Badman at Cactus Club in Milwaukee on September 25, 2025

Badman gave a very energetic set while opening for Wife at Cactus Club last September. Vocalist Sam Califf ran into the crowd several times while frenetically singing their short songs. It was a fun experience and a sign that punk is thriving in their hometown of Cincinnati.

Madison-based rock poet Thax Douglas provided a short impressionistic poem to kick off the set.

Purchase their most recent release here.

Recording information:

Badman

2025-09-25

Milwaukee, WI

Cactus Club

Sam Califf: vocals 

Nino Hernandez: guitar 

Spyder: bass 

Nic Preston: drums

Setlist:

01 Poem by Thax Douglas (0:24)

02 Violence Is Hopeless (1:53)

03 Tuesdays Really Are the Dullest Day (2:29)

04 Uber Everywhere (2:03)

05 Your Problem (2:59)

06 Like Snow (2:46)

07 Steampunk II (2:01)

08 Sam’s Song (1:23)

09 Wow I Didn’t Know They Could Do That -> Bowl To Scare (3:18)

10 Stupid Look (1:47)

11 Jesus Was American (2:26)

12 Somebody’s Gotta Pay (1:06)

13 Keyboard Cowboy (1:32)

Total time = 26:07

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF

Additional source: SBD feed from Alex

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (180 MB)

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

320 kbps mp3 files (90 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible

video of a performance in April 2025:

Human Ant Farm at MKE-Ultra in Milwaukee on April 30, 2026

Human Ant Farm is a new enough band on the Milwaukee scene that they don't have a Bandcamp account. Yet they have several delightful tracks on streaming service Spotify, and their stage presence at this show betrays quite a bit of confidence born of performing experience. Their songs were very well-written with a good range of textures, dynamics, and emotions. I was impressed and hope to record them again soon.

MKE-Ultra is fast becoming one of my favorite venues in town. I have started to tell everyone who will listen (and a few who won't) about the immaculate vibes at this former tavern which eventually became a notorious biker hangout before finally being rented by a trio of musicians as a rehearsal space. They now book shows there most nights of the week. Andy, Brian, and David always make me feel at home when recording there, and I have yet to meet a musician who didn't enjoy playing in this intimate and welcoming space.

Check out their instagram page here.

Recording information:

HUMAN ANT FARM

2026-04-30

Milwaukee, WI at MKE-Ultra

Jacob Renard-VerVoort: vocals

Chase VerVoort: guitar and vocals

Kendall Karpinski: guitar

Sam Knutsen: bass

Tillman Fryer: drums

Setlist:

01 Can Texas Beat It? (4:14)

02 Nuts and Bolts (4:09)

03 Scribbled Lines (4:31)

04 Lighthouse (5:44)

05 Saving Face (6:01

06 Who's Writing (4:43)

Total time = 29:22

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF configuration

Additional source: mono SBD feed from Andy Worzella

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (207 MB)

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

320 kbps mp3 files (101 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible

video of their set last May at Cactus Club:

MANAS at Acme Records in Milwaukee on January 8, 2020

In the relative calm of the final few weeks before a novel strain of Coronavirus came to the United States, Bhutanese guitarist Tashi Dorji and Vietnamese-American percussionist Thom Nguyen traveled to Milwaukee as part of a short tour. Together they are MANAS, the name of which seems to be a reference to the Buddhist concept of the mind, specifically the thinking mind.

Dorji's last appearance on this blog -- a fiery 2017 set at Acme Records with Tyler Damon -- was also a guitar and drums duo. This presents an interesting chance to compare the duos.

Buy their most recent album here.

Recording information:

MANAS
2020-01-08
Milwaukee, WI
Acme Records

Tashi Dorji: guitar
Thom Nguyen: drums

Setlist:
01 First (4:45)
02 Second (23:12)
03 Third (12:11)

Total time = 40:08

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog 

Microphones: Beyerdynamic MC930 in ORTF
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6 at 24/96
Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (247 MB)

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

320 kbps mp3 files (121 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible

Weak Signal at the Bur Oak in Madison on October 17, 2021

Weak Signal is a trio consisting from New York consisting of guitarist Mike Bones, bassist and violinist Sasha Vine, and drummer Tran Huynh. Their songs combine the grittiness of American punk and porto-punk (think Iggy Pop and Lou Reed) along with lyrics elements with a gothic, sometimes surreal atmosphere. They came to Madison in October 2021 as part of a tour with Garcia Peoples to perform at the Bur Oak.

Buy their most recent album here.

Recording information:

WEAK SIGNAL

2021-10-17

Madison, WI at the Bur Oak

Mike Bones: guitar, voice

Sasha Vine: bass, violin

Tran Huynh: drums

Setlist:

01 I Don’t Miss You (3:11)

02 Hallelujah Baby (2:35)

03 Spooky Feeling (4:26)

04 Devotion (2:42)

05 Dripping in Gold (2:51)

06 You Can’t See Me (1:48)

07 Drugs in My System (3:30)

08 Names (2:53)

09 Miami (14:19)

10 Tell Me How U Like It (2:35)

Total time = 44:05

Recorded by Richard Hayes with permission for this blog

Microphone: Beyerdynamic MC 930 in ORTF

Additional source: mono SBD feed

Recorder Sound Devices MixPre6

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (271 MB)

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

320 kbps mp3 files (123 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible

Vocokesh at the Milwaukee Psych Fest on May 5, 2023

We have another performance from Milwaukee psychedelic rock royalty Vocokesh, this time from the 2023 Psych Fest. This is another set of big energy improvised psych rock punctuated by extended solos from Richard Franecki.

Buy their most recent album here.

Recording information:

VOCOKESH

2023-05-05

The Cooperage

Milwaukee Psych Fest

Richard Franecki: guitar

Tom Schnier: bass

Jim Gawelski: drums

Setlist:

01 One (10:15)

02 Two (6:33)

03 Three (12:39)

04 Four (7:25)

05 Five (3:41)

Total time = 40:33

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF

Additional source: mono SBD

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6 at 24/96

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (271 MB)

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

320 kbps mp3 files (191 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible

James McKain at the Jazz Gallery in Milwaukee on January 8, 2026

Back in January, Brooklyn-based saxophonist James McKain brought a quartet with him from the East Coast to the Milwaukee Jazz Gallery featuring Turkish-American pianist Ipek Eginli, bassist Evan Palmer, and percussionist Weasel Walter. The music was freely improvised and really benefitted from the textural approach each participant brought to the performance.

Purchase his most recent album here.

Recording information:

JAMES MCKAIN
2026-01-08
Milwaukee, WI
Jazz Gallery Center for the Arts

James McKain: tenor and baritone sax
Ipek Eginli: piano
Evan Palmer: bass
Weasel Walter: drums

Setlist:
01 One (17:40)
02 Two (21:24)

Total time = 39:04

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii
Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (214 MB)

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

320 kbps mp3 files (102 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible

Vocokesh at the Milwaukee Psych Fest on May 10, 2024

We proceed with our exhaustive exploration of the bands performing at the 2024 edition of the Milwaukee Psych Fest, which unfortunately appears to be the final incarnation of this beloved annual music festival. 

Vocokesh is an improvisatory psych rock band led by former F/I band member Richard Franecki. It's an exciting format which provides for very high energy focused jamming. 

Purchase their most recent album here.

Recording information:

VOCOKESH
2024-05-10
The Cooperage
Milwaukee Psych Fest

Richard Franecki: guitar
Tom Schnier: bass
Jim Gawelski: drums

Setlist:
01 One (8:36)
02 Two (4:38)
03 Three (6:37)
04 Four (3:58)
05 Five (10:46)
06 Six (6:36)

Total time = 41:11

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Line Audio OM1 in A-B
Additional source: mono SBD
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre3
Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (266 MB)

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

320 kbps mp3 files (121 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible

Derek Monypeny at Acme Records in Milwaukee on April 3, 2026

Avantgarde world music performer Derek Monypeny made another appearance at Acme Records a few weeks ago as part of a national tour with banjoist Kelby Clark.

Last time, Monypeny provided massive and dazzling psychedelic oceans of sound produced with a shahi baaja -- this time he came with a bulbul tarang, a related stringed instrument from India which features repurposed typewriter keys which are pressed down upon the strings, creating an etherial effect.

Buy his most recent release here

Recording information:

DEREK MONYPENY
2026-04-03
Milwaukee, WI
Acme Records and Music Emporium

Derek Monypeny: bulbul tarang
Kelby Clark: banjo (track 4)

Setlist:
01 One (20:48)
02 Two (8:36)
03 Three (6:18)
04 Four - with Kelby (8:38)

Total time = 44:20

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF at stage lip
Additional source: mono SBD feed
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96
Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (204 MB)

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

320 kbps mp3 files (67 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible

Kelby Clark at Acme Records in Milwaukee on April 3, 2026

Kelby Clark is an experimental banjoist who is originally from South Georgia but is currently is based in Los Angeles. He came to Acme Records a few weeks ago as part of a tour with Derek Monypeny. His music was atmospheric with an emphasis on textural components. It was an interesting approach to this traditional country instrument and seemed right at home for the typical adventurous Acme audience.

Purchase his most recent release here.

Recording information:

KELBY CLARK
2026-04-03
Milwaukee, WI
Acme Records

Kelby Clark: banjo

Setlist:
01 Entire performance (35:47)

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Microphones: Line Audio CM3 in ORTF at stage lip
Additional source: mono SBD
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96
Software: Audacity, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (142 MB)

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

320 kbps mp3 files (91 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible

video of the performance by our pal Andrew Lyon

Steve Gunn at Acme Records in Milwaukee on December 30, 2025

My first recordings of Steve Gunn for this blog were in April 2018 at Acme Records, both solo and in his duo with percussionist John Truscinski, so it seemed appropriate when I heard that Steve would be returning to this amazing performance space just before New Years' Eve for a solo show.

A lot has happened with Gunn since this first recordings; he signed and eventually moved on from Matador Records, and then released albums on Three Lobed and No Quarter. This past week he released an EP as well.

Gunn's performance was peppered with more distortion than I had expected and some noisy yet subtle electronics as well. 

It seems that before the show, he noticed a patron purchase a Velvet Underground box set and slipped in the lovely cover song, "I'll Be Your Mirror" into his set.

I was very fortunate to be sitting next to local photographer Ryan Sarnowski at this show, and his very much appreciated images are as follows:

Purchase his latest release here.

Recording information:

STEVE GUNN

2025-12-30

Milwaukee, WI

Acme Records

Steve Gunn: guitar and vocals

Setlist

01 Jam (1:50)

02 On the Way (8:29)

03 Morning on K Road (6:16)

04 Way Out Weather (7:14)

05 I’ll Be Your Mirror [Lou Reed] (3:56)

06 Hadrian’s Wall (4:27)

07 Another Fade (10:33)

08 Old Strange (8:00)

09 Nearly There (8:10)

10 Morning Is Mended (9:03)

Total time: 67:58

Recorded with permission by Richard Hayes for this blog

Source: SBD feed

Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre6ii at 32/96

Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.1 kHz FLAC files (406 MB)

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

320 kbps mp3 files (178 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible