6 new albums by Milwaukee artists.
Huge thanks to the hundreds who came out to our Wisconsin Bands to Watch concert at the 88Nine Radio Milwaukee studios last Friday. It was incredible to see so much support for quality local music.
I hope that support will continue and people will seek out some of these new albums made by Milwaukee artists.
The Bang Bang, “The Bang Bang” ( facebook.com/thebangbangmusic)
For a band with as blunt a name as “The Bang Bang,” the bluesrock quartet is best at building mood, from Nick Amhaus’ sticky guitar riffs on “Sweet Melody” to the soft melancholy in Katie Rash’s voice on “The Way.”
Next gig: 9 p.m. Friday, Linneman’s Riverwest Inn, 1001 E. Locust St. $7.
Generations Field, “Welcome to da Field” ( emerging musicent.com)
Not the most original album in rap history (a song about drugs is called “Drug Song”), but on the title track, the duo uses hard gangsta rap productions to condemn inner-city violence, and that’s pretty novel.
Great Lake Drifters, “Radio Picture Show” ( twitter.com/gr8lake drifters)
A 71⁄ 1/2- minute song called “Judas Iscariot”? That has red flag written all over it. But the song, like much of “Show,” is warm, anthemic and engaging roots rock.
Next gig: 8 p.m. March 21, Equinox Music Festival, Linneman’s. $8.
Kiings, “WWYDF” facebook.com/kiingsmusic)(
There’s powerful poetry to be heard on the electronic duo’s first album of originals, not just in the soulful verses and voices of Milwaukee-connected artists like rapper Milo, singersongwriter Rae Cassidy and Field Report’s Christopher Porterfield, but in the meticulously crafted, often-moving production itself.
Our mada, “Through the Wires” ( ourmadaband.com) The metaphor-loaded, “think of the children” cautionary tale “Monster” is a bit much; otherwise Our-mada’s debut is meat-and-potatoes, bar-ready rock.
Platinum Boys, “Future Hits” ( platinumboys.bandcamp.com) No chance the clearly tongue-in-cheek Boys will have a platinum album, or any big hits in its future. But if it’s scuzzy, slightly sleazy garage-rock tunes about partying all night you crave, you’ve come to the right place.
Next gig: 9 p.m. Friday, Hotel Foster, 2028 E. North Ave. Cover price to be announced at the door.