Few bands in Milwaukee music history have a legacy that even comes close to matching that of Die Kreuzen. The seminal outfit defied genre distinction, anchored the local scene, toured relentlessly, and was a favorite band to many of your favorite bands. Now more than 30 years after calling it quits at the height of their popularity, Die Kreuzen continues to be a band listeners in Milwaukee and far beyond talk about, draw influence from, and consider to be among the city’s best musical exports.
Though much has been said and written about Die Kreuzen through the years, very little of the group’s story has come from the perspective of the band members themselves. Until now, that is. On Tuesday, August 19, Don’t Say Please: The Oral History Of Die Kreuzen will be published by Feral House. Written and assembled by Milwaukee-based author Sahan Jayasuriya, the book is an inside look at the origin, development, standout experiences, and the abrupt end of the iconic band, as told in extensive detail by members Keith Brammer, Brian Egeness, Dan Kubinski, and Erik Tunison. There are also Die Kreuzen-specific memories shared by the likes of Thurston Moore, Neko Case, Butch Vig, Lou Barlow, and many more.
Before the book is released next month and prior to associated events at Boswell Books and Lion’s Tooth, Milwaukee Record has been given to go-ahead to post an abbreviated excerpt from Don’t Say Please: The Oral History Of Die Kreuzen. Read this portion of the book’s second chapter, then pre-order it from Boswell (or another independent book store of your choosing).
Don’t Say Please: The Oral History Of Die Kreuzen was published by Feral House and will be released Tuesday, August 19. Boswell Books will host an in-store author event with Jayasuriya on Thursday, August 14. RSVP here. The book will also be the featured title for the September installment of Lion’s Tooth’s Music Book Club, with an event to take place at the shop on Thursday, September 18.
