ALBUM REVIEW: Various Artists - Lest We Forget - Our Night to Remember

Conceived as a way to pay tribute to the many dearly departed Milwaukee artists who've left an impact on the city's music scene, and in some cases on listeners around the world, last year's Lest We Forget concert was truly a one-of-a-kind event, reuniting over a dozen long out of commission local punk and alternative bands from the late 70s and early 80s, many of whom hadn't played together in decades. With such a unique, emotionally charged event, documentation is a must, and now some of the night's best performances have been collected on one jam-packed compilation.

The disc, which between its 22 songs clocks in at a hefty 75 minutes, presents a pretty comprehensive picture of the show, and, by extension, of the diverse sounds that found a home here during that era, from the fiery, proletarian hardcore of Sacred Order to the upbeat rockabilly of the Rock-A-Dials and the sparse new wave of St. Bernard. Though stylistically eclectic, all the music here is of a consistently high caliber, but that being said, the contributions from Milwaukee's trailblazing favorite sons Die Kreuzen, namely lively versions of "All White" and "Number Three", are a cut above. 

As good as it is, there are a few puzzling flaws, which mostly have to do with the tracklist; Sacred Order have twice as many songs as anybody else, including the thrashy novelty "Three Testes", which could have easily been left on the cutting room floor, and the Black Holes are just plain absent, but a little unevenness here and there is a minor complaint. Overall, it's a superbly recorded souvenir for those who were in attendance, a nice consolation prize for those couldn't make it and, most importantly, a lasting memorial to those no longer with us.

PLAYLIST: Mondo Radio (05/29/13)

Here's the playlist for this week's edition of Mondo Radio, which you can download or stream here. This episode: "The Strangest Rhythm", featuring glitch, weirdo techno and downtempo. If you like what you hear, be sure to also find the show on Facebook, Tumblr and Twitter!

Artist - Song - Album

Les Robots Musique - Planet 16 - Plan 9

Les Robots Musique - Plan 9 - Plan 9

Blasterhead - We Are Here - Killbots EP

Blasterhead - Route 909 - Killbots EP

Venetian Snares - Kyokushin - Detrimentalist

Venetian Snares - Flashforward - Detrimentalist

Aphex Twin - Omgyjya-Switch7 - Drukqs

Aphex Twin - Vordhosbn - Drukqs

Polygon Window - Quoth - Surfing On Sine Waves

Polygon Window - Redruth School - Surfing On Sine Waves

Squarepusher - Time Borb - Selection Sixteen

Squarepusher - Dedicated Loop - Selection Sixteen

Minimal Man - He/She - Sex Teacher EP

Brain Eno - Sounds Alien - Drums Between The Bells

Brian Eno - Multimedia - Drums Between The Bells

Lee Rosevere - Sick At The Bauhaus Show - Backtime

Lee Rosevere - Son Of Tegwar - Backtime

The Complainer - Don't Go - The Shrine The Second: Ultimate Hits Collection (The Very Last TC (Album. This Is It))

The Complainer - Relax - The Shrine The Second: Ultimate Hits Collection (The Very Last TC (Album. This Is It))

Container - Perforate (Live) - Live On WFMU's Distort Jersey City With Deed Runlea - April 3, 2013

Container - Acclimator (Live) - Live On WFMU's Distort Jersey City With Deed Runlea - April 3, 2013

Glass Boy - Answering Machine - Jenkins

Glass Boy - Daydream Machine - Jenkins

Alex Body - Stranded In The Corner - No Event

Alex Body - Electric Feeling Photograph - No Event

Radiohead - Kid A - Kid A

Radiohead - Treefingers - Kid A

Liars - The Exact Color Of Doubt - WIXIW

Liars - Octagon - WIXIW

Flying Lotus (Feat. Laura Darlington) - Phantasm - Until The Quiet Comes

Flying Lotus - Me Yesterday//Corded - Until The Quiet Comes

Chrome Sparks - Gates To Heaven - Sparks EP

Chrome Sparks - Luna Luxor - Sparks EP

Four Tet - Glue Of The World - Pause

Four Tet - No More Mosquitoes - Pause

Boards Of Canada - Music Is Math - Geogaddi

Boards Of Canada - Corsair - Geogaddi

CONCERT REVIEW: Die Kreuzen (Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee)

Exactly a year after their triumphant 2012 reunion show, Milwaukee's legendary Die Kreuzen return to the Turner Hall stage once again.

Read my full review here.

PLAYLIST: Mondo Radio (05/22/13)

Here's the playlist for this week's edition of Mondo Radio, which you can download or stream here. This episode: "The Rock 'n' Roll Ghost", featuring 21st century takes on garage rock, punk and more. If you dig it, be sure to also follow the show on Facebook, Tumblr and Twitter!

Artist - Song - Album

The Mooney Suzuki - Electric Sweat - Electric Sweat

The Mooney Suzuki - In A Young Man's Mind - Electric Sweat

The Hives - Die, All Right! - Veni Vidi Vicious

The Hives - Find Another Girl - Veni Vidi Vicious

The (International) Noise Conspiracy - (I've Got) Survival Sickness - Survival Sickness

The (International) Noise Conspiracy - The Reproduction Of Death - Survival Sickness

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Red Eyes And Tears - B.R.M.C.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Love Burns - B.R.M.C.

The White Stripes - The Hardest Button To Button - Elephant

The White Stripes - Little Acorns - Elephant

The Dandy Warhols - Mohammed - Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia

The Dandy Warhols - Nietzsche - Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia

Brian Jonestown Massacre - Gaz Hilarant - Aufheben

Brian Jonestown Massacre - Illuminomi - Aufheben

Mutabaruka - Ode To Johnny Drughead - 12" Single

Teenage Moods - Golden Lasso - Grow

Teenage Moods - Electric Aloha - Grow

JEFF The Brotherhood - Bummer - We Are The Champions

JEFF The Brotherhood - Mellow Out - We Are The Champions

The Pharmacy - Josephine - Stoned And Alone

The Pharmacy - Baby Be - Stoned And Alone

Chocolate Chips - Acquired Taste - Cancel My Appointments

Chocolate Chips - Fed Up With Myself - Cancel My Appointments

King Tuff - Loser's Wall - King Tuff

King Tuff - Stranger - King Tuff

King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard - Dead Beat - Willoughby's Beach

King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard - Dustbin Fletcher - Willoughby's Beach

Mikal Cronin - Better Man - Garage Swim

Apache Dropout - Constant Plaything - Garage Swim

Black Lips - The Lie - Arabia Mountain

Black Lips - Bone Marrow - Arabia Mountain

The Creeping Ivies - Rock N Roll Ghost - Stay Wild

The Creeping Ivies - Buzzbomb - Stay Wild

Screaming Females - Starve The Beat - What If Someone Is Watching Their T.V.?

Screaming Females - Boyfriend - What If Someone Is Watching Their T.V.?

Cheap Time - Too Late - Cheap Time

Cheap Time - Trip To The Zoo - Cheap Time

Ty Segall Band - Death - Slaughterhouse

Ty Segall Band - I Bought My Eyes - Slaughterhouse

Ty Segall - Ghost - Twins

Ty Segall - Inside Your Heart - Twins

Dan Melchior Und Das Menace - Deep Fried Circuits - Das Menace: Unreleased/Rarities

Dan Melchior Und Das Menace - Her Incredible Shoes - Das Menace: Unreleased/Rarities

Dirt - {Ø} (Empty Sets) - Single

Dirt - Dagger(s) - Single

CONCERT REVIEW: Flying Lotus, Thundercat & Teebs (Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee)

Going all out in support of his latest release, 2012's Until the Quiet Comes, Flying Lotus wows a packed house at Turner Hall, both musically and visually.

Read my full review here.

FEATURE: Julia Child: Changing TV Forever

Between her towering height, plain looks and incredibly strange voice, legendary chef Julia Child at first seemed ill-suited for television, but she ended up changing the medium as much as she did American attitudes toward food.

Read the full piece here.

GIVEAWAY: Enter to Win a Pair of Passes to Riot Fest 2013

Voodoo Inspector is psyched to be giving away a pair of passes to Riot Fest 2013, taking place September 13-15 at Chicago's scenic Humbolt Park! The festival, now in its eighth year, has only announced a portion of the final lineup, but already it offers plenty to see for fans of punk and alternative rock, including Blondie, Dinosaur Jr., Best Coast, Violent Femmes, Bob Mould, Rocket from the Crypt and many more!

Tickets and festival passes are available for purchase here, but you can enter to win a free pair of passes, good for all three days, via the submission form below. All you have to do is 'like' Voodoo Inspector on Facebook, enter your name and email address, and you're in the running. The winner will be announced June 01. Good luck!

Enter to win a pair of passes to Riot Fest 2013 (Chicago, September 13-15)!

UPDATE: "A Desperate Masterpiece: Lars Von Trier's Riget" on WFMU's Beware of the Blog

In case you missed it, my article on Lars Van Trier's excellent TV series Riget (The Kingdom), got picked up by WFMU's Beware of the Blog! Always happy to be in such good company!

Read the full piece here.

CONCERT REVIEW: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (Turner Hall Ballroom, Milwaukee)

Goth-inflected garage rockers Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, fresh off the release of their new Specter at the Feast, draw a large, enthusiastic crowd to Turner Hall.

Read my full review here.

PLAYLIST: Mondo Radio (05/15/13)

Here's the playlist for this week's edition of Mondo Radio, which you can download or stream here. This episode: "The World Owes Me a Love", featuring girl groups, garage rock and swinging 60s pop from around the globe! If you like what you hear, be sure to find the show on Facebook, Tumblr and Twitter!

Artist - Song - Album

The Supremes - A Hard Day's Night - Motown Milestones: Motown Meets The Beatles

The Supremes - You Can't Do That - Motown Milestones: Motown Meets The Beatles

The Shirelles - Boys - The Very Best Of The Shirelles

The Shirelles - Stop The Music - The Very Best Of The Shirelles

The Marvelettes - Don't Mess With Bill - The Best Of The Marvelettes

The Marvelettes - Please Mister Postman - The Best Of The Marvelettes

Little Peggy March - I Will Follow Him - Girl Group Greats

Joanie Sommers - Johnny Get Angry - Girl Group Greats

Dean & Jean - I Wanna Be Loved - Collector's Records Of The 50s and 60s, Vols. 19 & 20

Jackie DeShannon - Needles And Pins - Hearing Is Believing: The Jack Nitzsche Story (1962-1979)

Dusty Springfield - Girls It Ain't Easy - Dusty In London

Dusty Springfield - Sweet Inspiration - Dusty In London

Eddie Hodges - Seein' Is Believin' - Hearing Is Believing: The Jack Nitzsche Story (1962-1979)

Frank Lyndon Of The Belmonts - The Hat - Collector's Records Of The 50s and 60s, Vols. 19 & 20

Gene McDaniels - Tower Of Strength - Golden Greats

Gene McDaniels - You Can Have Her - Golden Greats

Lee Hazlewood With Suzie Jane Hokum - The Girls In Paris - These Boots Are Made For Walkin': The Complete MGM Recordings

Lee Hazlewood - These Boots Are Made For Walkin' - These Boots Are Made For Walkin': The Complete MGM Recordings

Great City - Impressive - Great City

The Box Tops - The Letter - The Best Of The Box Tops: Soul Deep

The Box Tops - Neon Rainbow - The Best Of The Box Tops: Soul Deep

The Robbs - Cynthia Loves - The Robbs

The Robbs - Next Time You See Me - The Robbs

The Blue Boys - I Know - Psychedelic States: Wisconsin In The 60s

Mother's Worry - Can't Seem To Come Down - Psychedelic States: Wisconsin In The 60s

The Unrelated Segments - Cry, Cry, Cry - Back From The Grave, Vol. 2

The Mods - Satisfaction - Back From The Grave, Vol. 2

The Trashmen - Stage Announcements (Live) - Teen Trot! (Live In Ellsworth, WI - August 22, 1965)

The Trashmen - Surfin' Bird (Live) - Teen Trot! (Live In Ellsworth, WI - August 22, 1965)

? And The Mysterians - Shout (Part 1 & 2) - The Best Of ? And The Mysterians: Cameo Parkway 1966-1967

? And The Mysterians - 96 Tears - The Best Of ? And The Mysterians: Cameo Parkway 1966-1967

Jan Panter - Scratch My Back - Freakbeat Freakout

The Sheffields - It Must Be Love - Freakbeat Freakout

The 13th Floor Elevators - I'm Gonna Love You Too - 7th Heaven: Music Of The Spheres - The Complete Singles Collection

The 13th Floor Elevators - Tried To Hide - 7th Heaven: Music Of The Spheres - The Complete Singles Collection

Los Saicos - El Entierro De Los Gatos - Mas Rock And Roll

Los Sinners - Rebelde Radioactivo - Mas Rock And Roll

Explosivos Bargs - Green Star - Explosivos Bargs

Explosivos Bargs - O Céu E O Amor - Explosivos Bargs

Quarteto Nova Era - Viagem No Tempo - Single

Quarteto Nova Era - Apolo - Single

Gilles Et Dominique - Ca M'Est Egal - Swinging Mademoiselle, Vol. 3

Marie-Claire Courcel - Je N'Ai Pas Eu Le Temps De Pleurer - Swinging Mademoiselle, Vol. 3

Manfred Hübler & Siegfried Schwab - The Ballad Of A Fair Singer - 3 Films By Jess Franco

Manfred Hübler & Siegfried Schwab - The Lions And The Cucumber - 3 Films By Jess Franco

Naomi & The Boys - Bad Loser - Steam Kodok

Kassim Slamat & The Swallows - Lek, Paju Molle - Steam Kodok

Mickey Curtis & Samurai - Fresh Hot Breeze Of Summer - Single

Mickey Curtis & Samurai - Shu Shu - Single

CONCERT REVIEW: Rio Turbo, Alex Body & Goldendust (Quarters Rock 'n' Roll Palace, Milwaukee)

Three acts, with three very different sounds, but they all have one thing in common.

Read my full review here.

FEATURE: A Desperate Masterpiece: Lars Von Trier's Riget

When Danish director Lars Var Trier signed on to direct and co-write the horror mini-series Riget (The Kingdom), he was mainly looking for a paycheck, but he ended up finding something much more valuable.

Read the full piece here.

PLAYLIST: Mondo Radio (05/08/13)

Here's the playlist for this week's edition of Mondo Radio, which you can download or stream here. This episode: "A Glitch in the System", featuring early electronic music, psychedelic synth explorations and switched-on pop! If you like what you hear, be sure to also find the show on Facebook, Tumblr and Twitter!

Artist - Song - Album

Walter Carlos - Timesteps (Excerpt) - Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange - Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Walter Carlos - March From A Clockwork Orange (Ninth Symphony, Fourth Movement, Abridged) - Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange - Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Perrey & Kingsley - Umbrellas Of Cherbourg - Kaleidoscopic Vibrations: Electronic Pop Music From Way Out

Perrey & Kingsley - Strangers In The Night - Kaleidoscopic Vibrations: Electronic Pop Music From Way Out

Gerhard Trede & His Electronic Instruments - Red Dog Fly - Drums On Phasing & Electronic Sounds

Gerhard Trede & His Electronic Instruments - Collage - Drums On Phasing & Electronic Sounds

Emil Richards - Diamond (April) - New Sound Element "Stones"

Emil Richards - Garnet (January) - New Sound Element "Stones"

Bernard Estardy - Tic Tac Nocturne - Electro Sounds, Vol. 2

Bernard Estardy - Asiatic Dream - Electro Sounds, Vol. 2

Ray Cathode - Waltz In Orbit - Single

Ray Cathode - Time Beat - Single

Sir Robert Charles Griggs - Cricket Conversation Interlude - The Legend Of Sir Robert Charles Griggs

Jack Capon And Rosemary Hallum - Move Like A Machine - Perceptual Motor Rhythm Games

Sir Robert Charles Griggs - Moogie Woogie - The Legend Of Sir Robert Charles Griggs

Bruce Haack - Listen - The Electronic Record For Children

Bruce Haack - African Lullaby - The Electronic Record For Children

Peter Davison - Circles Within Circles - Winds Of Space

Louis And Bebe Barron - Robby Arranges Flowers, Zaps Monkey - Forbidden Planet: The Original MGM Soundtrack

Louis And Bebe Barron - Robby, The Cook, And 60 Gallons Of Booze - Forbidden Planet: The Original MGM Soundtrack

Tangerine Dream - Movements Of A Visionary - Phaedra

Tangerine Dream - Sequent 'C' - Phaedra

Bitchin Bajas - Zone 2 - Tones/Zones

Bitchin Bajas - Zone 3 - Tones/Zones

Black Moth Super Rainbow - Changing You All - Drippers

Black Moth Super Rainbow - Happy Melted City - Drippers

Brian Eno - Seedpods - Drums Between The Bells

Brian Eno - Glitch - Drums Between The Bells

Lee Rosevere - Son Of Tegwar - Backtime

Lee Rosevere - Soho Joe - Backtime

Glass Boy - Danish Lakes - Jenkins

Glass Boy - Hot-Hands - Jenkins

Dan Deacon - Pink Batman - Spiderman Of The Rings

Dan Deacon - Big Milk - Spiderman Of The Rings

Stereolab - Percolator - Emperor Tomato Ketchup

Stereolab - Les Yper-Sound - Emperor Tomato Ketchup

Cornelius - Fit Song - Sensuous

Cornelius - Like A Rolling Stone - Sensuous

Shugo Tokumaru - Laminate - Port Entropy

Shugo Tokumaru - River Low - Port Entropy

Deerhoof - Mothball The Fleet - Breakup Song

Deerhoof - We Do Parties - Breakup Song

Bis - Oh My - At Home With The Groovebox

Jean-Jacques Perrey - Groovy Leprechauns - At Home With The Groovebox

Jean-Jacques Perrey & Luke Vibert - Intro - Moog Acid

Jean-Jacques Perrey & Luke Vibert - Dream 106 - Moog Acid

COMEDY REVIEW: Marc Maron (The Pabst Theatre, Milwaukee)

Comedian and noted podcaster Marc Maron brings his acerbic, exasperated brand of stand up to the Pabst; hilarity ensues.

Read my full review here.

CONCERT REVIEW: Big Boi & Killer Mike (The Rave, Milwaukee)

It's been seven years since the last Outkast record, Idlewild, a companion piece to their film of the same name, and between doubts that the Georgia duo will ever make another record and André 3000's relative musical inactivity, it's really been up to Big Boi to keep Outkast's eccentric southern spirit alive. He hasn't done a bad job of it either, releasing the energetic, purposeful Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty in 2010 and following it up late last year with Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors, an effort he's currently supporting with the current "Shoes for Running" world tour, which pulled into Milwaukee tonight.

In the support slot was longtime Dungeon Family collaborator Killer Mike, whose set didn't get things off on the best foot. It's not that Killer Mike isn't a talented MC, he proved the opposite on the mic here, it was just that it seemed plain and poorly produced. Of course, he's not the headliner, but there were also things within his control that stole some of his momentum, like an extended speech on behalf of wanted Black activist Assata Shakur. It's an important issue, sure, but in this context it'd be more effective to impart a few carefully chosen words and let the music say the rest.

In a perhaps not unintentional contrast, Big Boi's set was a colorful, kinetic affair, with video projections, lights and a gaggle of backup dancers. Assisted by a live drummer, bass player and singer (as well as the obligatory hype-man), he sounded appropriately big and booming throughout a set fairly well balanced between newer material and Outkast classics. That fullness at times got the best of the Rave's sound guy, but, unfortunately, that's something those familiar with the venue should have come to expect by now. Still, that was a minor annoyance, which couldn't derail his high-spirited performance, especially on standouts like "B.O.B." and the new "Mama Told Me".

For how towering a figure he is in rap, and for how good the show turned out to be, it was a little surprising to see the Rave just half-full. Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors may not be performing as well as its predecessor, but whatever you think of the new material, that doesn't quite explain why he failed to pack the place (I mean, it's Daddy Fat Sax!). Perhaps it was that the 2013 Miltown Beat Down finals, featuring DJ Shadow and taking place at the same time downtown, lured away some of the local heads. In any case, it turned out to be their loss.

FEATURE: Miltown Beat Down Sets the Stage for Final Battle of the Beat-Smiths

In a smart reaction to recent musical trends, Milwaukee's annual beat battle reaches out to a whole new community of producing talent.

Read the full piece here.

PLAYLIST: Mondo Radio (05/01/13)

Here's the playlist for this week's special pledge drive edition of Mondo Radio, which you can download or stream here. This episode: "Cash Rules Everything Around Me", featuring songs about money and talk about why you should give some to WMSE's Spring Membership Drive! And as always, if you dig what you hear, be sure to also follow the show on Facebook, Tumblr and Twitter!

Artist - Song - Album

The Avengers - Money - Died For Your Sins

The Dicks - Rich Daddy - Kill From The Heart

Dead Kennedys - Kill The Poor - Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables

The Clash - Career Opportunities - The Clash

King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard - Danger $$$ - Willoughby's Beach

The Trashmen - Money (Live) - Teen Trot! (Live In Ellsworth, WI - August 22, 1965)

The Brigands - (Would I Still Be) Her Big Man - Back From the Grave, Vol. 2

The Kinks - The Moneygoround - Lola Versus Powerman And The Moneygoround, Part One

The Who - Silas Stingy - The Who Sell Out

David Bowie - The Man Who Sold The World - The Man Who Sold The World

The Beatles - Can't Buy Me Love - Hey Jude

Talking Heads - Love For Sale - True Stories

Van Der Graaf - Sci-Finance (Live) - Vital

Falcao And Monashee - Money - Fools

The Twang - What Would I Wear In Paradise? - Eggnog & Other Selections

Holger Czukay, Jah Wobble, Jaki Liebezeit - Where's The Money? - Full Circle

Holger Czukay - Oh Lord Give Us More Money - Movies

Mystic Minds - Welfare To Unemployment - Mind Over Matter

L.T.G. Exchange - Money Mad - Susie Heartbreaker

Lee Rosevere - Bad Money - Backtime

ABBA - Money, Money, Money - The Definitive Collection

Pulp - Common People - Different Class

Supergrass - In It For The Money - In It For The Money

The Go! Team - Buy Nothing Day - Rolling Blackouts

Beck - Get Real Paid - Midnite Vultures

Rio Turbo - Jesus Price - Heart Attack

Dirty Sound System - Euro Vs. Dollar (Pilooski Edit) - Dirty Edits, Vol. 2

Material - For A Few Dollars More - Memory Serves

A Tribe Called Quest - I Left My Wallet In El Segundo - Peoples' Instinctive Travels And The Paths Of Rhythm

Eric B. & Rakim - Paid In Full - Paid In Full

The Wu-Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M. - Wu: The Story Of The Wu-Tang Clan

Blackalicious - Deception Part 1: Don't Let Money Change Ya - Deception

Gorillaz - Sweepstakes - Plastic Beach

London Posse - Money Mad - An England Story

Stush - Dollar Sign - An England Story

Wiley - Music Not The Money - 100% Publishing

CONCERT REVIEW: Heavy Times, Teenage Moods, Micronics & Telecraft (Quarters Rock 'n' Roll Palace, Milwaukee)

Spring has finally sprung here in Milwaukee, which means more shows, better bands and, naturally, some serious drinking.

Read my full review here.