Twang and/or blues options in Milwaukee?

fenderfan · September 18th, 2006, 05:05 PM

I will soon be in Milwaukee (for just two days, and it will be a Monday and Tuesday unfortunately), and wondered if there are any good music club possibilities for da blues, or some country twang? Also, are there recommended music stores (large or small)?
Thanks...

Wildhawk · September 18th, 2006, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderfan

I will soon be in Milwaukee (for just two days, and it will be a Monday and Tuesday unfortunately), and wondered if there are any good music club possibilities for da blues, or some country twang? Also, are there recommended music stores (large or small)?
Thanks...

The big lake is on the east side (Lake Michigan).
The big river and music store are on the west side. (Mississippi and Dave's)
This may help you find something.
http://www.daveonbass.com/stores.htm

Sorry...

I'm in MadTown and there's enough here to keep me from making a trip.
This place looks promising http://www.shankhall.com/ for live music should I be in the east someday.

fenderfan · September 19th, 2006, 04:30 PM

...thanks for the response. I'll check around there.

Val-tone · September 20th, 2006, 01:34 PM

You can check this Milwaukee website for goings-on: http://www.onmilwaukee.com/

I've been living here for two years but I don't get out much. Here's a place called the guitar bar. Never been there but I drive by there sometimes on the way to work. They have a big TELECASTER hanging outside. http://www.onwisconsin.com/dining/dining.asp?id=3387

The up and under club on Brady street is a blues bar: http://onmilwaukee.com/bars/articles/bradybar.html

5 Card Studs is a great "lounge" band. Their schtick is they're a washed-up lounge act. http://fivecardstuds.com/ It doesn't look like they're playing when you're here but you should check them out next time you come to Milwaukee. Okay, maybe this is a bit of a shameless plug. I know the guitar player, he's a good guy, he owns a mom-and-pop guitar shop and is a total gearhead. Here's his site: http://topshelfguitarshop.com/

Hope this helps.

Val-tone · September 20th, 2006, 02:20 PM

Oh, here's another place, Wade's guitar shop. They have a lot of vintage stuff and new Eastwood guitars. http://www.wadesguitarshop.com/Pages/Home.html I don't know if they're open Mondays though.

Cream City music is a little farther south on Kinnicik(sp) avenue, same street as top shelf music. They are a Grestch dealer.http://www.warpdrivemusic.com/

There are more I'm sure, but those are all the places I've been to. They're closer to the east (lake) side of the city.

CharlieO · September 20th, 2006, 02:31 PM

You didn't say specifically which Monday and Tuesday, so I can't tell you exactly what will be going on when you get there, but here are a few ideas. If you're looking for good blues, grab a local entertainment paper and look for Steve Cohen or Jim Liban, to see if either one happen to be playing anywhere. They're both outstanding harp players, and they're usually supported by great players. Likely places for blues early in the week include the Up & Under Pub on Brady St., or Liquid Johnny's in West Allis. You're not like to find much decent "twang" in Milwaukee, but there are plenty of other great local musicians to see. Look for Greg Koch, Willy Porter, Pat McCurdy, Jack Grassel, or John Sieger, to name a few.

For music stores, check out Cascio Interstate Music on National Avenue in New Berlin. It's a "better" superstore than Guitar Center. For a small shop with some interesting "vintage" stuff, I used to like to go to Wade's on Oakland Avenue in Shorewood.

fenderfan · September 20th, 2006, 04:53 PM

..for all the good info, Team Telecaster!

studio1087 · September 20th, 2006, 06:31 PM

Great Blues Pub - The Up and Under Bar - on Brady Street just north of downtown (on the fashionable east side) - Great Live Blues

Great National & Local Acts - Shank Hall -
http://www.shankhall.com/

Shank Hall is on Farwell St. on the East Side.

Go and drink beer at a bar called Hooligans on North Ave (East Side) - great imports, microbrews and food.

Enjoy Milwaukee, we have lots of cold beer and music.

John

CharlieO · September 20th, 2006, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by studio1087

Enjoy Milwaukee, we have lots of cold beer and music.

John

And it seems that there are quite a few TDPRI members there. It's too bad we didn't meet when I lived there. Maybe a few of you guys should meet fenderfan at Hooligan's and show him around.

moonshiner · September 23rd, 2006, 11:57 PM

Shops..

Topshelf.. (won't find any teles or really anything great, but the guy who runs it owns a 52 esquire and is a really good guy)
Warpdrive... You'll find lots of vintage gear for HIGH PRICES.. John knows a good piece of vintage gear when he sees it...
Wades.. Wade and Alex are some good guys.. if you like Martins.. you'll love Wades.. They also have some cool off the wall stuff.. Their vintage gear, while good, is overpriced but negotiable.. I have bought from them before..
Other than that.. I don't have a lot of recommendations for shops... Blueflame on 27th is hit or miss.. Northstar is cool if you like Voxs. Uncle Bobs has a decent amp selection, but the guitars tend to be hit or miss.. Guitar Center in Brookfield.. skip.. White House has lots of good stuff.. but it's 25+ minutes out of town...

Music..
I second Up and Under on Brady.. everything else listed above, I don't have any recommendations or comments...

Shank VFW is starting to get better since they got a new booking agent.. the Rave always has good stuff but I am personally avoiding because of their "treatment" to local acts.. G Daddy's BBC is hit or miss (usually not blues).. The Estate is great (if you like Jazz (not mentioned)). Honestly, I don't know of one Country bar in Milwaukee.. There are a couple in Madison... but that's 90 miles away..

Have fun.. you'll at least have some good beer (as was said above)...There's some good eats round here too..

Let me know if you want any other suggestions...(or opinions!)

AJ Love · September 24th, 2006, 03:30 AM

ahhhh yes, Milwaukee, home of the 2009 World Champion Milwaukee Brewers...

The Up N Under is a great bar, not sure if they still have as much live music there as they used to...

CharlieO · September 24th, 2006, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moonshiner

Shank VFW is starting to get better since they got a new booking agent..

What happened to Peter? He's not booking the club anymore?

Wildhawk · September 24th, 2006, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJ Love

ahhhh yes, Milwaukee, home of the 2009 World Champion Milwaukee Brewers...

The Up N Under is a great bar, not sure if they still have as much live music there as they used to...

I think you missed a 0 in the year.....

moonshiner · September 24th, 2006, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlieO

What happened to Peter? He's not booking the club anymore?

Peter hasn't been booking shank for a while.. he brought in too many nonsense acts... he got someone else and the place seems to be popping again... I love the club.. the sound is incredible (both on and off stage)... Pete.. is a different kinda guy...

Well.. I only know this second hand as our booking agent doesn't talk to Pete any more... well.. he does, but he's "forwarded" to another..

September 18th, 2006, 05:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
fenderfan Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Denver Posts: 522	Twang and/or blues options in Milwaukee? I will soon be in Milwaukee (for just two days, and it will be a Monday and Tuesday unfortunately), and wondered if there are any good music club possibilities for da blues, or some country twang? Also, are there recommended music stores (large or small)? Thanks...

September 19th, 2006, 04:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
fenderfan Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Denver Posts: 522	Roger that... ...thanks for the response. I'll check around there.

September 20th, 2006, 01:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
Val-tone Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI Age: 42 Posts: 621 5 Photos	You can check this Milwaukee website for goings-on: http://www.onmilwaukee.com/ I've been living here for two years but I don't get out much. Here's a place called the guitar bar. Never been there but I drive by there sometimes on the way to work. They have a big TELECASTER hanging outside. http://www.onwisconsin.com/dining/dining.asp?id=3387 The up and under club on Brady street is a blues bar: http://onmilwaukee.com/bars/articles/bradybar.html 5 Card Studs is a great "lounge" band. Their schtick is they're a washed-up lounge act. http://fivecardstuds.com/ It doesn't look like they're playing when you're here but you should check them out next time you come to Milwaukee. Okay, maybe this is a bit of a shameless plug. I know the guitar player, he's a good guy, he owns a mom-and-pop guitar shop and is a total gearhead. Here's his site: http://topshelfguitarshop.com/ Hope this helps. __________________ Is it raining, is it snowing Is a hurricane a-blowing Yes, the danger must be growing For the rowers keep on rowing And they're certainly not showing Any signs that they are slowing

September 20th, 2006, 02:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
Val-tone Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Milwaukee, WI Age: 42 Posts: 621 5 Photos	Oh, here's another place, Wade's guitar shop. They have a lot of vintage stuff and new Eastwood guitars. http://www.wadesguitarshop.com/Pages/Home.html I don't know if they're open Mondays though. Cream City music is a little farther south on Kinnicik(sp) avenue, same street as top shelf music. They are a Grestch dealer.http://www.warpdrivemusic.com/ There are more I'm sure, but those are all the places I've been to. They're closer to the east (lake) side of the city. __________________ Is it raining, is it snowing Is a hurricane a-blowing Yes, the danger must be growing For the rowers keep on rowing And they're certainly not showing Any signs that they are slowing

September 20th, 2006, 02:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
CharlieO Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sarasota, FL Age: 56 Posts: 1,362 10 Photos	You didn't say specifically which Monday and Tuesday, so I can't tell you exactly what will be going on when you get there, but here are a few ideas. If you're looking for good blues, grab a local entertainment paper and look for Steve Cohen or Jim Liban, to see if either one happen to be playing anywhere. They're both outstanding harp players, and they're usually supported by great players. Likely places for blues early in the week include the Up & Under Pub on Brady St., or Liquid Johnny's in West Allis. You're not like to find much decent "twang" in Milwaukee, but there are plenty of other great local musicians to see. Look for Greg Koch, Willy Porter, Pat McCurdy, Jack Grassel, or John Sieger, to name a few. For music stores, check out Cascio Interstate Music on National Avenue in New Berlin. It's a "better" superstore than Guitar Center. For a small shop with some interesting "vintage" stuff, I used to like to go to Wade's on Oakland Avenue in Shorewood. Last edited by CharlieO; September 20th, 2006 at 03:11 PM.

September 20th, 2006, 04:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
fenderfan Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Denver Posts: 522	Thanks a lot... ..for all the good info, Team Telecaster!

September 20th, 2006, 06:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
studio1087 Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Near Milwaukee Age: 44 Posts: 3,993 36 Photos	Great Blues Pub - The Up and Under Bar - on Brady Street just north of downtown (on the fashionable east side) - Great Live Blues Great National & Local Acts - Shank Hall - http://www.shankhall.com/ Shank Hall is on Farwell St. on the East Side. Go and drink beer at a bar called Hooligans on North Ave (East Side) - great imports, microbrews and food. Enjoy Milwaukee, we have lots of cold beer and music. John __________________ JLG Carry On

September 23rd, 2006, 11:57 PM	#10 (permalink)
moonshiner Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Milyucky, Whiskonsin Posts: 2,171	Shops.. Topshelf.. (won't find any teles or really anything great, but the guy who runs it owns a 52 esquire and is a really good guy) Warpdrive... You'll find lots of vintage gear for HIGH PRICES.. John knows a good piece of vintage gear when he sees it... Wades.. Wade and Alex are some good guys.. if you like Martins.. you'll love Wades.. They also have some cool off the wall stuff.. Their vintage gear, while good, is overpriced but negotiable.. I have bought from them before.. Other than that.. I don't have a lot of recommendations for shops... Blueflame on 27th is hit or miss.. Northstar is cool if you like Voxs. Uncle Bobs has a decent amp selection, but the guitars tend to be hit or miss.. Guitar Center in Brookfield.. skip.. White House has lots of good stuff.. but it's 25+ minutes out of town... Music.. I second Up and Under on Brady.. everything else listed above, I don't have any recommendations or comments... Shank VFW is starting to get better since they got a new booking agent.. the Rave always has good stuff but I am personally avoiding because of their "treatment" to local acts.. G Daddy's BBC is hit or miss (usually not blues).. The Estate is great (if you like Jazz (not mentioned)). Honestly, I don't know of one Country bar in Milwaukee.. There are a couple in Madison... but that's 90 miles away.. Have fun.. you'll at least have some good beer (as was said above)...There's some good eats round here too.. Let me know if you want any other suggestions...(or opinions!) __________________ "Everyone's got to be something... Me? I'm stupid... It's all I ever wanted to be... Shock me again!"

September 24th, 2006, 03:30 AM	#11 (permalink)
AJ Love Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Madison WI Age: 42 Posts: 864	ahhhh yes, Milwaukee, home of the 2009 World Champion Milwaukee Brewers... The Up N Under is a great bar, not sure if they still have as much live music there as they used to...