In a status posted to its Facebook page Wednesday afternoon, established soulful Milwaukee alternative outfit Herman Astro announced it will be calling it quits. The seemingly amicable exodus comes as a result of singer/guitarist Zachary Pluer’s decision to move to Raleigh, North Carolina this fall. The band’s October 11 show at Miramar Theatre will serve as its last show.
During its lengthy run, Herman Astro released three albums (including Mean Gene earlier this month); toured extensively; was a regular at a host of area festivals; and was trusted to open for touring act such as Fitz & The Tantrums, Alabama Shakes, and Blues Traveler. They were also featured in Peter Roller’s 2013 book Milwaukee Garage Bands: Generations Of Grassroots Rock.
While never a top-tier act on the Milwaukee music hierarchy, the sudden departure of the longstanding and accomplished act is certainly a hit to the local music scene. A silver lining: the statement assures that Astro’s backing cast of Cody Calderon, Adam Dosemagen, and Eric LeMieux will continue working together in some musical capacity.