If this were pop-punk Jeopardy, “Who is Showoff?” would be a response destined for at least the $800 category. Still, the Illinois-born quartet was once signed to Maverick Records (Madonna’s label), the same label that put out records by Alanis Morrissette, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Lil Wayne, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, U2, and Paul McCartney. In 1999, Showoff’s single “Falling Star” reached number 36 on Billbord‘s modern rock charts, but that was just the beginning of the end for the Chicagoland project. The band broke up in 2002.

In 2005, Showoff reunited with lead singer Chris Envy and all new members before being almost immediately dismantled. That is, until 2014, when Envy recruited a few past members and some new ones to bring Showoff back. On Saturday, August 6, Showoff will return to the stage—kind of, at least—as the opener for Avenues‘ Milwaukee Boat Line Concert Cruise. For $19.99 (advance) and $22.99 (week of), you can see the semi-seminal likes of Showoff maybe play “Spill” and “Bully” on the Vista King. Until Allister decides to play at the zoo, you probably couldn’t ask for a better turn of the century pop-punk show in Milwaukee these days.

About The Author

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Co-Founder and Editor

Before co-founding Milwaukee Record, Tyler Maas wrote for virtually every Milwaukee publication (except Wassup! Magazine). He lives in Bay View and enjoys both stuff and things.