Music - Nov. 17, 2008
Gig roundup: The Toasters carry the ska torch
In the `60s, ska meant one outfit: The Skatalites. That all changed when 2Tone madness swept the UK in 1979 and bands like The Specials, The Selecter, Madness, The Beat and others mixed ska with soul and punk to create a hybrid. Inspired by that movement, British expat Rob "Bucket" Hingley formed The Toasters in New York in the early 1980s and except for the Skatalites, no band has purveyed ska internationally longer than The Toasters.
Tags: The Toasters, Skatalites, Matt Malles, Dave Barry, Turner Hall, The Rave, Shank Hall, Vnuk's, Secondhand Serenade, Fastball, Bob Mittnacht, Made in Milwaukee, Kings Go Forth, Th' Legendary Shack*Shakers

Music - March 10, 2008
Gig roundup: Reilly does double duty
It's time to celebrate the wearing of the green in Milwaukee and no one does that better -- from a musical standpoint -- than Celtic rockers Reilly.
Tags: Reilly, Tinker, Pabst, Vnuk's, ASG, Fu Manchu, Benevento/Russo Duo, Turner Hall, Grace Potter, ICHC, Cherish the Ladies, Cathie Ryan, Slits, Ari Up, Shellshag, Cactus Club, Pink Martini

Bars & Clubs - Feb. 28, 2008
Good times still flowing on Cudahy's Packard Avenue
It has been said that you can learn a lot about a city and its residents by visiting its taverns. In the case of Cudahy, and specifically Packard Avenue, that would be a lengthy research project.
Tags: cudahy, ryan mccue, taverns, packard avenue, mike wojciechowski, vnuk's, rollie's, ladish, patrick cudahy

Bars & Clubs - Nov. 7, 2007
Best live music bar, 2007: Milwaukee Ale House
Since it opened more than a decade ago, the Ale House has actively supported local music.
Tags: Ale House, live music, Rave, Shank, Cactus Club, Stonefly, Mad Planet, Up and Under, Third Ward, Vnuk's, Estate, Points East, Linneman's, Nomad

Music - Jan. 12, 2005
Emergenza offers Milwaukee bands a chance to shine
The Italian-born music festival -- and competition -- arrives here next week for the first time, pitting a number of area bands of all styles in a competition that will advance the winners on to regional and, perhaps, national and international stages.
Tags: Emergenza, Italy, Marashino, LaBrosse, Vnuk's, Rave