Here are some notes from Day 1 of VERGE Music Festival at the Summerfest Grounds:
The Championship (Fringe Stage, 6:30 p.m.) -- The weather improved but the crowd was slim anyway to see Milwaukee alt-country rockers, The Championship. The five-piece stood in a line at the edge of the stage and drew from their two albums and EP.
Lead singer Joe Crockett'a voice was gritty and strong, a live version of the Bruce Springsteen-esque twang that pours from earbuds and speakers. The rarity of authentic alt-country in a Yankee state is even more refreshing to catch live, especially on a warm night during the first large summer festival of the year. --Molly Snyder Edler
Crash Kings (Verge Stage, 7:15 p.m.) -- For a moment Friday evening at the Miller Lite Oasis, er, Verge stage, I closed my eyes and flashed back to the Ben Folds/Violent Femmes show from several years ago. Crash Kings, a trio from Los Angeles, elicit comparisons to Folds because the band is driven by the keyboard playing of singer Mike Beliveau. But, the group -- which includes Beliveau's brother, Mike, on bass and Jason Morris on drums -- drew listeners in with a raw, powerful sound that reached past the modest crowd at the venue. There was plenty to see and do on the first night of VERGE, but when I saw Kramp and Adler from FM 102/1, I figured I was in the right spot. --Drew Olson
She and Him (Fringe, 9 p.m.) -- M. Ward and Zoey Deschanel first met on the set of the film "The Go-Getter" where they discovered they had the gift of duet. Their current tour led them to South by Southwest as well as Milwaukee's Verge. Deschanel is the centerpiece of the band, and well deserving of the placement with her strong yet dreamy vocals, musical strengths (keys, tambourine and banjo!) along with a range of movements from slow and sultry to poppy cute. The band ripped into short song after short song, with little commentary directed toward the adoring audience. Highlights included the call-and-response "In The Sun," the cover of Chuck Berry's "Roll Over Beethoven" and the upbeat "This Is Not A Test." The set went from pleasant to rollicking, and could have gone on for another hour, but that's festival reality. --M.E.
Tanzilo Tweets (a collection of Twitter postings from managing editor Bobby Tanzilo) -- Plenty of good parking still available @vergemke -- hope that's not a bad sign. But the weather is grand.
Long lines for merch @vergemke -- great news for the bands.
Wow Lakefront is a buck less than Miller @vergemke ! That's what I'm talkin bout.
@vergemke in time to see She & Him but missed @muzzleofbees recommended Crash Kings.
Seems like a respectable crowd @vergemke . One stage is the covered one. Good news should it decide to rain, though looks clear now.
1956 is soundchecking a tune @vergemke that sounds like Polyrock. Remember them?
Eagles of Death Metal -- a Status Quo for the new millennium? @vergemke
1956 rockin' the wee stage @vergemke -- good job. At least as good as he other bands onstage right now.
