Last Minute Show Added

Hey everybody! We've got a show this Saturday with two of Madison's coolest bands. We start the show at 10-ish and are followed by high energy new wave/punk sensations Modern Addict. The show headliners are Lorenzo's Music.

These Are Michael D. Barrett Photos

Mike thinks that he doesn't get enough credit for all the photos he takes at our shows. Just so that you know:
The following photos were ALL taken by Michael D. Barrett, esq

The CUT fundraiser at the High Noon Saloon last night started out with Wilhelmina Baker. We have no pictures of her because Mike was running home for the camera he forgot. But, she was great! Wildly entertaining and a fantastic voice!!

Bob Manor and the Getaway Drivers were really cookin' (as per usual).


Ellie and "Keelio" doing there thang.


Then it was our turn.


"Grrr, you sound like the Indigo girls..NOT!"


"My shirt matches my drum kit"


This looks like a poster right out of Teen Beat! No?


Ed Feeney joined us on bass for the evening. He worked his butt off to learn a dozen songs for this gig and his bass playing was scorching hot! Thanks Ed!


Who's dat?

Did I mention that Michael D. Barrett took these photos?

CUT: Teens and Self-Injury

On July 29th, 2006 we will be playing a benefit to raise money for the documentary CUT: Teens and Self-Injury, currently in production. Wendy Schneider's new film, sheds light on the too often secret topic of self-harm. It will feature interviews with teens at various stages of recovery as well as the professionals dedicated to helping them. The film will also include Garbage lead singer Shirley Manson (courtesy of Geffen Records), who shares her personal experience as a self-injury survivor. Here's the "teaser" for your viewing.

Come to the High Noon Saloon on July 29th and support the production of this film. Donations start ag $5 and are tax deductible. The fine folks at Ground Zero will be contributing food and you'll get to listen to three fantastic acts. The event runs from 6pm to 9pm and will start with Wilhelmina Baker. Our good friends Bob Manor and the Getaway Drivers will get you down and funky at around 7pm and we will finish things up at 8pm.

Honestly, when else will you be able to lay down money for a rock show and have it be tax deductible?

Is Wisconsin Fair?

Currently, the answer is, “No.” Wisconsin already has a law limiting marriage to a “husband and wife.” But many of our legislators want to elevate this discrimination to the level of a state constitutional amendment (which would make it all but impossible to reverse).

Wrong-headed and mean is the only way to describe this action.

According to a WSJ article from July 9th, “Nineteen states have voted on bans of gay marriage and in some cases civil unions as well, and all have passed.” The article further sites a poll of 600 Wisconsin residents that indicates that Wisconsinites are equally divided on how they will vote when the proposal is presented on the November ballot.

I take that to mean that half of the state population believes that straights deserve preferential treatment over gays. The logical extension of this argument speaks to morality. If you believe this amendment should be adopted, you must believe that homosexuality is immoral (likely based on personal religious beliefs). If this is you, you might as well stop reading this post and officially join all the other haters that signed up with Fred Phelps.

The following state legislators have sponsored/cosponsored the proposed amendment to ban gay marriage in Wisconsin:

State Senators
FITZGERALD-Juneau, STEPP-Sturtevant, ROESSLER-Oshkosh, LAZICH-New, Berlin, LEIBHAM-Sheboygan, KANAVAS-Brookfield, SCHULTZ-Richland Center, LASEE-De Pere, REYNOLDS-West Allis, GROTHMAN-West Bend, ZIEN-Eau Claire
State Representatives
GUNDRUM-New Berlin, NISCHKE-Waukesha, KRAWCZYK-Green Bay, SUDER-Abbotsford, FITZGERALD-Horicon, TOWNS-Janesville, OWENS-Oshkosh, GARD-Peshtigo, HUEBSCH-West Salem, MCCORMICK-Appleton, HUNDERTMARK-Clintonville, WILLIAMS-Medford, VAN ROY-Green Bay, BIES-Sister Bay, LEMAHIEU-Oostburg, HONADEL-South Milwaukee, PETTIS-Hertel, NASS-Whitewater, OTT-Forest Junction, LASEE-Green Bay, HAHN-Cambria, KESTELL-Elkhart Lake, LOTHIAN-Williams Bay, HINES-Oxford, GOTTLIEB-Port Washington, TOWNSEND-Fond du Lac, GUNDERSON-Waterford, KREIBICH-Eau Claire, PETROWSKI-Marathon, MEYER-Eagle River, JESKEWITZ-Menomonee Falls, FREESE-Dodgeville, VOS-Racine, KLEEFISCH-Oconomowoc, NERISON-Westby,BALLWEG-Markesan, MOULTON-Chippewa Falls, KERKMAN-Burlington, LOEFFELHOLZ-Platteville, ALBERS-Reedsburg, MURSAU-Crivitz, PRIDEMORE-Hartford, MONTGOMERY-Ashwaubenon

These people, and those that vote “yes” to ban gay marriages, are no less offensive than the haters in Fred Phelps’ “church”. The “yes” voters stand in judgment of their fellow man, self-assured that they hold the “moral high ground.” Well, if you are a Christian and for this amendment, don’t forget that, one day, your God will stand in judgment of you. No one likes a hater (not even God).

If you intend to vote “no” make sure you talk it up amongst your friends and family. We can be the first state to stop this hateful trend that is sweeping our nation. Find out more about it and donate to the cause at fairwisconsin.com.

This Looks Like Fun!

I think I'll do this one day.
I'll be moving a bit slower though.
What's the big rush?

Be There!

The small print reads:
"The short subject documentary, CUT, features candid interviews with teens at various stages of recovery as well as counselors dedicated to helping them. Wendy Schneider (Coney Island/Bugatti Type 35) explores and exposes the various facets of self-harm with CUT, her first film. Monies raised and generated will benefit Briarpatch: Youth Services Of Southern Wisconsin."

CD Review

Here's a review of Be the Engine from Indie-music.com:
By Dan MacIntosh

With a name like The Motor Primitives, I expected this music to be filled with high-powered and straight-forward rock bluster. But Pam Barrett’s pretty singing is placed over relatively gentle guitar rock instead.

The best song of this short, five-song set is titled “Silent One.” It borrows The Beatles’ guitar riff from “I Feel Fine,” but this bit of song-swiping still doesn’t prevent it from making the listener feel mighty fine from beginning to end. The disc opens with the title track, which rolls with a chugging, blues-based riff. The next track is titled “Canopy,” which is closer to a folk tune. “In The Rise & Fall” is light rock, and the CD’s closer is a quiet one called “Sundown,” which is perfect last song for day’s end.

The group is from Madison, Wisconsin, and also features Robin Davies on drums, Kat Spring on guitars, and Matthew Sanborn switching from bass, to guitar, to percussion, to fill out its lineup. Adam Powell also adds Moog to “Sundown.”

Lyrically, “In the Rise & Fall” is the most memorable song here, word-wise. Its refrain of “Let it go” is a reminder that human beings simply cannot control every little thing in their surroundings, and thus must let it go sometimes. It also has one of Barrett’s most passionate vocal performances.

The Motor Primitives are not a blisteringly fast speedway act, but Be the Engine nevertheless has more than enough power to get the group where it’s going.
###

And now, my response:
"relatively gentle rock" - Yes! Compared to insanely distorted grunge crap. I prefer the term "tasteful."
"It borrows The Beatles’ guitar riff from 'I Feel Fine'” - Wrong! If anything, I stole...I mean borrowed...it from Rockpile. I promise I'll give it back!