint of travel, Maureen joined OnMilwaukee.com as the city’s oldest intern and has been hooked ever since. Combining her three key infatuations, Milwaukee’s great music, incredible food and inspiring art (and yes, in that order), Maureen’s job just about fits her perfectly.

Residing in Bay View, Maureen vehemently believes the city can become fresh and new with a simple move across town.