Allow me to introduce you to the Loom. I met these guys in Austin where they helped curate our Backyard BBQ showcase at SXSW. The band was one of the best discoveries of our sojourn in Texas. Since then we’ve been on a steady audio diet of their new album, “Teeth.”

Our good friends and amazing videographers at Duke Street Blog hooked us up with the nice footage from the BBQ. If those guys aren’t already a daily online stop for you, they should be.

By Daniel Brielmaier

The show was at the UWM Ballroom during the first week of June, 1989. It was an odd show for UWM to book because classes had let out weeks prior, and students had mostly split for the summer. I guess it really didn’t matter. It was The Replacements after all, and they sold it out quickly.

Word started circulating about the show being recorded for a live album, raising expectations even more. Everyone was expecting the band to be shit-faced, but that wasn’t to be. Upon finishing their first song “Talent Show” flawlessly, Paul Westerberg seemed as surprised as everyone else when he ended the song with: “Well, there you are.”

The band was sharp, the sound was great, and the weather was hot & sticky. I remember everyone leaving that show completely soaked. The energy of that night was amazing, you can hear it throughout the recording. The entire crowd helped it along. They even assisted Westerberg as he missed a few lines along the way (see “Here Comes a Regular”). No complaints on the song selection. You had the necessary tracks off of Don’t Tell a Soul; “Talent Show” & “Anywhere is Better Than Here”, the cover of The Only Ones 1978 song “Another Girl, Another Planet“, an incredible version of “Answering Machine” from Let It Be (listen for one of the early references to cell phones), and “Here Comes a Regular,” off of Tim, which sees the song nearly fall apart only to be saved by the audience. A fitting closer and my favorite song on the EP.

This recording was a limited release radio promo EP that I only saw surface at a few local record stores. It came shortly after the release of the their album Don’t Tell a Soul, which was commonly referred to as Paul’s first solo album. Don’t Tell a Soul lacked the garage rock abandon of their previous albums. This ep had five songs from the UWM show and one from the studio LP Don’t Tell a Soul, “Achin’ To Be.” I think their label wanted to remind everyone that The Mats could still kick it out. I’m still waiting for the rest of this show to be released. It’s not doing anyone any good sitting on a shelf.

The Replacements Inconcerated Live Track List:

1. The Replacements – “Talent Show”
2. The Replacements – “Answering Machine”
3. The Replacements – “Anywhere’s Better Than Here”
4. The Replacements – “Another Girl, Another Planet”
5. The Replacements – “Here Comes A Regular”
6. The Replacements – “Achin’ To Be”

Download: The Replacements Inconcerated Live (.zip file)

What can we say about the National that hasn’t already been said? I honestly think that the New York Times Magazine was a perfect summary of my feelings on the album. This is a band whose growth in music, lyrics and subject matter runs parallel to my own aging. As with their last two releases, I would find it impossible to not find this ranking right at or near the top of our year-end list of favorite albums of the year. Today, The National release High Violet. It’s highly recommended and I cannot wait to hear the new material live. If you buy one record this year, make it this one.

Giveaway: We’ve got a pair of tickets to the National’s show at the Riverside Theater on Wednesday, August 4th and an autographed copy of the vinyl 7″ for the track “Bloodbuzz Ohio.” To enter, drop a comment letting us know what you think of High Violet? Where does this record sit amongst the rest of their catalog? What format did you purchase? Please make sure to indicate if you’d like to win the pair of tickets or the autograped vinyl. We’ll select two winners at random and notify them by e-mail next week.

Buy: The National – High Violet
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MP3: The National – “Bloodbuzz Ohio”
Video: The National – “Terrible Love” (Pitchfork TV)

I’m excited just typing this post. Muzzle of Bees and 91.7 WMSE have teamed up to bring Crooked Fingers to Club Garibaldi in Milwaukee on Thursday, June 24th. Crooked Fingers released one of my all-time favorite albums in 2005′s Dignity and Shame, and their supporting show at the High Noon Saloon years ago was an unforgettable one. Tickets for the upcoming Milwaukee show are $10. More details coming soon.

Crooked Fingers are hard at work on new material. The band recently took took up with Kickstarter to help finance “Reservoir Songs Volume II, which will include his versions of great songs by The Kinks, Moby Grape, Merle Haggard, and others.” Make your contribution here.

Myspace: Crooked Fingers
MP3: Crooked Fingers – “Phony Revolutions”
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Buy: Crooked Fingers

Here are the Wisconsin and Illinois shows we recommend you take in this week. Check them out below and let us know which ones you’ll be attending or ones you think should really make our list.

Upcoming Shows:

5/10 – Matt Pond PA + Bobby Long – Mad Planet (MILWAUKE)
5/10 – Shout Out Louds + Freelance Whales – Lincoln Hall (CHICAGO)
5/11 – Murder By Death + Ha Ha Tonka – High Noon Saloon (MADISON)
5/11 – PechaKucha Milwaukee – Sugar Maple (MILWAUKEE)
5/12 – Givers – Empty Bottle (CHICAGO)
5/13 – Nite Jewel w/ Rory Kane & tba – Project Lodge (MADISON)
5/14 – Clem Snide – The Frequency (MADISON)
5/14 – Tom Vollman – The Borg Ward (MILWAUKEE)
5/14 – Local Natives + Suckers – Schubas (CHICAGO)
5/14 – Particle – Miramar Theatre (MILWAUKEE)
5/15 – Josh Ritter – Vic Theatre (CHICAGO)
5/14 – Newport Shores (PORT WASHINGTON)
5/15 – The Championship + Will Phalen & the Stereo Addicts – Mad Planet (MILWAUKEE)
5/15 – Hurricane Bells + Deep Dark Woods – Cactus Club (MILWAUKEE)

Just Announced:

6/11 – These United States + Juniper Tar + Strand of Oaks – Terrace (MADISON)
6/24 – Passion Pit – Summerfest (MILWAUKEE)
6/24 – The Daredevil Christopher Wright – Schubas (CHICAGO)
6/24 – Tokyo Police Club – Summerfest (MILWAUKEE)
6/25 – Public Enemy – Summerfest (MILWAUKEE)
6/25 – The Daredevil Christopher Wright – Ball Hall (CHICAGO)
6/26 – The Daredevil Cristopher Wright – Cactus Club (MILWAUKE)
7/4 – Against Me! – Summerfest (MILWAUKEE)
7/4 – Devo – Summerfest (MILWAUKEE)
7/4 – Silversun Pickups – Summerfest (MILWAUKEE)
7/29 – Dead Weather – The Rave (MILWAUKEE)
8/14 – The Daredevil Christopher Wright – Why Not Wausau Festival (WAUSAU)

+Bookmark our upcoming shows page for all your concert announcements+

We’re excited to be bringing back The Daredevil Christopher Wright, who last played Milwaukee when they headlined our 5-year anniversary show. They’re back at the Cactus Club with Cedarwell on Saturday, June 26th.

MP3: The Daredevil Christopher Wright – “The East Coast”
MP3: The Daredevil Christopher Wright – “How To Get My Head Back On My Shoulders”

Photo: Jeremy Nelson

+Bookmark our upcoming shows page for all your concert announcements+