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| From | "Perry R. Stearns" <pstearns3@wi.rr.com> |
| Subject | IPO_Milwaukee 5-4-08 |
| Date | Mon, 5 May 2008 14:26:12 -0500 |
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A summary of the fourth and final day of the first annual Milwaukee
International Pop Overthrow festival.
In my experience with IPO festivals, Sunday afternoon shows can be a laid
back affair often showcasing solo acoustic performers playing to their most
loyal fans. Such was not the case at Linnemans on Sunday. David managed to
fill the roster with several sizzling acts that injected a blast of melody
and energy into the final day of IPO-Milwaukee.
Opening Sunday afternoon were The Cutouts
(http://www.myspace.com/cutoutsmadison) from Madison, WI. This power trio
treated the audience to tune after tune of hi-energy, garage infused power
pop showing a variety of 60's influences. Based upon the CD-R of demos they
offered, it's clear their eventual CD will be of significant interest to
music fans who like their pop flavored with a thick layer of power.
Local favorites, Luminol (http://www.myspace.com/luminolweb) played next.
After delighting audiences at IPO-Chicago last year, this 5-piece unit
played to a receptive crowd Sunday afternoon in Milwaukee. Their songs
displayed a mature sense of melody, often including a healthy dose of dual
Gibson guitar jangle. Easily switching between edgier and melodic song
styles, their lead vocalist shared the emotion of each song with clarity and
sincerity.
IPO veterans Heathrow (http://www.myspace.com/heathrowmusic), played third
on the bill. Another local favorite, Heathrow has been entertaining fans
for years with their Britpop influenced originals. Playing several new
tunes from their forthcoming CD, Heathrow showed a maturity in their
songwriting without deviating from what they do best. Their stage act gets
more polished with every show and the release of their new CD will
undoubtedly help grow their audience of appreciative fans.
Next up were Chicago natives Van Go (http://www.myspace.com/vangopop).
Using six musicians and dual stratocasters to convey their brand of
pop/rock, Van Go played tunes from all three of their CD releases to a very
receptive crowd. Having played IPO in Orange County previously, they may
have brought back some of that California sunshine to infuse into their
music. It certainly came across in their live performance. Steady, driving
rhythms propelled each song while a pleasant variety of lead vocal stylings
gave each song a unique flavor.
Nick Pipitone (http://www.myspace.com/nickpipitone) from Cedarburg, WI
brought a couple hired guns to showcase tunes from his two latest CD
releases as a full band. Playing as a trio allowed Nick to convey the
conviction of his introspective lyrics along with enough power to really
connect with the crowd. One of IPO-Milwaukee's biggest highlight was David
Bash talking Nick into playing the Vogues' hit Five O'Clock World. It was
one of, if not the, coolest cover I've ever heard.
The Jetty Boys (http://www.myspace.com/jettyboys) from Sheboygan, WI played
next. I wondered what sort of musical addition a small town in northern
Wisconsin could produce. Well, after hearing five bands, these guys
provided a GIANT shot of punk adrenalin. They crammed more chord changes
into a 2-minute song than a 30-minute prog epic. A dose of rockabilly added
to what they do best. They are busy building an audience through relentless
touring and their stage presence demonstrated how potent they've become.
They also provided the perfect lead-in to the headlining act.
The White-hot Tizzies (http://www.myspace.com/whitehottizziesmusic)
headlined. Rob McCuen is a veteran of the Milwaukee music scene, having
played drums/vocals for The Red Ball Jets, Liquid Pink and Plasticland,
among others. His current band is a drums/guitar duo with songs written for
this configuration. For you non-believers, it worked for White Stripes and
it worked even better on Sunday. All their tunes featured poignant lyrics
filled with mesmerizing guitar accompaniment. I had to keep looking for a
bass player even though it became obvious that the guitarist's style filled
this role to great effect. The sound was never sparse and provided a tasty
finish to a great day of power pop music.
I guess it remains to be seen whether the enthusiasm and pure fun this
festival generated can match the business and financial requirements
necessary to repeat it in Milwaukee next year. If you polled those who
attended, I think the answer would be "let's do it again like we did last
summer"! Perhaps adding a reunion show or two would provide some extra
momentum to draw a bigger, thirstier crowd. Let's hope so.
Perry
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