Our fat-free, dolphin-safe Milwaukee calendar is chock-full of things to do, but only a handful of events contained therein are worthy of the lofty “Record Recommended” (patent pending) honor. Here are our recommendations for the week of November 9-15, 2015.
Monday, November 9
The Charlatans + Eyelids @ Turner Hall
Not to be confused with the ’60s American psychedelic band of the same name, the UK-flavored Charlatans found success in the early and mid ’90s (remember “The Only One I Know”?), and have been a staple of British indie rock ever since. How much of a staple? The group’s latest album, Modern Nature, is the eighth Charlatans album to enter the British top ten, with all four singles from the record enjoying significant radio play.
Tuesday, November 10
Video + Static Eyes @ The Lucky Cat
Punk rock is in a pretty good place in Milwaukee right now. Acts like Direct Hit!, Tenement* and Expire are making waves throughout the country. A cluster of new bands like The Pukes, Brat Sounds, and Midwives are bolstering a local punk community that’s long incubated Holy Shit!, Get Rad, among others, and more touring punk and hardcore bands seem to be coming to town as well. Over in Riverwest, Austin-based Video will join the new and improved Static Eyes for a cozy Tuesday night show. Want the address? Ask a punk.
Also: Holly Golightly And The Brokeoffs + Joe Crockett @ Cactus Club
Welcome To Night Vale: Joseph Fink + Jeffrey Cranor @ Turner Hall
Republican Presidential Primary Debate @ Milwaukee Theatre lol
Wednesday, November 11
Willie Nile @ Linneman’s
Willie Nile may not be a household name, but the 67-year-old singer-songwriter has amassed a sizable cult following (and plenty of critical accolades) over his 30-year-plus career. Nile’s self-titled 1980 debut is a crisp, lyrically dense electric folk-rock record with dashes of punk and new wave that still remains fresh and accessible today. The troubadour’s latest album, If I Was A River, is a lovely collection of piano ballads.
Thursday, November 12
Rainn Wilson + Nineteen Thirteen @ Pabst Theater
Best known as Dwight K. Schrute from The Office (insert someone saying the British one was soooo much better), Rainn Wilson has sustained a lengthy career as a film and television actor, humorist, and philanthropist. Now, the accomplished thespian will add author to his résumé with the release of The Bassoon King: My Life In Art, Faith, And Idiocy. Each ticket comes with a signed copy of the book. Not good enough? Violent Femmes founding drummer Victor DeLorenzo will moderate a discussion with Wilson. DeLorenzo’s current band, Nineteen Thirteen, will open.
Also: Stardeath And White Dwarfs @ Cactus Club
Ugly Brothers + Fivy, Ms. Lotus Fankh @ High Dive
Friday, November 13
Nikki Lane + Clear Plastic Masks @ Cactus Club
You’d be forgiven if you thought classic country revivalist Nikki Lane was from Milwaukee. Since 2011, the South Carolina native has played innumerable shows here, including two this August alone. Counting former Milwaukeean Hugh Masterson of Hugh Bob And The Hustle among her pals likely has something to do with that; Masterson even joined Lane onstage during her opening slot for Jenny Lewis at Turner Hall this past April.
Ring Of Honor Wrestling @ Turner Hall
truTV Impractical Jokers @ Riverside Theater (two shows)
Jon Langford + Jean Cook, Trapper Schoepp @ Anodyne Coffee Walker’s Point
Saturday, November 14
RISK! Live Podcast @ The Back Room At Colectivo
After The State—the seminal sketch troupe of which he was one-eleventh—ended, Kevin Allison had a harder time finding his career footing than many other cast members. Six years ago, though, he found his calling as the creator and host of Risk!, a popular podcast “where people tell true stories they never thought they’d dare to share in public.” From harrowing tales of abuse and addiction, funny recollections of bad drug trips and regrettable hookups, and tales of myriad other themes, Risk! ranges from tragic to hilarious to utterly uncomfortable. Allison will be joined in Colectivo’s new Back Room venue by local storytellers who will adhere to the city-specific “Fuck This” show theme.
Midnight Reruns (record release) + Space Raft, Sat. Nite Duets, DJ Chris Schulist @ Cactus Club
Late last month, local rockers Midnight Reruns put out Force Of Nuture, their 10-song sophomore record which is on the very short list of best Milwaukee records of 2015. By the time the album came out, the Reruns were already on the road, playing shows out on the east coast and in the southeast part of the country (including Fest last weekend). The road-tested quartet will return home after a near-three-week jaunt to officially unveil their best record yet as the headliners of a stacked Cactus Club show that also features Space Raft, Sat. Nite Duets, and DJ Chris Schulist.
Also: Kneel To Neil: Neil Young Tribute Benefit @ Linneman’s
ODC: Boulders And Bones @ Pitman Theatre
Bo Triplex And His Beautiful Band + Catsax, Airo Kwil @ Riverwest Public House
Testa Rosa + Mercy Company @ Company Brewing
Sunday, November 15
Mama + Bloom, The Pukes @ High Dive
Piss-and-vinegar power-pop from Chicago. The piss-and-vinegar ambiance of High Dive. No cover. See you there.