Spiral Galaxy at the Milwaukee Psych Fest on May 11, 2024

Steve Krakow has been a frequent visitor to the Milwaukee Psych Fest, having performed at the music festival several times under the moniker of Plastic Crimewave. His new project with flautist Sara Gossett, Spiral Galaxy, explores a somewhat softer, more intimate version of psychedelia.

For this performance they were joined by Przemyslaw Krys Drazek on trumpet and Brent Fuscalso on bass. Drazak and Fuscalso at one time were collaborating with a range of musicians as Mako Sica, but since primarily been working as a duo and have changed their name to Drazak Fuscalso.

Buy their latest album here.

Recording information:

SPIRAL GALAXY

2024-05-11

Milwaukee, WI

2024 Milwaukee Psych Fest

Steve Krakow: keyboards

Sara Gossett: flute

Przemyslaw Krys Drazek: trumpet

Brent Fuscalso: bass

Setlist:

01 One (14:41)

02 Two (9:44)

Total time = 24:25

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in X-Y

Additional source: Excellent SBD feed via Max Nemer

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre3 at 24/96

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (167 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (78 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible

video of an excerpt of this performance:

Plastic Crimewave Syndicate at the Milwaukee Psych Fest on May 5, 2023

Here is another recording from the wonderful 2023 edition of the Milwaukee Psych Fest. This tape features Plastic Crimewave Syndicate, a Chicago group featuring guitarist and vocalist Steve Krakow which has been active since at least the mid-1990s. For this outside stage show at the Cooperage in Milwauke, Steve was accompanied by Andrew Kettering on bass and Jose Bernal on drums.

It was a cool and sometimes windy outdoor set (as can be seen in the photos below) but the music kept the appreciative crowd warm. I was fortunate to receive an excellent soundboard feed from audio engineering wizard Max Nemer which was augmented by my trusty Beyerdynamic MC 930 cardioids wrapped in windscreens.

Purchase their most recent album here.

Recording information:

PLASTIC CRIMEWAVE SYNDICATE

2023-05-05

Milwaukee Psych Fest

Outside Stage

Steven Krakow: guitar, keyboards, and voice

Andrew Kettering: bass

Jose Bernal: drums

Tracklist:

01 Cog In A Wheel (6:23)

02 No Place (8:44)

03 Pierce the Veil (Jasper's Last Freak)(8:32)

04 The Killer Skies (9:17)

05 Bound To Seek (4:43)

Total time = 37:39

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Beyerdynamic MC 930 in NOS

Additional source: Soundboard feed from Max Nemer

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (231 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that sort of thing

320 kbps mp3 files (128 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible 

a short video from a show in Chicago a few months prior to this festival: