Tag Archives: BBC

THE SALTSHAKERS’ EP “HALLEY” REVIEW (RELEASE SHOW TONIGHT)

    Bands come and go quickly sometimes, the Milwaukee music scene’s past is littered with groups that have fallen apart, moved on to bigger things or reformed under new names. So the word longevity doesn’t always apply and when it does, it can be either impressive or stale. However, Milwaukee group The Saltshakers has been going strong for a while now, 2012 marks the ten year anniversary since their formation. The band is made up of Chad Curtis on lead vocals & guitar, Chris Holoyda on lead guitar, Jon Strelecki on drums and Jamie Owart on bass. The members are relatively young so I was surprised they’ve been around this long and the band is doing something unique, releasing a series of EPs over the next year versus one full-length. “Halley” is the first of these, being released Saturday, December 1st at BBC to celebrate a decade of music-making. A quick appetizer of three songs, “Halley” is a fun mix of pop, punk and indie rock that leaves you hungry for the next course.
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ALEX WILSON BAND AND KANE PLACE RECORD CLUB @ THE BBC

We’re so lucky to have such great musical diversity at our disposal in Milwaukee, and Friday night at the BBC was no exception.  The unique pairing of the Alex Wilson Band and Kane Place Record Club captivated the crowd and kept them dancing through the night.

Alex Wilson is no stranger to the Milwaukee music scene, and with his brother, Matthew filling in on drums and Matt Turner on bass, the trio kicked off the night with that classic blues sound that is unmistakably the Alex Wilson Band.  The relationship that Alex has with his guitar allows him to evoke a multitude of feelings; from powerful and haunting to warm and familiar, like an embrace from an old friend.  Whether paying homage to blues legends or sharing his original work, we listeners are guaranteed a good show.  His skill captured the audience’s attention, and by the end of their set the crowd was on their feet and wanting more.

And more is what they got when Kane Place Record Club took the stage.  Their EP “To Our Friends” has a fun lively sound but it does not prepare you for the intensity of their live performances, and that’s a good thing.  From the first note, their energy is palpable, and whether I’m right up front dancing or just taking in the crowd, I always love to watch a band having so much fun doing what they do best.  With a keyboard, violin, sax, bass, guitar, and drums, they’re certainly a full outfit, and they know how to showcase their individual talents while remaining a cohesive unit.  Though still relatively new to the Milwaukee music family, they are quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with.

Good things really do come in small packages.  Each band had relatively short sets, but there was certainly no shortage of amazing talent Friday night.  Stay tuned, if you’re looking for a night of good music both the Alex Wilson Band and Kane Place Record Club will not disappoint.